Malcolm Campbell

(Shetland Autumn 2025) I haven't seen (Red) Knot very often, or maybe I just haven't always noticed them. We got closer to shore birds than usual on Shetland, and Knot often hide among Dunlin - they're the bigger, greyer ones. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Always a cute bird to see, in flocks along a sea shore or lagoon, we managed to get closer to Dunlin on Shetland than we are used to. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) A pair of male Eiders in different plumage - eclipse adult and adult plumage, I believe. Its great to see the contrast, the development of the adult colours. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Watching shags fishing is always fun - the way they leap up to dive, but usually they swallow the fish too quickly to catch them with one. I was lucky enough to catch this one with a yellow fish, even if its a tight crop. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) This was one of the exciting rarities on Shetland when we were there. Believed to be an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, but only one person had heard it, and they can't be told apart by field visuals only. Either way, a first for me! #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Juvenile Herring Gull - lovely view of the feathers. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Spending time watching sea birds, we get more chances to notice them fishing. This Eider grabbed a crab and kept throwing it into the water, grabbing it again. Our guide told me that they are tearing the legs off, then they eat the torso whole. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) We saw Hooded Crows all over Shetland, and such stunning views of them up close. Amazing feather patterns. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Sometimes when the birding is quieter, you pay more attention to the common birds. This sparrow was trying to swallow the seed, but couldn't with the stalk attached. It eventually managed to snap off the stalk. #birdwatching

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Always a beautiful bird to see, we saw quite a few on our Autumn Birding trip with Shetland Nature. One of our prettier UK birds, I think.. #birdwatching

On the approach to the Isle of May, a Peregrine Falcon stands guard, watching over the water and island. Did you know it’s the world’s most widespread raptor? And the world’s most widespread land-based bird if you don’t include pigeons which humans have spread.

I have a soft spot for herring gulls, having grown up around fishing boats and harbours. And young chicks are just so cute. This pair were on the Isle of May recently. #isleofmay #herringgull #birdwatching

Just back from Global Birdfair, and it was wonderful to meet people from our Extremadura trip again: Pablo, Maxine and Simon. Such an amazing place, and Pablo is an incredible guide!
So one more bird from Extremadura - my first time seeing Little Owl!
#spain #extremadura #littleowl #birdwatching

This puffin wanted a different view on the world. #isleofmay #puffin #birdwatching

Kittiwakes with chicks on the Isle of May last week. #isleofmay #kittiwake #birdwatching

Puffin on the Isle of May this week.
It’s such a good time to see them, just as the pufflings are getting big enough to make a break for the sea overnight. #isleofmay #puffin #birdwatching

(Extremadura) A bird I didn’t even know existed before visiting Spain, the Iberian magpie. I’m so used to corvids being mostly black, that I spent a while wondering if it’s really a magpie. It is. #birdwatching #spain

Actually, two right .. right order

You got two right (although maybe not in that order) and there were black wheatears right across the path - so great guess!

(Extremadura) Three bird silhouettes along the same rock ridge. Our guide, Pablo, was able to identify all these - and we got a better look later to confirm. Want to have a go?
#birdwatching #spain

Planning law can’t be changed to allow developers to ignore environmental protection!

(Extremadura) We had seen Rollers in Kenya, but somehow, seeing one in Europe where there are less brightly coloured birds feels magical. This is a European Roller - they nest in Extremadura each year. #birds #spain

Whitethroat singing in Holyrood Park recently. #birds #edinburgh

(Extremadura) We managed some closer views of Egyptian Vultures when a local told us a quarry where they were nesting. We didn’t manage to see the nest, but did manage to watch the vultures quite close. #birds #spain

(Extremadura) This was perhaps one of my favourite birds to see in Spain.
We just don’t get colours like this in birds in the UK.
Blue Rock Thrush #birds #spain

I was about to head home, when a fox crossed in front of me. I decided to follow and watch. I soon lost it as it disappeared into the undergrowth. Happy with my glimpse, I stood watching some newly emerged ducklings.1/4 #foxoftheday #foxes #mammals #edinburgh

(Extremadura) they’re so common there, but Black Kites were one of my favourite birds to watch. Some flight shots, and one Red Kite sneaking into the group. Can you tell which one? #birds #spain

(Extremadura) One more bird conversation where the vultures are feeding on a carcass.
The much larger Cinereous Vulture seems to be saying “right lads, just wait till the grown ups have eaten” to a group of Griffon Vultures.
It was so much fun watching the dynamics of the different bird species.
🦉🇪🇸

(Extremadura) continuing the bird conversations theme.
Two black kites - “do you think these vultures will leave any food for us? “
#birds #spain

It was lovely watching the different birds interact around a carcus