David Roche
@papaybirder.bsky.social
Patch birder based on Papa Westray, Orkney
Just a snapshot of the mass of gulls, feeding in the North Wick this morning. Adult Iceland Gull amongst them, two White billed Diver past Mull Head and a fly over calling Waxwing. Technically speaking, all outdone by a Papay mega flock of ten Rook! #BirdingOrkney
November 7, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Just a snapshot of the mass of gulls, feeding in the North Wick this morning. Adult Iceland Gull amongst them, two White billed Diver past Mull Head and a fly over calling Waxwing. Technically speaking, all outdone by a Papay mega flock of ten Rook! #BirdingOrkney
Reposted by David Roche
Lesser Scaups at Helston, Cornwall 5th Nov ‘25. Montage showing key primary and secondary bar colouration. Both male and female shown. Underwing shot also shows the white axillaries.
@bobbosisto.bsky.social
#cornwallbirding #birding #ukbirding
@bobbosisto.bsky.social
#cornwallbirding #birding #ukbirding
November 7, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Lesser Scaups at Helston, Cornwall 5th Nov ‘25. Montage showing key primary and secondary bar colouration. Both male and female shown. Underwing shot also shows the white axillaries.
@bobbosisto.bsky.social
#cornwallbirding #birding #ukbirding
@bobbosisto.bsky.social
#cornwallbirding #birding #ukbirding
And a wee bit of video as it fed along the dyke. Shame about the distinct lack of light! #OrkneyBirding
November 6, 2025 at 7:43 PM
And a wee bit of video as it fed along the dyke. Shame about the distinct lack of light! #OrkneyBirding
Since my time here, there have only been three species seen on Papay which I have missed. A difficult one to get back with a strong eastern bias to Orkney records, this was the last place I expected to claw back a Pallas's Warbler. The sweetest kind of patch tick #PWC2025 #OrkneyBirding
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Since my time here, there have only been three species seen on Papay which I have missed. A difficult one to get back with a strong eastern bias to Orkney records, this was the last place I expected to claw back a Pallas's Warbler. The sweetest kind of patch tick #PWC2025 #OrkneyBirding
Reposted by David Roche
5 Nov fireworks 💥 on Westray today! Not one, but two isle firsts! 🙅♂️ First up was Orkney's 11th Radde's Warbler (second this autumn and the latest ever recorded in the county) which was followed minutes later by a Firecrest - in the same bush! Pure #PatchGold! #PWC2025 #WestrayBirding
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
5 Nov fireworks 💥 on Westray today! Not one, but two isle firsts! 🙅♂️ First up was Orkney's 11th Radde's Warbler (second this autumn and the latest ever recorded in the county) which was followed minutes later by a Firecrest - in the same bush! Pure #PatchGold! #PWC2025 #WestrayBirding
Couple of hours before I needed to be back in the shop so left the Firecrest to check elsewhere. Walking back for more views and this Bonaparte's Gull has appeared above Cott (wasn't there on the walk up!) #BirdingOrkney #PWC2025 2nd for Papay and still only the 5th Orkney record
November 5, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Couple of hours before I needed to be back in the shop so left the Firecrest to check elsewhere. Walking back for more views and this Bonaparte's Gull has appeared above Cott (wasn't there on the walk up!) #BirdingOrkney #PWC2025 2nd for Papay and still only the 5th Orkney record
Had all but given up hope of a Papay Firecrest until @papayranger.bsky.social came to the rescue with this bird at Shorehouse. An Island tick and only the 2nd Papay record. Now 13 birds found within Orkney this autumn, there had only been 35 records prior to this year! #BirdingOrkney #PWC2025
November 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Had all but given up hope of a Papay Firecrest until @papayranger.bsky.social came to the rescue with this bird at Shorehouse. An Island tick and only the 2nd Papay record. Now 13 birds found within Orkney this autumn, there had only been 35 records prior to this year! #BirdingOrkney #PWC2025
A quick check of Holland this morning, when I suddenly realised that I was being watched... missed the male Bullfinch, but Black Redstart and three Greenfinch new in plus a very unseasonal Wood Sandpiper at Mull Head #OrkneyBirding #PWC2025
October 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A quick check of Holland this morning, when I suddenly realised that I was being watched... missed the male Bullfinch, but Black Redstart and three Greenfinch new in plus a very unseasonal Wood Sandpiper at Mull Head #OrkneyBirding #PWC2025
A pretty rare, entirely non bird related post but too good not to share. Last night in the Papay hostel, singing with Caroline Price and Stream of Sound. A fitting end to an inspiring week of singing workshops. Utterly joyous
October 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
A pretty rare, entirely non bird related post but too good not to share. Last night in the Papay hostel, singing with Caroline Price and Stream of Sound. A fitting end to an inspiring week of singing workshops. Utterly joyous
Reposted by David Roche
I have a very bad feeling about this...
October 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I have a very bad feeling about this...
Single Little Auk past Mull Head this morning bringing up 170 for the island year list plus adult Iceland and 1st winter Glaucous Gulls #BirdingOrkney Can't see me adding much more (Waxwing or Mistle Thrush probably my best chance) but then again, autumn ain't over just yet...
October 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Single Little Auk past Mull Head this morning bringing up 170 for the island year list plus adult Iceland and 1st winter Glaucous Gulls #BirdingOrkney Can't see me adding much more (Waxwing or Mistle Thrush probably my best chance) but then again, autumn ain't over just yet...
