Hardly news as such but now it is official.
The debate over the Druridge Bay bird will carry on with very strong opinions on either side but without ratification from BBRC/BOURC it will remain ’not-proven’ and therefore not on the official British List.
Spent a few hours out and about this weekend, listening to many birds, seeing some and photographing a few.
Could do with help identifying this one as I’m trying to avoid Google Lens but can’t find a match. Maybe a Female Reed Bunting?
Pretty confident this is a female Reed Bunting
Egyptian Geese?
A bad picture of a Cormorant
A Great Crested Grebe, heading for winter plumage?
And I couldn’t move for Robins
Some context here relating to what are very common birds on the British mainland.
Goldfinch is a scarce bird on this island, only my second record of the species. Jackdaws too, previously seen 4, yesterday I saw 12 and another 8 today (or possibly the same birds)
Goldfinch
Jackdaw showing the diagnostic pale-grey half-collar (amongst other features) that is typical of a Northern or Eastern sub-species. Impossible to specify which with any certainty as there is overlap in the features and the possibility of intergrades can’t be ruled out.
Several crofters have been planting winter feed crops (and getting paid for doing so) the one at Funzie being particularly popular with Twite (the target species, due to being a declining UK breeding bird) There were 70+ Twite in there today (90+ yesterday) and they were joined by a very smart (migrant) Brambling.
The long-staying Slavonian Grebe is still feeding on Loch of Funzie, been present since 23/09/25
Happy Birthday Paul! 
More Jackdaws today with a record count of 15 at Aithbank (couldn’t get them all in one pic!)
Also few Pink-footed Geese amongst the ubiquitous Greylags
Happy belated birthday Paul. 
Happy Bird-day, Paul. Pardon the pun.
Have an eggcellent birthday!
Happy birthday Paul!
Happy birthday, Paul!
Happy Birthday Paul, all the best
Happy birthday Paul.
Happy Birthday Paul
Happy Birthday Paul!
Thanks for the Birthday wishes guys (ignoring the disgraceful puns) but reaching 68 isn’t something I’m advertising.
The ‘ladies’ from Funzie Casino think I’m 49 - no Specsavers on the island and they’re very rarely (never) sober. If any of them see this, our regular Saturday night games could turn nasty.
Can I join your chess club ?
@pmac rumoured to be deadly with his Rooks
