Graham Sparshott
@fifevismig.bsky.social
Life long birder. These days mainly content with pottering around my West Fife patches. Love Visible Migration. In the autumn mainly to be found on a hill at North Queensferry. Fife Bird Recorder.
20/10/2025
Some Annual Leave meant I could make my first visit of the year to the the E Neuk. The promising migrant weather had a lot to do with; E winds and heavy overnight rain followed by a calm morning. Not a big fall but I enjoyed close views of Eastern Lesser Whitethroat and YBW.
Some Annual Leave meant I could make my first visit of the year to the the E Neuk. The promising migrant weather had a lot to do with; E winds and heavy overnight rain followed by a calm morning. Not a big fall but I enjoyed close views of Eastern Lesser Whitethroat and YBW.
October 21, 2025 at 7:04 AM
20/10/2025
Some Annual Leave meant I could make my first visit of the year to the the E Neuk. The promising migrant weather had a lot to do with; E winds and heavy overnight rain followed by a calm morning. Not a big fall but I enjoyed close views of Eastern Lesser Whitethroat and YBW.
Some Annual Leave meant I could make my first visit of the year to the the E Neuk. The promising migrant weather had a lot to do with; E winds and heavy overnight rain followed by a calm morning. Not a big fall but I enjoyed close views of Eastern Lesser Whitethroat and YBW.
5/10/25
A fairly small, dark, square headed and small billed Canada Goose with a normal Canada in a flock of 350 Greylag at the E end of Loch Gelly. In terms of carrier species, probably better if it had been with the 1000+ Pinks at the other end of the loch, but still an interesting looking bird.
A fairly small, dark, square headed and small billed Canada Goose with a normal Canada in a flock of 350 Greylag at the E end of Loch Gelly. In terms of carrier species, probably better if it had been with the 1000+ Pinks at the other end of the loch, but still an interesting looking bird.
October 7, 2025 at 5:52 AM
5/10/25
A fairly small, dark, square headed and small billed Canada Goose with a normal Canada in a flock of 350 Greylag at the E end of Loch Gelly. In terms of carrier species, probably better if it had been with the 1000+ Pinks at the other end of the loch, but still an interesting looking bird.
A fairly small, dark, square headed and small billed Canada Goose with a normal Canada in a flock of 350 Greylag at the E end of Loch Gelly. In terms of carrier species, probably better if it had been with the 1000+ Pinks at the other end of the loch, but still an interesting looking bird.
4/10/15
Kinghorn/Pettycur
Morning after the passing of storm Amy. Generally not much happening during the seawatch but two birds made it more than worthwhile; Leach's Petrel and a migrating Taiga Bean Goose battling into the wind.
Kinghorn/Pettycur
Morning after the passing of storm Amy. Generally not much happening during the seawatch but two birds made it more than worthwhile; Leach's Petrel and a migrating Taiga Bean Goose battling into the wind.
October 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
4/10/15
Kinghorn/Pettycur
Morning after the passing of storm Amy. Generally not much happening during the seawatch but two birds made it more than worthwhile; Leach's Petrel and a migrating Taiga Bean Goose battling into the wind.
Kinghorn/Pettycur
Morning after the passing of storm Amy. Generally not much happening during the seawatch but two birds made it more than worthwhile; Leach's Petrel and a migrating Taiga Bean Goose battling into the wind.
Other misc highlights across the week included an obliging Kingfisher at Hersey Nature Reserve (almost taken by a Sprawk), Southern Hawker and Clouded Yellow.
September 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Other misc highlights across the week included an obliging Kingfisher at Hersey Nature Reserve (almost taken by a Sprawk), Southern Hawker and Clouded Yellow.
IOW Trip 22/9-25/9
The best was saved to last, literally, in my last few hours spent at St Catherines Point, one of my favourite Island spots. I almost stepped on a cracking Wryneck which proceeded to give great views. Two Juv Hobby hawking insects added to a nice finish to the week.
The best was saved to last, literally, in my last few hours spent at St Catherines Point, one of my favourite Island spots. I almost stepped on a cracking Wryneck which proceeded to give great views. Two Juv Hobby hawking insects added to a nice finish to the week.
