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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 1h

Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Manse this afternoon #BirdingOrkney Can't remember the last vocal bird that I saw, so very satisfying to hear this one calling #PWC2025

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 1d

Barred Warbler giving good views in Rosa above the South Wick, first seen yesterday #BirdingOrkney Ten Pomarine Skua past Mull Head this morning plus a year tick Slav Grebe in the South Wick. Both Taiga Beans still present #PWC2025

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 1d

Out of curiosity, what's your Rosefinch feeding on?

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Reposted by David Roche

Caithness Birds 🐦‍⬛ @caithnessbirds.bsky.social · 2d

Ended up being at least four Bonaparte’s Gulls with another adult seen this afternoon!!!! Another Mediterranean Gull there too. Ring-necked Duck also still on Wester Loch #CaithnessBirds
@birdguides.bsky.social

Rob Hughes @rob-hughes-birder.bsky.social · 2d

We had three Bonaparte’s Gulls (ad and two 1st w’s) in Dunnet Bay this morning!!! Also a Juv Sabine’s Gull, Juv Little Gull, 1st w Mediterranean Gull and a Curlew Sandpiper with @ninaohanlon.bsky.social
#CaithnessBirds

Bonaparte’s Gull flying over a Black-headed Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull in flight with a Black-headed Gull

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 3d

Red legged Partridge, drifting past the seawatch hide at Dungeness is one that comes to mind. Good job I had seen it fly off of the beach as I doubt I would have otherwise been able to tell what it was. Ripe for being strung as some rare Pacific alcid

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 3d

Exactly that! I have to keep reminding myself that it is still only the second week of October and therefore shouldn't abandon hope...

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 4d

Fair to say that the last couple of weeks have been something of a slog. We do tend to lose leaves a bit earlier in the autumn on here but this year seems particularly stark #BirdingOrkney Really doesn't feel like there is much left to attract and hold migrants...

The school sycamores with barely a leaf left on them

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 8d

Aye, 23 yesterday. Normally two pairs of breeding Mute Swan on there

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 8d

A slight drop in the wind produced a bonanza of Sooty Shearwater off Mull Head #BirdingOrkney 360 west, but lots of birds feeding, including one flock of up to 150. Also my 2nd Barred Warbler of the autumn along the North Wick #PWC2025

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 10d

Don't worry, Its not as dangerous/collapsible as what it might appear!

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 10d

No need when you have your very own, carefully constructed seawatch shelter! #OrkneyBirding

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 10d

Unbirdable outside so it's a day of description writing and painting. That said, I will be keeping a regular eye out from the house, should @stevedudley.bsky.social Franklin's Gull decide to drop in for a visit onto the loch...

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Reposted by David Roche

Will Bowell- Just Wild Images @justwildimages.bsky.social · 11d

Stunning views of the Siberian Thrush in Shetland. Worth the three hours in Loch Asta. More on justwildimages.blogspot.com
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 20d

In on the recent Taiga action with this adult and juvenile, present at Backaskaill this morning. My first, anywhere away from the Yare Valley birds of winters past #BirdingOrkney Third find tick in under two weeks, having not added anything since May 2023! @patchbirding.bsky.social

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 20d

Juv Long-tailed Skua past Mull Head this morning #BirdingOrkney Two Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Whinchat the best migrant offerings, but all lingering birds. No sign of Brown Shrike today

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 22d

Brown Shrike still present this morning for its fourth day #BirdingOrkney Finally a rest bite tomorrow from the wind, so hopefully some action on the sea or a chance to unearth some new arrivals...

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Reposted by David Roche

Steve Dudley @stevedudley.bsky.social · 24d

Here’s a wee clip of the utterly fabulous Brown Shrike found by @papaybirder.bsky.social on neighbouring Papa Westray today. I do so enjoy a little dirty Papay twitching 😜 All part of the joys of #WestrayBirding + 🙅🏻‍♂️

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 25d

Orkney's 5th record of Brown Shrike, present in the garden of the Manse today #BirdingOrkney A species that I always thought should have one day been on the cards for here #PWC2025 #RareBirdsUK

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Reposted by David Roche

John Malloy @johnmalloy.bsky.social · Sep 14

Black Tern, Druridge Bay Country Park
September 2025.

#NEBirding

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 29d

Agreed!

David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 29d

Baird's Sandpiper in the North Wick this evening #OrkneyBirding 7th Orkney record, 1st for Papay and a species I have always imagined finding here #PWC2025 Present for all of about five minutes but thankfully obliged for the camera #RareBirdsUK

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · Sep 13

Rosefinch around Whitehowe this afternoon #BirdingOrkney One that was missing from the island year list last year. Always surprises me how scarce these seem to be in Orkney, outside of the North isles. Just a lack of coverage from mainland?

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · Sep 13

Wryneck can be frustratingly skulking at times. Other times, less so... #BirdingOrkney Another new bird this morning #PWC2025

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · Sep 11

Buff-breasted Sandpiper hanging out on the Papay airfield today #PWC2025 #BirdingOrkney Two or three recorded most autumns within Orkney, but only my second island record.

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · Sep 10

A bit greyer than your average juvenile but yes. Can't turn it into a SemiP or RNStint unfortunately