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JD

@jdnaturalist.bsky.social
98 followers 144 following 35 posts

NorthEast Birder. Wannabe Naturalist. Working to restore our regions Rivers at the Wear Rivers Trust

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Wear Rivers Trust @wearriverstrust.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Wildlife Wednesdays! 🌿 Meet the European Bullhead (Cottus gobio), a unique fish found in the River Wear. 🐟 With their broad heads and wide fins, they thrive in fast, stony waters, feeding on invertebrates like Mayfly larvae. At Wear Rivers Trust, we’re working to protect these vital habitats! 💧
2 Bullheads in a monitoring trayBullhead on the bed of the River WearLarge Bullhead in a monitoring tray
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Wear Rivers Trust @wearriverstrust.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Green Bank Protection! 🌿 On Tuesday, Wear Rivers Trust staff were accompanied by our volunteers to undertake green bank protection on a stretch of the Hummerbeck! 💧 This task was completed as part of our Hummerbeck and Lower Gaunless Bluespaces Project, funded by Northumbrian Water! 🌊
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Wear Rivers Trust @wearriverstrust.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Wildlife Wednesdays! 🌿 We found otter footprints along the riverbank! 🐾 These creatures are hard to spot, so this was a special moment! 🦦 At Wear Rivers Trust, it is our mission to conserve our local waterways, ensuring they are safeguarded and thriving for the wildlife that depends on them! 💙
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Well can I finally call Ellington my 'Local Patch'. So here's the first list from the pond on my patch.😁 😁 Woopigeon,Chiffchaff,Jackdaw,Goldfinch,MSwan,Shoveler,Gadwall,LGrebe,Mallard,Wren,Gtit,Robin,Gfinch,H Sparrow,Rook,Chaffinch,Dunnock,Btit,Blkbird,Mhen,BHGull,Skylark,Magpie,H gull #NEBirding
Ellington Pond Nature Reserve. Looking NorthEllington Pond Nature Reserve. Looking South
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
It's always a good day when I get the chance to go work in the river! Plenty more to come on Herrington Burn!
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Wear Rivers Trust @wearriverstrust.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Wildlife Wednesdays 🌿 Today’s focus: the stonefly! 🪰 From nymph to adult, stoneflies play a crucial role in our river ecosystems.💧Sensitive to pollution, they help us to monitor water quality and assess the impact of environmental changes within the Wear Catchment! 🔍 #riverfly #invertebrate #rivers
Stonefly Nymph on a rock, taken from the riverbed of the River Wear. Stonefly adult, picture captured on the banks of the River Wear.
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Wear Rivers Trust @wearriverstrust.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Our rivers are in crisis! ⚠️ It is almost time for Big River Watch, which is running from April 25th-May 1st! 💧 With the @theriverstrust.bsky.social Big River Watch app, you can help identify issues and contribute to a national data set that will help us build a picture of river health! 🤳
The River WearThe Rivers Trust 'Big River Watch' app
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
@wearriverstrust.bsky.social has just moved over to Bluesky. Give us a follow to see all the good work we do to improve river habitats in the Wear Catchment.
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
What a way to start the weekend! Glorious evening at East Chevington. Sand Martins everywhere you look, Marsh Harriers circling, a stunning Wheatear all topped by 4 close flybys from this absolute beauty!!! #NEBirding
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Managed to get out birding more in 2024, and was rewarded with some cracking birds. Hopefully 2025 delivers a few more 'lifers'. #NEBirding #BTO @birdtrack.bsky.social
My BTO BirdTrack summary for 2024
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
WeBS- Northumberlandia 16th Mar. 10:45-11:05 Little grebe 3 Mallard 7m 5f Tufted duck 6m 4f Mute Swan 1 Pochard 4m 2f WeBS - Ellington Pond 16th Mar. 11:40-12:00 Mallard 3m 2f Water Rail 1 Moorhen 1 Gadwall 3m 3f Coot 2 Little Grebe 2 #NEBirding #WeBS
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Robert Macfarlane @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Calling river-lovers everywhere: today the River Rescue Kit is released by River Action. It's a properly brilliant resource: * training on water testing * legal rights * campaigning advice * fundraising guides * much more Get stuck in; turn passion into action. Pass it on! kit.riveractionuk.com
kit.riveractionuk.com
Home - River Action: River Rescue Kit
Take action for your river now Every passing moment sees our rivers under siege from pollution. They deserve better. Explore the resources below to find out how you can take action. Explore the river ...
