Petition: Ban the use of netting on roofs and outdoor structures Thousands of birds are reported to get trapped in netting yearly, and many may die in pain and fear from the horrific injuries sustained trying to free themselves e.g. breaking their entangled limbs. ...

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/75...

Gannet, Bempton RSPB, Sept 2021
UK has more than 1/2 the world's population of this Northern booby species. Most breed on island colonies (rocks turned white by the birds in their '000's) but Bempton RSPB's an accessible mainland spot & a great place to witness breeding up close #Birds #Birding

Gadwall (drake), S Cambs, May 2024
Made it to letter G in daily posts from my UK/Ir birds album...
Widespread quacker, especially in England; as with many wetland species, numbers swell in winter with birds from the continent. #Birds #Birding

Sign Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday Card Sir David Attenborough is turning 100 🎉 He’s inspired generations to love and protect our planet. Now let’s thank him together. Sign his 100th birthday card here to show your appreciation:

Let us make this a huge thank you birthday card.

Wherever you live Sir David has given us the most wonderful insight and knowledge of the planet and all it's flora and fauna.
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/sign-sir...

Fulmar, N Cornwall (offshore), July 2009
Pelagic cliff-nesting tubenose; like shearwaters, albatrosses & other petrels, it has tubular salt secretion glands on his bill, hence the name for this group. Don't get near them at the nest, they will spray you in self defence with foul-smelling fish oil!

Franklin's Gull (ad), W Yorks, Sept 2020
My last couple of Franklin's have been v distant - this one was watched from 2 fields away, so 'scuse the record shot. A N American species that is almost annual here but is not as regular as its similar compatriot, the Laughing Gull. #Birds #Birding

Congrats mate. Think I’ve repeated your ‘84 error in not bothering today! We’ll see if it reappears tomorrow!

Forster's Tern, Arne RSPB, Sept 2023
This individual's become a long-staying returning bird here and is still present. At the time it was part of a great few days away that produced Aquatic Warbler & Bioluminescent plankton, Cuttlefish, Porbeagle, rockpooling, scarce offshore seabirds & tuna boils

Actually I forgot the brief visitor to the Firth of Forth last yr!

Firecrest, Minsmere RSPB, May 2023
Joint smallest UK #bird with the far commoner Goldcrest, there is little doubt this restless little species is one of our most delightful and charismatic little birds. They're doing well these days but still have a mainly southerly distribution. #Birding

Walrus spotted at Stronsay pier - The Orcadian Online Stronsay has welcomed an out-of-the-ordinary visitor this morning in the form of a walrus. It’s been an unusual morning for Stronsay pier master Leslie Miller who managed to capture the massive sea ma...

Walrus on Orkney!! Must be the 1st UK one in about 4 yrs or so?
#VagrantBlubber

orcadian.co.uk/walrus-spott...

Fieldfare, S Cambs, December 2018
This common thrush visits in winter from Scandinavia, descending on berry bushes in large flocks often with Redwings (sometimes Starlings). Cold snowy snaps can see them head into gardens where they can be fiercely territorial over an apple or two! #Birds #Birding

Big Oil and offshore Britain How Big Oil reaps in the profits while avoiding contributions to the public good by using Britain's network of offshore tax havens.

Fossil fuel companies use British-made legal loopholes to avoid taxes. Why isn't the government doing something?

Agreed - might have to use that term myself!

It’s a plastic fantastic nightmare isn’t it? Bit like Corncrakes, White Storks & sea eagles but without the associated reintro project! This bird apparently pre-dated a reported breakout in Cambs of 4 birds with rumours it may have later met up with the drake!

Ferruginous Duck (f), Cambs, Nov 2023 (suspect origin)
I had this bird locally again last yr, then a drake at the same spot a yr later. But it looks like these 'fudges' are likely duffers, fugitives! Mobile long-staying escapees from collections have become a real problem in E Anglia & The Midlands.

European Golden Plover, Shetland, Sept/ Oct 2014
Restless golden plover flocks with their mournful calls are a delight in the autumn, always fun to sift through for rarities. The birds are usually wary, difficult to get close to, and they often mix with Lapwing flocks. #Birds #Birding

European Storm Petrel; off N Cornwall; July 2009
Seen these many times from boats but this seems to be my only shot of one, taken on a failed pioneering shark cage diving trip. I remember also finding a juvenile on the ground on Fair Isle once. #Birding #pelagics

European Nightjar, N Norfolk, July 2021
One of the great British #birding experiences is watching these birds perform flights on a warm summer's night. But spotting them roosting in day time is no mean feat thanks to their cryptic camouflage, and I think this chance sighting is my only one. #Birds

European Eagle Owl (fledgling), Lancs, May 2007
This species (not on the main BOU British list) is a common escape and pairs occasionally breed. One such incident occurred in the Forest of Bowland yrs ago and I was lucky enough to see the whole family (including 3 youngsters).
#Birds #Birding

European Bee-eater, N Norfolk, May 2012
Taken just a few miles from where up to 3 pairs set up a small nesting colony in a disused quarry during 2022-3, attracting thousands of admirers & temporarily adding colour & a degree of exotica to the area's birdlife.
#Birds #Birding

Eurasian wigeon (drake), Caerlaverock, March 2010
A flocking grazing duck whose excited whistling calls ring out in winter over a variety of wetland habitats. I first saw the species in Essex in 1986.
#Birds #Birding

Woodcocks can no longer be shot in Poland. Evidence & pressure from ornithologists/NGOs resulted in full protection for Woodcocks and 4 other species.
Long overdue in Britain too, to conserve UK-breeding Woodcocks... and the migrants coming from/through Poland.

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Consumers urged to ‘completely avoid’ UK-caught cod as population plunges Marine Conservation Society warns that fish numbers have reached dangerous point of decline Consumers should “completely avoid” buying UK-caught cod, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has said, as it warned that populations have reached a dangerous point of decline despite zero-catch recommendations. The MCS, an environmental charity, publishes a Good Fish Guide to help consumers and businesses make sustainable seafood choices. Continue reading...

Consumers urged to ‘completely avoid’ UK-caught cod as population plunges

Eurasian Teal (pair), Titchwell RSPB, Nov' 2021
You can get great views of our smallest duck at this popular RSPB reserve. Check out that vivid green speculum.
#Birds #Birding

This is verified: a wild Raccoon was seen leaving a cargo ship docked in Southampton over Easter. Raccoon is on the Species Alert list of animals considered to pose greatest risk to British ecology & economy. Records trigger a rapid response for removal, and it happens more often than you'd think.

Shocking distant pic but drake Blue-winged Teal at the Swannery this evening off Shipmoor Point. Swannery closed view only from rights of way. New Barn Road? Swannery opens 10am tomorrow. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @joestockwell.bsky.social

Eurasian Curlew (f), Aberdeens', Dec '14
UK's largest wader, I was surprised to witness something resembling a curlew 'lek' last week in a Breckland field (unusual as they're not really a lekking species)
Their mournful bubbling call can be heard on estuaries but is best on upland breeding grounds

Eurasian (Great) Bittern, Lea Valley Park (Essex), Nov' '23
A #bird needing no introduction that I 1st saw at Cley in 1990. It's great to hear them booming at more sites locally in the fens following conservation efforts.I've even audio-recorded them a few times over my home (on nocturnal migration)

Ctenolepisma longicaudata (Grey/Long-tailed #silverfish)
This guy in one of my bathrooms ain't payin' rent... but it seems to be just the 7th county record (the 2nd outside Cambridge) and was 1st recorded in the UK in 2016. I've let him stay! #Beasties