Vaila: an incredible mother of six and matriarch of the Northern Isles Community '27s' #Orca pod surfacing off the south Mainland of Shetland.

Nice to see our daughter modelling her original (and appropriately named given what she was looking for) RSPB ‘Puffin’ binoculars at SumburghHead this morning. 10 years old and still optically sound. Pink is the new green, right?

'Five Kings and a Steller's please'.

Arctic seaduck in the north of Norway: resplendent King Eiders with a solitary Steller's Eider at Båtsfjord.

A short video from our encounter with some of the '27s' Orcas as they headed north through Aith Voe, Shetland today. Includes a cameo appearance from the 18-month-old calf. 💛🖤 Blue Planet Society Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) Marine Conservation Society Mammal Society NorthLink Ferries VisitScotland Ullapool Sea Savers Karen Munro #DolphinDay

South easterly winds have brought a nice selection of continental migrants (and colour!) to our Shetland garden over the last few days. Clockwise from top left: Yellowhammer, Brambling, Dunnock and Siskin.

Spring has sprung : Shetland's earliest-ever Arctic Terns - known here as 'Tirricks' - were at Grutness beach this afternoon. Here's one of the duo. Previous earliest record was 18th April.

The beginning of the end!
Just the start of digging up one of the best carbon sinks in the UK to put up greenwashing turbines, by a company that has been banned from doing so in its own country! Yell, Shetland.

Two minutes from an amazing morning spent with Risso's Dolphins in Busta Voe, Shetland over the weekend.

Blue Planet Society Nicola Hodgins Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) SumburghHead The British Nature Guide Karen Hall Sea Watch Foundation Marine Conservation Society Marc Riley ⚽️🍺🐳 Ullapool Sea Savers NorthLink Ferries Karen Munro Emma Steel Catherine Gemmell

The long-staying Eurasian Bittern remains here at Hillwell, Shetland but is usually very difficult to find in the 'seggies' - especially when it freezes and 'skypoints' like this! ⬇️ A rare bird in these parts with just over 20 records.

Delighted to share our recently published paper ‘Using citizen science to better understand Risso’s #Dolphin presence in northeast #Scotland & the Northern Isles'🐬🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 A truly collaborative project highlighting the importance & efficacy of #citizenscience
🔗tinyurl.com/2bv96a7j

Hanging around the Farne islands #wildlife photography #wildlife #puffin #biodiversity #birdphotography

'Using citizen science to better understand Risso’s Dolphin presence in northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles'.

Delighted to be a co-author of this paper published today in 'Frontiers in Conservation Science'. Full version at tinyurl.com/2bv96a7j #citizenscience

April is #CitizenScience month, but what exactly is citizen science? Who can take part? Do you need any training? How do you get involved? We’re answering all of these questions over on our blog 👇mcsuk.org/news/citizen-s…

Oh my god, miracles do happen!
Or is it just today! 😂

One of twelve Risso's Dolphins in Busta Voe, Shetland this morning. Extensive scarring on individuals is generally conspecific and forms the foundations for individual photo ID.

Reminiscent of this King x Common Eider hybrid in Lerwick Harbour, Shetland just over 20 years ago... x.com/westcoastbw/st…

The Eurasian Bittern remains at Hillwell, Shetland. Nice to be able to watch it through a 'scope from the garden! A few more pics from yesterday evening...

Peek-a-Boo(m)...

Having found a Eurasian Bittern here at Hillwell, Shetland 10 days ago, amazed to see it back at the loch this afternoon where it gave nice views. Just over 20 records of this species in Shetland. Here's one of it playing hide and seek, 'skypointing'.

Glittering prize: drake King Eider in a snow shower at sunrise. Photographed in Båtsfjord Harbour, Varanger at the very top of Norway. Just look at those dolphin-like 'fins' on the back...

The very rare and beautiful Purple Saxifrage always adds a welcome splash of early Spring colour to the slopes of North Roe, Shetland at this time of year.