Paul Macklam
@colonelbirder.bsky.social
Birding my Fetlar patch since 2016 (formerly Durham and Cleveland)
All bird pics are my own and self-found (unless stated otherwise)
Stormy winters and endless summer days, just two sides of the same coin.
All bird pics are my own and self-found (unless stated otherwise)
Stormy winters and endless summer days, just two sides of the same coin.
The weather beat me today but I managed to come across this stunning Long eared Owl before I headed home.
October 14, 2026 at 2:37 PM
The weather beat me today but I managed to come across this stunning Long eared Owl before I headed home.
Yellow-browed Warbler numbers have been relatively poor this Autumn and most of them have been quite elusive. This one put on a show today at Leagarth.
October 10, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Yellow-browed Warbler numbers have been relatively poor this Autumn and most of them have been quite elusive. This one put on a show today at Leagarth.
Found this Olive-backed Pipit at Funzie Willows this afternoon
October 10, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Found this Olive-backed Pipit at Funzie Willows this afternoon
Managed to see 3 Merlins today… and a few thousand Redwings!
October 9, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Managed to see 3 Merlins today… and a few thousand Redwings!
Hummingbird hawk-moth at Funzie this morning
October 8, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Hummingbird hawk-moth at Funzie this morning
Peregrine is still a scarce bird on the patch, this one found between Tresta and Northdale today
October 6, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Peregrine is still a scarce bird on the patch, this one found between Tresta and Northdale today
Better weather and better views of the RBFly today
October 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Better weather and better views of the RBFly today
A combination of seriously strong winds and a very elusive bird meant it took me an hour to get a few brief glimpses of this Red-breasted Flycatcher, at Tresta, today (found late afternoon yesterday by John Sweeney)
October 5, 2026 at 3:27 PM
A combination of seriously strong winds and a very elusive bird meant it took me an hour to get a few brief glimpses of this Red-breasted Flycatcher, at Tresta, today (found late afternoon yesterday by John Sweeney)
Originally found on Tuesday (by Andy Cook) this Turtle Dove has been extremely elusive since. I’d seen it twice but only from distance and, more often than not, in flight, until today. I re-found it among a flock of c30 Rock Doves on Houbie beach.
October 2, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Originally found on Tuesday (by Andy Cook) this Turtle Dove has been extremely elusive since. I’d seen it twice but only from distance and, more often than not, in flight, until today. I re-found it among a flock of c30 Rock Doves on Houbie beach.
Reposted by Paul Macklam
I've written Joe Harkness's obituary for the Guardian. I hope it pays good tribute to a wonderful man who was brave, honest and made the world a better place. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Joe Harkness obituary
Writer, teacher and naturalist who explored the effects of the natural world on neurodivergency
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2026 at 7:28 PM
I've written Joe Harkness's obituary for the Guardian. I hope it pays good tribute to a wonderful man who was brave, honest and made the world a better place. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Merlin and a couple of Ruff were the best I could find today
September 7, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Merlin and a couple of Ruff were the best I could find today
Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and a distant Grey Plover at Funzie (quite possibly the regular returning bird)
August 29, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and a distant Grey Plover at Funzie (quite possibly the regular returning bird)
Barred Warbler at Funzie and a Spot Fly in my garden.
August 27, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Barred Warbler at Funzie and a Spot Fly in my garden.
A young juvenile Stonechat at Northdale mires, this afternoon.
August 25, 2026 at 7:28 PM
A young juvenile Stonechat at Northdale mires, this afternoon.
Great Northern Diver, off Brough jetty, today.
July 10, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Great Northern Diver, off Brough jetty, today.
Almost forgot, found a Snipe nest too
July 7, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Almost forgot, found a Snipe nest too
A more than decent day. Two Quails (the island is jumping with them) Water Rail, Redpoll, RTDivers, RNPhals, dozens of recently fledged Wheatears and the Ruddy Shelduck which was back after going AWOL for a couple of days.
July 7, 2026 at 6:56 PM
A more than decent day. Two Quails (the island is jumping with them) Water Rail, Redpoll, RTDivers, RNPhals, dozens of recently fledged Wheatears and the Ruddy Shelduck which was back after going AWOL for a couple of days.
Ruddy Shelduck this afternoon (found by Simon Roddis) It took a long time to relocate it. I’m told it’s the second record for Shetland.
July 3, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Ruddy Shelduck this afternoon (found by Simon Roddis) It took a long time to relocate it. I’m told it’s the second record for Shetland.
Rosy Starling found yesterday (on Lambhoga) by Tom Rosas and (presumably the same bird) relocated today by Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social
The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird.
The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird.
June 22, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Rosy Starling found yesterday (on Lambhoga) by Tom Rosas and (presumably the same bird) relocated today by Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social
The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird.
The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird.
Lovely to see this Short-eared Owl hunting today before perching up to dry out.
June 17, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Lovely to see this Short-eared Owl hunting today before perching up to dry out.
In the absence of any scarce birds a trio of Otters entertained me. Within a minute of entering the sea they were all out again with various prey items.
June 10, 2026 at 3:28 PM
In the absence of any scarce birds a trio of Otters entertained me. Within a minute of entering the sea they were all out again with various prey items.
The Shrike remained in the same area today, somewhat less flighty than yesterday.
June 9, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The Shrike remained in the same area today, somewhat less flighty than yesterday.
Female RBShrike today (found by Nat) near the Island Hall, it made its way to my garden before heading back to the original location.
June 8, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Female RBShrike today (found by Nat) near the Island Hall, it made its way to my garden before heading back to the original location.
Found a Rosefinch this afternoon at Tresta
May 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Found a Rosefinch this afternoon at Tresta
I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide
May 25, 2026 at 3:34 PM
I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide