Sign in

Susan Davies

@smdavies67.bsky.social
703 followers 502 following 417 posts

nature | golf | travels Former nature conservation | land management leader.

PostsRepliesMedia
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
It’s a busy time of year in the garden. This #Robin was keeping me company wherever I moved to - no doubt hoping that some of my activity would uncover food for it. It enjoys picking off the occasional berry from the bright orange firethorn too. #gardenbirds #natureslarder #wildlifegarden
RobinHarvest of Granny Smith ApplesFirethorn
020
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Some of the Dunbar harbour wildlife inhabitants. At high tide the great black backed gulls, a male eider and a cormorant were all close in with Dunbar castle and its #RNLI flag, blowing in the breeze, as a backdrop. #SuperSeabirdSunday #DunbarHarbour #EastLothian
Great black backed gullMale eider in moultCormorantDunbar castle & RNLI flag
0154
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Our local community #woodland is still surprisingly green still. Caught this #greysquirrel with what appears to be an acorn capsule in its mouth. I’ve been seeing a lot of grey squirrels around various #EastLothian woodlands recently - usually scurrying away! #communitywoodland #naturewalks
000
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I wasn’t expecting to see a #PaintedLady #Butterfly near Dunbar Harbour at the weekend. It was warming itself in the sun on the paving stones. This would be one of the new generation to emerge here this summer. #butterflies #eastlothian #natureconnections
Painted lady butterfly catching the sun on the pavement
020
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Most of the waders were well out in the bay during my walk, but this Curlew was feeding a little closer in, giving me the chance to catch it with a worm in its beak. #BelhavenBay #EastLothian #Waders #Autumn
View to Tyninghame House across Belhaven BayEurasian curlew with a worm
010
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This male Eider came into #DunbarHarbour on the high tide. It was diving repeatedly and successfully caught a crab on one dive. With clear water I could follow it underwater, or watch the trail of bubbles as it dived and surfaced. Dives lasted around 15–20 seconds. #EastLothian #Eider #Birds
Male eider in moultMale eider in moultMale eider in moultMale eider with crab
040
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Still splashes of colour around in shady waters, along rocky shores and meadow areas @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #EastLothian #wildflowers
Watermint at Pease DeanSea rocket at WhitesandsHawksbit at Woodhall Dean
0323
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
An area of farmland on the outskirts of #Dunbar #EastLothian may be considered for a hyerscale #datacentre. Many in the local community are opposed. If you can help by signing the #petition against the proposal that would be appreciated as it’s simply the wrong place ⬇️
change.org
Sign the Petition
Oppose the building of a hyperscale data centre in Dunbar
002
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Nature’s larder is full of rich autumnal colours just now from the rose hips to seabuckthorn, apples and Salicornia (more edible when younger tender shoots). All dotted around the #BelhavenBay shoreline. #NaturesLarder #Nature #Autumn #coastalliving #EastLothian
021
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Oystercatchers resting on the sandbars as the tide flowed in at #BelhavenBay #EastLothian. Numbers build through autumn as wintering birds join those resident here year-round, with some maybe travelling from as far afield as Iceland, Norway and the Faroes. #birds #birdwatching #nature
Oystercatcher in Belhaven BayOystercatcher resting in Belhaven BayOystercatchers Resting oystercatcher
150
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Definite autumnal feel down at #BelhavenBay as golden hour approached. Three #littleegrets were out in the bay - too far away for me to really capture, but nice to watch & experience. #autumn #eastlothian
White House at Belhaven Bay with autumnal coloursBridge to Nowhere at Belhaven Bay with late evening glow
011
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Two waders that had caught their worms 🪱 this evening - Eurasian #curlew & #oystercatcher at Belhaven Bay. They’ll forage on shellfish, insects and worms; although worms tend to be more typical prey of oystercatchers when inland. #EastLothian #Waders #Birds #Birdphoto
Oystercatcher with worm at Belhaven BayEurasian Curlew with worm at Belhaven Bay
001
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
#PeaseDean Woodland is owned by @scotwildlife.bsky.social & is said to be a remnant of the Wild Wood which once covered most of the UK at the end of the last ice age. Lots of blackthorn and rose hips in the understorey - food for wildlife. #ancientwoodlands #woodland #scottishborders
