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Martin George

@jannerbirder.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.6K following 2.2K posts

Bird nerd, patch worker and BTO surveyor. MSc Ornithology (mostly a seabirds thing). Proud Devonian currently exiled to North Shropshire. I also run the #Shropshirebirds feed.

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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 4h
Wow, they are really going for it 😮
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Rhys @rdpphoto.bsky.social · 10h
Moorhen fight! Wait for it... #ukwildlife #shropshirebirds #Nature #wildlife #birdphotography #UKBirding #birds #photography
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
It was like a different world compared to the birding in Shropshire! The Buff-breasted Sandpipers on Davidstow were an absolute delight ❤️
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Excellent, really pleased for you. I was back home last week and we saw some of the Cattle Egrets that you photographed, but not the 39(?) that were at Drift Reservoir the day after!
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Very nice,you should be happy! Is this one of the Devoran birds?
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Beth W @doodlebeth.com · 06/10/2026
Are there any active groups/resources for disabled birders in the UK? I'm trying to improve access at our local reserve (Portbury Wharf) and to get funding we have to show that people will actually use it (not just me). I have created a map to show how accessible it is so far #UKBirding
a map of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve showing all the different path surfaces, ramps, gates & inclines.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
And… The start of Atlas fieldwork is in 55 weeks and there will be a need to engage lots of fieldworkers. Newbies will be able to help with both roving and the new pinpoint records through the app. The secret society, “the keen ones will find us somehow” approach is doomed, in my opinion.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Sad to hear, particularly in a fine birding county like Kent. I think you’ve heard my “If we don’t encourage, inspire and welcome people who are developing an interest in birds we’ll lose them to twitching, togging or or other wildlife interest groups” speech already.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Wow, they really have their fingers on the pulse. And I think the patient needs a priest rather than a physician 😖
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Has to be a hopeful possibility! I believe similar measures have had some success in the Baltic Sea's fisheries.
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Sue @birdersue.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Lovely to see at least five Cattle egret at RSPB Marazion this afternoon. In the west corner where the Heron hang out, and the restoration work is being done. #CornwallBirding 🪶
Small white heron with a yellow bill, standing in muddy reeds.
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The Birder's Store @birdersstore.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
WOW! October has started well! 👇
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Graham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Woodcock shooting season starts today in most of the UK (Scotland was 1 Sep). Continental birds have not arrived yet so any shot birds will be red-listed British breeders. GWCT suggests waiting until 1 December before targeting Woodcock. More here: wadertales.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/c... #birds
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“Every year an estimated 95,000 #seabirds, including Razorbills and Guillemots, are accidentally caught in nets off European coasts.” “But simple deterrents tested by Cornish fishers and devised by scientists and the RSPB have been shown to reduce the toll by about two-thirds.”
theguardian.com
Floating scarecrows: how Cornish fishers are stopping seabirds drowning in their nets
Simple deterrents can slash the number of razorbills and guillemots being trapped underwater, two-year study shows
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In the #ShropshireBirds area "our" adult Shelducks make a moult migration and leave us for the Dutch or German coast, or to one of six UK coastal sites, to drop all of their flight feathers in relative safety. Adults depart in June/July and return in November, leaving the juveniles behind.
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Important habitat and site maintenance work at Venus Pool NR 1) From 29 September. Major programme of willow scrub management to restore the grassland away from the pool to the north. 2) 5 to 7 October. Annual maintenance work. Essential, but likely to cause some disturbance. #ShropshireBirds
Venus Pool Nature Reserve as seen from the Memorial (south) Hide. The view shows a pool slowly refilling after the summer's drought with vegetation in the foreground and trees lining the far bank, under a grey, overcast sky.
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
These sessions are so good; a little bit of helpful theory and lots of practice time. We were joined by one new and two potential Shropshire counters for @webs-gsmp.bsky.social and also had bonus flyovers from a Spitfire!
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Graham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
LPO is calling for permanent shooting ban for #Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit. This would provide protection for thousands of both species that winter in and migrate through France. Background: wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/b... Map shows tracks of Curlew returning from France to breed in UK.
