Alan Knox
@alanknox.bsky.social
Aberdeenshire; mainly birds, mammals, herps & selected inverts; often sidetracked ...
The #Slow-worm has very restricted distribution in NE Scotland (2023 & 2024 maps here); welcome info of one @ #Methlick (blue star) in August from Tom Bodey. There are historic records @ nearby Gight but none recent so great news they are still in the area. Where else?
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The #Slow-worm has very restricted distribution in NE Scotland (2023 & 2024 maps here); welcome info of one @ #Methlick (blue star) in August from Tom Bodey. There are historic records @ nearby Gight but none recent so great news they are still in the area. Where else?
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A few different species but otherwise little change since several articles I wrote on this 30 yr ago! Some grim video & surprising species @ Stafford Bird Show this month:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A few different species but otherwise little change since several articles I wrote on this 30 yr ago! Some grim video & surprising species @ Stafford Bird Show this month:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byga...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C70i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLd...
#UKBirding #UKrarebirds
After more or less abandoning us over the last few weeks, the #squirrels are back at the feeders again!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 11:21 AM
After more or less abandoning us over the last few weeks, the #squirrels are back at the feeders again!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @scotsquirrels.bsky.social
Ugh. End of season and awful weather. First night since 17 March with no #bats.
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Ugh. End of season and awful weather. First night since 17 March with no #bats.
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social
Well. Really? There's a surprise! 🙄
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
The latest on Wing Beat: "Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys" by Brooke Goodman
americanornithology.org/humans-outpe...
Related paper: doi.org/10.1093/orni...
#ornithology #pointcountsurvey #soundID #birdsong
americanornithology.org/humans-outpe...
Related paper: doi.org/10.1093/orni...
#ornithology #pointcountsurvey #soundID #birdsong
Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys - American Ornithological Society
Merlin’s sound classifier feature has revolutionized interaction with the avian world since its release in 2021. It works by learning the unique features of a species’ vocalization, and then recognizi...
americanornithology.org
October 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Well. Really? There's a surprise! 🙄
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #bioacoustics
Another #muirburn. They're at it again. Apparently legal at this time of year. Deeside yesterday.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Another #muirburn. They're at it again. Apparently legal at this time of year. Deeside yesterday.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Beautiful day up Deeside yesterday.
October 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Beautiful day up Deeside yesterday.
Two of 3 male Crossbills on the sea wall at Musselburgh today.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
October 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Two of 3 male Crossbills on the sea wall at Musselburgh today.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Gosh! More #bat - bird action, this time as Noctule evicts Great-spotted Woodpecker (& sees off Grey Squirrel).
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
fb.watch
October 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Gosh! More #bat - bird action, this time as Noctule evicts Great-spotted Woodpecker (& sees off Grey Squirrel).
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
fb.watch/CNKMmf6pVB/
@batconservation.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
Wow! This week: spectacular videos of rats preying on bats.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Brown rats are preying on bats at urban hibernation sites – even snatching them mid-air. Conservation efforts must include non-native rodent control at key bat roosts.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Wow! This week: spectacular videos of rats preying on bats.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Last week: bats catching & eating birds in the air while on migration. So much we are still discovering.
Ridiculous that this should still happen
Out of control Muirburn near Dinnet NNR today. Now in the forest.
October 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Ridiculous that this should still happen
October 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
October 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Is anyone monitoring the @wildlifeacoustics.com bsky account?
Hi @wildlifeacoustics.com. It seems as if there is a small puncture in the membrane. @wildcare.eu say they can't supply a replacement. Any suggestions as to where I can get one (at a reasonable price!)? Spare parts seem to be difficult to get and very costly if available.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
🫣🫣
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
October 2, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Is anyone monitoring the @wildlifeacoustics.com bsky account?
Hi @wildlifeacoustics.com. It seems as if there is a small puncture in the membrane. @wildcare.eu say they can't supply a replacement. Any suggestions as to where I can get one (at a reasonable price!)? Spare parts seem to be difficult to get and very costly if available.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
🫣🫣
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
The good news is, it looks like the hydrophobic membrane beneath the windscreen survived the Red Deer bite so no water will damage the microphone!
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Hi @wildlifeacoustics.com. It seems as if there is a small puncture in the membrane. @wildcare.eu say they can't supply a replacement. Any suggestions as to where I can get one (at a reasonable price!)? Spare parts seem to be difficult to get and very costly if available.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
Interesting paper. Hadn't really thought about these in the fossil record either, but seems obvious. Snipe probings at Inchgarth in Aberdeen earlier this month.
