Matt Eade
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
Former Sussex birder, now near Inverness. Keen world, country and county lister. Also heavily into orchids, butterflies & dragonflies/damselflies.
Keen runner too.
Keen runner too.
Sat at work earlier in deepest, darkest Highland roughly 15 miles inland, out of nowhere a passerine flew past, landed in some heather next to me, and soon gave itself away as a pristine Siberian Chiffchaff! Shortly after four Snow Buntings flew over. #BirdingScotland
November 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Sat at work earlier in deepest, darkest Highland roughly 15 miles inland, out of nowhere a passerine flew past, landed in some heather next to me, and soon gave itself away as a pristine Siberian Chiffchaff! Shortly after four Snow Buntings flew over. #BirdingScotland
With ears finely tuned while shopping in Inverness today with @emilyrichens.bsky.social, it was a joy to hear and then see a Waxwing fly over. Hopefully not the last of the winter! #birdingscotland
November 15, 2025 at 1:55 PM
With ears finely tuned while shopping in Inverness today with @emilyrichens.bsky.social, it was a joy to hear and then see a Waxwing fly over. Hopefully not the last of the winter! #birdingscotland
I recently reacquainted myself with a 'lost' memory card, and hidden in amongst were these Short-toed Eagle photos taken on Ashdown Forest (East Sussex). Of the 330 species I saw in the county before moving to the Highlands, this was the stand-out bird by far!
October 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I recently reacquainted myself with a 'lost' memory card, and hidden in amongst were these Short-toed Eagle photos taken on Ashdown Forest (East Sussex). Of the 330 species I saw in the county before moving to the Highlands, this was the stand-out bird by far!
My take on today’s White-throated Needletail off Helmsdale with @emilyrichens.bsky.social :
seafordbirding.blogspot.com/2025/10/whit...
#BirdingScotland
seafordbirding.blogspot.com/2025/10/whit...
#BirdingScotland
White-throated Needletail - Helmsdale 14th October 2025
Yesterday (13th Oct), Emily and I were at a site roughly 20 miles from Brora when at about 6pm, news came through of the White-throated Need...
seafordbirding.blogspot.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
My take on today’s White-throated Needletail off Helmsdale with @emilyrichens.bsky.social :
seafordbirding.blogspot.com/2025/10/whit...
#BirdingScotland
seafordbirding.blogspot.com/2025/10/whit...
#BirdingScotland
Operation Needletail turned into Needletail success after only 15 minutes in the field! Plucked on Helmsdale as a likely location and at 0740 the White-throated Needletail was spotted by @emilyrichens.bsky.social and spent 9-mins with us before heading south! BOOM #BirdingScotland
October 14, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Operation Needletail turned into Needletail success after only 15 minutes in the field! Plucked on Helmsdale as a likely location and at 0740 the White-throated Needletail was spotted by @emilyrichens.bsky.social and spent 9-mins with us before heading south! BOOM #BirdingScotland
Now back from Shetland and on the train between Inverness and Beauly I spotted a Snow Goose in with the pinkies. Due to viewing difficulties around Kirkhill, it took me a while to re-locate, but eventually did. 40 Barnacles also here too. #BirdingScotland
October 7, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Now back from Shetland and on the train between Inverness and Beauly I spotted a Snow Goose in with the pinkies. Due to viewing difficulties around Kirkhill, it took me a while to re-locate, but eventually did. 40 Barnacles also here too. #BirdingScotland
Our final full day ended with watching the Siberian Thrush all to ourselves. Other bits today included 20+ Storm Petrels heading out of Muckle Roe, a Snow Bunting, a few Yellow-broweds and a Pec Sand. #BirdingShetland
October 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Our final full day ended with watching the Siberian Thrush all to ourselves. Other bits today included 20+ Storm Petrels heading out of Muckle Roe, a Snow Bunting, a few Yellow-broweds and a Pec Sand. #BirdingShetland
No vehicle as Steve went off for the Sibe Thrush, so I hiked from Ronas Voe to Urafirth via a few sites and struck gold at the latter by flushing an elusive Rustic Bunting. My Corncrake was again in its quarry, and the day ended with a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Esha Ness geo. #BirdingShetland
October 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
No vehicle as Steve went off for the Sibe Thrush, so I hiked from Ronas Voe to Urafirth via a few sites and struck gold at the latter by flushing an elusive Rustic Bunting. My Corncrake was again in its quarry, and the day ended with a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Esha Ness geo. #BirdingShetland