September 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
IOW Trip 22/9-25/9
The best was saved to last, literally, in my last few hours spent at St Catherines Point, one of my favourite Island spots. I almost stepped on a cracking Wryneck which proceeded to give great views. Two Juv Hobby hawking insects added to a nice finish to the week.
The best was saved to last, literally, in my last few hours spent at St Catherines Point, one of my favourite Island spots. I almost stepped on a cracking Wryneck which proceeded to give great views. Two Juv Hobby hawking insects added to a nice finish to the week.
Vis mig highlight was the hirundine passage, on a scale I just don't see up here in Fife. Best day was 23/9 at Whale Chine when we estimated 20,000 hirundines battling into the NE breeze over a 3.5 hr period (Approx. 60/40 Swallow/House Martin). Spectacular, never can do it justice in photos.
September 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Vis mig highlight was the hirundine passage, on a scale I just don't see up here in Fife. Best day was 23/9 at Whale Chine when we estimated 20,000 hirundines battling into the NE breeze over a 3.5 hr period (Approx. 60/40 Swallow/House Martin). Spectacular, never can do it justice in photos.
1st half of Sept sees some changes in the make up of migrating passerines at Ferry Hills. Tree Pipits on the way out (high of 20 on 2nd) and Meadows heading for their peak (high of 1260 on 13th). Small numbers of Spotted Flycatcher passing through although peak was in late August with 5.
September 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
1st half of Sept sees some changes in the make up of migrating passerines at Ferry Hills. Tree Pipits on the way out (high of 20 on 2nd) and Meadows heading for their peak (high of 1260 on 13th). Small numbers of Spotted Flycatcher passing through although peak was in late August with 5.
Regular Arctic Skuas flying inland (9 on 23/8) and my lucky year for bumping into spoons continues with a superb pale Adult Pom flying inland on 28/8.
September 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Regular Arctic Skuas flying inland (9 on 23/8) and my lucky year for bumping into spoons continues with a superb pale Adult Pom flying inland on 28/8.
Ferry Hills continues to be steady, Tree Pipits starting to drop off as we head towards Sept and Mipits increasing. Siskins have started to increase in numbers (236 on 30/8). A very close 1st CY Osprey being mobbed by a Raven was a fine sight on 23/8.
September 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Ferry Hills continues to be steady, Tree Pipits starting to drop off as we head towards Sept and Mipits increasing. Siskins have started to increase in numbers (236 on 30/8). A very close 1st CY Osprey being mobbed by a Raven was a fine sight on 23/8.
17/08/25
A change from vis mig with a visit to Stenhouse Marsh. A 1st W White Wagtail looking very pale and clean compared to the numerous Pied Wags. 16 snipe and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. The White Wag and godwits certainly on route from Iceland and the snipe likely to be to.
A change from vis mig with a visit to Stenhouse Marsh. A 1st W White Wagtail looking very pale and clean compared to the numerous Pied Wags. 16 snipe and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. The White Wag and godwits certainly on route from Iceland and the snipe likely to be to.
August 17, 2025 at 7:31 PM
17/08/25
A change from vis mig with a visit to Stenhouse Marsh. A 1st W White Wagtail looking very pale and clean compared to the numerous Pied Wags. 16 snipe and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. The White Wag and godwits certainly on route from Iceland and the snipe likely to be to.
A change from vis mig with a visit to Stenhouse Marsh. A 1st W White Wagtail looking very pale and clean compared to the numerous Pied Wags. 16 snipe and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. The White Wag and godwits certainly on route from Iceland and the snipe likely to be to.
Friday 15th a.m: a dark Adult Pom Skua started inland then U-turned, a very close Arctic Skua flew inland. PM: Inland bound terns inlcuded 112 Arctic. Also 229 Kittiwake inland. A flock of 30 Black-tailed Godwit up the Forth with 8 knot mixed in.
