📖 Closing the Guadalhorce Jigsaw : 28/10/26

My final outing of the trip felt like pure déjà vu—retracing the route Derek, Barbara, and I took on the 15th, but with two missing pieces left in the jigsaw: Penduline Tit and Bluethroat.

We arrived at Zapata just before dawn, settling in along the Río Guadalhorce reedbeds as the sky began to lighten with the full moon setting to the west. Right on cue, the morning rush began. First up were the local Little and Cattle Egrets, passing by in steady waves. The Glossy Ibis followed soon after, always fashionably late to the morning exodus. Scanning through the flurry, we picked out a Great Egret and a few stealthy Black-crowned Night Herons slipping off into the shadows.

The Rio Guadalhorce at Zapata looking west over AP7 motorway.

With the morning roost dispersed, we turned our attention to the reedbeds in search of our target species. Actually seeing a couple of the usually elusive Cetti’s Warblers was a pleasant surprise, though it was still too dark for photos. As we crossed the ford to inspect the storm ditches, we were rewarded with our first target sighting—a Bluethroat popping in and out of the reeds.

Record shot in poor light of the Bluethroat along the storm ditch.

The main reedbeds opposite the airport perimeter were a flurry of activity, filled with Chiffchaff, Serin, House Sparrow, Stonechat, and small groups of Common Waxbill. We even picked up a second calling Bluethroat, though we couldn't connect visually this time.

Common Waxbill showing its intricate feathering. 

Then, finally, came our second target species. First we caught the distinct vocal repertoire, characterised by its soft, high-pitched calls, before spotting a pair of Eurasian Penduline Tits. One played ball just long enough for me to lock focus and get the shot—the perfect note before breakfast.

Penduline Tit at Guadalhorce.

After breakfast, visits to Aljaima and the Rio Grande produced similar species to our previous visit, with Osprey as an added bonus.

A Few More Images of the Day...

Female Black Redstart.

A  striking male Black Redstart.

Glossy Ibis on the Rio Grande.

A few images from around the garden...

The garden is a stronghold for Lang's Short-tailed Blue Butterflies.

Moon rising over the Sierra Mijas 

Crested Tits are a regular visitor.

Red-legged Partridge is another regular visitor.

📖 An Epic Day: 22/10/26

Fresh off a 12-hour day in the field with Derek & Barbara Ethington and Hans Börjesson, exploring Fuente de Piedra, Laguna Dulce, and Campillos.

Having last seen Fuente de Piedra in April—when water levels hit a 10-year high—it wasn't too much of a shock to arrive just before sunrise and find the lagunas almost completely dry. But even without the water, this stunning region delivered a fantastic day of birding.

Highs at Fuente de Piedra

Despite taking numerous birding trips throughout Andalusia, I had never spotted a Long-eared Owl. That was about to change. Derek had recently discovered a roosting spot for the owls in the reserve, and after a brief scan of the area, it was Hans who found a single bird, ending my search. It was a fantastic start to the day!

My first Long-Eared Owl in Andalusia.

Exploring the tamarisks and surrounding fields turned up a great selection: Stone-curlew, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Zitting Cisticola, Corn Bunting, Spanish Sparrow, and plenty of Blackcaps and Stonechats. Raptors included Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel and Marsh Harrier.

Zitting Cisticola (Fantail Warbler)

Over on the main lagoon—which still held a small skim of water—we picked up Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, and Avocet. Meanwhile, the Lagunetta Hide (which reliably holds water year-round) produced a fine selection of wildfowl and waders, including Green Sandpiper, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, and Gadwall.

(Check out our full Fuente de Piedra list HERE on eBird).

Off the Beaten Track: Campiña de Navahermosa

Next, we spent a few hours exploring the gravel tracks through the olive groves and fields of Campiña de Navahermosa—another new area for me. Our primary target was Little Bustard. While they eluded us today, driving these quiet backroads is never a hardship, especially when you’re literally shadowed by at least ten Hoopoes for most of the route!

Other highlights across the farmland included a huge flock of Lapwings, 53 Cattle Egrets, and 3 Iberian Grey Shrikes.

Grand Finale: Lagunas de Campillos & Laguna Dulce

We wrapped up our epic day touring the Lagunas de Campillos, finishing at Laguna Dulce. Unlike many surrounding wetlands, Laguna Dulce had remarkably held its water levels, making for a grand finale.

The drive in produced two more Iberian Grey Shrikes and a real thrill for Derek—his first Merlin in this area in over six years, which sent a large flock of Goldfinches scattering. A Red Kite was another rare visitor to the area.

Iberian Grey Shrike

The main lagoon was teeming with life, including 100+ Coots and a top-tier mix of wildfowl and grebes: Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Ferruginous Duck, and Black-necked Grebe. At least five Marsh Harriers patrolled the reedbeds, while a late Squacco Heron and a distant Western Swamphen worked the edges.

