For anyone in need of some calming Twitter content, here's 140 seconds of Puffin antics @FI_Obs, feat. snoozing, stretching, billing, burrow-digging and grass-collecting, to a soundtrack of lots of Puffin groans. Bliss!

A handful of 'borealis' Eiders were present in a several-hundred-strong flock near Kirkwall this morning, looking that bit more flamboyant than the locals, with their brighter bills and pointed 'sails'

Purple Sandpipers were living up to their name for once in Orkney today - their mantles, wings and even crown feathers gleaming iridescent purple in the low winter sun

RT @FI_Obs: We are hiring seasonal hospitality staff! These are exciting opportunities to relocate seasonally to Shetland, working with a…

Delighted to be heading back to the magic isle alongside Jonnie in these permanent roles - a very exciting few years coming up, and can’t wait to be able to welcome visitors back to a brand new Obs!

Heading home again after a magic few days on Fair Isle, seeing in 2025 with some of my favourite people 🥰

A well-timed visit to the Loons this morning resulted in another brief view of the Bittern that’s currently in residence, as it crept across an open channel in the reeds #OrkneyBirds

RT @kasmunro: Wonderful encounter with 10 Orca off the #Caithness coast at the weekend 🖤

Amazing views of this Bittern at The Loons, Orkney this afternoon - the first time I've ever been able to watch one stalking around! It spent a while stealthily fishing whilst tucked in the reed edge, before creeping across a channel in full view and melting back into the reeds

A quest for Ptarmigan on a stunning day in Caithness came good eventually, with this single male giving great views and calling away. Amazing camouflage even with limited snow cover. Big thanks to @xemasabini for the help!

Brilliant views of this White-rumped Sandpiper at Birsay, Orkney this afternoon - walked right up to me as it fed madly in the surf amongst a throng of Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin and Sanderling. A somewhat overdue lifer - thanks @peediepuss!

RT @Dan_Gornall: Two nice colour ringed YBW sightings recently: Mainland Shetland -> Carmel Head, Anglesey Lundy -> Lower Moors, Scilly E…

Nowhere does winter light and dramatic skies quite like Orkney, with an abundance of waders and wildfowl wherever you look too

@Bucktonbirder @FI_Obs @DavidParnaby2 always difficult to leave, but the season has to end at some point, for logistical reasons if nothing else!

RT @FI_Obs: Well, that's a wrap - the FIBO 2024 season is over, with a bang of thrushes and an Olive-backed Pipit. It's been a wonderful ye…

There’s no place like @FI_Obs, but it’s the people that really make a season, and I couldn’t have wished for two more altogether brilliant ones to share this one with - it’s been an absolute blast boys ❤️

This funky leucistic Redwing was amongst the lingering thrushes @FI_Obs today - certainly stood out from the crowd, especially in flight with that amazing asymmetrical plumage!

A major Redwing movement today @FI_Obs also brought the first significant arrival of Blackbirds of the autumn, with lots of gorgeous dark-billed young male birds amongst them 🖤

Jack Snipe continue to move through @FI_Obs, still in small numbers so far. This one easier to spot than most…

Red-necked Grebe riding the waves off the west cliffs @FI_Obs today - the 26th isle record and just the 5th in the last 25 years. Another quality @LukeMarriner_1 find in grim conditions, with gale force SE winds and lashing rain for most of today. More to be found tomorrow...