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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A few (mostly appalling) images of some of the American waders in South Uist this morning. Firstly a vocal Long-billed Dowitcher; a lovely juvenile American Golden Plover and finally a classy Pectoral Sandpiper. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

Long-billed Dowitcher with Golden Plover

juvenile American Golden Plover with Golden Plover

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Then there were 2. Second time lucky looking for an American Buff-bellied Pipit at Drimsdale, S Uist. Was enjoying it's company when it was joined by a second bird! #BirdingScotland #RareBirdAlert #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Another spell out at Griminish Point this morning produced at least 54 Leach's Petrels and 3 Sabine's Gulls amongst a nice variety of other stuff. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Following the flock can get you into places you’d rather not be. Don’t be a sheep.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

My day trip re-scheduled due to weather so I ventured out to Griminish Point for a few hours today. 40 - 50 mph westerly winds produced 3 Cory's Shearwaters, a Great Shearwater, 101 Sooties, 2 Sabs Gulls and 17 Leach's Petrels (amongst others). Get in! #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Although moth diversity is falling I do love autumn trapping. Angle Shades are brilliant whilst this Common Marbled Carpet was an eye-catcher too. Setaceous Hebrew Characters are getting more common whilst the Potato Leafhopper was new to me.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

A fine Bulrush Wainscot trapped in Bragar, Lewis last night. Only the second record of the Outer Hebs following the first at South Glendale in September 2023.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

A very much more intact Short-eared Owl in Benbecula today.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Wonderful day trip in South Uist today with the grizzly highlight being a Golden Eagle eating a Short-eared Owl.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Delighted to find a superb Convolvulus Hawkmoth in the garden moth trap this morning. Only the 3rd one I've seen in Carinish, N Uist in over 13 years. Also nice that it's stopped raining for a couple of hours!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

A wander around various gullies and rock crevices on Ben Mor, S Uist today with the botanical recorder (Paul Smith) produced some alpine / mountain plants. Some of these were new for me whilst Paul got very excited about the Parsley Fern. The first record here since 1941!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Some of the rare plants we picked up during the last couple of days on our Machair in Bloom tour; with an honorary rare bee (Northern Colletes) making a guest appearance.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

A few Common Dolphins from the Lady Anne boat trip around Ronay, N. Uist this afternoon.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Small Marbled trapped in my dad’s garden in Lytham St Annes last night.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The last day of our Mingulay / Midsummer Tour and the biggest surprise came at the end of the day when we had a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Loch Paible along with 4 Curlew Sandpipers! (excuse the images!) In other news a Painted Lady caterpillar was the first I've seen in North Uist. #BirdingScotland

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Woodchat Shrike at Langass Wood, N Uist today. Nice find by Andy Shand 👍

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

"There's not much chance of seeing Corncrake now the vegetation has grown." That is, unless it decides to call from the top of a wall! #ScottishBirds #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Was taking a group on an Oriole Birding tour around N Uist this afternoon when we stopped to look at an Iceland Gull. A Hen Harrier flushed the flock and when they settled Ashley Saunders spotted this brute of a (2nd summer) Ring-billed Gull amongst them. #ScottishBirding #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Well that was a decent day out in North Uist on our Corncrake and Phalarope tour! Great view of Pomarine Skua, Corncrake and Peregrine (amongst many others); as well as this extraordinary looking Common Gull. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebs #rarebirdalert

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

We were treated to a rather bizarre sighting whilst watching a superb, male Ruff on Berneray today. Another wader creeping around in the grass behind the Ruff turned out to be a Pectoral Sandpiper. The sandpiper was somewhat surprised to find it became the attention of the amorous Ruff!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

The subtleties of a female American Wigeon fron Loch Paible, N Uist today. Those pits were very revealing!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Last full day in Lesvos before travelling back to the Outer Hebs. Hopefully back before too long to this cracking island. #LesvosBirding #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

At Skala Kallonis this morning the critically endangered Monk Seal caused a major twitch! Then I headed to Makara where the birdlife performed mostly very well. Being a Lord of the Rings fan I couldn't resist visiting a site called Two Towers next, where this Cinereous Bunting upstaged Galadriel!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

A 10 or 11 degree C drop in temperature today and a brisk north-easterly made me wish I had my gloves with me in Lesvos! Mind, wasnae all bad with cracking views of Collared Pratincole and some stunning views of Red-footed Falcon. A flock of 10 Golden Orioles was also quite nice.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

