8 April North Berwick Law. Singing Willow Warbler & Blackcap. 4 Wheatears enjoying the sun on the southern slope.
#BirdingLothian

Little ringed plover pair

Little ringed plover I discovered. First one seen at Musselburgh this year. Second individual was found by someone else.

Common sandpiper at the new lagoons

Common sandpiper at the old scrapes

Musselburgh lagoons.
Had no luck with the Jack snipe (although it was there today). But did see 2 Common sandpiper (on both new and old lagoons) and a pair of Little ringed plover.
#birdinglothian
@birdinglothian.bsky.social

7 Apr. Lammermuirs. The muirburners were out in force today. Managed a few fine Ring Ouzels outside the smoke #BirdingLothian

#birdinglothian

2 Apr. The Greenland White-front was still with 1800 Pinkfeet - first at West Barns then from Mosshouse Point (Tyninghame). Also 8 Greenshank. #BirdingLothian

Bumped into my 4th White-billed Diver of the year in Lothian today at Torness, impossible to say if its a new bird or not after the recent influx, but enjoyable anyway!
#BirdingScotland @birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingLothian

24 Mar. Musselburgh. Male Green-winged Teal on the new lagoons this morning. 3 Sand Martins over Esk. #BirdingLothian

Black-necked Grebe at Musselburgh off the seawall, a welcome personal patch first.

Snow Bunting along the seawall at Musselburgh, my first here in two years.

A Black-necked Grebe v distantly off the seawall at Musselburgh on Fri eve was a welcome personal patch first, seen closer on Sat morn. Also 3 Blackwit & 10 Sand Martin this weekend, plus Snow Bunting at the start of the month. All signs of March passage #birdinglothian @birdinglothian.bsky.social

Last shots from Saturday previous, first time to see the obliging Penicuik Water Rail plus the Barns Ness Firecrest #birds #birding #birdingscotland #birdinglothian #nature #birdguides #birdsseenin2026

The immature m White-winged Scoter with its male partner, showed well this morning.
Unfortunately for me the scoter flocks have been well offshore the past few days!
Red-necked Grebe Ferny Ness also.
@birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingScotland #BirdingLothian

Last week it was a Little Gull, this week it's a Med Gull.
#patchbirding #BirdingLothian #BirdingScotland

A cormorant briefly surfacing on the water before diving again to fish. The river is relatively high and fast flowing.

A cormorant feeding on the Water of Leith through Currie this afternoon. Don't think I've seen one on this part of the river before. @wolct.bsky.social #birdinglothian

The North Berwick White-billed Diver made an appearance today whilst searching for shag darvics! This was a nice surprise as i hadnt seen it on three previous visits!
#BirdingLothian #BirdingScotland

Two Common Snipe on old scrape

Kingfisher at Esk Mills

Grey Plover (20), Dunlin (5 of 40 seen)

Bar-tailed Godwit (5 of 100+ seen)

March 16. Birdwalk Musselburgh Lagoons & River Esk (59 species) Common Snipe (1st for 2026), Kingfisher, Grey Plover/Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit @btoscotland.bsky.social @birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingLothian #BirdingScotland

Wryneck, Dalmeny, 11th September 2025. Far into the Firth of Forth in a wooded estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh, this was the last place I expected one. At first elusive then obliging in cover around Dalmeny House. The most westerly coastal record for Lothian.

Adult White-billed Diver at North Berwick, 14th February 2026 (pic 22nd Feb). First off West Beach from the town itself, then later relocated to the east towards Canty Bay, where it remained till 24th Feb. Part of an unprecedented influx of this species in the Firth of Forth.

Juvenile American Golden Plover at Barns Ness, 18th October 2025. Joint found with Tom Gale, associating with over 300 European Golden Plover on the rocks and then in flight before the flock flew west. Part of a great day of vis-mig which also included YBW, Pom and in-off birds incl. Jack Snipe, Bramblings and thrushes etc.

