Chasing Scotland’s “Big Three” Odonata Day 3 & 4

Day 3

After a successful morning ticking off all our target Odonata species—a thrilling mix of dragonflies and damselflies—the pace of the weekend shifted toward birding and other wildlife. The skies and waters came alive with spectacular sightings:

Osprey

Black-throated Diver

The Small White Orchid was a noteworthy addition, standing out subtly among the weekend’s wildlife highlights

The moth trap produced a few surprises over three nights, with new species recorded—though the full list is still being catalogued.

A great weekend ended so quickly, and all target species were seen. 

Day 4

I departed our accommodation at 10:00 a.m., bidding farewell to a superb weekend, and headed south. En route, I called in at Maidens, Ayrshire, where a Western Sandpiper had been present since November 2024, cleverly masquerading as a ‘Little Stint’. Initially, my Thursday plans had aimed for this bird, but circumstances had changed.

The weather greeted me with persistent rain, forcing me to wait in the car until it eased. A brief search yielded no sign of the sandpiper, and I began to resume my journey home.

Then, half an hour later, a call from Dan changed everything: the bird had returned to the harbour! A quick turnaround brought me face-to-face with the tiny wader, scampering along the mudflats.

Western Sandpiper

While the Western Sandpiper was clearly in distress—blood around its throat and bill hinted at a parasite problem—it was nonetheless a remarkable bird to witness, a rare treat for the weekend’s finale.

By the time I reached home, it was just past 9:00 p.m., and I reflected on a weekend that had delivered every expectation and more.