Black-necked Grebes Laguna Dulce

A patrolling Marsh Harrier at Laguna Dulce.

A late juvenile Squacco Heron at Laguna Dulce.

Rounding off the day in style, a Black-winged Kite perched distantly on a reserve sign, and three returning Common Cranes—the vanguard of the large wintering flock—provided a fitting end to a memorable 12 hours in the field.

(Check out our full Lagunas de Campillos & Laguna Dulce list HERE on eBird).

Thanks to Derek, Barbara and Hans for their great company and birding skills!

📖 Shetland to Spain: 17/10/26

Shetland last week to southern Spain, this spontaneous autumn getaway is no hardship when it means housesitting my friend's villa in the hills of Mijas for a couple of weeks, with birding always part of the experience.

It all started Thursday morning, just before dawn. With sunrise coming late at this time of year, around 08:30, I met up with friends Derek and Barbara Etherton for a 07:45 start at Zapata. (Details here) Then I made a first-time stop at the Río Guadalhorce in Aljaima, and finished with a drive around the Río Grande to check its recovery after this year's major flood restructure.

Pre-dawn at Zapata always feels full of promise. Even though most of the summer visitors—including the local Red-necked Nightjars—have already headed across the Straits to Africa, there is never a dull moment.

As we pulled up close to the riverbank, a Black-crowned Night Heron stood completely unperturbed in our car headlights. Then, as the first light broke, the place came to life with droves of Cattle Egrets and Glossy Ibis streaming out of their nearby roosts. Looking up into the pale morning sky, we were treated to passing views of an Osprey, a Booted Eagle, and a high-flying Great Egret. Along the river, both Green and Common Sandpipers were seen, and at one point a Kingfisher flashed through, looking stunning in early morning sun.

One of the eight Yellow Wagtails at Zapata,

While driving the tracks before heading for breakfast, we came across a small fall of Yellow Wagtails, with at least eight in various plumages.  A full species list can be found on my eBird Checklist.

A new place for me at Aljaima and a very productive one!

After breakfast, we made a brief detour to Aljaima along the Río Guadalhorce—a spot I hadn’t visited before. We spent a short but productive half-hour scanning around the weir, which proved to be surprisingly bird-rich for such a quick stop.

Black Stork - One of four at Aljaima.

The highlight of the visit was a group of four Black Storks feeding near the watercourse. Having not recorded Black Storks in this area for a few years, coming across four together was a nice local patch surprise and made the stop thoroughly worthwhile.

Cattle Egret.

In total, we logged 25 species during our half-hour by the river. The water margins and surrounding vegetation produced a fine mix of waders and wetland birds, including Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, and brief flashes of Kingfisher. A vocal Cetti's Warbler called from the dense cover, while Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron and Little Egret completed a nice heron family line-up.  A full species list for the visit can be found on my eBird Checklist.

Our final stop of the day was along the Rio Grande, where we spent a few rewarding hours birding along the gentle flow of the river, which, unlike previous years, still holds water! The water’s edge proved lively right away—Little Ringed Plovers were still actively feeding on the shingle, and it was a real treat to spot a small group of Glossy Ibis probing the shallows with their distinct, decurved bills.

Little-ringed Plover still lingering. 

The surrounding riverside woodlands were equally rewarding with passerines. Exploring the trees and undergrowth turned up a mix of species, including Blackcap, Short-toed Treecreeper, Spotted Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, and Serin. Adding to the excitement was another noticeable fall of migrants, highlighted by a flock of at least forty White Wagtails flitting dynamically around the river banks.

White Wagtail.

Glossy Ibis on the Rio Grande.

Without a doubt, the defining highlight of our time here was witnessing visible migration in action overhead. Looking up, we counted at least 47 Griffon Vultures catching the thermals at various altitudes, all purposefully streaming south toward the coast—a thrilling and unforgettable spectacle to cap off a fantastic day in the field. A full species list for the visit can be found on my eBird Checklist.

One of the many Griffon Vultures - this one at a lower altitude.

📖 Shetland 2026 - Reflections : 15/10/26

Having arrived in Spain a few days ago for my next adventure, I’ve had a chance to reflect on this October’s annual pilgrimage to Shetland. As always, the Northern Isles delivered a cracking week of birding, wrapping up with a respectable 104 species logged across the trip.

While overall bird numbers seemed a bit quieter this autumn and the much-anticipated sustained easterly winds failed to materialise during the stay, the birds on offer were nothing short of brilliant. The Black-faced Bunting was a major highlight of the trip. 

List Milestones & New Additions

The trip yielded two brand-new additions to my Shetland list—which double as additions to my New Scottish List, compiled since moving permanently to Aberdeenshire back in October 2020: American Wigeon & Black-faced Bunting.

These two headline additions officially nudge my New Scottish List up to 290 species.

The Autumn Rarities Catch-Up

Despite the lack of classic easterly drift conditions, persistent field time allowed me to catch up with a formidable array of island rarities and scarce migrants logged across earlier posts:

• Passerines & Warblers: Black-faced Bunting, Arctic Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Olive-backed Pipit, Barred Warbler, Bluethroat, Little Bunting, Great Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike and Red-breasted Flycatcher.

• Waders & Waterfowl: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, American Golden Plover, American Wigeon, and King Eider.

Highlight of the Week: A Classic Autumn Thrush Fall

My absolute favourite day came right near the end. On the penultimate morning, I awoke to the classic Shetland magic: Thousands of thrushes arriving straight in off the sea.

The skies and sycamore patches were alive with calls, dominated heavily by fresh Redwings, intermingled with scattered Fieldfares and a few striking Ring Ouzels. Fittingly, a Ring Ouzel marked my 104th and final species of the Shetland trip before we packed up.

Ring Ouzel, my final addition to my 2026 Shetland List.

Now, it's time to shift focus from northern wind-blown crofts to Mediterranean scrub and wetland reserves as our Spanish leg gets underway!

📖 Shetland 2026 : 09/10/26

The final full day of our Shetland Tour 2026 turned out to be the absolute highlight of the trip, delivering visible migration at its absolute finest. From the moment light broke, thousands of thrushes descended from the skies in every direction. The air was filled with the distinct calls of Redwings, punctuated by the odd Fieldfare and even Ring Ouzel, a few Bramblings were also in the mix.

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

We originally planned to travel north across the mainland, but the sheer volume of birds kept us grounded in the south. We began at Sumburgh Head, where the influx was in full swing. Word spread quickly when a Black-throated Thrush dropped into the Sumburgh Hotel gardens, triggering a rapid gathering of birders, though the bird departed before our arrival and left nearly everyone frustrated. Nearby at Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, we encountered an unusually secretive Little Bunting staying hidden low in the high grass, but patience paid off with a few record shots before moving on.

Little Bunting at Sumburgh Head.

Every field and stretch of grassland across the area seemed to hold hundreds of Redwings, requiring careful scanning of every flock. At Fleck, we had good scoped views of an American Golden Plover resting alongside European Golden Plovers. Being so close to Boddam, we made a quick return trip to check on yesterday’s Bluethroat, which proved far more cooperative this time around and showed exceptionally well.

Bluethroat - Better views on our return visit.

We wrapped up the day back at Hoswick as the light began to fade. After returning to our accommodation, a final scan around the Orca Inn revealed that fresh migrants were still trickling in. Watching three birds drop into a nearby sycamore initially looked like a trio of Blackbirds, but a closer look revealed one to be a striking male Ring Ouzel—a fitting end to an unforgettable day in Shetland.

An interesting-looking Ring Ouzel at Hoswick - My final species of the day.

NEW Scottish Life-List Since Relocating Permanently to Aberdeenshire in October 2020

📖 Shetland 2026 : 08/10/26

Today, Thursday 8th, the unseasonably settled weather held strong again, giving Dazza and me the perfect excuse after breakfast to explore the South Mainland. Shetland autumn birding in calm conditions is hard to beat, and today certainly didn't disappoint.

Our main objective early on was the American Wigeon we had picked up yesterday. Returning to Loch of Spiggie, we were hoping the bird would linger, and it delivered. The drake was very obliging, showing remarkably well close to the hide and giving us a chance to secure a few record shots before moving off.

Drake American Wigeon on Loch Spiggie.

From there, we enjoyed a walk around Scatness, which is always one of Dazza’s favourite spots in Shetland. The highlight was a Great Northern Diver in near-summer plumage close inshore. The species has been surprisingly absent in any great numbers around the Shetland shores during our visit, making this view particularly rewarding.

Great Northern Diver at Scatness.

A short drive around Virkie produced the usual selection of waders working the mudflats. Among them Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, and Bar-tailed Godwits, and we managed to spot a single Curlew Sandpiper, which posed long enough for a quick photo.

Curlew Sandpiper at Virkie.

News of a Bluethroat at Fleck tempted us over shortly after. Despite showing well prior to our arrival, the bird had decided to go AWOL, and we spent a pleasant hour searching the area. Eventually, we did manage to catch sight of the elusive target, though a Hedgehog actively feeding in the adjacent garden ended up commanding most of the attention while we waited.

This Bluethroat had suddenly decided to become a little elusive during our search at Fleck today.

This hedgehog kept us amused while we waited for the Bluethroat to show up.

Shetland always seems to throw up a mega during my October week, and early this evening proved no exception. A mega-alert had us driving down to Quendale Mill for a Black-faced Bunting. Although the bird was quite elusive, we managed several views in flight and a few fleeting glances when it appeared in the treetops, marking an exciting new lifer for us both. We finally left the mill just as dark was setting in.

