North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Founded in 1987 to monitor and record bird life on North Ronaldsay. Guest house and hostel accommodation available. For enquiries call 01857 633200
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
January 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
Another season filed away!
In summary it was a quiet spring with very little to shout about but the autumn was superb. Our second records of Rufous-tailed Robin and Siberian Rubythroat the standout birds with a strong supporting cast. Thank you to all this years staff and visitors, see you in 2026!
In summary it was a quiet spring with very little to shout about but the autumn was superb. Our second records of Rufous-tailed Robin and Siberian Rubythroat the standout birds with a strong supporting cast. Thank you to all this years staff and visitors, see you in 2026!
December 31, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Another season filed away!
In summary it was a quiet spring with very little to shout about but the autumn was superb. Our second records of Rufous-tailed Robin and Siberian Rubythroat the standout birds with a strong supporting cast. Thank you to all this years staff and visitors, see you in 2026!
In summary it was a quiet spring with very little to shout about but the autumn was superb. Our second records of Rufous-tailed Robin and Siberian Rubythroat the standout birds with a strong supporting cast. Thank you to all this years staff and visitors, see you in 2026!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at NRBO
December 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at NRBO
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Warra week. Black-throated Thrush and Sibe Rubythroat!
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
October 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Warra week. Black-throated Thrush and Sibe Rubythroat!
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Always nice to find a Red-breasted Flycatcher, this bird appeared to drop onto a wall and feed in the garden at Dennishill.
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
October 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Always nice to find a Red-breasted Flycatcher, this bird appeared to drop onto a wall and feed in the garden at Dennishill.
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Another day, another bird. This Black-headed Bunting found by @maddyhine.bsky.social is our 9th island record and first since 2012. Needless to say, another island tick!
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
October 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Another day, another bird. This Black-headed Bunting found by @maddyhine.bsky.social is our 9th island record and first since 2012. Needless to say, another island tick!
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
A bit of video of todays White-rumped Sandpiper on Sandsheen. First on here since two birds in 2015. Amazed it was able to predate the Great Black-backed Gull, or thats what I assume from the evidence 🫣
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
October 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A bit of video of todays White-rumped Sandpiper on Sandsheen. First on here since two birds in 2015. Amazed it was able to predate the Great Black-backed Gull, or thats what I assume from the evidence 🫣
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
Three nights and three Leach’s Petrels! We’ve also caught 118 Storm Petrels, a great start to the Stormy sessions
#OrkneyBirding
#StormPetrels #SeabirdsUK
#OrkneyBirding
#StormPetrels #SeabirdsUK
July 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Three nights and three Leach’s Petrels! We’ve also caught 118 Storm Petrels, a great start to the Stormy sessions
#OrkneyBirding
#StormPetrels #SeabirdsUK
#OrkneyBirding
#StormPetrels #SeabirdsUK
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Who doesn’t love a contextually significant rubbish bird. A nice pair of Mandarin on Gretchen this morning, only the second time I’ve seen Mandarin in North Ronaldsay
#OrkneyBirding #NotPlasticStillFantastic
#OrkneyBirding #NotPlasticStillFantastic
April 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Who doesn’t love a contextually significant rubbish bird. A nice pair of Mandarin on Gretchen this morning, only the second time I’ve seen Mandarin in North Ronaldsay
#OrkneyBirding #NotPlasticStillFantastic
#OrkneyBirding #NotPlasticStillFantastic
A superb Aurora Borealis showing last night over the obs
#space #northernlights #darkskies #orkney #aurora
#space #northernlights #darkskies #orkney #aurora
April 3, 2025 at 6:33 AM
A superb Aurora Borealis showing last night over the obs
#space #northernlights #darkskies #orkney #aurora
#space #northernlights #darkskies #orkney #aurora
A quick update on the blog from the past few days! The mist nets are up in Holland and the year list is ticking along nicely ✅
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/4th-...
#OrkneyBirding
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/4th-...
#OrkneyBirding
4th - 7th March
The weather seems to have finally broken! Another very windy day on 4th gave way to a light breeze and sunshine by 6th and 7th, allowing for...
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com
March 8, 2025 at 11:44 AM
A quick update on the blog from the past few days! The mist nets are up in Holland and the year list is ticking along nicely ✅
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/4th-...
#OrkneyBirding
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/4th-...
#OrkneyBirding
Appears the link to the blog didnt work yesterday! So we’ll try again!
#OrkneyBirding
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/wint...
#OrkneyBirding
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/wint...
Winter update and 1st March - 3rd March sightings
It has been a quiet winter for sightings, with all volunteers having left the island on 15th November, closely followed by George and Maddy ...
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com
March 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Appears the link to the blog didnt work yesterday! So we’ll try again!
#OrkneyBirding
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/wint...
#OrkneyBirding
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/wint...
An update from over the winter and sightings from the first few days of March now on the blog! With the appearance of a familiar friend, we have our first rarity of the year!
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…#OrkneyBirdingng
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…#OrkneyBirdingng
https://northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…
March 4, 2025 at 8:12 AM
An update from over the winter and sightings from the first few days of March now on the blog! With the appearance of a familiar friend, we have our first rarity of the year!
