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
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
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
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
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/...
Sweoo #Chiffchaff calling in the garden in Aberdeen this morning.
@docmartin2mc.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #scottishbirding #bioacoustics
@docmartin2mc.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #scottishbirding #bioacoustics
August 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Sweoo #Chiffchaff calling in the garden in Aberdeen this morning.
@docmartin2mc.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #scottishbirding #bioacoustics
@docmartin2mc.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #scottishbirding #bioacoustics
Gosh! Ring Ouzel in the #nocmig inland on 17 August.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Pic: Rafael Merchante/eBird S64983301
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Pic: Rafael Merchante/eBird S64983301
August 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Gosh! Ring Ouzel in the #nocmig inland on 17 August.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Pic: Rafael Merchante/eBird S64983301
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Pic: Rafael Merchante/eBird S64983301
Ahh. @wildlifeacoustics.com SM4 foam windshield eaten by a Red Deer when checked yesterday. Not helpful.
#bioacoustics @nesmammals.bsky.social
#bioacoustics @nesmammals.bsky.social
August 14, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Ahh. @wildlifeacoustics.com SM4 foam windshield eaten by a Red Deer when checked yesterday. Not helpful.
#bioacoustics @nesmammals.bsky.social
#bioacoustics @nesmammals.bsky.social
Well, #Nightjars have had an unprecedented year in Aberdeenshire. Vocal activity winding down now but it's far from over. AFAIK double brooding has never been *proved* in Scotland, but maybe this year? Looking possible here.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
August 1, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Well, #Nightjars have had an unprecedented year in Aberdeenshire. Vocal activity winding down now but it's far from over. AFAIK double brooding has never been *proved* in Scotland, but maybe this year? Looking possible here.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland
Red #Deer investigating a clearly not very well hidden #trailcam.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Red #Deer investigating a clearly not very well hidden #trailcam.
@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
This is where a pair of Aberdeenshire #Nightjars are nesting & roosting. Not a great choice -a Red #Deer highway! Lucky the eggs/young didn't get trampled - or eaten by deer.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social #birdingscotland
July 31, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This is where a pair of Aberdeenshire #Nightjars are nesting & roosting. Not a great choice -a Red #Deer highway! Lucky the eggs/young didn't get trampled - or eaten by deer.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social #birdingscotland
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social #birdingscotland
There was a #migration of Sandwich Terns inland overnight in Aberdeenshire on 23/24 and 24/25 July. Picked up on 3 #nocmig recorders.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
July 30, 2025 at 11:59 AM
There was a #migration of Sandwich Terns inland overnight in Aberdeenshire on 23/24 and 24/25 July. Picked up on 3 #nocmig recorders.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
Another Leisler's #Bat in Cults last night. Second this year after one in the garden last month. A very rare bat this far north.
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Another Leisler's #Bat in Cults last night. Second this year after one in the garden last month. A very rare bat this far north.
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
@batconservation.bsky.social @nesmammals.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
Dyer's Mazegill #fungus today on Deeside. Two large ones about 40cm across. Weird things.
#fungi #mycology @botsocscot.bsky.social
#fungi #mycology @botsocscot.bsky.social
July 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Dyer's Mazegill #fungus today on Deeside. Two large ones about 40cm across. Weird things.
#fungi #mycology @botsocscot.bsky.social
#fungi #mycology @botsocscot.bsky.social
Small Skipper (& others) near Penrith last weekend. This species has expanded northwards quite considerably. How long before Aberdeenshire records?
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 27, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Small Skipper (& others) near Penrith last weekend. This species has expanded northwards quite considerably. How long before Aberdeenshire records?
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Southern Hawker #Dragonfly being cryptic while egg-laying on moss near Penrith last weekend.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
July 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Southern Hawker #Dragonfly being cryptic while egg-laying on moss near Penrith last weekend.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Yet more Quail turning up. Seems to be a good year for them.
Nice recording here of both vocalisations.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
Nice recording here of both vocalisations.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
July 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Yet more Quail turning up. Seems to be a good year for them.
Nice recording here of both vocalisations.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics
Nice recording here of both vocalisations.
@scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social #birdingscotland #bioacoustics