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It was an exceptional summer for Quail in Shropshire, too. Please add any notebook records to @birdtrack.bsky.social so that the Shropshire Bird Report for 2026 can better reflect where, when and how many of these enigmatic little birds were present. #ShropshireBirds
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Rhys @rdpphoto.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Longtail feeding on Himalayan Balsam, shame they don't eat the plant. #ukwildlife #shropshirebirds #Nature #wildlife #birdphotography #UKBirding #birds #photography
Long tailed tit sat halfway up a Himalayan Balsam plant
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A nice, encouraging short about a famous author’s love of her partner, birds and science, and the practical way she has chosen to commemorate all three. #ornithology www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
theguardian.com
‘Birdwatching is close to rapture’: Margaret Atwood on why she has given C$1m to avian research
Award-winning novelist celebrates late partner’s love of birds with gift to establish the Graeme Gibson chair in avian biology
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Ian Sheppard @iansheppard.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A Cattle Egret living up to its name at WWT Martin Mere yesterday. #UKBirding
A Cattle Egret standing on the back of a Cow
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Partners in Care @partnersincare.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🎉 What a day! 180 people joined us for the #PartnersinCare AGM, Conference & Care Awards 2026 connecting, sharing ideas & celebrating the very best of adult social care🏆A huge congratulations to all our winners, finalists & nominees, and thank you to everyone who made the day such a success. 1/2
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Guardian Environment @environment.theguardian.com · 24/09/2026
‘Cash to trash’ levy on house developers too low to offset damage to Norfolk Broads, say critics
theguardian.com
‘Cash to trash’ levy on house developers too low to offset damage to Norfolk Broads, say critics
Exclusive: Levy that allows almost 16,000 houses to be built on Norfolk Broads will not cover cost of mitigating environmental damage, critics say
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Kevin Thornton @lowcarbonkev.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Today, the equinox, a good day to remind birders out there, who've been plugging away at their patches for some weeks now, that #vismig is building. In 1907 British Birds Vol one, issue one, had a wonderful name for you: You are a 'severe migrationist'. Good luck. May all your movements be severe👍
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It is. Desperately sad that the poor man may have died by his own hand.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Really sorry to hear that we've lost Joe, he was a lovely man who probably helped more people, particularly birders, than he ever knew of 💔 #UKBirding www.fakenhamtimes.co.uk/news/2655882...
fakenhamtimes.co.uk
Acclaimed author who once worked with Chris Packham found dead in Norfolk woodland
Inquest opened at Norfolk Coroner's Court into the death of acclaimed author and mental health campaigner.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
😆😆
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Always good to see a bird in its natural habitat, but, just like this Robin, they don't all read the text books 🙂
A Robin perched on the top of the front tyre of a white Ford SUV, parked on a grassy parking strip.A Robin perched on the top of the front tyre of a white Ford SUV, parked on a grassy strip in a nature reserve car park with other cars in view.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Some phone-scoped snaps of the delightful Baird's Sandpiper at Witheymoor Farm Pool, Burleydam, just a hop over the border from Shropshire into Cheshire. Bonus Little Ringed Plover and a flyover by 70 Pinkfeet. Lots of happy inland birders 🙂 Big HT @saloplarus.bsky.social for the news. #UKBirding
Little Ringed Plover (left) and Baird's Sandpiper feeding in the shallows of a farm pool with exposed stones and, in the foreground, grass at the edge of the field.Little Ringed Plover (left) and a preening Baird's Sandpiper feeding in the stony shallows of a farm pool.Little Ringed Plover (left) and Baird's Sandpiper feeding in the shallows of a farm pool with exposed stones and, in the foreground, grass at the edge of the field.A long shot of the field pool showing its context within a cattle field with trees and hedgerows in the background. The second image in this post showed the birds on the rocky shallows at the right/north end of the pool. Bit worrying to see several mounds of soil dumped around the edge of the pool...
