Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · 1d

298, two to go before the big lumping event

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · 1d

Another day, another bird. This Black-headed Bunting found by @maddyhine.bsky.social is our 9th island record and first since 2012. Needless to say, another island tick!

#OrkneyBirding

2 3 38

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · 2d

A bit of video of todays White-rumped Sandpiper on Sandsheen. First on here since two birds in 2015. Amazed it was able to predate the Great Black-backed Gull, or thats what I assume from the evidence 🫣

#OrkneyBirding

2 2 21

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · 27d

Always good to see Curlew Sandpipers, this bird was one of four on Bewan today.
#OrkneyBirding

24

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Sep 8

Some great birding today, with plenty of migrants making landfall throughout the day. Personal highlights included 2 Barred Warblers, 2 Rosefinch, a Wryneck, Black and Common Redstart, 7 Garden Warblers and nearly 20 Willow Warblers! Four Convolvulus Hawkmoth and two Bat sp in the evening at nets.

1 1 45

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jul 1

Another Long-tailed Skua summer? Yes please!

24

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jun 11

Bonaparte’s Gull at Bewan today, it certainly made the blow of missing a very brief American Wigeon land a bit softer. Both would be island ticks so 1 out of 2 isn’t bad. Now on 295 for the island!
#OrkneyBirding

1 1 41

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jun 8

Yeah Charles is still here, he uses the same hot spots Ive been using. Makes it easier for me if stuff gets missed from log to know where it was

1

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jun 8

Theyre all saved under the individual census routes ebird.org/checklist/S2...

All will be named NRBO Census Area A through to F

eBird Checklist - 31 May 2025 - NRBO Census Area E - 42 species

Submitted by George Gay.

ebird.org

2 1

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jun 8

Some good birds caught over the last few days. Obvious highlight was the Eastern Subalp but Crossbill and some Curlew chicks a close second.

#OrkneyBirding #Ringing

2 56

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jun 8

Only put in what I see, but Ive definitely put at least three birds in over past week or so.

1 1

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · May 1

#OrkneyBirding

2

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · May 1

Costa del North Ronaldsay strikes again! Black Kite today, Little Ringed Plover yesterday and a Glossy Ibis Tuesday. Not the usual mix for the Northern Isles.

1 1 71

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Apr 15

Who doesn’t love a contextually significant rubbish bird. A nice pair of Mandarin on Gretchen this morning, only the second time I’ve seen Mandarin in North Ronaldsay

#OrkneyBirding #NotPlasticStillFantastic

2 3 60

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Mar 16

Some highly enjoyable but very cold birding in Finland and Norway with @heatherleabirds.bsky.social in the past 48hrs!

18

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Feb 17

Some other bits as well. Monk Parakeets bought back fond memories of Simon leaping out the car at Morre Jable 😂

7

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Feb 17

A few processed pics from mine and @maddyhine.bsky.social week on Fuerteventura. African Houbara an obvious highlight but Eastern Yellow Wag and African Blue Tit were great too. Common Sand on a Hippo (at the zoo 🙈) was good fun.

1 12

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Feb 3

A few days in Kruger NP post flock to marion has treated us well! Leopard at death today, Ground Hornbill both today and yesterday, Lions yesterday and Elephants seemingly everywhere!

14

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jan 26

A very long but very enjoyable day of birding on board the Flock to Marion ship. Wandering Albatrosses, Sooty Albatrosses, White-chinned Petrels and another Barau’s Petrel!
#FlocktoMarion #BirdingSouthAfrica #BirdLifeSouthAfrica

20

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jan 13

Day two:
Burchell’s Coursers just outside Piketberg in lovely evening light was the highlight of the day…. although Ostriches were pretty good too, even when photographed through windscreen.
#birdingsouthafrica

1 11

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Jan 12

African Penguins, Orange-bellied Sunbirds and Cape Sugarbird the highlights from a great first day in South Africa. #birds #birdingsouthafrica

15

Reposted by George Gay

North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory @northronbirdobs.bsky.social · Jan 1

Happy New Year from all of us at NRBO. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2025!

3 50

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Dec 11

Some fun with Ptarmigan this afternoon. Never get tired of Snow Chickens! #ScottishBirds

25

Reposted by George Gay

Maddy Hine @maddyhine.bsky.social · Dec 7

What a year it has been @northronbirdobs.bsky.social ! Personal highlights include Ortolan Bunting, Great Snipe, Black-faced Bunting, Long-tailed Skua, Stone-curlew (island mega!), and a pterdroma now in the hands of the BBRC powers that be as a Zino’s Petrel! #UKbirding

7 61

George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · Dec 6

Thats me and Maddy off island for 2024! Its been an incredible season but now time for some down time and extra curricular birding 😅

3 1 28