Stephen Welch
@lothianrecorder.bsky.social
Lothian SOC bird recorder from 2011: bird atlas, gull/tern ring reading, vismig/nocmig, Seton/Gosford patch, surveys, roosts & garden birding
Pinned
End-of-year patch stats for Seton/Gosford, again >500k birds logged in @birdtrack.bsky.social but big fluctuations between species; high sea duck numbers from 2024, but fewer Sandwich all year than a single peak roost in 2022, though healthy juvs ratios; no new species and modest total of 141 [1/5]
Reposted by Stephen Welch
Three-year General Licence restriction imposed on Raeshaw Estate (again), this time relating to the shooting of Golden Eagle Merrick.
Statement from NatureScot & commentary from me ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/t...
Statement from NatureScot & commentary from me ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/t...
Three-year General Licence restriction imposed on Raeshaw Estate (again), this time relating to shooting of Golden Eagle ‘Merrick’
NatureScot has today announced a three-year General Licence restriction on Raeshaw Estate (and on neighbouring Watherston Wood, which is understood to be under separate management to Raeshaw), in r…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Three-year General Licence restriction imposed on Raeshaw Estate (again), this time relating to the shooting of Golden Eagle Merrick.
Statement from NatureScot & commentary from me ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/t...
Statement from NatureScot & commentary from me ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/t...
Reposted by Stephen Welch
Press release from Police Scotland 🔽
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/18/m...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/18/m...
More detail on the ‘missing’ White-tailed Eagle in south Scotland
Further to the news yesterday (here) that three White-tailed Eagles have ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances, one in England, one in Wales and one in Scotland, Police Scotland has…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Press release from Police Scotland 🔽
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/18/m...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/18/m...
Reposted by Stephen Welch
Golden Eagle found shot in the Scottish Borders - Police Scotland appeals for information.
'Hamlet' is the sixth victim of eagle persecution in south Scotland in recent years.
Details in blog ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/09/g...
'Hamlet' is the sixth victim of eagle persecution in south Scotland in recent years.
Details in blog ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/09/g...
Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders – Police Scotland appeals for information
Press release from Police Scotland (9 February 2026) APPEAL AFTER GOLDEN EAGLE SHOT IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS Wildlife officers are appealing to the public for information after a four-year-old golde…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Golden Eagle found shot in the Scottish Borders - Police Scotland appeals for information.
'Hamlet' is the sixth victim of eagle persecution in south Scotland in recent years.
Details in blog ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/09/g...
'Hamlet' is the sixth victim of eagle persecution in south Scotland in recent years.
Details in blog ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/09/g...
One of those ad Common Gulls with nape streaking and the wavy pattern on breast that's fairly rare (<1 in 130 on gull-research*) and reminiscent of the other races, faint bill marking quite typical of ad canus, Seton Burn (+old friend now 4cy GBB black-J97AY)...
* gull-research.org/canus/270120...
* gull-research.org/canus/270120...
February 9, 2026 at 4:29 AM
One of those ad Common Gulls with nape streaking and the wavy pattern on breast that's fairly rare (<1 in 130 on gull-research*) and reminiscent of the other races, faint bill marking quite typical of ad canus, Seton Burn (+old friend now 4cy GBB black-J97AY)...
* gull-research.org/canus/270120...
* gull-research.org/canus/270120...
Large gulls typically scarce on Seton Sands pre-roost, more variety than usual: 1. the juv Glauc, 2. ad, slight build, blue-ish back, yellow legs, but streaked (presumed Baltic Herg?), 3. large v dark-mantled sub-ad, bright pink legs, boa, large P10 mirror, black to P6 ("northern" argentatus?) [1/2]
February 2, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Large gulls typically scarce on Seton Sands pre-roost, more variety than usual: 1. the juv Glauc, 2. ad, slight build, blue-ish back, yellow legs, but streaked (presumed Baltic Herg?), 3. large v dark-mantled sub-ad, bright pink legs, boa, large P10 mirror, black to P6 ("northern" argentatus?) [1/2]
Reposted by Stephen Welch
1 Feb. Gosford Estate and Bay. Views of the Woodlark in flight with 30 Skylarks (no photos); dark 2cy Glaucous Gull still in the bay #BirdingLothian
February 1, 2026 at 2:51 PM
1 Feb. Gosford Estate and Bay. Views of the Woodlark in flight with 30 Skylarks (no photos); dark 2cy Glaucous Gull still in the bay #BirdingLothian
The huge gathering of large gulls continues at Gosford Sands, feeding on storm debris, starfish, shellfish, etc., no flock photos as too busy counting but initially c. 5200 last Sat 24/1 by today increased further to c. 6800, with 54 GBB, 1 3cy LBB, 1 juv Glauc [1/5]
* app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
* app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
February 1, 2026 at 1:33 AM
The huge gathering of large gulls continues at Gosford Sands, feeding on storm debris, starfish, shellfish, etc., no flock photos as too busy counting but initially c. 5200 last Sat 24/1 by today increased further to c. 6800, with 54 GBB, 1 3cy LBB, 1 juv Glauc [1/5]
* app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
* app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
Where's Woody? Shocking pics of Woodlark found by @jarrodhadfield.bsky.social & @mattjsilk.bsky.social in stubble SE of Gosford saw mill, feeding with several Skylark, creeping low, diagnostic eyestripe in 1st image, head turned to right in 2nd image #birdinglothian maps.app.goo.gl/G3U8JwYeqn58...
