Reposted by DarrylOtto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 7hThe Times from ten years ago this week. They were wrong. In fact Brexit is costing the UK economy roughly £100 billion a year. #ProjectFear 30760280
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 3h*Finally*, the Prime Minister of this country is saying what we all knew. Probably time for an inquiry. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukPM says it is 'clear' Russia interfered with Brexit referendumHe says voters were not "sufficiently" informed about how foreign actors sought to disrupt UK democracy. 020
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10hYnysyfro WeBS: 4 Shoveler, nowt else of note. #gwentbirding 040
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10hGoldcliff Pools: 2 Curlew Sand (CJ had a 3rd fly straight through), 2 Spotshank, 6 Barwit, 22 Grey Plover, c.350 Knot, Garganey, 4 Pintail, 2 Water Rail. Vismig was slightly underwhelming but low thousands of Woodpigeon, 100+ Chaffinch, 18 Redpoll, 25+ Skylark, 3 Jay, etc. #gwentbirding 0130
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Goldcliff Pools 07:30-11:00 vismig: Redwing, 7,500+ Woodpigeon, 42 Jay, 20 Skylark, 3 Swallow, Grey Wag, 6 Redpoll, Bullfinch, 10 Siskin, 77 Chaffinch, etc. Also 15 Grey Plover, 2 Spotshank, 3 Barwit, c.300 Knot & Wheatear. Saltmarsh Lane 11:10-12:10: 3 Swallow, 10 Jay, Siskin, etc. #gwentbirding 0190
Reposted by DarrylSimon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 09/10/2026FACTCHECK: UK Conservatives double the ‘cost of net-zero’ after spreadsheet blunder The Tory "Right Way" booklet makes an erroneous claim about the cost of cutting emissions, possibly taken from a Jan26 thinktank report, and deffo the most idiotic error I've seen for a while 🧵 819896
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Goldcliff Pools 07:30-08:30: Grey Plover, Curlew Sand, 2 Spotshank, 2 Barwit, 385 Knot, etc. Goldcliff Point 08:40-10:10: 2 male Common Scoter close-in down-channel 09:20, 31 Turnstone, etc. #gwentbirding #slightlymoist 090
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Oooooh, arriving next March c/o @princetonupress.bsky.social Going to be an absolutely stone cold ‘must have’. #birding #anillustratedbookaboutbirds #booksky 4348
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Saltmarsh Lane 11:10-12:30: 450 more Woodpigeon, 2 Red Kite (presumed same as Goldcliff), 33 Jay, 2 Siskin, Redpoll, 27 Skylark and 4 Swallow. #gwentbirding #vismig 070
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Goldcliff Pools waders, etc. 07:30-11:00: Garganey, 3 Barwit, Curlew Sand, 2 Spotshank, 325 Knot, Kingfisher and 2 Red Kite. #gwentbirding 070
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Goldcliff Pools vismig 07:30-11:00, almost everything was ‘coasting’ vaguely westward: 2 Woodlark (1 N 08:30, 1 NNW 08:55), Brambling, 4,375+ Woodpigeon, 81 Skylark, 50 Chaffinch, 3 Grey Wag, 83 Jay, 2 Magpie moving amongst a flock of Jay, Redpoll, 12 Jackdaw, and 4 Siskin. #gwentbirding #vismig 190
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 07/10/2026A few postcards from a day in Mirkwood and The Misty Mountains. Three Brambling were the best of it. 040
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 05/10/2026A half-arsed mid-morning to early afternoon potter round the patch. Red Kite nr, Saltmarsh Lane; Garganey, Spotshank and 365 Knot at Goldcliff; and a combined total of 22 Jay. #gwentbirding #zzzzzzz 090
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 04/10/2026I’d guess it’s a pretty local movement, likely to originate in the Wye Valley/Forest of Dean rather than the continent. They’re not streaming across the North Sea with Nutcrackers in tow, the biggest count Flamborough has had in the last 10 days is half a dozen. 210
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Saltmarsh Lane: 3 1st cal-yr Red Kite W, 39 Jay, 4 Snipe, 3 Siskin, 27 Skylark, 14 Swallow, etc. Goldcliff Pools: Curlew Sand, 2 Spotshank, 2 Wheatear, Whitethroat and 5 Jay. Also Willow Emerald. #gwentbirding 1130
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Saltmarsh Lane: Reed Warbler, 31 Jay hedge-hopping SW, Redpoll SW, missed a Redstart. Goldcliff Pools: Woodlark low SE (long overdue patch-tick!), 1st cal-yr Hobby, 14 Jay NW, 2 Spotshank, Garganey, Wheatear, 2 Red Kite, Kingfisher, distant Golden Plover heard and 3 Willow Emerald. #gwentbirding 0150
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Goldcliff Pools: Curlew Sand, 350 Knot, 103 Dunlin, Garganey, Water Rail, 26 Jay (9S, 17WNW), 2 Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, a few Grey Wag and Siskin over. Also Willow Emerald. #gwentbirding 060
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: 2 Spotshank, Barwit, 325 Knot, 2 colour-ringed birds amongst the Blackwit flock, 13 Pintail, 3 Common Gull, 2 Wheatear and 41 Jay (loose flocks of 29W and 12S). Also Willow Emerald still on the wing. #gwentbirding 0110
Reposted by DarrylMark Avery @markavery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Where's Kazakhstan? The tale of a rare bird, donations from delighted twitchers and where the money went markavery.info/2026/09/28/w... @birdguides.bsky.social #cotswolds #shrike #twitch 📷 Dave Collins/BirdGuides 53114
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: Golden Plover heard going over, Curlew Sandpiper, Barwit, Spotshank, 205 Knot, 2 Great White Egret, a showy Water Rail, Yellow Wag plus a few alba wag, Swallow, Blackcap, etc. #gwentbirding 0110
Reposted by DarrylNational Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 13/08/2026Sign our petition to call for climate action here: buff.ly/IrLHG0f 712484
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Egon Schiele: Landscapes by Rudolf Leopold. Almost 200 pages of Schiele’s town/landscapes with some preparatory drawings and informative text and photos. Nice introduction to Schiele’s non-figurative work. The draughtsmanship shown in some of these pieces is just off the scale. #booksky #books #art 040
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 20/09/2026An easy spin round the western levels: no sign of the Cattle Egrets down fly tip lane; Red Kite high E over Peterstone; adult Med Gull amongst 750++ (probably 1,000+) aerial feeding BH Gulls just W of Peterstone Gout; Greenshank at the gout. #gwentbirding #birdingbybike #lowcarbonbirding 0110
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 19/09/2026A phew fotos,… Grey Falarope and Greater Phlamingo at a grey and breezy Goldcliff. #fotography #gwentbirding 0130
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Goldcliff Point 13:15-14:00: Manxie down-channel. #gwentbirding 050
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: 1st-winter Grey Phal, Greater Flamingo roosting on foreshore, Barwit, 185 Knot, 1,000+ Blackwit (3 colour-ringed). Phal not seen after 1st cal-yr Peregrine repeatedly buzzed the lagoons. #gwentbirding #birdingWales 170
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Goldcliff Point 10:15-11:00: nothing in the murk ‘offshore’; Barwit, c.35 Turnstone and c.35 Ringed Plover on foreshore. #gwentbirding 180
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Grey Phalarope, 1st-winter, Goldcliff Pools, Gwent. cc @birdguides.bsky.social #gwentbirding #birdingWales 091
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: Garganey, Ruff, Barwit, c.150 Knot, 2 Snipe, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, Yellow Wag, 3 Blackcap, c.20 Chiffchaff, etc. #gwentbirding 091
Reposted by DarrylFriends of the Earth @friends-earth.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Write to your MP today to tell them: no new oil and gas. action.friendsoftheearth.uk/target/deman...action.friendsoftheearth.ukDemand an end to climate-wrecking fossil fuel projectsTake action The fight to stop new oil and gas is heating up. And it’s a fight we can’t afford to lose. After a summer of record-breaking heatwaves, climate breakdown is impossible to ignore. Yet Prime... 063
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Garnlydan Res: zero wildfowl, zero waders, 125 large larid, 2 Red Kite. #bleak #gwentbirding 050
Reposted by DarrylReform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Experts release list of 45 misleading statements on climate change made by Reform nation.cymru/news/experts...nation.cymruExperts release list of 45 misleading statements on climate change made by ReformMartin Shipton An award-winning website specialising in the science and policy of climate change has listed 45 false or misleading claims about climate and energy made by Reform UK politicians.… 1412362
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026I wonder if this is anything to worry about? 🤔 #climate #chaos #sirens 000
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Isn’t it weird how many wrong ‘uns end up in Reform? Dan Thomas, the party's Welsh leader, steps down after being arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukReform's Dan Thomas resigns as Wales leader after arrestGwent Police said he was arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. 000
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: Garganey, Barwit, 120 Knot, 1,000+ Blackwit (incl. 2 cr birds), 4 Snipe, Redstart, Yellow Wag, Wheatear, etc. Also another fresh out of the box RV Darter and 4 Willow Emerald. #gwentbirding 0110
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: Little Stint, 7 Barwit, c.50 Knot, c.1,200 Blackwit, 5+ Snipe, 8 Pintail, Spotted Fly, Whinchat, 4 Yellow Wag, 2 Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 4+ Blackcap, 10+ Chiffchaff. Also still lots of Clouded Yellow and a few very fresh looking Red-veined Darter. #gwentbirding 090
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Ynysyfro WeBS: male Shoveler in eclipse, otherwise, shite. #gwentbirding 030
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Icelandic Folk Tales by Hjörleifur Helgi Stefánsson. These tales, and the manner in which they are told, seem a bit clunky. This could largely be due to the author working in his second language but the apparent lack of an editor and/or proofreader didn’t help either. #booksky #books 180
Reposted by DarrylSimon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 11/09/2026MEGA FACTCHECK: Reform UK's Farage & Tice constantly mislead on climate & energy We've checked 45 of their claims, inc… * Yes we really have made it hotter * No UK is not acting alone * No we can't change geology * Yes underground cables really are more costly www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-re... 06024
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Goldcliff Pools: Little Stint, Curlew Sand, 3 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 2 Garganey, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wag, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, etc. Saltmarsh Lane: Little Owl, Yellow Wag, Whimbrel, Water Rail, etc. #gwentbirding 071
Reposted by DarrylAlice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · 09/09/2026I’ve reached the point - well actually, I reached it a while ago - where I’m militantly anti-AI. Fine - use it in bioscience labs and radiology where it might help analyse data more effectively. Use it sparingly for systems engineering. Everywhere else, it can fuck off. 1553157717
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10/09/20267. Stuff the bike back in the garage and go and read a book instead. #cycling #mtb #toptips 031
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10/09/20265. Put more air in the tyre, listen to the air leaking out, *know* that your planned ride is definitely f**ked. 6. Realise that you probably need a new valve, to re-tape the wheel and that, with the new sealant in there, the job is going to create a huge mess and be a complete arseache. 100
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10/09/20263. Put some more air in the tyre, listen to the air leaking out, get pissed off that your planned ride is likely f**ked. 4. Remove valve core, add fresh sealant, replace valve core, slosh sealant around (particularly near valve), hope fresh stuff gunks everything up and seals the leak. Wait a bit. 100
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026How to fix a leaky valve. 1. Pump up the tyre, listen to the air leaking out, get pissed off that your planned ride is possibly f**ked. 2. Poke the valve, undo the nut, wobble it a bit, pray to the cycling gods that what remains of your ageing sealant will magically seal the leak. Wait a bit. 1/4 100
Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Uskmouth/Saltmarsh Lane: Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 5+ Willow Warbler, 25+ Blackcap, 20+ Chiffchaff. Also 8 Blackwit and Curlew on the Usk just up-river of the Transporter Bridge. #birdingbybike #lowcarbonbirding #gwentbirding 0110
