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Francis Morgan

@franchrismorg.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.6K following 92 posts

Poor (in the sense of 'not very good') birder and worse piano player Birds, environment, music, (democratic) politics, books. Not here to pay homage to 'the cultural magnitude of President Trump's singular brilliance' ITFC Gower, Wales

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Reposted by Francis Morgan
Andy Langley @langers77.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Today is the start of World Land Trust’s #BigMatchFortnight saving threatened land in Bolivia 🇧🇴 & South Africa 🇿🇦 Donations through my JustGiving page up to £5k target will be x4️⃣! Please donate if you can or share. @worldlandtrust.org @markavery.bsky.social www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-...
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Absurd that the regulations on the use of these poisons have been relaxed in recent years and with predictable results - but an opportunity for the nationalists in Wales to do the right thing. @plaidcymru.bsky.social
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Please support this if you can.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Which reserves were these please?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I've signed. Will you? Add your name to help make wildfire prevention and climate resilience a national priority, and stand with the communities affected by wildfires. campaigns.nationaltrust.org.uk/page/196457/...
campaigns.nationaltrust.org.uk
I've signed. Will you? Add your name to help make wildfire prevention and climate resilience a national priority, and stand with the communities affected by wildfires.
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Reposted by Francis Morgan
Cold War Steve @coldwarsteve.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The Haywain 2026
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Reposted by Francis Morgan
Wild Cymru @wildcymru.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Help stop all developments on peat lands in Wales - sign the petition! petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/24...
petitions.senedd.wales
Petition: Stop all developments on peatlands across Wales!
Peatlands in Wales provide important carbon storage, they store 30% of our land-based carbon. They are essential for our survival: healthy peatlands sequester more carbon than all the world's forests combined. They also provide crucial habitat for plants, animals, birds and insects, and help prevent flooding in the face of increasingly erratic weather. Peatland cannot be moved or recreated; once fragmented or destroyed it's lost.
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Reposted by Francis Morgan
The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales @wtsww.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
After the driest July on record, drought has been declared across Wales. During extended heatwaves and drought, the risk of wildfires increases. Whether visiting the countryside, your local park, or a nature reserve, remember these top tips. #Wales #Drought #Wildfires #ClimateChange
Orange background with The Wildlife Trusts logo and texts that reads: Avoid parking on dry grass -If parked on dry grass, car exhausts can be hot enough to ignite the vegetation beneath them.Orange background with The Wildlife Trusts logo and texts that reads:  Always take your litter home with you. Many people aren’t aware that glass bottles and jars and tin cans, if left in the sunlight, are a fire risk.Orange background with The Wildlife Trusts logo and texts that reads: Take a picnic, not a BBQ. Barbecues present a strong fire risk when the weather is so dry. Instead, pack a picnic and leave the barbecue behind.Orange background with The Wildlife Trusts logo and texts that reads: Dispose of cigarettes responsibly. Never throw cigarette ends on to the ground. Even if they are fully extinguished, they can remain hot and can easily ignite dry vegetation. Carefully discard to avoid starting an accidental fire.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
It's a biodiverse Coul Links - or a golf course yet again Coul Links is a beautiful and unique wildlife habitat in the Scottish Highlands. But it's threatened once again with development. Join me in urging Scottish Ministers to say no to this damaging application. action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
action.rspb.org.uk
Save Coul Links!
Your voice could help save this precious habitat from a new threat of development.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
15 minutes of fame and wishing I'd taken a better photo
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
I just took action with @theactionnetwork.bsky.social: Synod Vote for Nature!. Take action here: actionnetwork.org/forms/synod-...
actionnetwork.org
Synod Vote for Nature!
Join us in making history! The Church of England’s General Synod members have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support a motion calling for the Church Commissioners to protect 30% of their land...
