Alan Knox

Temperature drives inter‐annual variation in badger Meles meles predation of lapwing Vanellus vanellus on Scottish hill‐edge farmland Wading birds have declined globally, with particularly pronounced declines in western Europe. Multiple species are now on the IUCN Red List, with northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus near-threatened an...

#Badgers (in #Aberdeenshire) predate more #Lapwing nests when it is cold.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #scottishbirding @nesmammals.bsky.social

And, no - not Waxwings (rubbish publisher linking!)
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Well, #Nightjars have had an unprecedented year in Aberdeenshire. Vocal activity winding down now but it's far from over. AFAIK double brooding has never been *proved* in Scotland, but maybe this year? Looking possible here.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland

Sorry, Hugh - not really. Assumed (without evidence) they were heading south/ish. Middle-of-the-night jobs.

Red #Deer investigating a clearly not very well hidden #trailcam.

@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social

This is where a pair of Aberdeenshire #Nightjars are nesting & roosting. Not a great choice -a Red #Deer highway! Lucky the eggs/young didn't get trampled - or eaten by deer.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social #birdingscotland

There was a #migration of Sandwich Terns inland overnight in Aberdeenshire on 23/24 and 24/25 July. Picked up on 3 #nocmig recorders.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics

Another Leisler's #Bat in Cults last night. Second this year after one in the garden last month. A very rare bat this far north.

@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social

Dyer's Mazegill #fungus today on Deeside. Two large ones about 40cm across. Weird things.
#fungi #mycology @botsocscot.bsky.social

Small Skipper (& others) near Penrith last weekend. This species has expanded northwards quite considerably. How long before Aberdeenshire records?
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

Southern Hawker #Dragonfly being cryptic while egg-laying on moss near Penrith last weekend.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Come to think of it, do feral children count as well?

Does feral cat count?

Hi Simon - looks like a 'portlandica' Arctic Tern.

Yet more Quail turning up. Seems to be a good year for them.
Nice recording here of both vocalisations.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics

The sound of waves on the seashore between the calls is a Bluesky aretfact as they boost the quiet sections!

Long-eared #Owl. Fifth location I've had young calling this month (so far), within a limited area. I've also seen more voles running around this year.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social #birdingscotland

2x Natterer's Bat in Cults on 18 July - rare in the garden here and uncommon enough in the North-east. Seventh species in the garden this year. Not going to get any more either! Very few species like it this far north, though I can live in hope!

@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social

Impressive! Tall ships are leaving Aberdeen

😔 that’s a shame

In recent months I've been working with BTO colleagues on Nightjar acoustics with the aim of making it easier to infer behaviour and breeding status from passive recordings. Check it out ⬇️ #bioacoustics

You want to come here. 4 singing males (& 1-2 females) at one spot in Aberdeen tonight. Extras: Badger, Pine Marten, Roe & Red Deer.
Magical evening here, as well.
Apart from the midges. Oh, those midges.
#birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

Would you like a roadkill Field Mouse?

Ahh. Such disappointment. 😭Turns out that isn't a ring in the photo. Certainly looks like one, but it is just the leg feathering. However, it has a ring now.

What a mouth!
With Paul Baxter last night
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @greg-conway.bsky.social #scottishbirding #nightjar

Hmm. Red Deer and a calf on a camera trap from yesterday

Roe Deer and Brown Hare last night. Had hoped for more, but not to be.

Just had a Red Squirrel run up the Wisteria outside the window here.

Rabbit on the Asda roundabout just now!
@nesmammals.bsky.social

One of our #Nightjars in Aberdeenshire has a ring! Most likely one from last year - exciting discovery! Need to catch it now.
This female lost one of her young to a Fox the other day.

@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @greg-conway.bsky.social #birdingscotland

I had 5 species of bats last night (after midnight!): Common, Soprano & Nathusius' Pips, Brown Long-eared and Daubenton's.