Red throated diver (Gavia stellata) coming out of the water on to the land, Hoy, Orkney. Notice the rearward positioning of its legs, which make it a superb swimmer but awkward on land. This photo was taken from a great distance with a long lens so as not to disturb the bird. This species is on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Scotland, and it is an offence to disturb it while on or near a nest.
06 July 2013
Puffin with Thrift on Lunga
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Mull- Lunga, Treshnish Isles
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) sitting on Thrift or Sea Pink (Armeria maritima) on Lunga. These iconic birds spend the winter at sea, and return to their nesting burrows in colonies each spring in order to breed.
24 May 2008
Arctic tern, Cleat, Sanday
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Orkney - Sanday
Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) in Cleat, Sanday, Orkney
12 May 2014
Lapwing, Fetlar
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Shetland - Fetlar
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) at the Mires of Funzie, Fetlar
21 June 2014
Flock of Rock doves
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Coll Northwest
A flock of Rock doves (Columba livia) roosting at Windy Gap in north-west Coll.
23 August 2014
Golden plover flock alert, Tiree
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Tiree - Sandaig, Balevullin and Balephetrish
Flock of Golden plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) looking alert and about to take off, Sandaig, Tiree. Golden Plovers are numerous on Tiree in all months except June and July, but are most abundant during migration in spring and autumn, when hundreds or thousands can be present, particularly in March and April as birds gather to head north to breed.
23 September 2013
Golden plover group, Tiree
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Tiree - Sandaig, Balevullin and Balephetrish
Group of Golden plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) standing, Sandaig, Tiree. Golden Plovers are numerous on Tiree in all months except June and July, but are most abundant during migration in spring and autumn, when hundreds or thousands can be present, particularly in March and April as birds gather to head north to breed.