January 31, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Where's Woody? Shocking pics of Woodlark found by @jarrodhadfield.bsky.social & @mattjsilk.bsky.social in stubble SE of Gosford saw mill, feeding with several Skylark, creeping low, diagnostic eyestripe in 1st image, head turned to right in 2nd image #birdinglothian maps.app.goo.gl/G3U8JwYeqn58...
juv Glauc still Gosford, off pipe, in still 6k+ Herrings ##birdinglothian
January 31, 2026 at 11:58 AM
juv Glauc still Gosford, off pipe, in still 6k+ Herrings ##birdinglothian
Reposted by Stephen Welch
GPS tracked Icelandic Greylag Goose movements tracker link below. Greylags ‘Alastair’ and ‘Willem’ are currently in Caithness arcgis.stofa.is/portal/apps/... #CaithnessBirds
Experience
arcgis.stofa.is
January 26, 2026 at 10:35 AM
GPS tracked Icelandic Greylag Goose movements tracker link below. Greylags ‘Alastair’ and ‘Willem’ are currently in Caithness arcgis.stofa.is/portal/apps/... #CaithnessBirds
Common Crane E over Seton Sands 16:35hrs, probably continued inland, no sign along coast or at Aberlady to 17:05hrs #birdinglothian
January 26, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Common Crane E over Seton Sands 16:35hrs, probably continued inland, no sign along coast or at Aberlady to 17:05hrs #birdinglothian
Reposted by Stephen Welch
Out counting for the International Swan Census this weekend? Look out for colour-ringed swans. Sightings will help us assess the whereabouts of individuals but also to detect whether any major movement has occurred during the census period. Sightings to ring.ac #ornithology
January 17, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Out counting for the International Swan Census this weekend? Look out for colour-ringed swans. Sightings will help us assess the whereabouts of individuals but also to detect whether any major movement has occurred during the census period. Sightings to ring.ac #ornithology
Most educational bird of 2025 a 3cy LBB x Herring hybrid at Seton on 24/4, 13 & 24/7, 29/12; many overlaps with YLG incl dark brown tertial bases, dark secondary band, blackish tail, yellow legs; differences from 2024 3cy* in more uniformity in coverts, broader tail [1/4]
* bsky.app/profile/loth...
* bsky.app/profile/loth...
January 3, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Most educational bird of 2025 a 3cy LBB x Herring hybrid at Seton on 24/4, 13 & 24/7, 29/12; many overlaps with YLG incl dark brown tertial bases, dark secondary band, blackish tail, yellow legs; differences from 2024 3cy* in more uniformity in coverts, broader tail [1/4]
* bsky.app/profile/loth...
* bsky.app/profile/loth...
This article should define "expansion", implies spread of range - but ~balance gains/losses in last BTO Atlas in SE England*, incl widespread losses on south coast; BBS trends suggest nos ~stable in SE England but increasing strongly in London, this is not "expansion"!
* app.bto.org/mapstore/Sto...
* app.bto.org/mapstore/Sto...
January 3, 2026 at 1:43 AM
This article should define "expansion", implies spread of range - but ~balance gains/losses in last BTO Atlas in SE England*, incl widespread losses on south coast; BBS trends suggest nos ~stable in SE England but increasing strongly in London, this is not "expansion"!
* app.bto.org/mapstore/Sto...
* app.bto.org/mapstore/Sto...
