Patrick Safford

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Apparent 1cy Caspian Gull off St Abbs village at dusk this evening. I’ve really missed them since leaving uni in Norfolk! Would be my first in Scotland

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

American White-winged & Surf Scoters, Little Auk, Black Guillemot and 17 Twite at Craigielaw Point this afternoon @birdinglothian

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

American White-winged Scoter and Bonaparte’s Gull at Stag Rocks this afternoon, altho both too distant for photos. The same, however, could not be said for the 2 Snow Buntings nearby!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

A stunning Long-eared Owl at St Abbs Head this morning. Really enjoyed this one, so cool to see on migration!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

@Sibe4me @birdinglothian Cheers! :)

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Yellow-browed Warbler at St Abbs, SE Owl at Aberlady and Scaup at Whitesands, Dunbar over the last few days @birdinglothian

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

It’s been pointed out to me that this looks better for American White-winged than Stejnegers… to be fair I may have got this one wrong but up for debate. Hopefully it gets nailed sometime soon!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Stejneger’s and Surf Scoters off Longniddry no. 3 car park 16:00 with impressive numbers of birds, many too distant to ID - more to be found! @birdinglothian

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Aurora from St Abbs at 2am this morning 🤩🤩🤩

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Stejneger’s and Surf Scoters off Longniddry no. 3 car park 16:00 with impressive numbers of birds, many too distant to ID - more to be found! @birdinglothian

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Of all the 2nd-for-county skulky warblers you could find in October in easterlies, Cetti’s Warbler wouldn’t be the first to come to mind - but that’s what appeared at St Abbs today! Wonder how long til they’ll be breeding here…

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

6 Yellow-browed Warblers at St Abbs today, lovely to see them again after missing out the last 2 years 😍😍😍

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Steppe Grey Shrike admiring the views to Bass Rock this afternoon. Earlier at Tyninghame Bay mostly quiet but some lovely juvenile waders including this Sanderling.

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

A much needed break from the masters at Frampton on Saturday. From the seawall had 11 juv Curlew Sands and a Little Stint on the same pool, SEO and Whinchats on the saltmarsh and a Spotshank whizzing around (12 more on the deck). Dotterel on the way back to Leeds v nice also.

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Had some enjoyable visits to St Aidans over the last month, with a different selection of migrant waders each visit complementing the always entertaining breeding birds. Starting to feel like autumn…

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

St Abbs seabirds 🤩

Fun to watch the Guillemot chicks getting adventurous and sneaking past the parents preparing to jump, only to be pulled back and pushed against the cliff wall 😂

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Some highlights from Mull, Iona and the Treshnish Isles last week. My first trip exploring this area, with the seabirds on Lunga, Corncrakes on Iona and Otters being particularly special!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Had this immature skua on the Oban-Mull ferry this afternoon and struggling to see why it’s not a Pomarine to be honest. Looked big and heavy in the field and initially thought Bonxie. Bit of a surprise though given time of year and location!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

First day birding in Norfolk in far too long. Cley never disappoints - great to be back!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Of all the ways to see the aurora, seeing it straight after a gig in Leeds was pretty surreal!!!

[Patrick Safford @patricksafford_]

Never shared these pics but thought why not do it now - highlights of a day north of Inverness on 31 March.