You can see why Olive-tree Warblers hang about in those olive trees, as they blend in so well. Actually this is a poor photo as it's not as yellow as it looks. Also a 1st summer Collared Flycatcher in Lesvos today without a full collar. Oh yeh, and a couple of buntings.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

When the day starts with a lifer (Levant Sparrowhawk) at the first stop; it's looking like another good day in Lesvos - and it was. Sombre Tit was also a new bird whilst my final stop produced the much hoped for Olive-tree Warbler. What a monster and amazing (if somewhat brief) views.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

First full day in Lesvos and it's been quite a day. It started with 8 Dalmation Pelicans followed by decent views of Kruper's Nuthatch. Next came a Greek mega in the form of a Lesser Flamingo. Masses of waders and a flurry of raptors finished it in fine style #BirdsSeen2026

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Black-tailed Godwit numbers are building in the Outer Hebs now with at least 125 around Coot Loch, Benbecula alone. Amongst them was this colour-ringed bird. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Anybody know why the wind gusts issued by the MET office vary after the first posting when looking back after an event? Also this doesn’t warrant a wind warning!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Our final full day in Cyprus and not particularly looking forward to heading back to the Outer Hebs' weather and Calmac chaos! Just a few from today including a Trumpeter Finch at Timi beach spotted by "sharp-eyed Sue". #BirdingCyprus #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

That was a pretty decent day in southern Cyprus on our current tour. Paphos headland produced a subtle beauty of a Desert Wheatear; as well as a stunning Ruppell's Warbler. Anarita Park held a European Roller whilst Aspro Dam at last gave us good views of the male Semi-collared Flycatcher.

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Is this the most expensive diesel in the UK? Taken today in Benbecula. WTF!!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

The seas around the Outer Hebrides are littered with moulting Great Northern Divers at the moment, as they replace their flight feathers. A ferry trip across the Sound of Harris often provides opportunities to get up close to these impressive birds. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Nice views of a Taiga Bean Goose at Balemore this morning; that is until someone drove down the track. Mind, got some decent flight views too! #BirdingScotland #BirdsSeen2026 #BirdingOuterHebrides

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

A fine adult Bonaparte's Gull at Ardivachar, S Uist this morning certainly brightened up a wet, windy and dull day in the Outer Hebrides. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides #BirdsSeenToday

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A bit breezy but managed to get some Barnie rings read today around Balranald, N Uist. D6 was ringed at Hofn, S. Iceland in 2023 whilst HN (white) was ringed as a juvenile at Breidamerkur, S. Iceland in 2019. He now has a yellow family with him. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebs

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Red Sword-grass to sugar solution tonight in Carinish, N Uist. Will be trying that again; if we get another calm night!

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

3 Ring-necked Ducks (ad female and 2 x 1st winters) on Coot Loch, Benbecula today. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides #RareBirdAlert

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

42 ringed Barnacle Geese found between Sollas and Berneray, N Uist today. T9 and 6D were both ringed as adults at Hofn, S. Iceland in 2023. No idea where 0DV is from! Bonus female Ring-necked Duck showing well in Carinish on the way home. #BirdingScotland #OuterHebridesBirding

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

9 Russian White-fronted Geese at Borve, Benbecula this afternoon was a nice surprise. What a bonny goose! #BirdingScotland #OuterHebridesBirding #BirdsSeenToday

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

A couple of hours ring reading Barnacle Geese in North Uist today with 32 combinations successfully read; including the pair CVN and DCV (with 2 juveniles). #BirdingScotland #OuterHebridesBirding

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

The small loch opposite the old school in Carinish, N Uist yesterday held a female Ring-necked Duck. This morning it has been replaced by a hybrid, drake Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #OuterHebridesBirding

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Nice day out in South Uist with @martgilli.bsky.social. American Wigeon, Russian White-fronted Goose and juvenile Iceland Gull; followed by a female Ring-necked Duck in Carinish, N Uist. #BirdingScotland #BirdsSeenToday

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Some bobby dazzlers from our last couple of days in Costa Rica from El Copal. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #CostaRicaWildlife

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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

A black or ruddy theme to the Costa Rican birds here today; with Black-faced Solitaire, Black-cheeked Warbler, Ruddy Treerunner and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdsToday #CostaRicaBirds

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