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Matthew Cookson

@gathorne.bsky.social
83 followers 93 following 206 posts

Ageing birder, north of Morecambe Bay and south and/ or west of the A590 and A591.

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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
At sunset, sitting in a bird hide counting birds coming into a reed bed roost, a Red Deer hind and calf came into feed, with a stag. Almost like a family they fed together: as the stag washed his antlers a Barn Owl drifted past, just outside the window. All round the bellows of the rut: very happy.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
There's at least one. Cameron appeared on Saturday full of good memories of working with you and of Fury.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
You loved them really. They still excite the unwary.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Rather fine, Bert!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Worth the trip!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Looks quite a good place to stay! You could have saved a few quid!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Watching & listening to British takes on the Bayeux Embroidery i thought back to a local Frech paper from 3rd Sepytember - what a headline!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Le Loir (sic), above La Loire, early this morning with Cetti's Warblers and Kingfishers just beginning to rev up for the day. In the background there was a chorus of 5+ Firecrests and 3 very irritated Great Spotted Woodpeckers. A 'peaceful' autumn start to Thursday...
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Poitou Charente: river Gartempe, today's highlights: english Osprey, blue ring right leg, probably female; Blackcaps singing, Chiffchaffs too; passing Wood Sandpiper; single Black Headed Night Heron over (two, two nights ago). Lots of House Martins, an occasional Swallow. Not too bad.
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Reposted by Matthew Cookson
The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
“Guys, they want us to go home.” 🔥 🇫🇷 French short film about what would happen to society if all the immigrants listened to angry old racist white men and left (aka the Republican agenda)
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Has that aspect...
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Greeted you? Was there stalled parental observation for above also?
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A garden window: Cateau Villandry
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
At dusk yesterday in Sées, Normandy, I sat under tree into which 2 Tawny Owl flew. They called and for an hour and more were responded to by at least four others at all compass points. Not to be outdone, 2 Barn and 2 Little Owls added their contributions. The noise was fabulous - a great experience
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
In your face but detail too.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Very precise! The Sparrowhawk attack was precise too, if a failure.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Excellent
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
From there down to gate pool: count conservative because showing them to someone.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Five again today.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
You could put a helpful pot of paint: it might double something abstract on the roof to entertain the neighbours?
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Reposted by Matthew Cookson
Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Comments on Newcastle Chronicle's Facebook show why we need Pride more than ever www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/wha...
chroniclelive.co.uk
Comments on Newcastle Chronicle's Facebook show why we need Pride more than ever
With Newcastle Pride now just days away comments on the Chronicle's Facebook show why we need to be celebrating it
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Hoping to adopt some resue hogs in the next few weeks, the weather hasn't been kind to the process.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Was one of the fledglings the Osprey I saw this afternoon helping a Hobby mob a Buzzard, I wonder?
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Sitting under a roof nest and 2 of 3 occupied nest boxes listening to a gentle wittering of Swifts still inside. 6 Swifts this summer have already become 9 or more. It seems there are some to come. Happy that they appear to have survived the summer heat. Will try to get all 3 boxes occupied in 2027!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Sticks are full of power. I watched an Osprey last week flying across the Moss carrying a stick four times his length. He had real difficulty gaining and keeping height. Once he achieved altitude the weight and distribution of his burden caused a stall and yet more exertion. His success was hard won
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Lovely detail!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Nice!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Handsome birds, though!
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Reposted by Matthew Cookson
Alf Dubs @alfdubs.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Remove home secretary Mahmood and rip up her asylum plans, says Alf Dubs
Exclusive: Labour peer who fled Nazis as a child says Andy Burnham has chance to ‘correct mistakes’ on refugees
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Lovely tartan and seaweed detail to highlight it!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Elegant!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
How splendid - i might have to go back to the previous photo and recount the legs@
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Got to admire that!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The lanes around abound with Whitethroats, nests every few metres, and the occasional Lesser. It's a good area, both near and far. There's a strong contingent of Sparrowhawks too.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Anything for a bit of privacy!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The adult looks to be a persevering bird.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Ooofff!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
It's somewhere for the spoons!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Time well spent!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Wise bird!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Nice! Found this Penduline Tit's nest this afternoon. Just missed the bird at the hole and decided it was too disturbed for me to hang around so left it. Amazing structure
Rear view of a Penduline Tit's nest. The adult bird has just flown from the hole at top left of the structure. Nest pendant from a low, slim branch. above reeds and water at edge of tarn
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I've been watching a Black-winged Stilt chasing off Common Tern, Black headed Gulls, Moorhens, Purple Swamphens (fabulous, ridiculous beasts) and Flamingos. They are ferociously territorial.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Beautifully shows the fragility of their nests.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
That is splendid!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
And the colours on the Lapwing are good.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Very William Morris: an order to paper the Sitting Room!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
That's just wonderfully perfect - bravo!
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
A really interesting trio of shots: not really able to decide if any one is better than the others, thank you.
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Only one?
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Matthew Cookson @gathorne.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Yes!
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