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
And after 2 years, in government, chasing the Reform vote, just 2% of their 2024 voters have a favourable view of Labour
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Highly recommend clicking through to read the prose poem. When you get to the 8th & final 'sighting' of the poem, the list of names of the named harriers, disappeared or killed between 2018 - 2025, its like an incantation with the affectingly named 'Hope' stuck jarringly in the middle. Beyond sad
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Reposted by Francis Morgan
nffn.bsky.social @nffn.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Happy 100th Birthday, Sir #DavidAttenborough! 🎂 He has given decades of dedication to our natural world. David Attenborough has shown us the beauty of #nature and why it matters. That's what drives us here at the Nature Friendly Farming Network. 💚
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
A thought provoking review of what looks to be a fascinating film - and I really enjoyed the trailer! - ending with a profound question for our times. Thank you.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Beautiful. More 'bioluxuriance' is what we need!
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Excellent post on an unusually illuminating segment of the BBC Today programme: In praise of Jeremy Bowen open.substack.com/pub/brokenbo...
open.substack.com
In praise of Jeremy Bowen
His Today programme monologue on Trump, war in Iran, and the history of the Middle East was exactly how the BBC should be reporting on the world.
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Reposted by Francis Morgan
Chris Hinchliff MP @chrishinchliff.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
There’s a nature-loving majority in this country. Those in power must listen and stop trashing our environment. There are far more of us than there are developer lobbyists. They have the millionaires. We are the millions. We need a bold campaign to get our nature back.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
I'd say its definitely what they mean as they say '12% of those voters observed either caused or were affected by family voting' but by choosing to use that framing they make the impact sound worse and so their report more significant.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
thank you - very interesting.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I wonder if natural recolonisation of woodland is less disruptive of the carbon in the soil and if so to what extent. So much research still to be done it seems as we risk using public funds for solutions that aren't really effective at all.
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Reposted by Francis Morgan
Daniel Jenkins-Jones @apushapus.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Newyddion bendigedig! Excellent news! And there’s a CrowdFunder so that we can help support this fantastic project: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tirnatur
crowdfunder.co.uk
Wales’s largest rewilding site - location revealed
Help create a wilder Wales where nature and people flourish together and provide hope for future generations.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Not had much luck with the trail cam to-date so thought I'd try to lure in some winter thrushes with pomegranate seed. Neighbour's dog, Robin and Woodpigeon resulted. But then, entirely co-incidentally, one Woodcock and half a fox. #birdingwales #rhossilibirds
Woodcock arrivingWoodcock.  Extraneous table and pomegranate halves.Half a fox - and the wrong half at that!
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I don't think the killers are too bothered about ecosystems. They need artificially high numbers of red grouse to run profitable grouse moors. Hen Harriers prey on grouse and this has a material impact on the population density. @markavery.bsky.social 's Inglorious is the book to read on this.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
If 'To be a fascist is to be a Nazi', Italian fascism must have been fake news.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Wales, on the edge of a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and 2 days before implementation of the Sustainable Farming Scheme:
trees, scrub and possibly a bit of hedgerow razed to ground levelflailled hedgea monstrous cutter on the end of a jcbhow it was before ...
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
... huge thanks to @rspbinvestigations.bsky.social team for their diligence and determination who I assume will have had none of their costs met. Anyone wishing to support them can do so here: www.rspb.org.uk/donate/help-...
rspb.org.uk
Stop Raptor Persecution | RSPB Birds of Prey Appeal
Raptor persecution is a national disgrace. It’s destabilising some raptor populations and preventing the recovery of Hen Harriers as a species. Will you help?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Excellent series of blogs by @raptorpersuk.bsky.social on a case that illustrates the near-impossibility of obtaining a successful prosecution for killing a 'protected' Hen Harrier. Utterly bizarre comments from the judge and a pitifully inadequate sentence but (1/2)
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Excellent reports from the Guardian (this one and the earlier report of 8th Oct). The UK Gov statements are depressingly inadequate or, in their claim to be taking 'robust action to turn the tide of nature's decline', simply false. Key Judgement 4 of the UK Gov report is particularly arresting:
Excerpt of Key Judgements from UK Gov report on Global Biodiversity Loss. Key Judgement 4 - every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
So, the generations that have witnessed the biggest loss of nature in their lifetimes are the least likely to vote Green. Lots of other things going on of course but nevertheless disturbing - have they simply not seen the dramatic loss of insects, birds, trees and semi-natural environments?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The habitat requirement is really very small beer given that hedgerow counts towards that 10%. The RSPB says the entry level payment 'would only help farmers "maintain" the habitats and wildlife they already have' but in practice it allows them also to rip out any habitat in excess of 10%.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Interesting and depressing that every quote from a political party is critical of the scheme in terms that it is not doing enough for farmers or food production and only the RSPB is saying its not doing enough for nature.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Country diary: Here for all to see – nature’s remarkable ability to rebound | Mark Cocker
Mousley Bottom, Derbyshire: This area was a literal dump 40 years ago, devoid of life. But time and a dedicated council have worked their magic
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Labour has let us down badly with this legislation. Will you take action too? action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/...
action.rspb.org.uk
Tell the UK Government they must do better for nature!
I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Great to see a Merlin on Rhossili Down this morning. Also 2 Snipe and a Wren. Lots of ice, but warm in the sunshine. Snow on the other side of the estuary for the last 2 days but none here. #birdingwales #gowerbirds @gowerbirds.bsky.social
Merlin, honest.View of the snow from Rhossili Down
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
actionnetwork.org/forms/the-go...
actionnetwork.org
Decision time: Tell Keir to #StopRosebank
This is the moment we've been building towards: it's final decision time for the UK Government. Equinor is trying to get the new Rosebank oil field re-approved. It's up to us all to convince the Gover...
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Wow. 'No more [things I don't like and that I've got control over]. No more climate change.' Brilliant. Obviously he can stop the 'dudes in dresses' but ... climate change!?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Exciting times, in between the showers this morning, on a sodden Rhossili Down. A female/imm Hen Harrier and a wet Buzzard and then, on the trudge back, a male Hen Harrier. Never been happier in the rain! @gowerbirds.bsky.social #birdingWales #gowerbirds
a poor picture of a Hen Harrier on Rhossili Downa poor picture of a Buzzard on Rhossili Downa plucking from yesterdayA sodden Rhossili Down
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
I’m trying to save Coul Links. Will you? Remember Trump's golf course at Foveran Links which resulted in the loss of its SSSI status? Coul Links is a beautiful & unique wildlife habitat in the Scottish Highlands. But it is threatened once again with development. action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
action.rspb.org.uk
Save Coul Links!
Your voice could help save this precious habitat from a new threat of development.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
This piece is excellent on the idiocy of balance in a world of hyper partisanship: lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Very breezy walk up to the trig point on Rhossili Down this morning enlivened by a confiding Snow Bunting, looking a bit out of place really. Also 2 Chough, Buzzard, Skylark and Snipe. #birdingWales #gowerbirds
Snow Bunting - Rhossili DownSnow Bunting - Rhossili Down
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Official confirmation of the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew. How sad is this?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Quite. And yet still the US press normalises his actions: they say he's executed a 'transformation' of the DOJ when the word is 'corruption'. This is the man who dreamily simulated oral sex with a microphone at a rally just weeks before the election with barely a ripple of comment in the press.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
It's a really heart-warming story and well done to the RSPB, FERA and the Tristan de Cunha government. UK government response "F*ck those tiny birds no ones heard of, we're going to build 20,000 homes there for hardworking families"? www.theguardian.com/environment/...
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
The constant, proudly ignorant, anti-nature statements from this government kill the soul. Great quotes from @craigbennett3.bsky.social & RSK Wilding followed by a torrent of cliche from the Treasury: 'planning system ... holding this country back' from building the homes 'hard working people need'
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Donate £25 and it's worth £150 (or more with Gift Aid) to the World Land Trust who are one of the best environmental charities ...
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Lovely. And it has to be a herd, surely?
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
“The environment is so much better than it was 10, 20 years ago because of what farmers have been doing to improve their land for wildlife and nature" says Trevor Lay, Turtle Dove breeder, who must surely be speaking of a foreign land.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Great blog below. Well worth topping up Mark's £100 donation to @wildlifebcn.org and should be essential reading for all Defra ministers.
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Francis Morgan @franchrismorg.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
📌
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