Wasn't expecting this at 10pm this evening! Was watching the Goosanders on my nighttime walk when three Otters showed up and hunted a Goosander down! #30dayswild #nature @WildlifeTrusts #scotland #wildlife #springwatch #scottishborders #spring

Spot the odd one out. This common frog seems to have gotten distracted and joined some toads having a good time... #nature #NaturePhotography @Natures_Voice @BBCSpringwatch @WildlifeTrusts

Another shot of the ring-necked duck when it was at Maxwell park, with a tufted duck in the background for comparison. #nature #wildlife #NaturePhotography @_BTO

Drake ring-necked duck on Maxwell pond this morning. Cracking looking bird and great to see it still going strong (presuming it's the same bird that visits every year). @Clydebirding @RSPBScotland #nature #naturep

A siskin tucking into some bird feed. They seem to be the most approachable bird in my parent's garden. #nature #wildlife @Natures_Voice #photography

Had an amazing time at the @BritishEcolSoc conference in Liverpool. Great to hear about the fascinating work being undertaken by so many ecologists. Feeling quite inspired! #nature #ecology #science @UofGSBOHVM

Great day along the Forth and Clyde canal and the kelvin walkway. Spotted a couple of kingfishers and a water rail. Also an unusual duck, I'm assuming an intersex mallard?? @Clydebirding @BirdHybrids @BTO_Scotland

Close encounters with the mute swan kind.

Nice to get out to Lochwinnoch to do some birdwatching. Spotted a couple of pink-footed geese at Castle Semple. Also nice to see the whoopers have returned. @Clydebirding

Finally managed to get out to do some birding today. Spotted four pochards on Frankfield Loch, along with six shoveler. A few Goldeneyes on Hogganfield loch as well. @Clydebirding

Canary-shouldered thorn. One of the most vibrant autumn moths that we have in the UK. Found @sceneUofG a couple days ago. @savebutterflies @WildlifeMag #nature #wildlife #macro #macrophotography

Was not expecting to find a terrapin in Maxwell park, Glasgow. I knew there were a few in the city, but this is the first time I've seen one myself. #nature #photography @RSPBScotland @WildlifeTrusts

New research suggests that environmental constraints could limit the number of eggs that urban female birds lay. 🐦‍⬛ @Mark__Pitt Read the full paper here:

Birds of Conservation Concern 5 Seabirds. 5 seabirds added to the red list of greatest conservation concern. Read the full paper https://t.co/vWbZJpQvRg Read our blog https://t.co/oLvusNJYPh

Interested in what we found out? Make sure to give our paper a read! A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped with this, including @p_capi, @ClaireBranston, @carlon3o, @dmdominoni and to @sceneUofG and @UofGSBOHVM for facilitating/supporting this work.

If the small clutches of urban blue tits are a result of environmental constraints (due to nutrient/energetic constraints in the urban habitat), we predicted that, following egg removal, they would not lay new eggs as they are already laying their maximum number of eggs possible.

If the smaller clutches of urban birds are an adaptive response (e.g., by producing a small clutch, this maximises the number of young they can raise to independence), then we predicted that, after egg removal, urban birds would lay new eggs to restore their optimal clutch size.

To test this, we designed an experiment that aimed to increase the costs of egg production for blue tits in an urban and forest population. This was done by removing the first four eggs from experimental nests and observing how the blue tits responded to this manipulation.

Excited to see this work be published! Our study attempted to understand why urban blue tits produce smaller clutches than their non-urban counterparts. Is this a result of environmental constraints? Or is it an adaptative response to the urban habitat?

Another butterfly first for @ClaypitsLnr a lovely wee Holly Blue. @Mark__Pitt @StablesDean

Anyone know the current status of Holly blues in Glasgow? Found this lovely individual in Pollock Country park just now. @savebutterflies @GlasgowNatHist #nature #wildlife