Pease dean woodland walk Rose hips in Pease DeanBlackthorns in Pease DeanFootbridge over the water in Pease Dean
010
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Plenty of #speckledwood #butterflies patrolling & resting in @scotwildlife.bsky.social #WoodhallDean in Sunday’s sunshine. Males will shoot up suddenly to chase other butterflies entering their territory. #ancientwoodland #nature #visiteastlothian
Woodhall Dean nature reserve in East Lothian Speckled wood butterfly on green brackenSpeckled wood butterfly on bracken Woodhall Dean in East Lothian
020
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
One of the upsides of a post‑meeting train trip is reading time. Fascinating piece in The #Biologist (Vol 73, Issue 3) on #Orca interactions with boats in the Strait of Gibraltar & the research testing different hypotheses to understand what’s driving the behaviour. #marinescience
000
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Views from the top of the Brunt. I was curious about the name “Brunt” - it derives from Brunton or Burntoun, meaning a farmstead by a stream. Ancient woodland remnants survive in the inaccessible ravines. #EastLothian #Farmland #NativeWoodland
Farmland views from the Brunt in East LothianFarmland views from the Brunt in East LothianFarmland views from the Brunt in East LothianWoodhall Dean - remnant ancient woodlands hanging on in East Lothian’s ravines
010
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A beautiful #hawthorn tree laden with red haws at @scotwildlife.bsky.social #WoodhallDean #EastLothian. A welcome autumn food source for birds through the colder months. Haws are edible & rich in pectin & vitamin C, but we prefer if you simply leave them for the #wildlife. #woodland #naturereserve
Hawthorn tree with its red “haws”Hawthorn tree with its red “haws”Hawthorn tree with its red “haws”
010
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Berwick Bank, if approved, is a hugely damaging offshore wind development for our #Seabirds. Help keep the pressure on Scottish Government to say “no” to #BerwickBank ⬇️ c.org/RpRZdMG229
c.org
Sign the Petition
Stop the Berwick Bank wind farm - please sign our petition to save our seabirds.
032
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A pair of red‑legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) on Winterfield Golf Course, working through the seeded patches around the 10th tee. Easy to spot with their red bill and legs, bold flank barring and that black‑streaked “necklace”. #partridge #birds #winterfield #eastlothian
Red legged partridgeRed legged partridge
010
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
This #GreyHeron was busy preening, completely nonplussed by me standing just a few feet away watching it. Preening keeps feathers clean, in good condition and waterproof; so clearly, I wasn’t enough of a distraction to interrupt its grooming session. #Peebles #Birds #Nature #Rivers
030
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
#CoulLinks is a beautiful and unique protected wildlife habitat in the Scottish Highlands. But it is still threatened by a golf course development proposal. Join the voices urging Scottish Ministers to say no to this environmentally damaging proposal. 🔽 action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
action.rspb.org.uk
Save Coul Links!
Your voice could help save this precious habitat from a new threat of development.
000
Reposted by Susan Davies
Scottish Seabird Centre @seabirdcentre.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We're hiring!📢 We're looking for a Policy and Campaigns officer to help us be an influential voice for seabirds and seas. We're seeking an individual with strong advocacy and campaigning skills, solid organisation and programme management experience, and, most importantly, energy and commitment!
114
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The evidence is clear: when protections are implemented, #ecosystems rebound. Scotland must finally deliver science‑based safeguards so our marine environment, and the communities it supports, can recover 🔽 #marineprotectedareas #mpas
010
Reposted by Susan Davies
Scottish Environment LINK @scotlink.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Take two minutes to help save Scottish seas 👇 Scotland's marine protected areas need specially tailored fishing restrictions to protect the amazing wildlife within them. Join the call for a public consultation in the first 100 days of parliament. Write to your MSPs before Aug 22! shorturl.at/Nzo5w
055
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The 360° views from #TraprainLaw show just how rich and varied the #EastLothian #landscape is — from the fertile arable fields below to long sightlines stretching one way to Berwick Law and Belhaven Bay and the other to the Lammermuirs. A perfect mix of coast, #farmland and upland in one sweep.
Trig Point on Traprain Law Views to Belhaven Bay from Traprain LawViews to Bass Rock from Traprain Law in East Lothian Views to the Lammermuirs
031
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Sizeable flocks of #Dunlin & #RingedPlovers along the strandline, on the rising tide, at Whitesands yesterday. The dunlin were particularly unphased by presence - hunkered down at the edge of the dunes. #waders #eastlothian
Dunlin Ringer plover
050
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Headed up into the #Lammermuirs this afternoon. The heather’s blazing purple just now, and the rotational burning on the driven #grouse moors gives the hills that unmistakable patchwork look. #heather #moorland #EastLothian
Heather moorland Grouse moor managed landscape Rotational burning Red grouse in the Lammermuirs
130
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
A lone female #goosander on the Biel Burn #BelhavenBay #EastLothian. Preening, dabbling & stretching. A nice addition to yesterday evening’s dawdle. #nature #wildlife #natureconnections
Female goosander Female goosander stretching Female goosander stretchingFemale goosander with a foot scratch
030
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Lavender’s nectar-rich flowers are a welcome refuelling stop for migrating #PaintedLady #butterflies. Their sugary nectar provides vital energy as they continue their journey through Scotland. This one was feeding on lavender beside the Nungate Bridge in #Haddington. #butterfly #EastLothian
A painted lady on lavender in East Lothian Lavender bushSteps up onto the Nungate bridge in Haddington
070
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Soil health, water management, gene editing, alternative proteins, vertical farming and #climate modelling – just some of the science at Hutton helping shape a more sustainable future for food production. A great overview from Prof Derek Stewart ⬇️ #FoodSystems #Sustainability
bbc.co.uk
Scotcast - How to avoid a food shortage - BBC Sounds
Scientists and farmers are re-thinking how we produce enough.
010
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The circle of life continues on the castle cliffs at #DunbarHarbour. Adults, chicks and newly fledged juvenile #kittiwakes share the ledges above the bustle of the busy fishing and leisure harbour - another breeding season is drawing to a close. #SuperSeabirdSunday #EastLothian #nature
Kittiwake juveniles
Kittiwake chickKittiwake adultsDunbar harbour
0152
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Plenty of #butterflies around in the lovely Brock Woodland which is managed by @scotwildlife.bsky.social. Removing non-natives, allowing native trees to thrive and creating shrub and open areas. Ideal habitat for a mix of woodland wildlife. #BrockWood #EastLothian #Butterfly #NatureConnections
Red admiral butterfly Peacock butterfly Speckled wood butterfly Thistles
0172
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
A slightly scraggy looking juvenile #Robin popped up in front of me while I was having a dander through one of my favourite local woods, #BrockWood #EastLothian. It’s pretty and you can just make out the start of its red breast which will become prominent by late summer. #Birds #Natureconnections
Juvenile Robin perched on twig
030
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Still a few small #kittiwake chicks at #DunbarHarbour, with late broods scattered across the castle cliffs. Their older neighbours are already departing, beginning their dispersal at sea. Once they leave, these young birds won’t return to breed for another 3–5 years #seabirds #eastlothian
Late Kittiwake chicks Kittiwake chick at Dunbar harbour Kittiwake chick at Dunbar harbour Kittiwake chicks
072
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Sat quietly in the grasses by the Whitekirk ponds watching coots and moorhens. The coots seemed unfazed, but the moorhens stayed hidden, alarm calling and flicking their tails - perhaps no surprise with a tiny new brood. Just look at the size of those feet! #Birds #EastLothian #Wildlife
Coot on farmland pond Juvenile Coot on farmland pond Moorhen chick on farmland pondFarmland pond
040
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
The landscape is still very dry, the harvest is well in swing. Against the backdrop of Berwick Law there were many painted lady and peacock #butterflies in thistle patches at Whitekirk’s old golf course where nature has regained a stronger foothold. #butterfly #eastlothian #grassland #nature
Berwick Law - from the old
Whitekirk Golf CoursePeacock and painted lady on spear head thistlesPainted lady butterfly Peacock butterfly
080
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Adding a splash of colour to our coastal grasslands are the #harebells and #spearthistles @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #eastlothian #bythesea
