Peter Stronach
@macstronach.bsky.social
ornithology, wildlife, photography and ecology!
#highlandbirds #ornithology #teammoth #birdingScotland #seabirds
Highlands of Scotland 🏴
🪶 🦅 🦆 🦋 ⛰️ 🌊 🐋 🦈 🐙 🏝️ 🌳 🌲
#highlandbirds #ornithology #teammoth #birdingScotland #seabirds
Highlands of Scotland 🏴
🪶 🦅 🦆 🦋 ⛰️ 🌊 🐋 🦈 🐙 🏝️ 🌳 🌲
Unusual year ticks this weekend of the Russian shadow fleet (not annual) and my first Strathspey Smew which has somehow found an unfrozen patch of water to live on! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 19, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Unusual year ticks this weekend of the Russian shadow fleet (not annual) and my first Strathspey Smew which has somehow found an unfrozen patch of water to live on! #highlandbirds 🪶
Definitely one of my favourite shorebirds, Purple Sandpipers are amazingly tough eeking out a living on the most unpromsing looking shorelines! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 19, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Definitely one of my favourite shorebirds, Purple Sandpipers are amazingly tough eeking out a living on the most unpromsing looking shorelines! #highlandbirds 🪶
Reposted by Peter Stronach
As part of regular monitoring at The Lough in Cork City, Barry O’Mahony and I ringed an adult Ring-billed Gull yesterday. Didn’t realise, but seems to be the first to be ringed in Britain or Ireland. Where will it go? @npwsireland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @birdwatchireland.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 11:51 AM
As part of regular monitoring at The Lough in Cork City, Barry O’Mahony and I ringed an adult Ring-billed Gull yesterday. Didn’t realise, but seems to be the first to be ringed in Britain or Ireland. Where will it go? @npwsireland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @birdwatchireland.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Stronach
The Broadwood Loch smew trying it's luck with the local goldeneye this morning #Scottishbirding #Clydebirding
January 16, 2026 at 6:13 PM
The Broadwood Loch smew trying it's luck with the local goldeneye this morning #Scottishbirding #Clydebirding
Reposted by Peter Stronach
A quick painting of the Harlequin that is still hanging about in north Donegal. I am really looking forward to getting back to the coast later this week and hope to see him again.
January 14, 2026 at 11:51 AM
A quick painting of the Harlequin that is still hanging about in north Donegal. I am really looking forward to getting back to the coast later this week and hope to see him again.
Oh how the world needs the reincarnation of a Highland Black Duck during these troubled times! 🖤🦆⚠️
January 13th: 🧾
There were twenty-three (23) accepted records on this day... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
There were twenty-three (23) accepted records on this day... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
January 14, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Oh how the world needs the reincarnation of a Highland Black Duck during these troubled times! 🖤🦆⚠️
As usual the Highland Winter Bird Race last weekend was interesting to see distributions after the big freeze. With all waterbodies on east coast frozen only a single Whooper Swan was seen. First time I’ve seen Coots on the sea!. Weird absence of Great Northern Divers too, anyone else noticing that?
January 13, 2026 at 4:56 PM
As usual the Highland Winter Bird Race last weekend was interesting to see distributions after the big freeze. With all waterbodies on east coast frozen only a single Whooper Swan was seen. First time I’ve seen Coots on the sea!. Weird absence of Great Northern Divers too, anyone else noticing that?
The unfortunately named Greylag JIZ hanging about amongst the same flock of Greylags holding the Russian White-front at Alturlie. Ringed as an adult female last year in July near Myvatn, Iceland 🇮🇸. One of two Icelandic neck-banded birds I’ve seen recently, keep your eyes 👀 peeled! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 12, 2026 at 5:02 PM
The unfortunately named Greylag JIZ hanging about amongst the same flock of Greylags holding the Russian White-front at Alturlie. Ringed as an adult female last year in July near Myvatn, Iceland 🇮🇸. One of two Icelandic neck-banded birds I’ve seen recently, keep your eyes 👀 peeled! #highlandbirds 🪶
Reposted by Peter Stronach
Our annual UK Moth Recorders' Meeting is back with a fantastic line-up of talks exploring the latest developments in moth research and conservation!
📍 Online
📅 Saturday 31 January
Book your place 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-moth-recorders-meeting-tickets-1978136116374
📷: Marian Coburn
📍 Online
📅 Saturday 31 January
Book your place 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-moth-recorders-meeting-tickets-1978136116374
📷: Marian Coburn
January 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Our annual UK Moth Recorders' Meeting is back with a fantastic line-up of talks exploring the latest developments in moth research and conservation!
📍 Online
📅 Saturday 31 January
Book your place 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-moth-recorders-meeting-tickets-1978136116374
📷: Marian Coburn
📍 Online
📅 Saturday 31 January
Book your place 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-moth-recorders-meeting-tickets-1978136116374
📷: Marian Coburn
Both Azure Tit and Snowfinch knocking on the door this winter!, latter with recent records in Denmark and northern Germany…
January 11, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Both Azure Tit and Snowfinch knocking on the door this winter!, latter with recent records in Denmark and northern Germany…
Reposted by Peter Stronach
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact [email protected]
Please share!
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact [email protected]
Please share!
January 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact [email protected]
Please share!
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2026 season, part or full time roles available! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact [email protected]
Please share!
Reposted by Peter Stronach
BLOG - Wildcat Haven Enterpsies CIC has been dissolved following liquidation still owing me £60,000. andywightman.scot/2026/01/wild...
