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Bob McMillan

@skyebirdsbob.bsky.social

ageing birder based in Skye but who travels throughout Scotland in search of rarities-more than a passing interest in moths, butterflies, cetaceans and nature in Scotland.

147 Followers  |  121 Following  |  17 Posts  |  Joined: 11.08.2024  |  1.6094

Latest posts by skyebirdsbob.bsky.social on Bluesky

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a trip to the west coast of Skye this morning with @big-marty.bsky.social and Seth Gibson and managed to locate Dew Moth, Transparent Burnet and Talisker Burnet - three new moth βœ… #mothsmatter

02.07.2025 14:32 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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we expect to see returning Black-tailed Godwits on Skye in late June, probably non & failed breeders but 530 early evening was exceptional-bad weather is good for birds on Skye- #scottishbirding

27.06.2025 18:30 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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In my last post we were in Yell enjoying an Eye-browed Thrush - three days later I was in Maidens with the Western Sandpiper - two Scottish βœ… in three days 455 miles apart! Thanks to @almcnee52.bsky.social & Jenny for the company & driving #scottishbirding

06.06.2025 15:53 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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it’s been a challenging fortnight in Shetland which brightened up in the last few days. A quick trip to Yell this morning before the ferry home & the Eyebrowed Thrush performed extremely well - thanks to the finders #scottishbirding

02.06.2025 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Ken & Kate Crane studied Golden Eagles on Skye for 35 years, publishing β€˜Island Eagles’ and β€˜In Eagle Country’ which describes their journey through meticulous observations. Ken passed away after suffering from Alzheimer’s and friends & family celebrated his life today - thoughts are with Kate.

08.04.2025 18:48 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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have caught Rannoch Brindled Beauty in my garden for several years but only got my first female today with @big-marty.bsky.social -thanks to Seth Gibson - looks like the Skye population between Broadford and Drumfearn is quite significant #moths

06.04.2025 15:03 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes it’s an odd one that Andrew & they almost looked paired up & he was fending others off

03.03.2025 08:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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as we don’t get large flocks of Eurasian Teal in winter in west Highland, Green-winged Teal is scarce and this bird at Loch Kishorn this morning is only my 2nd locally in 20+ years #highlandbirds #scottishbirds

02.03.2025 14:01 β€” πŸ‘ 26    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Beautiful images Steve

05.02.2025 20:32 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Dreams can come true; as this adult Ross's Gull proved when @martgilli.bsky.social and I came across this wee stunner at Ardivachar, South Uist today. Sedatives had to applied! #BirdingScotland

05.02.2025 20:13 β€” πŸ‘ 216    πŸ” 17    πŸ’¬ 7    πŸ“Œ 1
Graphic of storm Eowyn wind system centred on Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Graphic of storm Eowyn wind system centred on Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Photo of cheap, old, barometer with needle pointing to the S of Stormy indicating very low pressure.

Photo of cheap, old, barometer with needle pointing to the S of Stormy indicating very low pressure.

The Isle of Skye is in the eye of Storm Eowyn, scientifically proven by my cheap barometer being lower than any low it's been before. πŸ˜€

24.01.2025 11:50 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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beautiful day in Elgol today and the only new visitors were this lovely pair of Snow Buntings taking advantage of seeds spread by a friendly local - all sightings on www.skye-birds.com #highlandbirds #birdingscotland

10.01.2025 18:47 β€” πŸ‘ 62    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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a few Iceland Gulls around Skye this winter but most have been adults - this classic 1st winter bird is frequenting the Kyleakin Pier area - all sightings on www.skye-birds.com

09.01.2025 15:13 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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though Little & Great Egret reports are increasing on Skye it looks like both species are now wintering, with a Great at Bernisdale, and this Little at Isleornsay today - all sightings at www.skye-birds.com

02.01.2025 15:24 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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after the storms, lovely day at Ashaig, Skye, with 25 bird species and a lovely confiding Otter - Happy New Year to one and all

01.01.2025 13:29 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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long drive to Kintyre yesterday to catch up with a Ross’s Snow Goose which had relocated to Campbeltown Airport. It had apparently arrived with Icelandic Greylags so will hopefully be accepted as the β€˜real deal’ - thanks to JD & DCJ

14.12.2024 18:20 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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short winter days can be challenging but started with a Jack Snipe in our garden in Skye, a bitch Otter with two well grown cubs at Loch Slapin, and three White-tails drifting over Blaven - all sightings at www.skye-birds.com

28.11.2024 15:56 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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northerlies on my patch at Ashaig, Broadford today with snow showers preventing views of the distant Humpback’s - an Otter was a nice distraction keeping a close eye on the wintering Wigeon

19.11.2024 20:18 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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fantastic trip out round Coll with Sea Life Mull on Monday-estimated 6000 Great Shearwaters, 300 Sooties, 300 Common Dolphins & 12 Minkes - one of my best pelagic trips in great company

06.11.2024 09:26 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1

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