Paul Macklam

Birding my Fetlar patch since 2016 (formerly Durham and Cleveland)

All bird pics are my own and self-found (unless stated otherwise)

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Found a Rosefinch this afternoon at Tresta

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Walking back to my car I heard a familiar “pik-pik” call and these two dropped onto the loch, right in front of me.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Red Necked Phalarope numbers are on the increase, including my first males of the year.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

@bird_gut Sony

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

It’s taken me 10 years to see this! A pair of Red-throated Divers mating on the shore of a small lochan.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

My first Phal of the season, brightening up a rainy day.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

@birderkettle You too, Adrian. Hopefully there'll be something to tempt you over before the Spring is done.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

This belter is still in the Funzie area, hopefully it will be leaving soon for its breeding grounds. The American Wigeon continued its stay, on Papil Water today.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Whimbrel calling from almost every corner of the island now, these were just outside my garden

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

A real treat today, seeing (and hearing) Dunlin displaying, on the mires

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

The American Wigeon was mobile today, seen at Houbie Mires and occasionally on Papil Water.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Nice American Wigeon on Houbie Mires this afternoon.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Great Northern Divers are starting to look very smart

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Watched these Snipe for ages today, fabulous birds

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

The Grey Plover is looking stunning now, still in the Funzie area.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Always distant but the long staying (since Oct 19th) Grey Plover is on the cusp of breeding plumage. It’s going to be a stunner (heavily cropped pics from ~350m away)

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

The Hen Harrier was at Dullens again today, unfortunately always fairly distant.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

Merlin at Aith, this afternoon.

[Paul Macklam @Colonelbirder]

A distant Hen Harrier at Dullens today, in less than optimal conditions. Presumably the same bird I found there on 19 Feb.