Terrible phone scope of it on the rocks at Barns Ness

Fantastic day in East Lothian with birds right up until dusk! Unfortunately the plover flock took off before long but it was great to watch the AGP in flight amongst the European Golden Plovers - quite distinctive once you get your eye in! #BirdingLothian

Watercolour of the view of Sheep Rock from Buness, Fair Isle

Video of one of the WWS at East Wemyss (views were much better than this suggests!)

Stunning views of 3 White-winged and 1 drake Surf Scoter y’day in Fife with @birdingtothemax.bsky.social and Jack Morris #BirdingScotland

Excuse the poor video skills but does anyone know if this behaviour is common in Robins? Almost doing a snake/wryneck like display! Video taken back in March. #ukbirding

Watercolour of one of my favourite moments last year watching a Greenish Warbler feeding amongst the sycamores at Valyie, Unst #birds #birdart #BirdingScotland

Watercolour of the Eastern Black Redstart that was present @northronbirdobs.bsky.social in autumn 2022 #birds #birdart #BirdingScotland #RareBirdsUK

And finally, during a hotly-anticipated day of south easterlies, the island provided a complete shock when this stunning American Robin appeared amongst a group of Redwings. What a find by Craig, who has just continued his mega run of form by finding an Eyebrowed Thrush today!! 9/

It was nice to reacquaint with the Long-billed Dowitcher at Trolla. This bird originally arrived amongst a group of Snipe in 2022, although has spent most of its time in Sanday before returning earlier this autumn. 8/

This Booted Warbler was initially found at Trolla, before moving to the Senness/Lochend area where it remained until relatively recently. This species is experiencing a good run of form on the island with three records in the last two years. 7/

Whilst Hen Harriers are a frequent sight in North Ronaldsay during the autumn, it is surprisingly rare to see an adult (or near-adult) male, this individual being the first I've seen there 6/

Flycatchers are among my favourite birds to see on the west coast of North Ronaldsay and this Red-breasted Flycatcher at Rift Geo was a nice surprise. It landed within 2 feet of me for a few seconds and we shared a rather bemused moment before it flicked back into the geo. #NorthRonMagic 5/

After a run of poor years, another good Yellow-browed Warbler year was very welcome. Seeing 5 in about as many minutes whilst creeping through the sycamores at Holland was definitely a highlight, along with a bird feeding on the short grass at Torness. #UKBirding 5/

North Ronaldsay has enjoyed a superb period of Locustella records in recent years and this year was maybe the best yet. The island’s 3rd Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler was a very welcome lifer and later my uncle + dad managed to find the 2nd Lanceolated Warbler of the year at Senness. #RareBirdsUK 3/

It was great to see the Brown Shrike in Holland gardens and even more so to see it in the hand and see it up close. Great to see an autumn bird as I'd been curious to see how obvious they'd be. 2/

Finally processed my photos from a return visit to @northronbirdobs.bsky.social earlier in the autumn (unfortunately my camera died). Not the best year for common migrants, but there were some superb ‘rares’ and it was great to be immersed back into Obs life for a brief period #BirdingScotland 1/

A nice day in Lothian’s east coast, with my first mainland Barred Warbler in the dry burn at Skateraw and at least 3 YBWs (one Skateraw, two Barns Ness) #BirdingScotland

Field sketches from an enjoyable morning watching the Steppe Grey Shrike in Dunbar the other day. Amazing to watch it bounding along the ground like a giant wheatear! #BirdingScotland