Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺

Birder on Isle of Barra works at Cobhair Bharraigh. Worked at Birmingham Med School in a past life. Tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig, with a brummie accent, bab

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

A sad end to this young Corncrake. It was lying in the middle of the road near the Decca Houses. The other side of the head looks like it had been clipped by a car.

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

The first clear night and a view of noctilucent clouds to the north of Barra.

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

Return if the popular Barrathon after 7 years and the first runners through Bolnabodach (mile 8) in about 40 minutes. Perhaps to some, of more interest a Common Swift through at 1120

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

One of those birds I can never get tired of seeing. Female Red-backed Shrike along the Nasg road, Barra this morning

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

I didn’t want to waste the clear night last night so set up to take a photo of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) It is situated about 31 million light years away. This is a stacked image of 642 photos and I will add more when we get another clear night.

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

Brilliant days birding around Oukaimeden today. Crimson-winged Finch was the obvious highlight but having Shore Lark running around your feet and both species of Chough in huge numbers. Rock Sparrows all over the place (still hurts)

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

@JohnSNadin54 Kind of surprised me how that came out. Must be the dark skies

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

An unexpected clear spell tonight and another go at photographing the Orion Nebula. 582 stacked photos with the Seestar 50 over 97 minutes

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

@JohnSNadin54 Thanks John. Hope you are keeping well

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

I came out of a manual handling training course this lunchtime, (a fabulous way to spend any morning) to news of an adult Bonaparte’s Gull. I managed to catch up with it on Cleat beach and just before a Buzzard flushed it and it flew towards the centre of the island

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

The adult Bonaparte’s Gull taking a rest outside the Isle of Barra Hotel this afternoon

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

M1 or the Crab Nebula with just over 720 stacked photos taken in just over two hours last night

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

@upstarts1979 I think it was 1985. I was there in 83 with @guigna1961 @HanbyAndrew and Paul Harvey. In 85 I remember Dave Farrow singing you spin me round like a phalarope. Dead and Alive didn’t release it till 84. 41 years but memories still strong, I bet that plover is still flying though

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

4 Orcas off Bolnabodach early afternoon and started to head south after initially going north. 2 miles range. A nice pick me up from a stinking cold

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

First attempt at using the Seestar s50 A 61 minute stacked image of the Andromeda Galaxy before it clouded over

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

When I drive around the island I get sheep in the road. Others though get Franklin’s Gull blocking their way. Vatersay, Caolas this afternoon

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

@WillieThePimp20 He did but he had bowled 9.2 overs before taking his first wicket.

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

A couple of horrible phone scoped images of the Surf Scoter off Eoligarry late this afternoon in the gathering gloom of cool and windy November day. Also GW Teal at Ardmhor and at least 1 Siberian Chiff-Chaff at the pitch before work this morning

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

Firecrest at Nasg this afternoon. Only the 2nd one I have seen here

[Ian Ricketts 🇪🇺 @TheBarraDood]

A few nights up in Stornoway. So took advantage to see the Ring-necked Duck at Loch an t-Siúmpain. Still in hope of seeing another American duck later this week