Lara 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Image of a world map showing locations of BTO satellite-tagged Cuckoos. Nine are in Africa and three in Europe. Headshots of the two new Cuckoos to reach Africa, Sayaan and Cuach Cores, feature. A speaker graphic holds the wording: Cuckoo update. Another two survive the Sahara crossing.

Our Scottish and Irish tagged Cuckoos have made it across the Sahara Desert in Africa! 😀 Follow their migrations at www.bto.org/cuckoos #Ornithology 🌍 🪶

“This is a very dark day for seabirds. Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland’s globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. Its impacts are so damaging it will make it very difficult for other, less-harmful windfarms to come forward. We are incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for a project which could catapult some of Scotland’s most-loved seabird species towards extinction.”

Gannet pair courting

A dark day for Scotland’s seabirds.

We're incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for the Berwick Bank offshore windfarm, which could catapult some of our most vulnerable species toward extinction 🚨

We will carefully scrutinise the details and consider our next steps.

Montagu's Harrier pair successfully breeds in England A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.

Wonderful news this evening! A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced:

General Licence restriction ‘under consideration’ in relation to shooting & killing of Golden Eagle ‘Merrick’ in south Scotland I’m sure many of you remember the young, satellite-tagged Golden Eagle called ‘Merrick’. She was part of the South Scotland Golden Eagle Project, a lottery-funded conservation ini…

Hmm. I wonder for how long this decision has been 'under consideration' by NatureScot. It's been suggested to me it's been over a year...

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/29/g...

This smart adult Ring-billed Gull was a fabulous find this #SuperSeabirdSunday on #StKilda by @rspbscience.bsky.social researcher Brennig! Our first American vagrant of the season, and only a second record for the island after one in 2018.
@hebridesbirds.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social

Cuckoo being fed by Meadow Pipits at Lower Kilminning this morning (first confirmed breeding record for the site) plus juvenile Stonechat and Whinchat #birdingFife

I spent a day at Fife Zoo for a photography course, and while the aviary was unfortunately closed due to bird flu restrictions, I still managed to get a quick look at some beautiful African birds through the fence. This lilac-breasted roller is a bird I’ve wanted to see for a while 🪶

I guess this is still a bird post lol, got my nails done with a pigeon (/ rock dove 🤓) pattern today 💜💚

a meadow pipit, perched on a wire fence

a skylark, with a slightly ruffled head, sits perched on a wire fence, showing its very long claws

a pied wagtail sits on a wooden post of a fence, with an insect in its beak, and a flowered plant infront

a pair of starlings sit on a wire fence

some of the usual suspects at West Sands #BirdingFife

a stonechat, with orange breast, sits on the top of a fence post

a male linnet, with stunning reddish breast and crown looking almost fluorescent in the light, perched on a wire fence

a gull flies out to sea, fading into the haar (fog)

a grey partridge stood in grass with yellowish flowers

some lovely wee birds at West Sands St Andrews in the haar yesterday evening #BirdingScotland 🪶

Juvenile blue tit splashing in bird bath

Hot stuff coming through ☀️

Birds have lots of ways to cope with hot weather and you can give them a helping hand! Putting a bird bath in your outdoor space can provide a welcome source of water for drinking and bathing ⛲

📷 Ray Kennedy

a barn swallow with its tail streamers in full view, doing some aerial acrobatics against a blue sky

a tortoiseshell butterfly on a thistle, with sunlight shining through its wings

a raven in flight against a blue sky, the light reflecting on its large beak

a raven with its beak open and calling whilst in flight

pretty chuffed to have seen ravens above the fields near my house today, never seen or heard of any nearby. I heard one calling and knew my day was made! #BirdingScotland 🪶

One Scots name for Swifts is the 'Deil [Devil] bird', as they "scream like they've the Deil at their back"! 😈
How are they doing near you?

A photograph of juvenile White-tailed Eagle Kinky in flight with the words: 'Miracle' White-tailed Eagle Kinky spotted in skies over Mull

A few months ago we asked people to keep an eye for out for Kinky, a juvenile White-tailed Eagle who miraculously recovered from a broken wing after falling from a nest during bad weather. 🧵

‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report ‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report: Researchers say urgent conservation efforts will be needed to mitigate the ‘shocking statistic’ that threatens to unravel ecosystems More than 500 bird species could vanish within the next century, researcher...

‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report: Researchers say urgent conservation efforts will be needed to mitigate the ‘shocking statistic’ that threatens to unravel ecosystems More than 500 bird species could vanish within the next century, researcher...

Isle of May #seabirdpride 2025. @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social

A razorbill is swimming in the sea with Scottish islands in the background

We are deeply concerned to read today’s Marine Strategy Update which reports that 13 of the 15 indicators of Good Environmental Status across our waters are being missed.

What more proof is needed that our governments are failing to protect and restore our seas and that urgent action is vital.

a buzzard in flight against a cloudy backdrop, mouth open and cawing as it goes

a buzzard in flight in a more side-on view this time, still mouth open and cawing

two buzzards in flight, in the sun against a blue sky, one with both legs out after some aerial acrobatics

four buzzards soaring high in the distance against a blue sky with a touch of soft white clouds.

where I normally see (and hear) one or two buzzards soaring high, today I have seen what I assume is a family of four! #BirdingFife

a barn swallow against a grey sky, flashing its fanned tail feathers

a barn swallow against a blue sky with clouds, its forked tail is visible and its eye is sparkling in the sun

an adult goldfinch feeds its young on an open and quite bare branch, light shines through the juvenile’s open wings

the juvenile crow stares through leafy branches, its eye is still blueish grey, but it has grown well in the last few weeks!

a pair of swallows and some goldfinches feeding juveniles in the garden today. the juvenile crow I was worried about a few weeks ago seems to be doing well :) #BirdingScotland 🪶

@birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingScotland Splendid views of Spoonbill at Musselburgh old scrapes today.

a tufted duck in the water, shining purple in the sun, showing off his nice haircut

a sedge warbler perches neatly

a slightly scruffy looking shoveler duck floating smoothly on the water

a cormorant stretches its wings after jumping through the still water

more of the variety of birds at Loch Leven #BirdingScotland 🪶

a black headed gull in flight, about to dive into the water

greylag geese splashing across the water

a pair of grey herons fly across the loch

a mute swan and her cygnets

a lovely day around Loch Leven yesterday #BirdingScotland 🪶

A person in a Puffin costume holds a sign which reads Scotland Loves Nature outside the Scottish Parliament while protesters gather in the background with placards and banners.

Today we joined @scotlink.bsky.social outside the Scottish Parliament to call on Scotland's politicians to Stand Up for Nature 📣

Incredible to see so many turnout and make their voices heard, including this Puffin! 👏

sounds great :)

a male (above) and a juvenile (below) great spotted woodpecker sit on bare branches after feeding

a red squirrel perched on a tree, on alert

a male bullfinch perches on a colour coded trail marker

A tiny wren perches on a fallen branch, singing out into to the woodland

Not a great showing at Kinnoull Hill today, but the sound of a redstart and nuthatches were nice to hear. No eyes on ravens or green woodpeckers but a red squirrel and juv GS woodpecker being fed were lovely nonetheless #BirdingScotland

Thanks :) 🫡

A pied wagtail on a mossy roof with a collection of bugs in its beak

A goldfinch sits amongst green leaves, looking up

A juvenile crow, with pale eyes and big baby mouth, peaks through branches, looking fluffy.

the juvenile crow that was looking a bit vulnerable a week or so ago has reappeared, I heard and saw a glimpse of a juv GS woodpecker in the garden, finally got eyes on the goldfinch singing outside my window for the last few mornings, and saw a wagtail with an impressive haul of bugs #birdingFife

We’re very disappointed to hear today that plans for a new National Park in Galloway have been scrapped. It’s been over 20 years since Scotland created its only two National Parks. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and the Cairngorms have since evolved into important landscapes for both people and nature. A third National Park in Scotland – in Galloway or elsewhere – would bring huge benefits for nature, communities and climate. The Scottish Government must now step up and take urgent action to show it is committed to tackling the nature and climate crisis. This news makes it even more vital the Natural Environment Bill drives the nature recovery we so desperately need.

Our reaction to the Scottish Government's decision not to continue with a new National Park in Galloway.

haven’t seen much of the local LTTs since winter, but spotted these wee ones getting fed by a parent in my trees today #BirdingFife

Sign the petition: Save Our Swifts Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition ...

#scottishbirding