Hi Richard. Great project. Is it possible to visit this area?

Exactly. It seems that trade deals, weapons sales and political relationships mean more than war crimes, apartheid and starving civiians. The Israel lobby runs rampant. Oh, can't say that, it's antisemitic. blah, blah .......

Holme Dunes I assume? Good to read this, I haven't been there for 10 years, must get back. I remember great autumn falls there, wrynecks and a Storm Petrel flying along the beach

The conversion of natural, flora-rich grasslands with beautiful rock outcrops, small wetlands etc. into flat monocular grass fields for silage is depressing to see across the landscapes here in Galloway. Skylarks, flora, inverts destroyed. More agri-env support needed badly

I totally agree with you Kevin. I wasn't really disagreeing. I know that personal observations can be biased and will always go with the science.

Oh. I thought Greenfinches had increased a bit but could be wrong. Chaffinches are still abundant locally in Galloway but have crashed in Essex

We’re killing our garden birds!

“An estimated 6 million greenfinches and chaffinches have died because of the disease in recent years.”

Feed seasonally. Feed safely. Very sound advice.

Follow the full advice (please read)👇🏼

#OrkneyBirding

Beautiful and rich 👍

GiveDirectly has sent $1 billion in cash directly to people in extreme poverty. Their model has no middle man and study after study shows it works.

Any billionaire could call them tomorrow and help pull an entire country out of poverty. For some, it would cost about a year in the stock market.

Met office forecasts aeem to have defined in accuracy recently. They forecast far more rain here in Galloway than actually arrives, which is good but affects my daily plans. A year ago they were pretty good

The 'most moral army in the world'. Oh, sorry, that's the Israeli IDF. . ...

So important to keep rain off them?

Great. I visited Andalusia in the recently. I was totally shocked by the intensive use of farm chemicals and ploughing on steep slopes, including under the orchards. There were so many more wildflowers and birds 20 yeas ago. They need to implement agri-enviroment schemes

Duncan, are they bamboo and where do u get them?

Yes. D&G has some of the most intensive farming I have seen anywhere in the UK. So many once beautiful areas drained (including small lochs), meadows sprayed and rye-grass seeded, scrub and rocky outcrops dug up. Little for wildlife left.

Please sign and share

I have had a pair in the garden in Kirkcudbright for the last 3 days, no singing yet.

Blue graphic with grey leaves and a WTS logo. Text reads, 'A Tree Protection Bill should be introduced in the next Scottish Parliament to ensure Scotland's trees are properly protected.' Opposite is a view of a Glasgow church surrounded by mature trees. Credit WTML.

Our native & ancient trees need more protection. It's too easy to fell or damage them - there are gaps in existing protections. New legislation could close these gaps & protect Scotland's future native trees. Our priorities for the next Scottish Government ➡️ buff.ly/e2KzGBr #MairTreesPlease

I agree, but it is a fair documentary worth watching

I have heard those calling from 'your' dunes Philip, years ago. That was a memorable night, with a Bittern boom accompany ment

My stupid friend believes the same for Rupert Lowe. She believes he really cares for the working class and isn't racist at all. It's all about here 'feelings' not facts. It seems impossible to change her mind. Our friendship is on the line

They were, and are, great binoculars. I met a chap recently who collects bins, he had a pair of these and I was surprised how well they stood up, optically, to the best of today's.
Happy Birthday 🎂

I would say that it is Richard. Faster and less resonant than Greater.

Yes, it's all been playing out over the last 2 years. This is what happens if you allow an extremist government and society to run roughshod over international law and human rights. No sanctions, no expulsion of diplomats, nothing except minor criticism. Our democracies are a shame, we could be next

Shame on Britain, shame on our Labour Government

Here they come
Reform racist scum
Trumps wee hoors
To darken our doors.

He is, what we would have called in Essex, 'a jumped up little prick'

As suspected, Israel attacked Iran because they were close to agreeing a deal on nuclear programme.

Bibi needs his forever war. Trump is too dumb to see he’s been played.

Yes. I messaged my MSP weeks ago that myself and many of my local constituent friends wanted him to vote for the assisted dying Bill. But he didn't. 78% of the Scottish public want this Bill, a right to dir with dignity. They voted against us.

At least they're honest about whose class interests they're representing.