August 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Friday 15th a.m: a dark Adult Pom Skua started inland then U-turned, a very close Arctic Skua flew inland. PM: Inland bound terns inlcuded 112 Arctic. Also 229 Kittiwake inland. A flock of 30 Black-tailed Godwit up the Forth with 8 knot mixed in.
Angus Jennings did the PM shift and had 684 Arctic Tern heading high inland-record site total inlcuding a flock of 224! Like tree pipit, August is the month for Arctic terns here but I've never had these sorts of numbers. I do more a.m. watches though, looks like late PM/evening for terns better.
August 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Angus Jennings did the PM shift and had 684 Arctic Tern heading high inland-record site total inlcuding a flock of 224! Like tree pipit, August is the month for Arctic terns here but I've never had these sorts of numbers. I do more a.m. watches though, looks like late PM/evening for terns better.
Vis mig at Ferry Hills during July has been ticking over without any really big days. The good year for Xbills continues with peak monthly count of 62. Tree Pipits starting to pick up, peak of 22. First 3 Arctic Skuas of the autumn W inland.
August 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Vis mig at Ferry Hills during July has been ticking over without any really big days. The good year for Xbills continues with peak monthly count of 62. Tree Pipits starting to pick up, peak of 22. First 3 Arctic Skuas of the autumn W inland.
1/8/25
Cory's Shearwater lingering off Kinghorn this PM. Scope views better than these ropey shots suggest, the under primaries looked extensively dark so nothing to suggest anything rarer. Very pleased to see it though.
Cory's Shearwater lingering off Kinghorn this PM. Scope views better than these ropey shots suggest, the under primaries looked extensively dark so nothing to suggest anything rarer. Very pleased to see it though.
August 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
1/8/25
Cory's Shearwater lingering off Kinghorn this PM. Scope views better than these ropey shots suggest, the under primaries looked extensively dark so nothing to suggest anything rarer. Very pleased to see it though.
Cory's Shearwater lingering off Kinghorn this PM. Scope views better than these ropey shots suggest, the under primaries looked extensively dark so nothing to suggest anything rarer. Very pleased to see it though.
The water levels at Stenhouse Marsh look great for waders. Hopefully good timing as the wader passage ramps up. 2 Green Sand and a Common Sand today (plus first Common Snipe last weekend).
July 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The water levels at Stenhouse Marsh look great for waders. Hopefully good timing as the wader passage ramps up. 2 Green Sand and a Common Sand today (plus first Common Snipe last weekend).
Perceived wisdom when I moved to Scotland in 2009 was that NJ were rare away from a breeding population in the far SW. There seems to have a been a bit of a population explosion in the last few years, presumably climate driven.
Intensive survey work in NE Scotland has recorded 20+ birds this year.
Intensive survey work in NE Scotland has recorded 20+ birds this year.
July 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Perceived wisdom when I moved to Scotland in 2009 was that NJ were rare away from a breeding population in the far SW. There seems to have a been a bit of a population explosion in the last few years, presumably climate driven.
Intensive survey work in NE Scotland has recorded 20+ birds this year.
Intensive survey work in NE Scotland has recorded 20+ birds this year.
Due to domestic reasons I don't often get to do Nocturnal birding these days. But I had an opportunity to look for Nightjar and had my first sight and sound of these amazing birds in Scotland. Plus Woodcock are always good value, up to three birds were flying around together.
July 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Due to domestic reasons I don't often get to do Nocturnal birding these days. But I had an opportunity to look for Nightjar and had my first sight and sound of these amazing birds in Scotland. Plus Woodcock are always good value, up to three birds were flying around together.
The first Tree Pipit of the autumn went over Ferry Hills on 20th June, while four on 30th included two obliging birds that landed on the access track. Ringing at the Hills has shown most early season birds are Juvs. Numbers will peak in August.
July 6, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The first Tree Pipit of the autumn went over Ferry Hills on 20th June, while four on 30th included two obliging birds that landed on the access track. Ringing at the Hills has shown most early season birds are Juvs. Numbers will peak in August.
