Reaching net zero by 2050 ‘cheaper for UK than one fossil fuel crisis’ Climate change committee finds move to renewable energy would also bring health, economic and security benefits

Depressing how little media coverage this got. Almost as if the media just want to report what politicians say. Not question answers report reality www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A White- tailed Eagle perched in a conifer near Meikle Loch, Aberdeenshire

A White- tailed eagle responding to being mobbed by local Buzzards.

A White- tailed Eagle frequented the Meikle loch area around 9.00 am this morning - flew North after a brief stay. Thanks to SD for the news.

1492 : A Cautionary Tale.

This is a very worrying story with implications. Personally I'd like to fire the whole of AI into the outer Oort. stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/01/1492...

Large wave breaks over Collieston harbour wall

Wave breaking over Collieston harbour wall

Wave and large cloud spray going over Collieston harbour wall

Spectacular sea conditions seem the default off Collieston the last few weeks

1W Glaucous Gull briefly around Collieston harbour 11.00am #BirdingScotland

At least 3 colour ringed Rock Pipits still at Low Newton yesterday, CK, CP and BH.

If you see any Rock Pipits please check them for colour rings, the Low Newton/Coquet Island rings are green with white lettering.

#NEbirding #Lowcarbonbirding

Snow covered fields looking south towards the village

Snow covered Collieston with small patch blue sky highlighting the Kirk

Arctic style conditions in Collieston brings a welcome Jack Snipe and 3 Snow bunting around the Kirkton area. Building Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting flock taking shelter around the hay bales. #BirdingScotland

📢 DEADLINE APPROACHING

For BOU Member Conference Attendance Grants

Now funding member attendance at any #ornithology conference 🪶

Low-carbon travel encouraged

⏰ Deadline: 5 January 2026

bou.org.uk/funding/m...

Green and Magenta waves

Green and magenta waves over dark fields

Aurora tonight over Collieston

Small numbers migrants in and around the village, 1 Pied Fly on the back road and 4 Whinchat. Garden Warbler yesterday Kirkton.

Excellent end to seawatching today with a Gt Shearwater coming through just ahead of the rain. Also between 16.20- 18.30 4 Sooty Shears, 1 juv LT Skua, 3 Little Gull and 5 Arctic Skua, 12 Manxie. 1 Pom per DS mid- afternoon #BirdingScotland

A couple of hours seawatching from Cransdale this morning in the strong SE wind gave a Corys Shearwater, 5 Sooty’s , 9 Arctic Skua, 3 Bonxie and 25 Manxie. Yesterday evening there had been c25 Little Gulls.

Barred Warbler in bushes by the Forvie Centre, Aberdeenshire

Marsh Harrier flying over edge Meikle Loch, Aberdeenshire

An hour at Cransdale am gave little else except a distant Black Tern with a small feeding flock. Bit more movement late afternoon- 6 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie & 3 Sooty Shears past. Marsh Harrier Meikle & Barred Warbler at Forvie Centre yesterday. #BirdingScotland

Decent hour at Cransdale this evening 17.30- 18.30: 1 juv LT Skua, 10 Arctic Skua , 2 Bonxie, 31 Manxie, 1 Sooty. A Cory’s gad been reported late morning.

4 Sooty Shearwater 18.15-19.15 past Cransdale, 32 Manxies and 1 Arctic Skua. #BirdingScotland

Adult Med Gull on the shoreline Meikle Loch, Aberdeenshire

Couple of fresh arrivals on the patch today with male Ruff and Adult Med Gull Meikle

Curlew Sand at Inches area, Ythan this am. 2 Little Gulls Ternery. 1 Little Gull Meikle Loch. #birdingscotland

10 + Wood Sands at Strathbeg late morning was a strikingly high count today . 8+ in front of Dunbar Hide and 2 at the visitors centre.

6 Wood Sands in flooded area just NE of Meikle Loch this morning

Spring arrivals at last in the village 3+Chiffys and similar with Goldcrests. 5 Redwing and a Fieldfare in Kirkton.

Adult Iceland Gull Meikle Loch

3 Yellowhammer in frosty set-aside crop

Adult Iceland gull on rocks in Sandhaven Harbour, Aberdeenshire

Low sun over snow covered fields looking towards Collieston

Skylark Kirktown stubble field now up to c200. Male Hen Harrier in area. c150 Yellowhammer in set aside Collieston crossroads. The regular Ad Iceland Gull was at Sandhaven yesterday.

2 2cy Glaucous Gulls at the Ugie Estuary, Peterhead this morning. #BirdingScotland

Worrying news from the heartland of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in Britain. Meanwhile, in #Wales the number of sites at which LSW is recorded has more than halved in the last 15 years (chart from forthcoming @birdsinwales.bsky.social 2023 Bird Report). Sad times. #BirdingWales (1/2)

Good cold weather gathering of c150 Skylark on the Kirkton coastal stubble field late morning, 2 Twite also and 3 Golden Plover flew in off the sea.

This article is 112 years old. And we still aren't doing enough to act on climate change.

#ClimateCHANGE

Great to see Whitburn #seawatching data used (through @trektellen.bsky.social) With just 78 Bonxies logged in over 1000 hours observation in 2024, it has been the worst ever year since regular documented seawatching started here. 😢 #NEbirding #seabirds

Sunrise Collieston Harbour

Sunset over Forvie NNR, Collieston

Sunrise over Kirkton , Collieston

Sunset looking towards Bennachie, from Feu Farm near Collieston

Some stunning skies in and around Collieston last few weeks…

Green-winged Teal on smaller Slains pool currently.

Transmitter reveals new Spoon-billed Sandpiper breeding grounds The world's smallest transmitter has helped discover a previously unknown breeding ground of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Thanks to the installation of a tiny solar satellite transmitter, a Spoon-billed Sandpiper was tracked in spring 2024 between Thailand and Chukotka in Siberi...

The world's smallest transmitter has helped discover a previously unknown breeding ground of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper: