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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

No sign of the Glossy Ibis at Aberlady this pm. Plenty of Autumn migrants about with Hundreds of Pink-footed Goose, 200+ Grey Plover, 6 Barnacle Goose, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Wheatear. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

1cy Mediterranean still at the south end of Strathclyde Loch for its 3rd week now. 2 Barnacle Geese still there also and a Pink-footed Goose. #Clydebirding #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Did some seawatching at Hound Point today. No Skuas unfortunately but I still had: 3 Pintail, 3 Red throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Manx Shearwater and a Great Northern Diver. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Manx Shearwater. Nice find as they seem relatively scarce at this site.

Red-throated Diver in mostly summer plumage.

Bad photo of 3 Pintail and a Wigeon flying.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

1cy Mediterranean Gull still at the south end of Strathclyde Loch. Also 2 Barnacle Geese there too. #Clydebirding #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

1cy Mediterranean Gull at the south end of Strathclyde Loch yesterday. #Clydebirding #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Got in my last trip to Musselburgh for a while before my Uni life kicks off. Was very fruitful today with: a Brent Goose, Slavonian Grebe, 3 Pintail, Ww Scoter, first Pink foot flocks of the autumn and 60+ Rt Diver. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Nothing too unusual at Musselburgh today, aside from a possibly partially Leucistic Greylag Goose and a Curlew Sandpiper on the west pool of the Old Scrapes. Also had 30ish Ruff, 30ish Wigeon, 2 Green Sandpiper and an Arctic Skua. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Possibly partially Leucistic Greylag Goose, or maybe a Domestic x Wild?

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Went back to Barns Ness but had no luck with the Wood Warbler or Rb Flycatcher. Icterine Warbler seems to be absent. Still 5+ Pied Flycatcher though. Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint at Whitesands and a Greater Scaup at the Quarry. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Couldn't find the RB flycatcher, Icterine or Wood Warbler at Barns Ness. Still had 4 Pied Flycatcher and a Common Redstart there though. Curlew Sandpiper at Whitesands and a Whinchat along the coast by the golf courses. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

1 of 4 European Pied Flycatcher. The rest were skulking about the trees. This individual was very actively hunting insects right out in the open next ti Whitesands. (Lifer!)

1 of 3 Curlew Sandpiper in a large Dunlin flock at Whitesands. Moved from where they were originally reported at Barns Ness.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Couldn't find the Great Shearwater at Gullane, but Aberlady certainly delivered with a Spotted Redshank in the bay, awesome views of a Little Stint on the beach and an adult Roseate Tern amongst the 100+ roosting Common Tern. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Closest and best views I've had of Little Stint. It was in with a small flock of mixed shorebirds only about 3 metres away from me.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Took advantage of the good easterly winds today and did some sea watching off the Western Harbour Waterfront. Among the usual seabirds I had a Great Skua chasing Gulls and Terns on the sea. Also had a Med Gull at the end of the port. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Adult Mediterranean Gull. None of the photos I took were clear enough to properly read it's ring.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Musselburgh August 19th. Weather wasn't great but I had: 14 Ruff, 11 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper and 2 Whimbrel on the Old Scrapes. 2 distant Arctic Skua and a close in Roseate Tern in the pouring rain off the Seawall. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Male Ruff. Rest of the Ruff here were Brown Juveniles.

1 of the 3 Green Sandpiper. The other two were together on the opposite side of the scrapes to this one.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

JMCP area August 13th Female Mandarin still at Seafield Lagoon along with a brief view of 2 Reed Warbler. Also had a brief view of a Cuckoo and loads of waders including Grey plover, Knot, Whimbrel, Greenshank and 200+ Ringed Plover. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Female Mandarin Duck still at Seafield Lagoon.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Very successful trip to Threipmuir reservoir and Bavelaw Marsh today. Osprey was an absolute highlight. Also had a singing Rl Partridge, young gs Woodpecker, lots of young Little Grebe, Spotted Flycatcher and a lifer Common Lizard! @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Musselburgh August 10th. Finally found the Green Sandpiper which gave me some great views. Stint and 3 Shoveler still on the scrapes also. Saw 2 Surf & Ww Scoter and had an Arctic Skua right next to the seawall. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