📖 Shetland 2026 : 06-07/10/26

With the weather settling after Monday’s gales, I began Tuesday with my usual pre-breakfast walk around Hoswick. The calmer conditions brought immediate results down along Hoswick Burn—a Yellow-browed Warbler was calling and occasionally giving good views among the cover, while the lingering Pied Flycatcher was still present in the area.

After breakfast, I found myself heading back over to Gott for a Greenish Warbler, and although I heard it calling a few times, I, along with a dozen others, never connected. The majority of Tuesday turned into a proper grind, spending hours working through various habitats without a whole lot to show for the effort. That all changed in the mid-afternoon when news broke of an Arctic Warbler over at Fladdabiter.

I made a quick dash across and settled in for the wait. After what felt like an eternity of scanning, patience paid off—we finally got good views of the bird feeding high up in a sycamore.

Barred Warbler at Hoswick - Looking a little drab after the rain!

To round off the day, reports came in of a Barred Warbler near the Hoswick Visitor Centre, prompting a return to home turf. Dodging heavy showers, I managed some reasonable looks in a local garden, with a bonus Lesser Whitethroat sharing the same spot—a good way to end a tough but rewarding day in the field.

Wednesday morning broke with glorious weather—a promising sign for Dazza’s flight later in the afternoon when she joins me for the rest of the week. With clear skies overnight, my pre-breakfast walk around the village was quieter than usual. The regular Pied Flycatcher had finally moved on, and even the Orca Hotel car park, which my accommodation overlooks and normally holds a selection of common species, was quiet.

The morning highlight came from offshore: a pod of Minke Whales feeding reasonably close in near Mousa. I managed to grab a few decent images as they surfaced.

Minke Whale at Mousa

Dazza’s flight arrived early, aligning perfectly with a flurry of good sightings around Loch of Spiggie. Our first stop yielded a drake American Wigeon on the loch, followed quickly by news of a Western Bonelli’s Warbler just up the road at Skelberry. Another trudge across muddy fields and burns paid off with superb views of both.

Western Bonelli's Warbler - A few record shots 

Before heading back, I spent an hour working a crop field near the loch—while Dazza caught up on a conference call from the car (we’ll keep that quiet!). The walk was well worth the effort, turning up Linnet (a scarce species up here in Shetland), a flock of Twite, and a stunning Red-backed Shrike to round off a fantastic afternoon.

Red-backed Shrike - A good end to the day.

📖 Shetland 2026 : 04-05/10/26

The last few days have remained relatively quiet, at least by Shetland's standards. Today, Monday 5th, ferocious winds battered the island, with gusts over 50 mph, making field birding a proper test of endurance.

Sunday 4th started quietly enough with another first-light walk around Hoswick. Little had changed since the previous day, though the reliable Pied Flycatcher was seen once again, happily feeding along Hoswick Burn.

This Pied Flycatcher has remained along Hoswick Burn since I arrived on Friday.

The real morning highlight came at Fleck, where two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were feeding remarkably close to the roadside alongside a mix of Golden Plover and Ruff. A subsequent high-tide drive around the Pool of Virkie yielded a Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Later in the day, after missing it yesterday, I was thrilled to finally catch up with the Great Grey Shrike at Bixter—even if it insisted on staying somewhat distant throughout the encounter. Since moving to Scotland 6 years ago, I've only seen two of these predatory songbirds, both in Shetland.

One of two Buff-breasted Sandpipers along the roadside near Fleck.

Monday dictated a slightly later start given the severe conditions. I decided to head up to Sumburgh Head to see if a brief seawatch might produce anything interesting during the gale. Watching Northern Gannets plunge-diving into the whitecaps is always a breathtaking sight. The highlight was a flock of at least fifty Barnacle Geese battling their way in off the open sea, fighting hard against the prevailing winds.

Leaving Sumburgh, I made another pass around the Pool of Virkie with the tide nearly in. It proved worthwhile, turning up a single Curlew Sandpiper amidst a mix of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, and a solitary Sanderling.

A Sanderling at Virkie taken from the car.

By afternoon, I set off toward the Busta House Hotel near Brae to search for a reported Red-breasted Flycatcher. En route, news broke of an Arctic Warbler at Gott. Being only five miles away, I diverted immediately and joined the crowd of onlookers. Despite an hour of searching, the warbler gave us all the slip, although I read it had been seen again later, albeit briefly. I resumed the journey north to Busta House, where I was rewarded with good views of the Red-breasted Flycatcher—a brilliant highlight to wrap up a challenging, wind-swept day.

Red-breasted Flycatcher showing some of its downy base feathers.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Virkie.

Record shot of the distant Great Grey Shrike.