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Reposted by David Roche

The White Falcon @markgolley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Quiz nite! Home from Devon & reminiscing about rares seen there in my youth. Four old, one less so. One a mega. One a "bird of the decade" for many who saw it. One a dessert after main course the same day (2 for 1!) One a bunked-off-school solid rare at the time. What & where?!? #rarebirdsuk

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

If I could sum up a Papay autumn in one photo it would probably be this one from today, highlights of which were a YBWarbler, 2 Redstart a Grey Wagtail and my first Jack Snipe #BirdingOrkney September now finished, without having seen a Whinchat, Garden Warbler or Lesser Whitethroat...

Song Thrush, taking shelter under the clifftop rocks at Mull Head. One of at least 30 seen today

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

YBWarbler and Lapland Bunting from North Hill this morning #BirdingOrkney Fairly quiet otherwise, but first Song Thrush and Brambling of the autumn. Unbirdable conditions tomorrow but hopefully things to find on Thursday...

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Reposted by David Roche

Steve Dudley @stevedudley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

On 23 Sep 2022 I was watching Orkney’s fourth and Westray’s first Semipalmated Sand, found by a visiting Lothian birder, Andy Thomas. Four years to the day I was watching another, in exactly the same place as 2022, also found by a visiting Lothian birder, Ed Parnell. Thanks fellas! #WestrayBirding

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Couple of highlights today from what had been a very quiet September. Leach's Petrel past Mull Head and a Barred Warbler (first seen yesterday) still in the North Wick #BirdingScotland The quest for a yank wader - currently all residing @northronbirdobs.bsky.social - goes on...

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Reposted by David Roche

Andrew Clarke @mrandrewclarke.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Truly bizarre experience twitching a Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) feeding on the edge of the woodland whilst visiting Sheffield General Cemetery today. Has anyone seen them hunting in similar habitat? Left it ‘showing well’ at 1130 hrs. SK34248600 @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social #UKBirding

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Reposted by David Roche

Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Magical morning on the Wirral with 36 Leach's Storm-petrels heading west into the wind, some more offshore than others 😍 #seawatching #superseabirdSunday

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Reposted by David Roche

Bill Aspin 🇺🇦 @billaspin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A couple of juvenile Hobby at Brockholes LWT. 😍 #LancsBirding

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Reposted by David Roche

Owen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A wonderful spectacle of the thousands of House Martins gathering on wires and on the Power Station at Dungeness early this morning I reckon 8,000+ #KentBirding

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Reposted by David Roche

Paul Bowerman @severnsidebirds.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I have been fortunate to see one Common Nighthawk in England but this eBird report from Tennessee, USA of 500 is truly amazing. See the videos on this eBird report macaulaylibrary.org/asset/664393...

macaulaylibrary.org

ML664393779 - Common Nighthawk - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML664393779; © Graham Gerdeman; Davidson, Tennessee, United States

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Reposted by David Roche

Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Distant views yesterday but today enjoyed incredible views of the juvenile American Black Tern (form 'surinamensis') at Loch of Tingwall, Shetland. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Fair to say that the recent run of east winds has proved disappointing with today's totals of nine Willow Warbler and three Pied Flys the best on offer #BirdingOrkney Highlight was in fact two fledged Redpoll above the South Wick. A new breeding species for the island #PWC2026

Fledged Redpoll. A species that always seemed a likely breeding addition to the island list, with birds often present here through the late spring period

Willow Warbler along the west coast of North Hill. The best setting to watch migrant passerines!

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Reposted by David Roche

TG42Birder🇵🇸 @tg42birder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

It’s prime Long-tailed Skua time. 5 skuas were misidentified at Waxham on Tues - no criticism of the obs, they realised & corrected the IDs. Skuas can be very tricky. Put the time in & don’t rely on experts - everyone can get it wrong. #norfolkbirding tg42lowcarbonbirding.wixsite.com/tg42/post/th...

tg42lowcarbonbirding.wixsite.com

The Identification of a Long-tailed Skua

Summary:A dark-phase juvenile Long-tailed Skua was photographed in Winterton Dunes, Oct 14 2020 by Jonathan Farooqi (JF). The record was submitted to Norfolk Records Committee (NRC) and was accepted b...

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Reposted by David Roche

Shiphay Birder @shiphaybirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

An additional clip to add context to yesterday's #Nightjar in our suburban Torbay back garden 🏡😂. #DevonBirds #UKBirding #birds @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @birdtrack.bsky.social

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Reposted by David Roche

Chris S @macrodactyla.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Juv Long-tailed Skua that flew close by on Redcar Beach before heading North this morning @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social #NEBirding #UKBirding

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Great Shearwater west past Mull Head this morning plus 8 White beaked Dolphin #BirdingOrkney At least ten Bottle nosed Dolphins off here yesterday, my first around Papay

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Reposted by David Roche

Birds of Poole Harbour @harbourbirds.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

An adult male Honey Buzzard came and landed on our Osprey nest briefly this afternoon, digging in the nest searching for a potential wasp or bees nest?! @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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Reposted by David Roche

Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

A rare sight these days, cliff nesting House Martin’s! At least 29 nests Bilsdean Arches this morning, just one of two such sites in Lothian. 2 yellow wag on Scoughall beach yesterday. #BirdingLothian #BirdingScotland

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Finally got around to painting the Bee eater. If anybody is interested in a print (or even the original) drop me a message #RareBirdsUK #BirdArt #BirdingScotland

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Reposted by David Roche

Dennis Morrison @denmor77.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Red-footed Falcon at Aberlady this morning, another top find by Mr Gillon. My second one in Lothian after the 1s female in May 2008 at Almondell & Calderwood CP @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The other highlight from Golspie was the wealth of flowering plants, found in the dunes opposite Loch Fleet. An incredibly species rich site #WildFlowerHour

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Black throated Divers Golspie, 23rd July. I challenge anyone to name a better looking British breeding species #BirdingScotland Simplistic elegance at its finest

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Finishing a week exploring around Cannich and Glen Affric. Quiet for Dragonflies but still two Golden and one WTEagle, several Crested Tits, numerous Tree Pipits and plenty of Spot Flys plus a loose flock of 32 Mistle Thrush! #BirdingScotland

Male Common Hawker, picked up from the side of the road

Mixed birch and native pine forest around Glen Affric

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

20 Black throated Diver (groups of 9, 6 and 5) feeding close inshore off of Golspie yesterday evening #BirdingScotland A bonus treat from an overnight camp, en route to Glen Affric.

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The ingenuity of the Papay fun weekend carties never ceases to amaze... @birdguides.bsky.social #BirdingOrkney #PWC2026

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

A very fresh juvenile Common Rosefinch around the school this morning #BirdingOrkney #PWC2026

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

No sign of Bee eater, roosting at Hundland this evening #BirdingScotland An afternoon of nervous tension and borderline despair, followed by pure, utter joy when it reappeared for all assembled

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Bee eater roosted again tonight in Hundland Willows, showing at point blank range. This bird knows no fear! #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Orkneys first Blue cheeked Bee eater, first found by Paul and Jakey around Clestrain whilst out on the quadbike. A nervous wait, but relieved to find it again around around Hundland where still present this evening #BirdingOrkney #RareBirdsUK

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Second Honey Buzzard of the year just gone North through the island. Last watched heading out to sea, bound for @northronbirdobs.bsky.social (or maybe to be poached by @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social) #BirdingScotland

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

A couple of Arctic Skua chicks from this afternoon for #SuperSeabirdSunday Hopefully the first of many, in what looks like it could be a decent year for them, here on Papay #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Good to confirm the presence of several Blue tailed Damselfly, just above the North Wick this afternoon. The first record for Papay. A vigil over the airfield went exactly as planned, with the departing plane once again flushing the Quail! #PWC2026

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Reposted by David Roche

Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Nuthatch at Tarbat Ness lighthouse today, around 60km from the nearest nest site I’m aware of, its dispersal time! #highlandbirds @richardkbroughton.bsky.social

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Another surprise this afternoon with a dark phase Honey Buzzard north through the island #BirdingOrkney Surely only a matter of time before Papay's first Red Kite does the same thing...

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

At the airfield this morning to see off family, when the incoming plane flushes a Quail (twice) from the edge of the runway #BirdingOrkney My first seen on the isle and only my 5th ever, after two migrants on Fair Isle and the Farne Islands

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Reposted by David Roche

Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

and a wee bit of video of the Woodcock with chicks in tow! #highlandbirds 🪶

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Quail, videoed by island resident Anne Hourston outside Cott, early Monday morning #BirdingOrkney Would have probably been my bird of the year so far, had I been lucky enough to see it! @patchbirding.bsky.social

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Yesterday's Marsh Warbler, replaced by an Icterine Warbler #BirdingOrkney Another bird which largely refused to cooperate, but did at least offer better views than the previous one around Holland. Another Quail singing this evening, my third of the year

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Marsh Warbler above the South Wick this afternoon, including a brief rendition of Nightingale amongst its few bursts of song #PWC2026 #BirdingOrkney My fourth here, but only giving itself up for a few brief views

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

A delight to refind and spend time with yesterday's Bluethroat, having previously been so brief and elusive #PWC2026 Of the eleven birds, recorded here since 2017, this is the first to stay for longer than a single day! #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

A couple of nice surprises this afternoon with these two Curlew Sandpipers in the North Wick, followed by a (frustratingly elusive) male Bluethroat around Cott #PWC2026 #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

And a bit of video, capturing the song (Nikon P900 hand held) Only my fourth spring bird here after one in 2016 and two in 2019, one of which was also singing #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

First summer male Rosefinch singing along the east road of Papay this morning @patchbirding.bsky.social #BirdingOrkney

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Reposted by David Roche

Steve Dudley @stevedudley.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

💥 Getting in to the car after my early morning efforts chasing a Golden Oriole when a large, pale warbler flew past me. Boom! 🙅🏻‍♂️ Great Reed Warbler! 🤯 With only five Orkney records, three of them pulled from mist nets on North Ron, GRW defo not on my radar. What a bird! #WestrayBirding #PatchGold

Great Reed Warbler, Westray, Orkney Isles, 31 May 2026

Great Reed Warbler, Westray, Orkney Isles, 31 May 2026 - that classic drooped wing, open rump posture.

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Was beginning to think I had missed my chance for Tree Sparrow this year, so a welcome addition to find this group of four today #PWC2026 139 for the island year list. Not bad considering the overall quiet spring with Garden Warbler, Redstart and Pied Fly still to fall (again!) #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Icterine Warbler, skulking in the quarry garden of Holland this morning @patchbirding.bsky.social plus another Little Stint in the North Wick #BirdingOrkney Calm conditions the next few days - and the time of year when anything could happen...

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Little Stint in the North Wick this morning along with 290 Ringed Plover and 420 Dunlin #PWC2026 Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Tree Pipit around the school (the latter, my first here since Sept 2022!) and a Quail singing around the outer edge of North Hill #BirdingOrkney

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Bee Eater still present this morning, giving some great scope views, spending at least 30 minutes feeding from a short stretch of wire fencing #PWC2026 Eventually moved north and last seen flying high North East, lost to view over Fowl Craig just after 11:15 #BirdingOrkney

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