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
5/ Let's make sure this now happens. You can write to Minister Pennycook saying you strongly support these plans - and urge the Govt and Land Registry to act on them swiftly. Ministerial email + template letter in my blog (scroll down): whoownsengland.org/2025/03/06/h...
whoownsengland.org
Huge win! Government announces plan to open up Land Registry
This post is by Guy Shrubsole. Today the UK Government has announced plans to open up the Land Registry – which, if delivered, will finally reveal more about who owns land in England and Wale…
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
There's a lot going on in the world right now to keep me up at night, but I'll certainly sleep easier after breaking news letting me know the pope is in a good mood 😂
Just the Pope in a good mood
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Birds of Poole Harbour @harbourbirds.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
First African spring migrant of the year with a male Northern Wheatear at Northwick, Avon. With strong southerly winds later this week will the first Sand or House Martin arrive too or possibly a Swallow or two? @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
WeBS- Northumberlandia 16th Feb. 10:10-10:45 Little grebe 1 Mallard 4m 3f Tufted duck 7m 3f Mute Swan 2 Pochard 2m 1f WeBS - Ellington Pond 16th Feb. 12:30-13:00 Coot 2 Teal 2m 2f Moorhen 1 Small sites, small numbers but lovely non the less. #NEBirding
View across Northumberlandia ponds View across Ellington Pond.
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Think this year I'm going to try my hand at digiscoping to better record my sightings. First attempt today, terrible visibility up the coast. Best I could manage were these 2 very noisy Whooper on Cresswell Pond #NEBirding
2 Whooper Swans on Cresswell Pond
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BirdTrack @birdtrack.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Can our BirdTrack community help with the UK-wide survey of Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Nightjar this year? Lots of squares to cover! Please check out the map and sign up www.bto.org/our-science/... #UKBirding #Citizenscience #Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social
Map
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Low-Carbon Birding @birdingclimate.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Mark Avery @markavery.bsky.social questioned in Birdwatch @birdguides.bsky.social whether Birdfair was going in the right direction. This prompted a response by Stephen Moss @stephenmossauthor.bsky.social In this article I argue why Mark Avery is right. lowcarbonbirding.net/2025/02/05/b...
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Chris Knox @budlebirder.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Any patch watchers noticed a reduction in Linnet numbers this winter, yesterdays count at #BudleBay of 30 was lowest for many a year #NEBIRDING #UKBIRDING
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Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club @ntbirdclub.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
We attended an online forum with other bird clubs around the country tonight to discuss Youth Membership. Key question - what do young people want from a bird club? (Answers in replies please!) #ukbirding
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Sheep Eat Oystercatchers, Curlew & Lapwings! Extraordinary new case study out in BTO's magazine showing that out of 20 predated nests observed by nest cameras, **30% of predation took place by sheep eating the eggs!** And we still see sheep as benign... www.bto.org/sites/defaul... (pages 4-5)
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The Rivers Trust @theriverstrust.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Sustainable land use is key for both our environment & economy. Today’s conversation is a step forward, but we need action. We're ready to help shape a Land Use Framework that benefits nature, communities, & the economy. Read our full statement 👇 theriverstrust.org/press-releas...
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Agreed! 5am and I'm lost in the details of this great tool!
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
An annual waterbird survey in Australia has revealed a 50% drop in overall numbers in 2024 compared to 2023:
bit.ly
Australia's waterbird numbers down 50% in 2024
An annual waterbird survey in Australia has revealed a 50% drop in overall numbers in 2024 compared to 2023. The 2024 survey, led by University of New South Wales (UNSW) and conducted by researchers and government collaborators, observed fewer waterbirds breeding and nearly half as many birds than i...
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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
❄️ The final count period of the Winter Gull Survey is next weekend on January 19th! Go to the WinGS Vacant Site Map and sign up to count gull roosts in your area. 🗺️➡️ app.bto.org/wings/pu... #Ornithology #UKBirding
Image of a Black-headed Gull in the snow alongside the wording: Winter Gull Survey (WinGS). We need your help to monitor gulls on January 19th. To learn more visit www.bto.org/wings. BTO Logo and WinGS logo top left of image.
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Walking in a winter wonderland. #NEBirding
A rather frozen view across Killingworth LakeA nosey Mute Swan wondering what I'm up to at Killingworth Lake
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Starting to see some political folks start following me and the odd political post. Not trying to sound rude but can I just say, I won't be following back and I would be engaging with your post. The new start on here has given me a timeline purely for my interests #Birds #Nature and Im loving it!