First calendar year Caspian Gull at Tyninghame Bay (with Tom Gale), 8th November 2025. Dutch green 'V|+' was ringed 9th May '25 at De Kreupel (Lake IJsselmeer) in North Holland, then seen in Suffolk during July and Belgium in October before arriving in East Lothian.

Just turned one year since I moved to Lothian. Some find highlights from here over the past twelve months. Many other good birds seen on patch at Musselburgh & elsewhere too (Marsh Sand, American Black Tern etc). Great to be birding here and thankful for a welcoming community #birdinglothian

The Barns Ness Firecrest. Moving between ‘Sunshine corner’ and the conifers along the back wall. Fast moving, flitting between branches, hovering on occasion. Showy at times. Thanks to the finder. Beautiful wee bird. Lifer. @birdinglothian.bsky.social
#birdingscotland #birdinglothian

Firecrest still at Barns Ness. Very secretive at first but soon come out in the open and got quite close to me at times!
@birdinglothian.bsky.social
#birdinglothian
#birdingscotland

Escaped inclement weather at home and had a trip to East Lothian best were the imm drake WW scoter off Wrecked Craigs Port Seton, Barns Ness firecrest and BN grebe in Whitesands Quarry. Managed a few year ticks amongst the supporting cast #BirdingScotland #BirdingLothian @birdinglothian.bsky.social

March 13. Birdwalk around Linlithgow Loch (36 species) more pics of Grebes; nice views of Slavonian Grebes (2 still, for 7 weeks now?), and courting Great-crested Grebes @btoscotland.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social @birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingLothian #BirdingScotland

I have been looking out for a Bonaparte's Gull, so when i encountered this small gull at Aberlady head on, it had me going for a second!
Not what i was hoping for but very nice anyway!
@birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingScotland #BirdingLothian

March 11. Short walk along the River Tyne, Haddington, and met this Treecreeper v briefly #birdinglothian #birdingscotland @btoscotland.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social

March 9. Birdwalk Linlithgow Loch (41 species) Slavonian (2) & Great-crested Grebe (4), v active Mute Swans, and more (Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap, Goldeneye, Goosander ...) @btoscotland.bsky.social @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Slavonian and Great Crested Grebes showing well at Linlithgow loch on Sunday
@birdinglothian.bsky.social
#birdinglothian #birdingscotland

2 Slavonian Grebe on Linlithgow Loch, north side.

Closer look at Slavonian Grebe on Linlithgow Loch, with a fish

March 9. Birdwalk Linlithgow Loch (41 species) highlight was close views of 2 Slavonian Grebes; also 4 Chiffchaff, courtship displays Mute Swan & Great Crested Grebe @btoscotland.bsky.social @birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingLothian #BirdingScotland

@birdinglothian.bsky.social
#Birdinglothian
Barnsness Firecrest very mobile and sticking mostly to tree tops,but did come lower into pines .

1 of 2 Slavonian Grebes at Linlithgow Loch today. Also 12+ Sand Martins & 2-3 Chiffchaffs.
#slavoniangrebe #podicepsauritus #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #birdingscotland #birdinglothian #birdsseenin2026

March 5. Birdwalk Port Seton #birdinglothian (28 species) distant views of White-winged Scoter & Velvet Scoter @btoscotland.bsky.social @birdinglothian.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

Water rail (thanks to ssasamwild.bsky.social for finding and posting whereabouts), Goosander and Blackcap along the Water of Leith between Rocheid Path and Warriston Cemetery.
#birdinglothian #birdingscotland

Snow Bunting (ssp. insulae) at Skateraw (03/03/26)

Adult White-billed Diver at Whitesands (03/03/26). First off Fluke Dub then moved east to Whitesands by early afternoon.

Another day, another fine adult White-billed Diver. This one first off Fluke Dub, then later at Whitesands. 8 Snow Bunting on the beach at Whitesands, with a ninth at Skateraw. Also GN Diver near the WBD and Black-necked Grebe at WS Quarry @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdinglothian