Peter Stronach

Highly pathogenic avian influenza caused a mass die-off in Eurasian cranes during their autumn migration through Germany, France and Spain. More than 18,000 dead cranes were reported dead in Germany alone. The full demographic impact of this mortality on the crane population needs to be assessed.

Yesterday, MPs held a 1.5 hours debate on foreign interference in Britain. Mentions:

Russia - 128
China - 32
Israel - 2 in passing, one saying it is an “ally”.

A quarter of MPs and a third of the Cabinet have received funding from the Israel lobby.

Should the hashtag for this one not be #wildfowl #petit 30% 😂 🦆

I’m delighted that my amendment to give swifts a home has won through with x-party support today 🎉
Many thanks to @writerhannahbt @rspbscotland and thousands of individuals who campaigned with me 💚

Counted 574 including Rhunahaorine area

Yep exactly! Weirdly there was hardly any Canadas in Campbeltown area

Yep, that’s what made me think it was the same bird, looks identical

Sorry, yes you are right! 😂 it was on eastern edge of the Móine Mhór next to road between Lochgilphead and Kilmartin 👍

We were looking at that photo earlier!, I thought I saw a dusky cheeked bird whilst scanning. It was only after finding the Cackler and driving back up the road that I made the connection and realised it was part of that duo, 🤦!. Hopefully someone else will check them out properly..

Richardson’s Cackling Goose on Kintyre today with Canada Geese and Greylags, looks identical to the one from winter 22/23! #argyllbirds 🪶

Specimen of rare whale spotted off Donegal last year sighted almost 5,000km away near Boston Scientists hail ‘very significant’ sighting of endangered right whale individual, recognisable from unique pattern of crustaceans on head

And there's a special connection with Ireland as right whales were once common on our coast. This is the remarkable story of one who who made the journey back 🐋

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...

In the almost perma-darkness of a highland winter it’s good to remember back to the summer, and those special otherworldly moments that you only get at night in midsummer! #highlandbirds 🪶

Red squirrel range in Highlands increases by over 25% following major reintroduction project by rewilding charity - Trees for Life

Exciting red squirrel news 🔊 🐿️ The range of red #squirrels in the #ScottishHighlands has increased by more than 25% following our 10-year reintroduction project!

Surveys show that new populations are thriving, breeding and linking up. Read the full story 👉 treesforlife.org.uk/red-squirrel...

Major boost for red squirrel population in Highlands after conservation efforts

The range of red squirrels in the Highlands has increased by more than 25% in a decade following a reintroduction project by a rewilding charity

One to keep a sharp eye out for whenever you're in north-west Scotland.

Distinguishing Narrow-leaved Marsh-orchid from the hybrids that often accompany this and other members of the genus can be a whole extra challenge though!

Great pics!, the rump looks white in that last photo!

Here is distribution from NBN 👍

I don't know. They arrived from south heading north, then when they saw the sea turned and headed east along the north coast of Sutherland. They don't breed here. Only other signs of migration in species I have seen in Highland was a March flock of 2.5k in Brora, too many to be local breeders

looking to quickly check it wasn't a Marsh. When Alex posted the full size images it was only then I could see the details well! Interestingly I put these two images through 5 AI image detectors and none of them picked up that they had been altered, so humans are still useful for a while yet...

I don't think you would, if you were assessing a record like that you would have the full size original images to look at. I only looked at images firstly through website which isn't mobile friendly so just had weird thumbnails to enlarge. Bill on one image looked a bit weird but I ignored as was..

Woodpigeon migration isn't very well understood or studied in Scotland, see below graphic from Birds of Scotland which these Woodpigeons obviously haven't read yet!

One of the highlights this autumn in Highland was finding this flock of migrating Woodpigeons at Durness!. Picked up initially flying north then east when they hit the north coast.

The first actively migrating Woodpigeons I've seen in Highland! #highlandbirds

I think when you start using AI software for your photos it becomes deliberate! Don’t know the reasoning. I’ve asked recorder to write it up to make other recorders and the birding public more aware of what’s possible

An invasion of fantasists!, that’s not even the first made up sighting of Marsh Tit for Grantown!. Visiting birders seem to struggle with knowing what’s real and what they’ve invented in their head whilst here 😂

Peregrine Falcon Populations Under Threat Again Click on the article title to read more.

Peregrine Falcon Populations Under Threat Again
#RaptorResearch
Voting to "downlist" and lower the trade protection for the Peregrine Falcon will take place 2. December. See this new paper why it is "bad timing"
doi.org/10.1111/acv....

The country recorder has had a long conversation with the offender!

That ended well! 😂 As an aside I have systematically checked all the last remaining fragments of previously occupied Willow Tit habitat in Highland, the sheep and deer of the clearances made sure there wasn’t much left to check!

Well done to @alexanderlees.bsky.social for realising this is yet more AI slop, the most shocking thing about the whole episode is that there is someone living in Mordor with a decent internet connection!

Yep the Crestie appears to have grey blancmange for feet! 😂

I’m away from the book when I need it most! 😂