Posting solely on BlueSky now: @blackdogbirder@bsky.social See you there?

Self-seeded Spruce seedlings can crop up almost anywhere. But this Spruce Carpet, 500 m up on an Angus bog in this morning's drizzle, was maybe a tad optimistic.

Another 'New for Garden' overnight; a well-marked Mottled Umber. Also new for NJ56 (the Portsoy/Cullen hectad). After one year living here, the garden Lep list is on 184 species (which has included two new for VC94). Will hopefully race past 200 in 2025. @BC_Scotland

Barn Owl recorded from the garden in North Aberdeenshire a few nights ago (sound up). Inadmissible for Patchwork Challenge, so guess I need to wander around the 'hood at night a bit more to try to hear one live. @PatchBirding #PWC2024

Today's Halloween field trip to the wonderful Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose, with year-2 @sruc students. Five ladybird species (Orange, 10-spot, 7-spot, Cream-spot & Harlequin) and plenty other invert beasties. @UKLadybirds @SRUCStudy

December Moth attracted to a lit window last night - the final new moth for the garden list this year?

Welcome to Aberdeen's raptor bathing station... #Sparrowhawk #Buzzard @BrowningCams

Must be one of Britain's toughest wee moths - Exapate congelatella. Several were flying in the rain, 500 m up on an Angus bog yesterday.

New paper, led by @xemasabini in @MiresandPeat: More bird species gain from Flow Country afforestation than loose - BUT there's more declines among red-listed birds. Plus loosers are birds for which Flow Country is more important in UK terms. #PeatTwitter

@MikeRaby5 @SRUC @SRUCCountryside Very richly deserved 🏆. Now just need to follow through with best Hons year student award - no pressure there then...

Rounding off the meet-up of @SRUC Wildlife & Conservation Management MSc students. A morning of interpretation, bog management, birds, moffs, mosses and citizen science (@ScootJD's fixed point photo cradle) at Flanders Moss NNR. Amazingly, my first ever visit here! @SRUCStudy

Our distance-learning Wildlife Conservation MSc students have two study weekends each year. This morning, they experienced the innovative visitor facilities at Glen Finglas @WoodlandTrust. Later, David Hill, @BC_Scotland, explained peatland management at Wester Moss. @SRUCStudy

Third and final field-trip day for @SRUC Wildlife Conservation and Management 3rd yrs. Grappling with how to best integrate access, recreation and tourism with nature conservation. Fantastic and immersive trip, thinking on site about real land management issues. @SRUCStudy

Field trip day 2, for @SRUC Wildlife & Conservation Management 3rd yrs. @DavyMcCracken and John Holland discussed opportunities and challenges of managing a large upland farm. Two Sea Eagles interrupted proceedings and we ended with Beaver views in gathering darkness @SRUCStudy

Fabulous day 1 for Conservation Site Management field trip, starting at Ben Lawers. We saw how vegetation responds to removal of grazing and admired a dammed impressive Beaver dam.🦫🦫🦫 @SRUC @SRUCStudy

NVC surveying and bryology ID on the moor at @JamesHuttonInst Glensaugh - site of many adventures and escapades over the years. Stopped off also at the 192-year-old Sitka Spruce at Drumtochty, with its impressive six-student circumference. @SRUC @SRUCStudy

Loch of Strathbeg today with 1st year @SRUC Wildlife Conservation students. Highlights included 4 Great White Egrets, Marsh Harrier, lots of Whooper Swans, southbound Barnacle Geese and this (dead) Water Shrew. @RSPBScotland @SRUCStudy

Congratulations to @xemasabini on your first PhD paper 🥂 *Now available open access*

It's that time of year again... Just a single Herald in this Aberdeen culvert (so far). #HibernatingHeralds #culverteering

Three nights running now for Convolvulus Hawk-moths on the Nicotiana (Portsoy, VC94). At least two individuals but visits are periodic so perhaps several could have moved through. @MigrantMothUK @BC_Scotland