The Green Sandpiper still eludes me at Musselburgh. Little Stint still here and the 2 female Shoveler have been joined by a male. Also had a very confiding family of Grey Partridge. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Parent Grey Partridge and their 2 chicks.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Musselburgh was pretty quiet today with the most notable Bird's being a juvenile Little Stint and 2 female Shoveler, both on the old scrapes. Green Sandpiper on the new lagoons although I didn't manage to see it (definite nemesis bird now). @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Absolutely stellar day at Aberlady today. The Red-footed Falcon showed amazingly as it actively hunted not to far away from everyone. Also had a juvenile Whinchat, 9 Roseate Tern (5 adults & 4 juveniles) and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Musselburgh July 30th Good numbers of summer plumaged Turnstone at the old and new scrapes, Shoveler on the Old Scrapes, Juv Med Gull at the river mouth and a White Wagtail also at the Old Scrapes. Managed to see all 3 Surf Scoter too. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Female/eclipse male Garganey at RSPB Sandwell valley today. Also had 2 Female Shoveler and a Great White Egret. #birdinguk #birdingmidlands (I'm not from around here so let me know if I'm using the wrong hash tags)

Garganey. My laptop is at the other side of the country so a photo of the photo will have to do. A nice lifer tick for me!

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Good to see my local Edinburgh Sparrowhawks have finally fledged. Only saw 1 of the 2 fledged chick's on this occasion. #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

A report for an adult White-winged Scoter of Musselburgh has come in, so I'm 99% certain now there are 3 birds (2 immature & 1 adult). Would be 100% once a photo of the adult bird comes in. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

At least 2 WW scoter off Musselburgh today. An older 3rd bird was possibly seen by @itssjoenichols.bsky.social although neither of us were certain about this, especially as we struggled to re-find it and the other 2 were in the same flock. Its all too confusing. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Finally took the long journey to see the Long-tailed Shrike. Was pretty secretive and only came out once in the 2ish hours I was there, but I'm well happy! Also had 2 additional lifers in Corn Bunting and Yellow Wagtail too! #birdingfife #birdingscotland #birdinguk

First summer Long-tailed Shrike. My new rarest bird seen.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Female Mandarin at Seafield lagoon. Was originally reported yesterday but flew back in around 13:57. Currently sleeping at the tree side of the lagoons. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Musselburgh July 6th 3 Surf Scoter still amongst the ever increasing Velvet Scoter flock. Also 2 juvenile Little ringed plover on the old Scrapes, 22 Manx Shearwater out to sea, and a Whimbrel and Ruff on the new lagoons. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Three Surf Scoter. One was awake the whole time, the other two were almost always asleep.

One of 2 juvenile Little ringed plover. One of the parents was close by. Likely the offspring of the adults that have been here since April, although there's no consensus on where they nested.

Flock of 11 out of the 22 total Manx Shearwater seen. All but one were flying west.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Both Surf Scoter showed amazingly today! They were initially quite distant but soon they, and the Velvet and Common Scoters with them flew to about 150m from the seawall. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Visited the Isle of May today and it was absolutely worth it! Definitely would recommend. #birdingfife #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Red-crested Pochard showing well at Whitesands Quarry. Hanging around the east side of the Quarry. Also saw 1 of the 3 immature Goldeneyes there too. On the sea I had 16 Manx Shearwater and 3 Arctic Skuas (seems a bit early for Skua?) @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Arctic Skua. Would of thought it's a bit early to seen them?

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Strong Southern winds made sea watching worth it at Granton Harbour. Among many gulls I had: 6 Gannets, 11 Fulmar (with 2 flying within metres from me), 10 Common Scoter and 17 Razorbill. Got views of eggs underneath the nesting Common Terns too. #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

One of the Fulmars that flew just metres away from me.

Nesting Common Terns. 2 eggs viewable underneath the front facing middle bird.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Visited Threipmuir reservoir and Bavelaw Marsh yesterday. Lots of young Rook in the fields as well as a couple of baby Lapwings, At least 2 Cuckoos heard and seen, My first Red-legged Partridge in about 5 years, A pair of Gadwall and a Jay (A lifer!) #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I was looking through Inaturalist today and noticed an observation for a Hawfinch at Duddingston Loch today! Thought I'd pass on the report. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

No sign of the American Wigeon today but a Drake Green-winged teal on the new lagoons somewhat makes up for that. Also a White Wagtail and injured Barnacle Goose on the Old Scrapes. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Drake Green-winged Teal with vertical white line.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

3 Common Reed Warblers singing at Seafield lagoons today. Also had the Little Stint among a large flock of Ringed plover and Dunlin at the river mouth. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

If anyone has gone to Holyrood park recently and seen or heard a Lesser Whitethroat can you give me the best places there to see one? The help would be appreciated.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Temminck's Stint was seen in the morning but I couldn't find it in the afternoon across all 3 scrapes. Still had some highlights in a ringed Pintail at the new lagoons, good numbers of Common Scoter, 5 Grey Partridge and a Wheatear. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Female Pintail. Had a white ring on its right leg.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Managed to see all 4 American scoters at Kirkcaldy today. Both Wws were easy to find amongst the eiders, Surf took a bit of searching to find but stuck out amongst the Common scoter once I found it, Black scoter was unsurprisingly a struggle @fifebirdnews.bsky.social #birdingfife #birdingscotland

Surf Scoter sticking out amongst the Common scoters.

Black scoter on the right. Found it by pure luck when trying to Photograph the White-winged scoter.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Musselburgh 9th May Visited the lagoons for the latter part of the global big day and had 7 Common tern, a lone wigeon on the old scrapes and a very vocal Cuckoo in some trees by the new lagoons. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland #GlobalBigDay

Lone male wigeon. I wonder why it hasn't migrated yet

Common terns were more numerous today then Sandwich terns which which was unusual

Male Cuckoo taking flight after I accidentally spooked it.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Great to see the Woodchat shrike today. It's still hanging around the same pools opposite the main quarry. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Wood sandpiper showing well alongside 3 Little ringed plover at Musselburgh on the old scrapes. Also had a Whimbrel on the new lagoons and a pair of Black-throated divers off the sea wall which was a very unexpected lifer! @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Sedge Warbler at the botanics. It looks like it's the first one seen here ever! (At least on ebird anyway). Was creeping around the reeds on the east side of the pond and was singing when I first approached it. #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Black scoter at Innerleven today. Was a tough find with myself and the other birders there struggling with ID. With that I've seen all 6 scoter species now! Also saw 2 out of the 3 White-winged scoter but I didn't manage to Photograph them. #birdingfife #birdingscotland

Black scoter on the right and Common scoter on the left.

Black scoter among the main Common scoter flock before they spread out.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Tested out my new camera today (Nikon Coolpix p1000) at Holyrood park and I'm very happy with it! #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Pond slider at Dunsapie Loch. First one I've seen in the UK

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The firth of forth really is Scoter central because every species is somehow here right now. Common and Velvet obviously, but there's 4 surf (all in Fife), 4 White-winged (3 Fife 1 East Lothian), 1 Stejneger's and 1 Black (both in Fife). #birdinglothian #birdingfife #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Had a walk at the botanics today and saw a pair of very vocal Nuthatch going to and from a nest hole, as well as a flyover from a Raven. #birdinglothian

Nuthatch perching. Was actively singing but not in this photo.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Had an amazing encounter with a Peregrine Falcon today! (As they are listed as a sensitive species this time of year I will not disclose the location I saw it) #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Musselburgh lagoons. Had no luck with the Jack snipe (although it was there today). But did see 2 Common sandpiper (on both new and old lagoons) and a pair of Little ringed plover. #birdinglothian @birdinglothian.bsky.social

Little ringed plover I discovered. First one seen at Musselburgh this year. Second individual was found by someone else.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Finally saw the Stejneger's scoter after the White-winged scoter miss identification last week. Still at East Wemyss and was decently far out but I did get good views of it. Also saw the white headed velvet scoter. #birdingfife #birdingscotland @fifebirdnews.bsky.social

Pretty shocking photo of the Stejneger's scoter.

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Sam Shutt @ssasamwild.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Stejneger's scoter at Innerleven showed well today. It was relatively close in (well for a scoter anyway). Stejneger's was my spark bird back in 2024 so this is probably my most important lifer! #birdingfife #birdingscotland

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