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Interesting paper. Hadn't really thought about these in the fossil record either, but seems obvious. Snipe probings at Inchgarth in Aberdeen earlier this month.
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
@inchgarthbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland @scottishbirding.bsky.social
Fairly quiet offshore at Girdle Ness this evening. A few Manx Shearwaters and some Little Gulls but best was a Grey Phalarope heading north.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
September 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Fairly quiet offshore at Girdle Ness this evening. A few Manx Shearwaters and some Little Gulls but best was a Grey Phalarope heading north.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Plenty of Daubenton's #Bats action at Cults reservoir this evening. Also *lots* of Common, Soprano and Nathusius' Pipistrelles. #thermalcamera
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Plenty of Daubenton's #Bats action at Cults reservoir this evening. Also *lots* of Common, Soprano and Nathusius' Pipistrelles. #thermalcamera
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
[best on a large screen!]
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Alan Knox
SOC Members' Talk - Wednesday 17th September at 7:30pm
All of our members should have received details of the upcoming online talk this Wednesday evening, where we will be joined by Alasdair Reid and John Simpson who will take us through their local branch projects on Marsh Tits and Peregrines.
All of our members should have received details of the upcoming online talk this Wednesday evening, where we will be joined by Alasdair Reid and John Simpson who will take us through their local branch projects on Marsh Tits and Peregrines.
September 16, 2025 at 4:07 PM
SOC Members' Talk - Wednesday 17th September at 7:30pm
All of our members should have received details of the upcoming online talk this Wednesday evening, where we will be joined by Alasdair Reid and John Simpson who will take us through their local branch projects on Marsh Tits and Peregrines.
All of our members should have received details of the upcoming online talk this Wednesday evening, where we will be joined by Alasdair Reid and John Simpson who will take us through their local branch projects on Marsh Tits and Peregrines.
Gosh. That Nathusius' Pipistrelle #bat spike just got a heck of a lot spikier! Not seen anything like this in several years of recording.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
September 13, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Gosh. That Nathusius' Pipistrelle #bat spike just got a heck of a lot spikier! Not seen anything like this in several years of recording.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
Bit of a surprise jump in the number of Nathusius' Pipistrelle #bat recordings in the garden in the last few days!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Bit of a surprise jump in the number of Nathusius' Pipistrelle #bat recordings in the garden in the last few days!
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @batconservation.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
Nice! Common Scoter in the #nocmig inland in Aberdeenshire, 3 September 2206 hrs.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
September 7, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Nice! Common Scoter in the #nocmig inland in Aberdeenshire, 3 September 2206 hrs.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
Near 20yr ago I found the only known egg of Jerdon's Courser in @uoacollections.bsky.social. It looked like the species was prob extinct. Fantastic rediscovery at new location on 24 Aug.
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
@birdguides.bsky.social #worldbirding
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
@birdguides.bsky.social #worldbirding
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
September 7, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Near 20yr ago I found the only known egg of Jerdon's Courser in @uoacollections.bsky.social. It looked like the species was prob extinct. Fantastic rediscovery at new location on 24 Aug.
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
@birdguides.bsky.social #worldbirding
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
@birdguides.bsky.social #worldbirding
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Extraordinary good news! First reports of Jerdon's Courser in 16 yrs, & in new area too. Hope rekindled! Well done to the team.
#extinctbirds @birdguides.bsky.social #jerdon'scourser #worldbirding #indiabirding #birdconservation
birdcount.in/jerdons-cour...
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
#extinctbirds @birdguides.bsky.social #jerdon'scourser #worldbirding #indiabirding #birdconservation
birdcount.in/jerdons-cour...
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
In search of the Jerdon’s Courser — why we must listen, look and map beyond Lankamallai - Bird Count India
Elusive for decades, Jerdon’s Courser clings to survival in a sliver of the Eastern Ghats. Beyond its last known refuge, vast tracts of potential habitat remain unexplored — and at risk. Could the nex...
birdcount.in
September 7, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Extraordinary good news! First reports of Jerdon's Courser in 16 yrs, & in new area too. Hope rekindled! Well done to the team.
#extinctbirds @birdguides.bsky.social #jerdon'scourser #worldbirding #indiabirding #birdconservation
birdcount.in/jerdons-cour...
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04
#extinctbirds @birdguides.bsky.social #jerdon'scourser #worldbirding #indiabirding #birdconservation
birdcount.in/jerdons-cour...
harryfication.wordpress.com/2025/09/04