My wife and I have just come back from 5 nights on the Island of Islay. This is well known for the quality of its winter birding and we enjoyed our time seeing 107 species during our days there. As well as posting this blog I made a YouTube video of the highlights which youContinueContinue reading “Birding on Islay”
Tag Archives: birding
Photographing Ospreys in the Trossachs
I am trying to build a portfolio of classic Scottish species so took a trip back to Trossachs Osprey Hide. This time I was keen to develop my photography skills further so booked to do this with Paul McDougall. Paul talked us through the best settings for the camera and shared about the Ospreys weContinueContinue reading “Photographing Ospreys in the Trossachs”
Landing on Bass Rock
On Tuesday afternoon and evening I took a boat trip to Bass Rock from North Berwick and was privileged to be able to land this time. I was keen to spend some time photographing one subject – Gannets – and try a few different styles of more creative shots. Altogether I had 3 hours onContinueContinue reading “Landing on Bass Rock”
A day about Speyside
This week 3 of us got up for a 6am departure and headed up the road to see what we could see around and about Speyside. Our first stop of the day was at Kincraig where you get good views of an Osprey nest from the church graveyard. Osprey on nest Whilst we were thereContinueContinue reading “A day about Speyside”
Birding Lake Quarun, Egypt
We are in Egypt for a diving holiday but decided to have a day birdwatching from Cairo. A review of eBird hotspots suggested the best place would be Lake Quarun and we managed to track down a guide and transport from the city. We started the day early (3.40am) to get on site for dawn.ContinueContinue reading “Birding Lake Quarun, Egypt”
Photography at Hogganfield Loch
To date I have been a birder/photographer rather than a true wildlife photographer. What I mean by this is that I have had my camera over one shoulder and my binoculars over the other. I switch from seeking new birds with my bins to taking a photo with my camera fairly fluidly. But this comesContinueContinue reading “Photography at Hogganfield Loch”
Out and About in February & March
In this post I share some of the more interesting sightings I have had in Scotland during February and the first half of March. In early February I took my thermal scope out for a spin looking for snipe. I was pleased to find a couple of Common Snipe but also two of the rarerContinueContinue reading “Out and About in February & March”
Leighton Moss, Lancashire
Keen to continue to build my year list, and having a weekend with good friends in Cumbria, we had a good opportunity to visit RSPB Leighton Moss last weekend. A few years back I saw my first ever Marsh Tit at the feeders and I tend to settle at the feeder each time I visitContinueContinue reading “Leighton Moss, Lancashire”
A birding weekend in Northumbria
I have just come back from a weekend birding with two friends, one of several years, Rick, and one brand new from the weekend, Andy. Both are very experienced birders so I was hoping to see some great birds with them and hopefully improve my skills. Our first destination was Ross Sands where we wereContinueContinue reading “A birding weekend in Northumbria”
Out and About in January
Finally I feel I am back to traditional birding in Scotland after the wonderful big year in Latin America. Whilst I ended 2024 with 1445 birds, I start 2025 with zero the same as everybody else. My first bird of this year was a Robin I heard singing outside and tracked down through the curtainsContinueContinue reading “Out and About in January”
WildScot Photography 