Two days in the north of Shetland and steadily trickling along in far from ideal conditions with Rosefinch and Corncrake the best finds so far, plenty of Yellow-broweds still to be found and a superb Otter. A Tree Pipit skulking in long grass today was the biggest disappointment! #BirdingShetland
October 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Two days in the north of Shetland and steadily trickling along in far from ideal conditions with Rosefinch and Corncrake the best finds so far, plenty of Yellow-broweds still to be found and a superb Otter. A Tree Pipit skulking in long grass today was the biggest disappointment! #BirdingShetland
A walk up Tom A Choinnich (Glen Affric) with @emilyrichens.bsky.social & Tommy Saunders gave stunning panoramic views, 15 Ptarmigans, 3 Ring Ouzels and most surprisingly, 3 Twite. Superb! Lots of bird ringing in our garden today too 😄. #BirdingScotland
September 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A walk up Tom A Choinnich (Glen Affric) with @emilyrichens.bsky.social & Tommy Saunders gave stunning panoramic views, 15 Ptarmigans, 3 Ring Ouzels and most surprisingly, 3 Twite. Superb! Lots of bird ringing in our garden today too 😄. #BirdingScotland
Here’s 30, from over 4,000 Pink-footed Geese which fought their way SSE during a six-hour stint today near Lairg. How a gale force westerly is conducive for migration I’ll never know. #BirdingScotland
September 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Here’s 30, from over 4,000 Pink-footed Geese which fought their way SSE during a six-hour stint today near Lairg. How a gale force westerly is conducive for migration I’ll never know. #BirdingScotland
Making the most of a day off, today I ventured NW to Balnakeil. A top morning with a Barred Warbler being the notable find, but other migrants/mustelids comprised two Hawfinches, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, both Otter and Stoat, and five were Ruff nearby. A top site!! #BirdingScotland
September 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Making the most of a day off, today I ventured NW to Balnakeil. A top morning with a Barred Warbler being the notable find, but other migrants/mustelids comprised two Hawfinches, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, both Otter and Stoat, and five were Ruff nearby. A top site!! #BirdingScotland
Tarbat Ness: a later than normal visit with Nan was better than expected, with a Whinchat and Swift present, but a flock of 17 Coal Tits ‘high-flying’ out to sea was a cracking sight! Lots of Painted Ladies too. #BirdingScotland
September 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Tarbat Ness: a later than normal visit with Nan was better than expected, with a Whinchat and Swift present, but a flock of 17 Coal Tits ‘high-flying’ out to sea was a cracking sight! Lots of Painted Ladies too. #BirdingScotland
Two weeks tomorrow until the Loch Ness Marathon. Having done it twice before, I’ll be running alongside the fiancee this time to support her in aid of her chosen charity (Mountain Rescue). Training has gone smoothly and now it’s time to tackle the beast!
2 weeks to go!! Very touched by the immense support given already by friends & family. Very much looking forward to it, no doubt my biggest challenge yet, and hopefully I do you all proud! 🥰
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/emilyri...
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/emilyri...
Emily's fundraiser for Scottish Mountain Rescue
Help Emily Richens raise money to support Scottish Mountain Rescue
www.justgiving.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Two weeks tomorrow until the Loch Ness Marathon. Having done it twice before, I’ll be running alongside the fiancee this time to support her in aid of her chosen charity (Mountain Rescue). Training has gone smoothly and now it’s time to tackle the beast!
Reposted by Matt Eade
2 weeks to go!! Very touched by the immense support given already by friends & family. Very much looking forward to it, no doubt my biggest challenge yet, and hopefully I do you all proud! 🥰
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/emilyri...
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/emilyri...
Emily's fundraiser for Scottish Mountain Rescue
Help Emily Richens raise money to support Scottish Mountain Rescue
www.justgiving.com
September 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
2 weeks to go!! Very touched by the immense support given already by friends & family. Very much looking forward to it, no doubt my biggest challenge yet, and hopefully I do you all proud! 🥰
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/emilyri...
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/emilyri...