HarebellSpear thistle
0294
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Suitably impressed with a friend’s #hydrangea, as were the bees. Ours is a disaster in the dry weather this year. Clearly they like the #Highlands better … #gardenplants #pollinators
HydrangeaHydrangea Hydrangea Bees on hydrangea
000
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Unphased by my presence the #stonechats were in fine chatter mode tonight at #BarnsNess #EastLothian. The population in Scotland is reported to have trebled over last 30 years due to milder winters and changes in habitat - more scrub and more edge in young forest plantations. #birds #naturelover
Female stonechat on twigs in Barns Ness, East Lothian Male stonechat on a fencepost at Barns Ness East Lothian
070
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
A fairly fresh (new) red admiral #butterfly stayed around our buddleia bush which has a strong honey like aroma just now. Joined by this large white butterfly too. #butterflies #urbanwildlife #eastlothian
Red admiral on buddleia in DunbarLarge white on buddleia in East Lothian
020
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The #Europeanshag chicks have shot up in size, now matching their parents. Their fluff has almost vanished as their primaries come through, and those growing wing muscles are getting their first real tests for flight. #SuperSeabirdSunday #DunbarHarbour #EastLothian #Seabirds
European shag juveniles at Dunbar harbourEuropean shag at Dunbar harbourEuropean shag at Dunbar harbour
0171
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
One of the #greyseals scouting and lazing around #DunbarHarbour - feeding on fish and crabs discarded. #nature #eastlothian
Grey seal in Dunbar harbour Grey seal in Dunbar harbour
021
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Three very different golf courses to play on our few days away - Panmure, Edzell and Kirriemuir. Not too difficult to guess which course I lost a couple of balls on 🤣⛳️ #scottishgolf #golfing #visitscotland
Panmure golf course Edzell Golf courseKirriemuir golf course
100
Reposted by Susan Davies
Scottish Seabird Centre @seabirdcentre.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This morning our team were joined by a group of amazing volunteers to create this striking piece of sand art, as a reminder to visitors and local people of the thousands of seabirds that are predicted to be killed every year by Berwick Bank offshore windfarm.
177
Reposted by Susan Davies
The Wildlife Information Centre @twic.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
🌿 We are recruiting 2 new Directors. We're looking for people with experience in finance, governance, fundraising or communications to help guide our environmental charity. ⏰ Closes 6 Sept 🔗 Apply: shorturl.at/Bk9I6 #TrusteeOpportunity #Biodiversity #Scotland #Conservation #Wildlife #CharityRoles
Join TWIC as a Director. Photo of Garden Bumblebee on Ox-Eye Daisy copyright David Palmar.
011
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I’ve signed the petition below on hyper-scale AI data centres as I believe we need a proper assessment of need, impacts and strategic planning for such developments. Will you add your voice to it too 🔽 #campaign
023
Reposted by Susan Davies
David Steel @steelyseabirder.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Welcome to Super Seabird Sunday where we ask you to share videos, photos & artwork of seabirds. Here is my contribution; a Kittiwake with its chick on the Isle of May #SuperSeabirdSunday
109421
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Plenty of #kittiwakes tending their chicks on the cliff ledges at #DunbarHarbour - unperturbed by the comings and goings of the fishermen, lifeboat and visitors beneath them. #SuperSeabirdSunday #Seabirds #EastLothian
Kittiwake on ledge with chickKittiwake on ledge with chicks
071
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Although the Haar was in it was still a special #seabird experience @rspbscotland.bsky.social #Fowlsheugh nature reserve today - sight, sounds & smell! Loving the #razorbill with its bright yellow gape at the top of the cliffs. #seabirds #birds #nature
RSPB Fowlsheugh RazorbillRazorbill with yellow gapeRazorbill with yellow gape
040
Susan Davies @smdavies67.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A lovely Comma butterfly in #EastLothian, with its distinctive orange and brown colouration, scalloped wing edges, and characteristic white comma-shaped mark on the underside of its wings. In a patch of scrub with plenty of nettles, brambles, thistles and ragwort around. #butterflies #pollinators
Comma butterfly in East LothianComma butterfly in East LothianRagwort and poppyseed heads
020