On 24th May 2024, two days before his beloved Ross County secured their place in the Scottish Premiership, Malcolm Harvey died peacefully in Inverness. There was added significance to the date: in a few locations in the Highlands, Slavonian Grebes Podiceps auritus and European Honey-buzzards Pernis apivorus would just be settling down to breed – species that, for over 50 years, Malcolm had sought out, meticulously recorded their numbers and behaviour, sharing his data and knowledge, and inspiring others. Few people significantly increase our understanding of not one but two species in Scotland as much as Malcolm did.