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…#OrkneyBirdingng
northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…#OrkneyBirdingng
Well our first adult Glaucous Gull of 2025 wasn’t quite in the condition we’d hoped for 😢
March 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Well our first adult Glaucous Gull of 2025 wasn’t quite in the condition we’d hoped for 😢
Happy New Year from all of us at NRBO. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2025!
January 1, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Happy New Year from all of us at NRBO. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2025!
🚨VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY🚨
We are looking for a volunteer for the 2025 season to help with bird monitoring, ringing, and obs maintenance! Full board included. Long term volunteers preferred, but all applications welcome! Contact alison@nrbo.co.uk for more info.
Please share!
We are looking for a volunteer for the 2025 season to help with bird monitoring, ringing, and obs maintenance! Full board included. Long term volunteers preferred, but all applications welcome! Contact alison@nrbo.co.uk for more info.
Please share!
December 8, 2024 at 5:36 PM
🚨VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY🚨
We are looking for a volunteer for the 2025 season to help with bird monitoring, ringing, and obs maintenance! Full board included. Long term volunteers preferred, but all applications welcome! Contact alison@nrbo.co.uk for more info.
Please share!
We are looking for a volunteer for the 2025 season to help with bird monitoring, ringing, and obs maintenance! Full board included. Long term volunteers preferred, but all applications welcome! Contact alison@nrbo.co.uk for more info.
Please share!
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2025 season! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2025 season! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
December 8, 2024 at 5:32 PM
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2025 season! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2025 season! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact alison@nrbo.co.uk
Please share!
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
What a year it has been @northronbirdobs.bsky.social ! Personal highlights include Ortolan Bunting, Great Snipe, Black-faced Bunting, Long-tailed Skua, Stone-curlew (island mega!), and a pterdroma now in the hands of the BBRC powers that be as a Zino’s Petrel! #UKbirding
December 7, 2024 at 9:29 AM
What a year it has been @northronbirdobs.bsky.social ! Personal highlights include Ortolan Bunting, Great Snipe, Black-faced Bunting, Long-tailed Skua, Stone-curlew (island mega!), and a pterdroma now in the hands of the BBRC powers that be as a Zino’s Petrel! #UKbirding
The 2024 season is coming to a close! Its been an incredible year of birds. It appears we may have beaten last years yearlist total, but still need to wait on various rarities making the grade! A big thank you from me, Maddy and Alison to all the volunteers and guests this year!
November 16, 2024 at 9:15 AM
The 2024 season is coming to a close! Its been an incredible year of birds. It appears we may have beaten last years yearlist total, but still need to wait on various rarities making the grade! A big thank you from me, Maddy and Alison to all the volunteers and guests this year!
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Not the November bird I had mind, but the first Brown Booby for Orkney was a very welcome find after a dry spell. Not quite as smart as yesterdays Eyebrowed Thrush, Craig seems to attract bright orange birds! #scottishbirds #OrkneyBirds #UKbirding
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
November 8, 2024 at 11:24 PM
Not the November bird I had mind, but the first Brown Booby for Orkney was a very welcome find after a dry spell. Not quite as smart as yesterdays Eyebrowed Thrush, Craig seems to attract bright orange birds! #scottishbirds #OrkneyBirds #UKbirding
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
All the lovely habitat we have here on the island and the Black-faced Bunting chooses a cattle pen full of litter…
#scottishbirding #orkneybirds
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
#scottishbirding #orkneybirds
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
October 22, 2024 at 6:27 PM
All the lovely habitat we have here on the island and the Black-faced Bunting chooses a cattle pen full of litter…
#scottishbirding #orkneybirds
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
#scottishbirding #orkneybirds
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Born in the USA. This very obliging American Robin was a first for the island this afternoon, not what we thought the easterly winds had in store for us! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
#UKbirding #scottishbirds #orkney #birds
#UKbirding #scottishbirds #orkney #birds
October 16, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Born in the USA. This very obliging American Robin was a first for the island this afternoon, not what we thought the easterly winds had in store for us! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
#UKbirding #scottishbirds #orkney #birds
#UKbirding #scottishbirds #orkney #birds
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
Everyone down to Brown (shrike) town! #ukbirding #scottishbirding
September 28, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Everyone down to Brown (shrike) town! #ukbirding #scottishbirding
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
A locustella double of the highest order! Lancey and Pallas’s Gropper in the same day 😍 #scottishbirding #ukbirding
October 3, 2024 at 5:29 PM
A locustella double of the highest order! Lancey and Pallas’s Gropper in the same day 😍 #scottishbirding #ukbirding
Reposted by North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
This Dusky Warbler was a wholly unexpected find this morning while showing new volunteer @cgunnnat.bsky.social around D. Im told the earliest Autumn record by some distance!
September 7, 2024 at 11:30 AM
This Dusky Warbler was a wholly unexpected find this morning while showing new volunteer @cgunnnat.bsky.social around D. Im told the earliest Autumn record by some distance!