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I had Wood Lane NR (Ellesmere) to myself in the rain after work today. Three Green Sandpiper, three Snipe and a Greenshank were the highlights, along with 13 Gadwall, one of my favourite ducks. Full list here, by the magic of @birdtrack.bsky.social app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu.... #ShropshireBirds
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
BTO News is an excellent magazine and worth the price of a monthly takeaway coffee on its own, but there are plenty of other benefits to BTO membership. Follow the link to find out more!
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Alexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Great write-up on recent scientific advances in our understanding of avian vagrancy #ornithology #UKBirding baynature.org/2026/09/15/s...
baynature.org
Are Vagrant Birds Lost, or Pioneers? For Clues, Researchers Look to the Farallones.
A recent study could change our assumptions about why birds show up out of the blue.
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Alistair Davidson @moh-kohn.eurosky.social · 17/09/2026
More bikes than cars recorded on Leith Walk at rush hour for the first time! On Victoria Road in Glasgow, which hit that milestone a year ago, the number of bikes has surged by another 40%. Scotland is gradually entering the 21st century 🙂 cycling.scot/news/scotlan...
cycling.scot
Scotland’s bike lane networks break new records
More bikes than cars on Leith Walk, and record cycling on routes across Glasgow and Edinburgh. Explore the latest data from Cycling Scotland traffic surveys and cycle counter analysis.
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
An animal rescue centre has said it has seen an increase in the number of birds of prey coming into its care. Cuan Wildlife Rescue in Much Wenlock said most had been found thin and grounded, most likely due to the hot summer making it difficult for them to find food. #ShropshireBirds
bbc.co.uk
Shropshire wildlife rescue centre sees bird of prey influx
Cuan Wildlife Rescue in Much Wenlock said the birds have suffered due the unusually hot summer.
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The departure of the Swallows and the return of the Meadow Pipits. Observations added to @birdtrack.bsky.social as "complete lists" through the app or browser version help us to map seasonal changes such as this. It's a nice, mindful way to feel connected to time and place! #ShropshireBirding
The BirdTrack reporting rate graph for Meadow Pipit in England, showing a small increase in reporting rate for March-April (20% compared with an average of around 10%) and a larger increase, peaking in late September and early to mid-October at 32%.The BirdTrack reporting rate graph for (Barn) Swallow, showing the arrival of the birds during April, and their departure in September/early October).
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
😄😂 He always is!
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The equinox occurs on 23 September, but for me autumn started at 17:25 today as I left the office, noticed a thin white line of gulls in the just-ploughed far field, and for the first time since spring no Swallows or martins, but 40+ Meadow Pipits, calling and flying south overhead. #ShropshireBirds
A cereal crop just emerging from the foreground field, the freshly ploughed distant field with a white stripe of gulls running left to right across it, and a grove of oaks in the right mid-ground, under a blues sky with pale grey clouds.A cereal crop just emerging from the foreground field, the freshly ploughed distant field with a white stripe of gulls running left to right across it, and a grove of oaks in the right mid-ground, under a blues sky with pale grey clouds. In the distance is the scarp-face of Lyth Hill, just south of Shrewsbury.
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The Birder's Store @birdersstore.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A beautiful male Kentish Plover to celebrate #PloverAppreciationDay! #WaderWednesday @waderquest.bsky.social
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It's been a great Quail year in the #ShropshireBirds area, too! First recorded on 11 May with a total of 22 records that month and another 30 in June. Q2 total of 52 (awaiting July & August data) compares well with these annual totals from the Bird Report: 2024 19 2023 36 2022 8 2021 26 2020 74
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Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Liverpool Bay is known for its Leach's Petrel passage when autumn weather conspires, but this is a #seabird in big trouble - for how much longer will we see them? A roundup of #NorthWales sightings in Daily Post BirdNotes. 📷 @zoobirder.bsky.social #BirdingWales www.birdnotes.wales/blog/leachs-...
birdnotes.wales
Leach’s Petrels: no port in a storm
Bat-like as they fluttered into the teeth of a storm, Leach’s Petrels that passed the coast last week are truly marine animals. For a few hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, a northwestly wind pushed...