A brilliant 5.5hr seawatch today from my now beloved Portgower site. The moderate ESE winds delivered with two Cory's Shearwaters, 4 Great Shearwaters, 97 Sooty Shearwaters and 11 Arctic Skuas. Some of the large shears were very close inshore. #BirdingScotland
September 7, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A brilliant 5.5hr seawatch today from my now beloved Portgower site. The moderate ESE winds delivered with two Cory's Shearwaters, 4 Great Shearwaters, 97 Sooty Shearwaters and 11 Arctic Skuas. Some of the large shears were very close inshore. #BirdingScotland
A female 'Highland' Darter seen yesterday up near Lairg. Still a few Common Hawkers about, but the Highland Odonata season is slowly coming to a close now. @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A female 'Highland' Darter seen yesterday up near Lairg. Still a few Common Hawkers about, but the Highland Odonata season is slowly coming to a close now. @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social
Udale Bay was alive with birds this morning. No hoped for Curlew Sands, but five Ruddy Shelduck, ca. 25 Scaup, three Slav Grebes, a Black-tailed Godwit amongst throngs of other species. #BirdingScotland
September 3, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Udale Bay was alive with birds this morning. No hoped for Curlew Sands, but five Ruddy Shelduck, ca. 25 Scaup, three Slav Grebes, a Black-tailed Godwit amongst throngs of other species. #BirdingScotland
I think someone ‘hibernated’ for too long! Odd to hear him ‘bubbling’ and showing off to a nearby female in September. #BirdingScotland
September 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I think someone ‘hibernated’ for too long! Odd to hear him ‘bubbling’ and showing off to a nearby female in September. #BirdingScotland
Conditions looked OK so I opted for a seawatch up near Helmsdale. Unfortunately only 4 Sooty S’waters, 27 Manx S’waters, a Puffin, a Great Northern Diver and 7 Whimbrel noted in six hours, but a ‘Goliath’ form of Basking Shark was the highlight… absolutely huge! #BirdingScotland
August 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Conditions looked OK so I opted for a seawatch up near Helmsdale. Unfortunately only 4 Sooty S’waters, 27 Manx S’waters, a Puffin, a Great Northern Diver and 7 Whimbrel noted in six hours, but a ‘Goliath’ form of Basking Shark was the highlight… absolutely huge! #BirdingScotland
A 15 mile run up and over Ben Wyvis (1046m) this morning was highlighted by a superb juv Dotterel. Sadly I was too sweaty and breathless to find it on the deck, so two lovely and close flight views was all I could muster… I’ve missed that purring call! #BirdingScotland
August 30, 2025 at 11:46 AM
A 15 mile run up and over Ben Wyvis (1046m) this morning was highlighted by a superb juv Dotterel. Sadly I was too sweaty and breathless to find it on the deck, so two lovely and close flight views was all I could muster… I’ve missed that purring call! #BirdingScotland
Yesterday, walking a 2km stretch of stream which runs through a remote bog moorland up near Caithness, I counted no fewer than 99 Black Darters. Never witnessed such excellent numbers before! @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social #ScottishDragonflies
August 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Yesterday, walking a 2km stretch of stream which runs through a remote bog moorland up near Caithness, I counted no fewer than 99 Black Darters. Never witnessed such excellent numbers before! @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social #ScottishDragonflies
A jaunt on the Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry with @emilyrichens.bsky.social & Matt Broadbent was a great day out, only if the standard fare was seen: ca. 30 Sooty S’waters, 1 Leach’s Petrel, ca. 35 Storm-Petrels, lots of Bonxies & 10 Arctic Skuas, & many Minke Whales. #BirdingScotland
August 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A jaunt on the Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry with @emilyrichens.bsky.social & Matt Broadbent was a great day out, only if the standard fare was seen: ca. 30 Sooty S’waters, 1 Leach’s Petrel, ca. 35 Storm-Petrels, lots of Bonxies & 10 Arctic Skuas, & many Minke Whales. #BirdingScotland
A top day hiking 14 miles in the Glen Affric range, with Ptarmigan being the commonest bird (22 seen)! Other than that, amazing views once the cloud had lifted. #BirdingScotland
August 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
A top day hiking 14 miles in the Glen Affric range, with Ptarmigan being the commonest bird (22 seen)! Other than that, amazing views once the cloud had lifted. #BirdingScotland
This Water Shrew was found dead this morning, apparently succumbing to carrying a blade of grass across a trail as it was firmly gripping such when I moved it… poor lad! #UKMammals
August 1, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This Water Shrew was found dead this morning, apparently succumbing to carrying a blade of grass across a trail as it was firmly gripping such when I moved it… poor lad! #UKMammals