Wildcat Haven Enterprises CIC is dissolved - Land Matters
Regular readers will recall the defamation case brought against me in 2017 by Wildcat Haven Enterprises CIC (WHE) seeking damages of £750,000. The latest news for those of you who kindly contributed t...
andywightman.scot
January 8, 2026 at 6:46 PM
BLOG - Wildcat Haven Enterpsies CIC has been dissolved following liquidation still owing me £60,000. andywightman.scot/2026/01/wild...
Highland finally got in on the Russian White-fronted Goose influx today with this beauty found by Craig Forsyth at Alturlie this afternoon! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Highland finally got in on the Russian White-fronted Goose influx today with this beauty found by Craig Forsyth at Alturlie this afternoon! #highlandbirds 🪶
Reposted by Peter Stronach
The 3cy drake White-winged Scoter was off Aberlady beach again this morning while the drake Green-winged Teal was back on the river viewable from the car park. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The 3cy drake White-winged Scoter was off Aberlady beach again this morning while the drake Green-winged Teal was back on the river viewable from the car park. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Stronach
Woolly and downy willows to be planted on Ben Lui. This is hoped to establish a self-sustaining population, restoring plants that would have been more commonplace before overgrazing became a problem. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2574972...
Rare mountain plants to be restored at popular Munro
Work has begun to restore some of Scotland’s rarest mountain plants to Ben Lui Nature Reserve.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Woolly and downy willows to be planted on Ben Lui. This is hoped to establish a self-sustaining population, restoring plants that would have been more commonplace before overgrazing became a problem. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2574972...
Reposted by Peter Stronach
We’ve published our latest statement on reintroductions, assisted colonisation and the importance of evidence-led conservation.
You can read our latest statement here ⬇️
https://www.arc-trust.org/News/ensuring-amphibian-and-reptile-releases-contribute-to-natures-recovery
You can read our latest statement here ⬇️
https://www.arc-trust.org/News/ensuring-amphibian-and-reptile-releases-contribute-to-natures-recovery
January 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM
We’ve published our latest statement on reintroductions, assisted colonisation and the importance of evidence-led conservation.
You can read our latest statement here ⬇️
https://www.arc-trust.org/News/ensuring-amphibian-and-reptile-releases-contribute-to-natures-recovery
You can read our latest statement here ⬇️
https://www.arc-trust.org/News/ensuring-amphibian-and-reptile-releases-contribute-to-natures-recovery
Reposted by Peter Stronach
When one of your PhD students makes you very jealous… I believe the first Azure Tit for Norway this afternoon near Trondheim
January 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
When one of your PhD students makes you very jealous… I believe the first Azure Tit for Norway this afternoon near Trondheim
Reposted by Peter Stronach
Cruth geamhraidh air a' Chuilthionn. ' 'na ghlòir geal' 🤍
January 4, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Cruth geamhraidh air a' Chuilthionn. ' 'na ghlòir geal' 🤍
I'm not convinced that the reported Todd's Canada Goose at Sheigra, Highland is one. It's massive, bigger than a Greylag, very pale upper breast, thick neck, a classic canadensis saggy white arse and the dusky cheek patch seems to come from feeding in a muddy bog! I may be wrong... #highlandbirds 🪶
January 4, 2026 at 9:53 PM
I'm not convinced that the reported Todd's Canada Goose at Sheigra, Highland is one. It's massive, bigger than a Greylag, very pale upper breast, thick neck, a classic canadensis saggy white arse and the dusky cheek patch seems to come from feeding in a muddy bog! I may be wrong... #highlandbirds 🪶
The King Eider at Dornoch was in as close as it has been today, showing off it's crab-catching skills! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 3, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The King Eider at Dornoch was in as close as it has been today, showing off it's crab-catching skills! #highlandbirds 🪶
You could be forgiven for thinking this photo of the Dornoch King Eider was taken in Iceland!, it didn't seem to be bothered buy the arctic blip!! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 3, 2026 at 7:51 PM
You could be forgiven for thinking this photo of the Dornoch King Eider was taken in Iceland!, it didn't seem to be bothered buy the arctic blip!! #highlandbirds 🪶
Yesterday’s Snow Goose at Kingussie, in the middle of winter we can pretend they are all as pure as the driven snow! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 2, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Yesterday’s Snow Goose at Kingussie, in the middle of winter we can pretend they are all as pure as the driven snow! #highlandbirds 🪶
Refound the Alturlie Green-winged Teal today which has been absent for a month. Love the subtle different in the undertail flanks, darker and thinner in the GWT compared to the Euro version behind! #highlandbirds 🪶
January 2, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Refound the Alturlie Green-winged Teal today which has been absent for a month. Love the subtle different in the undertail flanks, darker and thinner in the GWT compared to the Euro version behind! #highlandbirds 🪶
Reposted by Peter Stronach
What a way to start the year on my local patch. Landed on the beach for a few minutes then flew off west.
January 1, 2026 at 12:12 PM
What a way to start the year on my local patch. Landed on the beach for a few minutes then flew off west.
Reposted by Peter Stronach
2025 has been spent focussing on my Clyde year list. It really was a great way to explore the local area. Birding varied from many mornings seawatching at Cloch Point to munro bagging in search of Ptarmigan. I finished on 196 for the year, managing 25 county ticks in the process! #Clydebirding
December 31, 2025 at 6:18 PM
2025 has been spent focussing on my Clyde year list. It really was a great way to explore the local area. Birding varied from many mornings seawatching at Cloch Point to munro bagging in search of Ptarmigan. I finished on 196 for the year, managing 25 county ticks in the process! #Clydebirding