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John Bowler

@tireebirder.bsky.social

440 followers 440 following 160 posts

Life-long birder - Tiree-based but sometimes elsewhere

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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 7d

Spotted Flycatcher still lingering in the gardens at Balephuil, Tiree today and joined there by one each of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler & Goldcrest #BirdingScotland
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 9d

Tiree recently: 1 Curlew Sandpiper at Kenovay today & a Lapland Bunting at Sandaig yesterday, also Spotted Flycatcher & Chiffchaff at Balephuil, 10+ Ruff still & several scattered Pinkfeet #BirdingScotland
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 14d

As well as record numbers of Curlew Sandpipers & bumper counts of Ruff & Black-tailed Godwit, September 2025 has also seen flocks of hundreds of Snipe on Tiree - many of which, like this one, are still here #BirdingScotland
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 19d

Thanks Colin. Will see what I can do, although sounds like it came to Tiree from Sweden via Norway and Harris, so may head south next...

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 19d

Thanks Chris!

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 19d

Tiree's White Stork was ringed in a barn-roof nest in central Scania, Sweden on 14/6, it moved to Norway (nr Trondheim) on 10/8 (with 60+ storks) & remained in Norway until at least 8/9. Info from Petter Albinson, Storkprojektet. @birdguides.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 20d

Thanks James!

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 20d

Looks like the Tiree White Stork is actually from Sweden, rather than Knepp - details to follow #BirdingScotland
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 20d

Looks like you are right Stephen!

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 20d

Would be very interesting if that was the case. Will see what the ringing details tell us.

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 20d

Yes, it's a Tiree first. Still not got the ringing details back. so will be interesting to see exactly where it is from.

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 20d

Knepp-ringed White Stork (MX51) this morning at Kilmoluaig, Tiree for its second day, also an elusive 1cy Barred Warbler at Balephuil #BirdingScotland
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 22d

Now 2 Wood Sandpipers together at Balevullin, Tiree; 2 Glossy Ibis again at Loch a' Phuill with 5 juv Curlew Sandpipers & increasing numbers of duck around on the wetlands: 190 Teal, 12 Wigeon & 2 Shoveler were in this flock #BirdingScotland

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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 23d

#Tiree today: 2 Glossy Ibis, 5 Curlew Sands & a late Swift at Loch a' Phuill (but 0 Baird's or Pec Sands). Juv Buff-breasted Sandpiper new at Crossapol with 12 Curlew Sands, juv Pied Fly at The Glebe, Scarinish, hundreds of waders on widespread flooding @patchbirding.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 24d

Weekend of distant waders on #Tiree Best = juv Baird's Sandpiper at Loch 'a Phuill today (no pics) with 2 Glossy Ibis & 3 Curlew Sand still.
@kgbirder.bsky.social's ad AGP & Wood Sand at Balevullin on 12th, Little Stint at Loch a' Phuill y'day (also Pec Sand there)

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Reposted by John Bowler

KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 26d

Today's American Golden Plover at Balevullin, Tiree steadfastly refused to give anything other than record shots. Presumably fresh in as it hasn't found the Goldie flock yet, mind you neither have I in the last few days. 2 Glossy Ibis, Turtle Dove & Black Tern all still present. #birdingscotland.

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 26d

Flooded fringes of Loch a' Phuill, Tiree this am held 2 Glossy Ibis, 1 juv Pec Sand, 9 juv Curlew Sands, 7 Ruff, 145 Black-tailed Godwit & 3 Gadwall. Also Pied Flycatcher at Scarinish & adult American Golden Plover at Balevullin - per
@KGbirder #BirdingScotland

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Reposted by John Bowler

KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 27d

Two Glossy Ibis still Loch a'Phuill, Turtle Dove at Clachan, Black Tern off Hynish, Wood Sand at Balevullin, Little Stint at Vaul, 1cy Med Gull at Scarinish & 42 Curlew Sands around the island on another day of challenging weather on Tiree. #birdingscotland.

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 27d

Very nice Keith!

Reposted by John Bowler

KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 28d

A juv Black Tern lingering off Hynish, Tiree this afternoon seems part of a mini-influx after 6 'fly-throughs' y'day. Other influx species today included a single Glossy Ibis at Loch a'Phuill and at least 40 Curlew Sands (min of 52 y'day) #birdingscotland.

John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 29d

1cy Grey Phalarope at Balephetrish Bay, Tiree this pm & a record island count of 52 Curlew Sandpipers -
@kgbirder.bsky.social
Also 4 Black Terns >S at Loch a' Phuill -
Tony O'Connor
& 2 juv Black Terns >S at Balephuil with
@kgbirder.bsky.social

#BirdingScotland

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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 29d

Pied Flycatcher lurking in the bushes at Carnan Mor #Tiree this morning - present for its second day #BirdingScotland
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · Sep 8

16 (1 ad) Curlew Sands & juv Little Stint at Vaul Bay, Tiree - also a Turtle Dove at Balevullin.

22 juv Curlew Sands at Balephetrish Bay & a Pied Flycatcher at Vaul - @kgbirder.bsky.social
2 Glossy Ibis at Loch a' Phuill - Tony O'Connor/Ewen Forbes

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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · Sep 7

Leach's Petrel, Sooty Shear & 4 Storm Petrel in 90 mins off Hynish #Tiree from 1230hrs, also Curlew Sand, 9 juv Knot & a Common Sand there.
@kgbirder.bsky.social reports Pec Sand at Balinoe, 12 Curlew Sands at Clachan/Balephetrish & Spotshank at Gott Bay
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Reposted by John Bowler

KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · Sep 4

It was good of @tireebirder.bsky.social's Melodious Warbler to stick around so I could Tiree tick it this evening. Earlier a very flighty Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Clachan (& 5 juv Curlew Sands). #birdingscotland.