Dave Tanner

Whimbrel - lone individual north just offshore from Portmahomack beach, first local bird of the year. Also present: Black-throated Diver - Adult/immature winter plumage, still a large presence of Long-tailed Duck & Common Scoter though well spread out. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter numbers are starting to build here at Portmahomack in their now annual pre migration gathering, LTD 750+ and Common Scoter 350+. Sample of the LTD in attached photo. #highlandbirds

Black-throated Diver - adult summer plumage. Portmahomack, just offshore from the first car park (approximately 150-200m). Also several hundred Common Scoter & Long-tailed Duck but mobile #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Northern Wheatear ⚥ & White Wagtail ♂️- Petley Pig Farm, Portmahomack. #highlandbirds maps.app.goo.gl/nmbS8UqqF5Zxi8…

Long-tailed Duck 75+ most in summer plumage and 150+ Common Scoter Portmahomack, just offshore from first car park though well spread out in flat calm conditions. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Arctic Tern - 1 - Feeding just offshore shore from Portmahomack beach. First of the year. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Barn Swallow (first of year) - 1 over Portmahomack this afternoon inland side of first car park. Also present: 2 - Sandwich Tern, c30 Long-tailed Duck, 51 - Common Scoter and 6 - Sand Martin (first of year) #highlandbirds @rothiemoon

Sandwich Tern - at Portmahomack, just offshore from the first car-park. First of the year. #highlandbirds

Slavonian Grebe - 2 (winter plumage) at Portmahomack, offshore from the first car-park in calm conditions. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Slavonian Grebe - 1 adult winter/immature - Portmahomack. Feeding just north of the harbour in the vicinity of a large orange buoy. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Red-throated Diver - currently (12:35hrs) 28 at Portmahomack, just offshore from the first car-park. #highlandbirds

@BBCSport 

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Bottlenose Dolphin - 🐬 9 Including an adult with lots of white on its back and flanks either side of an all dark dorsal fin. Offshore from Portmahomack beach slowly heading north. @whalesorg

Coal Tit - (Continental). Candidate for Nominate Race has been feeding on the budding shrubs at bottom of my garden (Portmahomack): striking slate grey back was the most notable feature. Hint of a crest but I’ve seen this in britannicus too #highlandbirds @rothiemoon

Lone Tree Sparrow in the garden here in Portmahomack, with feeding group of House Sparrows. Tree Sparrow used to be a regular visitor to the feeders, now uncommon at best. #highlandbirds

Greater Scaup c100 Cromarty Firth, Invergordon just south of Saltburn Pier. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides maps.app.goo.gl/nB5iAPtLadu9pi…

Slavonian Grebe - Portmahomack, moulting into breeding plumage. Distantly (scope required) offshore directly out from end of harbour wall. Also 10 Purple Sandpiper on the old Slipway. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Black-throated Diver - adult winter plumage. Portmahomack, on the sea offshore from the beach. Has been present for a while drifting in and out. Also 68 Purple Sandpiper at the harbour on the Old Slipway #highlandbirds @BirdGuides

Little Auk - 1 in flight, just offshore from Portmahomack beach heading north. #highlandbirds @BirdGuides