North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
1.1K followers 26 following 14 posts
Founded in 1987 to monitor and record bird life on North Ronaldsay. Guest house and hostel accommodation available. For enquiries call 01857 633200
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
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
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
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
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Three nights and three Leach’s Petrels! We’ve also caught 118 Storm Petrels, a great start to the Stormy sessions

#OrkneyBirding
#StormPetrels #SeabirdsUK
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
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
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
A superb Aurora Borealis showing last night over the obs

#space #northernlights #darkskies #orkney #aurora
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
An update from over the winter and sightings from the first few days of March now on the blog! With the appearance of a familiar friend, we have our first rarity of the year!

northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…#OrkneyBirdingng
https://northronbirdobs.blogspot.com/2025/03/winter…
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Well our first adult Glaucous Gull of 2025 wasn’t quite in the condition we’d hoped for 😢
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Happy New Year from all of us at NRBO. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2025!
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
🚨VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY🚨
We are looking for a volunteer for the 2025 season to help with bird monitoring, ringing, and obs maintenance! Full board included. Long term volunteers preferred, but all applications welcome! Contact [email protected] for more info.
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northronbirdobs.bsky.social
🚨JOB OPENING🚨
We are looking to employ a housekeeper for the 2025 season! Accommodation at the observatory included. For more information and to apply please contact [email protected]
Please share!
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maddyhine.bsky.social
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
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
The 2024 season is coming to a close! Its been an incredible year of birds. It appears we may have beaten last years yearlist total, but still need to wait on various rarities making the grade! A big thank you from me, Maddy and Alison to all the volunteers and guests this year!
Eyebrowed Thrush Lanceolated Warbler Brown Shrike Booted Warbler
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
Not the November bird I had mind, but the first Brown Booby for Orkney was a very welcome find after a dry spell. Not quite as smart as yesterdays Eyebrowed Thrush, Craig seems to attract bright orange birds! #scottishbirds #OrkneyBirds #UKbirding
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
All the lovely habitat we have here on the island and the Black-faced Bunting chooses a cattle pen full of litter…
#scottishbirding #orkneybirds
@northronbirdobs.bsky.social
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
Born in the USA. This very obliging American Robin was a first for the island this afternoon, not what we thought the easterly winds had in store for us! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
#UKbirding #scottishbirds #orkney #birds
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
Everyone down to Brown (shrike) town! #ukbirding #scottishbirding
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
A locustella double of the highest order! Lancey and Pallas’s Gropper in the same day 😍 #scottishbirding #ukbirding
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
This Dusky Warbler was a wholly unexpected find this morning while showing new volunteer @cgunnnat.bsky.social around D. Im told the earliest Autumn record by some distance!
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
One of over 200 Wheatears that passed through the island yesterday. There was also the islands 7th record of Mandarin on Ancum.
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georgenorthron.bsky.social
Moth traps have been an unmitigated disaster this year so far! Not sure we’ve ever had so few trapping nights! That said Double Dart is a first for the island so it’s not all bad!
White-line Dart Double-Dart
northronbirdobs.bsky.social
Our 2023 Bird Report has nearly finished production, here’s the cover featuring last August’s Booted Warbler. If you’d like a copy contact the obs via email at [email protected]