Reposted by David Roche
Absolute beast of a female Northern Bullfinch this morning in Lerwick. #YellBirding #Shetland
October 26, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Absolute beast of a female Northern Bullfinch this morning in Lerwick. #YellBirding #Shetland
Of all the things that I thought I might find today, it's fair to say that a late October Dotterel wasn't one of them! Only my third Papay record (5th bird) but the first in autumn and my first juvenile anywhere since two on the beach at Snettisham back in 2005! #OrkneyBirding
October 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Of all the things that I thought I might find today, it's fair to say that a late October Dotterel wasn't one of them! Only my third Papay record (5th bird) but the first in autumn and my first juvenile anywhere since two on the beach at Snettisham back in 2005! #OrkneyBirding
Reposted by David Roche
Right, before you judge my photos, it was a last ditch attempt in near dark! Taken at 16000 iso, to be fair they are better than I was expecting! Found by a local resident outside his house on the road verge!
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
October 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Right, before you judge my photos, it was a last ditch attempt in near dark! Taken at 16000 iso, to be fair they are better than I was expecting! Found by a local resident outside his house on the road verge!
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
Northern Long tailed Tits are still a rare bird in UK. #shetlandbirding
Reposted by David Roche
The afternoon turned a little dreich here so I quickly sorted records (not number of birds) of all tit species by isle and here they are in map form.
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
October 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The afternoon turned a little dreich here so I quickly sorted records (not number of birds) of all tit species by isle and here they are in map form.
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
Reposted by David Roche
Reposted by David Roche
I’ve heard plenty on the isle, seen one in flight, but this is the first Corncrake I’ve seen on the deck here in Westray. And mega surprised to find one running around an overgrown village garden in mid-October. Only one later county record than today’s, 23 Oct 1996. #WestrayBirding
October 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I’ve heard plenty on the isle, seen one in flight, but this is the first Corncrake I’ve seen on the deck here in Westray. And mega surprised to find one running around an overgrown village garden in mid-October. Only one later county record than today’s, 23 Oct 1996. #WestrayBirding
Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Manse this afternoon #BirdingOrkney Can't remember the last vocal bird that I saw, so very satisfying to hear this one calling #PWC2025
October 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Manse this afternoon #BirdingOrkney Can't remember the last vocal bird that I saw, so very satisfying to hear this one calling #PWC2025
Barred Warbler giving good views in Rosa above the South Wick, first seen yesterday #BirdingOrkney Ten Pomarine Skua past Mull Head this morning plus a year tick Slav Grebe in the South Wick. Both Taiga Beans still present #PWC2025
October 13, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Barred Warbler giving good views in Rosa above the South Wick, first seen yesterday #BirdingOrkney Ten Pomarine Skua past Mull Head this morning plus a year tick Slav Grebe in the South Wick. Both Taiga Beans still present #PWC2025
Reposted by David Roche
Ended up being at least four Bonaparte’s Gulls with another adult seen this afternoon!!!! Another Mediterranean Gull there too. Ring-necked Duck also still on Wester Loch #CaithnessBirds
@birdguides.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
We had three Bonaparte’s Gulls (ad and two 1st w’s) in Dunnet Bay this morning!!! Also a Juv Sabine’s Gull, Juv Little Gull, 1st w Mediterranean Gull and a Curlew Sandpiper with @ninaohanlon.bsky.social
#CaithnessBirds
#CaithnessBirds
October 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Ended up being at least four Bonaparte’s Gulls with another adult seen this afternoon!!!! Another Mediterranean Gull there too. Ring-necked Duck also still on Wester Loch #CaithnessBirds
@birdguides.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
Fair to say that the last couple of weeks have been something of a slog. We do tend to lose leaves a bit earlier in the autumn on here but this year seems particularly stark #BirdingOrkney Really doesn't feel like there is much left to attract and hold migrants...
October 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Fair to say that the last couple of weeks have been something of a slog. We do tend to lose leaves a bit earlier in the autumn on here but this year seems particularly stark #BirdingOrkney Really doesn't feel like there is much left to attract and hold migrants...
A slight drop in the wind produced a bonanza of Sooty Shearwater off Mull Head #BirdingOrkney 360 west, but lots of birds feeding, including one flock of up to 150. Also my 2nd Barred Warbler of the autumn along the North Wick #PWC2025
October 5, 2025 at 7:49 PM
A slight drop in the wind produced a bonanza of Sooty Shearwater off Mull Head #BirdingOrkney 360 west, but lots of birds feeding, including one flock of up to 150. Also my 2nd Barred Warbler of the autumn along the North Wick #PWC2025
Unbirdable outside so it's a day of description writing and painting. That said, I will be keeping a regular eye out from the house, should @stevedudley.bsky.social Franklin's Gull decide to drop in for a visit onto the loch...
October 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Unbirdable outside so it's a day of description writing and painting. That said, I will be keeping a regular eye out from the house, should @stevedudley.bsky.social Franklin's Gull decide to drop in for a visit onto the loch...
Reposted by David Roche
Stunning views of the Siberian Thrush in Shetland. Worth the three hours in Loch Asta. More on justwildimages.blogspot.com
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Stunning views of the Siberian Thrush in Shetland. Worth the three hours in Loch Asta. More on justwildimages.blogspot.com
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social
In on the recent Taiga action with this adult and juvenile, present at Backaskaill this morning. My first, anywhere away from the Yare Valley birds of winters past #BirdingOrkney Third find tick in under two weeks, having not added anything since May 2023! @patchbirding.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
In on the recent Taiga action with this adult and juvenile, present at Backaskaill this morning. My first, anywhere away from the Yare Valley birds of winters past #BirdingOrkney Third find tick in under two weeks, having not added anything since May 2023! @patchbirding.bsky.social