End-of-year patch stats for Seton/Gosford, again >500k birds logged in @birdtrack.bsky.social but big fluctuations between species; high sea duck numbers from 2024, but fewer Sandwich all year than a single peak roost in 2022, though healthy juvs ratios; no new species and modest total of 141 [1/5]
January 2, 2026 at 5:51 AM
End-of-year patch stats for Seton/Gosford, again >500k birds logged in @birdtrack.bsky.social but big fluctuations between species; high sea duck numbers from 2024, but fewer Sandwich all year than a single peak roost in 2022, though healthy juvs ratios; no new species and modest total of 141 [1/5]
Reposted by Stephen Welch
Loons Losing Out. Lead fishing weights are still driving wildlife declines decades after we understood the threat...
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/loons...
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/loons...
Loons Losing Out
A common piece of fishing gear is threatening one of America’s most beloved bird species
www.sierraclub.org
December 26, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Loons Losing Out. Lead fishing weights are still driving wildlife declines decades after we understood the threat...
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/loons...
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/loons...
ad m White-winged Scoter still in Gosford bay just west off Craigielaw Point on Christmas Day at dusk - poor record shots (centre, left, centre in front) #birdinglothian
December 26, 2025 at 5:10 AM
ad m White-winged Scoter still in Gosford bay just west off Craigielaw Point on Christmas Day at dusk - poor record shots (centre, left, centre in front) #birdinglothian
Still at same spot, looks well fed, large gulls competing with resident Grey seal for shellfish offcasts...
December 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Many long-lived gull species, in last 21 winters between late Nov and late Feb in 100+ winter records of Lesser Black-backed Gull have never seen more than one on patch at Seton, presumed returning ad "Lucy"; no definitive proof but characteristic patch behind the eye, matching bill markings, etc...
December 23, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Many long-lived gull species, in last 21 winters between late Nov and late Feb in 100+ winter records of Lesser Black-backed Gull have never seen more than one on patch at Seton, presumed returning ad "Lucy"; no definitive proof but characteristic patch behind the eye, matching bill markings, etc...
1st-win Caspian Gull arrived on Port Seton harbour western breakwater at dusk #birdinglothian
December 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
1st-win Caspian Gull arrived on Port Seton harbour western breakwater at dusk #birdinglothian
Reposted by Stephen Welch
The new update to the BirdTrack app introduces several features aimed at helping us collect accurate bird data and alert you to those slip of the finger data entry errors #ukbirding
December 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The new update to the BirdTrack app introduces several features aimed at helping us collect accurate bird data and alert you to those slip of the finger data entry errors #ukbirding
Apparently now two White-winged Scoter (deglandi) among sea duck at Gosford Bay, ad m diving to NW, later distinctive bird with elongated head/bill bump, but weaker eye tick, diving among Slav/LTD to NE, perhaps the previous 2nd-win? Poor record shots... #birdinglothian app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
December 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Apparently now two White-winged Scoter (deglandi) among sea duck at Gosford Bay, ad m diving to NW, later distinctive bird with elongated head/bill bump, but weaker eye tick, diving among Slav/LTD to NE, perhaps the previous 2nd-win? Poor record shots... #birdinglothian app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
Reposted by Stephen Welch
Another 'missing' Hen Harrier, this time in the Moorfoot Hills, south of Edinburgh - a well known hotbed of illegal raptor persecution over several decades.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier ‘Circe’ disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland
Press release from Hen Harrier Action (20th November 2025) HEN HARRIER ACTION APPEALS FOR INFORMATION AS ANOTHER RARE HEN HARRIER SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY KILLED IN SCOTLAND A satellite tag…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Another 'missing' Hen Harrier, this time in the Moorfoot Hills, south of Edinburgh - a well known hotbed of illegal raptor persecution over several decades.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
Reposted by Stephen Welch
This 1cy Caspian Gull at Tyninghame yday was a much enjoyed Scottish first for myself and @tomgale98.bsky.social. Dutch green darvic V|+ was ringed 5 May at IJsselmmer, then seen Lowestoft (Suffolk) in July and De Haan (Belgium) 17 Oct before arriving here #birdinglothian @birdinglothian.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
This 1cy Caspian Gull at Tyninghame yday was a much enjoyed Scottish first for myself and @tomgale98.bsky.social. Dutch green darvic V|+ was ringed 5 May at IJsselmmer, then seen Lowestoft (Suffolk) in July and De Haan (Belgium) 17 Oct before arriving here #birdinglothian @birdinglothian.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Welch
The latest report from the RBBP, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023, is out now in British Birds. It reports on the 104 species and races of rare breeding birds recording breeding, or showing signs of breeding, in 2023. Read the summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ornithology #ukbirds 🧵[1/15]
November 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The latest report from the RBBP, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023, is out now in British Birds. It reports on the 104 species and races of rare breeding birds recording breeding, or showing signs of breeding, in 2023. Read the summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ornithology #ukbirds 🧵[1/15]