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Massed Swallows on the overhead wires beside the River Severn near the Royal Hill Inn (Pentre) this morning. There were scores of House Martins feeding over the river. Holly Banks NR held singing Chiffchaffs, and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. #ShropshireBirds
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Partners in Care @partnersincare.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
A Job Opportunity has arisen with one of our members in #Ludlow #Shropshire. Make a difference to people with #LearningDisabilites #WorkingTogetherLudlow. Please see below for details and contact Nigel directly.
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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
VP wader fest continues with 2 juv Little Stints this pm, big thanks to Mike J for posting pic/news. They were flighty and may have dropped in after rain shower. Full on patch and Shropshire✅ for me. Also 6+ Sand Martin, 9 Shoveler, Greenshank, Green Sand. 3+ Yellow Wag etc #shropshirebirding 🪶
One of two juvenile Little Stints in shallows at Venus Pool this afternoon. Not sure how long they had been there but seemed nervous and easily spooked by wagtails and other imagined threats.Another view of the same juv Little Stint along the edge of muddy shoreline with dark water behind. White Vs more visible at this angleBoth the juv Little Stints at the edge of the pool against the light. Proof of two, at least.
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Led by Stuart Edmunds, whose trail cameras discovered Shropshire’s Pine Marten population and… our county’s only Red-flanked Bluetail!
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Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The course will be a mix of classroom based presenting and guided field walk along river banks and hedgerows. The species covered include stoats, weasels, pine martens and polecats, plus the potential for discovering signs of otters and mink. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-introdu...
eventbrite.co.uk
An Introduction to Monitoring Members of the Weasel Family (mustelids)
This in-person course will cover all you need to get started in monitoring a range mustelids.
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Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Shorebirds feeding on inland waterbodies is a feature of early autumn, as drawdown provides temporary habitat for passage waders. These among a roundup of sightings in the #NorthWales Daily Post BirdNotes. 📷 @zoobirder.bsky.social #BirdingWales www.birdnotes.wales/blog/muddy-m...
birdnotes.wales
Muddy margins pull in the birds
Low water levels in the region’s reservoirs are a worry for water companies, customers and anglers, but the muddy edges have attracted waders migrating overhead, to which they look – and perhaps...
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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
New job alert🪶 Research assistant to support research on Willow Tit demographics. Must have a BTO ringing licence at C level or above Location: Midlands and North of England Duration: Oct-Nov 2026 Deadline: This Wednesday Sept 9th Apply here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... 📷Ben Andrew
A Willow Tit perches in a branch, looking directly to camera
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Darren Naish @tetzoo.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Now 40 comments at the Tetrapod Zoology #unicorn article: it's proved quite popular. Still planning to cover the whole "no, dragons are not linked to dinosaurs" issue at some point. tetzoo.com/blog/2026/8/... #monsters #cryptozoology
tetzoo.com
A History of Unicorns — Tetrapod Zoology
unicorn, unicorns, monoceros, monokeros, unicorn history, mythology, unicorn mythology, unicorn in the Islamic world, unicorn in Christian history, unicorn in the Book of Job, unicorn in the Bible, un...
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BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
What a great mix of birds, science and people at our BTO Regional Gathering at Attenborough NR today! Exciting times are ahead with Atlas 27-31 ever closer. Talking to people about birds and showing them Hobbies and an Otter through our scopes doesn't count as anti-social behaviour. We checked! 🙂
A group of BTO Regional Network volunteers birdwatching beside a flooded gravel pit. One of them is wearing a fleece with the BTO strapline “Birds Science People” on the back.A group of BTO Regional Network volunteers birdwatching beside a flooded gravel pit. One of them is wearing a fleece with the BTO strapline “Birds Science People” on the back.A sign on a wooden gate warning about anti-social behaviour. Above it is a group of birdwatchers walking away from the viewer along a footpath. The last person is wearing a jacket with the BTO strapline “Birds Science People” on the back.
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