A smart Ad Summer BT Diver flew W inland and a few RTD, meaning I've had three species of Diver in June at the Hills. Other signs of return passage include waders at a few W Fife sites: Green Sandpiper Stenhouse Marsh, 2 Greenshank W up Forth Kinghorn, Curlew and Redshank over the Hills.
June 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A smart Ad Summer BT Diver flew W inland and a few RTD, meaning I've had three species of Diver in June at the Hills. Other signs of return passage include waders at a few W Fife sites: Green Sandpiper Stenhouse Marsh, 2 Greenshank W up Forth Kinghorn, Curlew and Redshank over the Hills.
Other highlights have been a spotted flycatcher that left north, a summer GND that flew W inland and best of all, a hobby flying SW. Hobby is a scarce bird in Fife, just about annual, and this is only the second I've seen at the Hills. Looked to be a 2nd CY bird so likely a wandering non-breeder.
June 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Other highlights have been a spotted flycatcher that left north, a summer GND that flew W inland and best of all, a hobby flying SW. Hobby is a scarce bird in Fife, just about annual, and this is only the second I've seen at the Hills. Looked to be a 2nd CY bird so likely a wandering non-breeder.
1/6/25
A visit to Vane Farm, Loch Leven. Signs of moult gatherings starting for the male diving ducks. Can be a good time to pick out something rarer like Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck, but the closest i got was this hybrid Tufty x Pochard at Carden Flood.
A visit to Vane Farm, Loch Leven. Signs of moult gatherings starting for the male diving ducks. Can be a good time to pick out something rarer like Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck, but the closest i got was this hybrid Tufty x Pochard at Carden Flood.
June 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
1/6/25
A visit to Vane Farm, Loch Leven. Signs of moult gatherings starting for the male diving ducks. Can be a good time to pick out something rarer like Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck, but the closest i got was this hybrid Tufty x Pochard at Carden Flood.
A visit to Vane Farm, Loch Leven. Signs of moult gatherings starting for the male diving ducks. Can be a good time to pick out something rarer like Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck, but the closest i got was this hybrid Tufty x Pochard at Carden Flood.
It looks as though a big year for Xbill is on the cards with recent widespread reports around the UK including 63 on Fair Isle on 31/5. The first Arctic Skua of the year was another recent highlight at the Hills.
June 1, 2025 at 2:35 PM
It looks as though a big year for Xbill is on the cards with recent widespread reports around the UK including 63 on Fair Isle on 31/5. The first Arctic Skua of the year was another recent highlight at the Hills.
A few days staying out in the E Neuk of Fife didn't coincide with the best of weather conditions. Fortunately one day was bright and sunny to allow the main aim of getting my wife some beach combing time at Kingsbarns. Some casual scanning turned up some decent birds including RT and GN Divers.
June 1, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A few days staying out in the E Neuk of Fife didn't coincide with the best of weather conditions. Fortunately one day was bright and sunny to allow the main aim of getting my wife some beach combing time at Kingsbarns. Some casual scanning turned up some decent birds including RT and GN Divers.
11/05/2025
The calm, warm weather is nice to be out in but it's keeping things quiet on the migration front. But you can rely on May to throw up surprises. While birding St Margarets Marsh, two stunning summer Black-throated Diver flew in from the E and landed on the Forth.
The calm, warm weather is nice to be out in but it's keeping things quiet on the migration front. But you can rely on May to throw up surprises. While birding St Margarets Marsh, two stunning summer Black-throated Diver flew in from the E and landed on the Forth.
May 11, 2025 at 7:41 PM
11/05/2025
The calm, warm weather is nice to be out in but it's keeping things quiet on the migration front. But you can rely on May to throw up surprises. While birding St Margarets Marsh, two stunning summer Black-throated Diver flew in from the E and landed on the Forth.
The calm, warm weather is nice to be out in but it's keeping things quiet on the migration front. But you can rely on May to throw up surprises. While birding St Margarets Marsh, two stunning summer Black-throated Diver flew in from the E and landed on the Forth.
The images of WWS were taken about an hr apart and looking at them again I wonder if they are different individuals.
May 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The images of WWS were taken about an hr apart and looking at them again I wonder if they are different individuals.