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
Headed south of the water today. A great day out with @samaldenach.bsky.social on tour of his patch. Highlights included Purple Sandpiper and Shag at Hartlepool Headland plus SEO and Water Pipit at Saltholme. #NEBirding
Morning Sunrise at Hartlepool HeadlandView from hide at Saltholme
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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
I applaud @northpennines.bsky.social & especially its Director, Chris Woodley-Stewart, for persistently raising awareness about ongoing raptor persecution, not shying away & pretending its not an issue. Bravo! #RaptorResearch #ukbirding #wildlifecrime raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/01/03/t...
raptorpersecutionuk.org
“This has to stop” – North Pennines National Landscape Director denounces ongoing hen harrier persecution
A few weeks ago just before Xmas, Natural England published an update on the fates of three brood meddled satellite-tracked hen harriers: one that had been found dead in north Devon on 5th March 20…
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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
Three different project teams looking to release White-tailed Eagles in these areas. If you're local, or a visitor, pls take a few minutes to share your views via the project survey forms (links in blog). #RaptorResearch #Ornithology #birdingWales raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/01/02/p...
raptorpersecutionuk.org
Public views wanted on plans to release White-tailed eagles in Cumbria, Wales, Severn Estuary & Exmoor
Various separate projects are gaining traction to release White-tailed Eagles (WTE) in Cumbria, Wales, Severn Estuary, and Exmoor National Park in a strategic attempt to bolster and connect the cur…
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
🧵THREAD🧵. A massive thank you to you all! Personally, 2024 has been a wonderful year of birding for me, and that's even without some cracking birding sightings we've had.
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Final visit to my Killingworth Lake patch for 2024. 90 species in total for the year. From the resident Mute Swans and friends, to Whinchat and Ruddy Shelduck. Not bad for an urban lake, split by a main road, surrounded by housing, industry and retail. #NEBirding
View across Killingworth Lake
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Goldeneye in full courtship display at Killingworth Lake this morning #NEBirding
2 Male and Female Goldeneye in courtship display at Killingworth Lake 2 Male Goldeneye in courtship display at Killingworth Lake
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Working up Weardale today highlights were; 1 Barn Owl, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Red Kite and 5 Black grouse. But, all that stayed still enough for a photo was this fungi. #NEBirding #Fungi
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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
Some of the 930 Linnet recorded on farmland survey in mid Essex today. Other highlights: 460 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, Woodcock, Tawny Owl, 2 Marsh Tit and Redpoll. Lots of birds present throughout the 4hr visit, a great credit to the farmer #essexbirding #birds #ukbirding
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Graham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
New to BlueSky #ornithology? Keen on waders/shorebirds? Three recent blogs about Black-tailed Godwit papers. Migration of juveniles: wadertales.wordpress.com/2024/09/12/j... Head-starting: wadertales.wordpress.com/2024/09/26/h... Nesting behaviour: wadertales.wordpress.com/2024/09/30/f...
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Terrible record shot, but absolute pleasure to catch up with GHL today. Beautiful morning, beautiful light, beautiful bird. A male Hen Harrier putting on a display for me at WML was the cherry on the cake? #NEBirding
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Mark Eaton @markaeaton.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Grey-headed Lapwing now showing better at East Chevington #NEbirding #rarebirdsUK
Grey-headed Lapwing on pasture
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Mark Eaton @markaeaton.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Great to see new wild bird indicators for Europe published today pecbms.info/european-wil... as well as individual trends for 170 bird species pecbms.info/trends-of-wi.... Produced from volunteer-collected data from 30 countries - congrats to the PECBMS team #ornithology #conservationscience🌍
pecbms.info
European Wild Bird Indices, 2024 update | PECBMS
The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) presents a set of updated European Wild Bird Indices (indicators) covering 1980–2023. The outputs, based on data for 168 wild bird species, come...
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The Scottish Ornithologists' Club @scottishbirding.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Borders Bird Report 2023 is now available 2023 in the Borders saw the second highest species total, four new species and the rediscovery of Marsh Tits. The report is priced at £13 (plus £3.25 p&p). For full details of how to get hold of your copy, visit www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/local-...
The front cover of Borders Bird Report 2023, featuring a photo of a Waxwing with a purple text box with the text "Borders Bird Report 2023" below.
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Having been ravaged by bird flu in recent summers, Coquet Island's important Roseate Tern population has enjoyed a successful breeding season in 2024:
bit.ly
Roseate Tern bounces back after bird flu
Having been ravaged by avian influenza in previous summers, Coquet Island's important Roseate Tern population has enjoyed a successful breeding season in 2024. A record number of 191 chicks hatched on the island off the Northumberland coast this summer, with 92% going on to fledge. Despite this posi...
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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
NEW RECORD: 2024 is the first year in history when wind, solar and hydropower generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the UK.
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Poland’s second-ever Ivory Gull has been found dead at a coastal town in the north of the country:
bit.ly
Polish Ivory Gull perishes
The bird, an adult, was found in Władysławowo, Pomerania, on 23 November. It frequented the harbour, often showing well and attracting plenty of admirers in the process, before being found dead on 30 November.
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Some winter migrants on Killingworth Lake this morning. Gale force wind, driving rain....is there anything a Pochard can't sleep through! #NEBirding
Male Goldeneye. Killingworth Lake3 Pochard, 2 sleeping. Killingworth Lake
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Don't remember putting my fence there! just another fence causality. #StormDarragh
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Unfortunately, couldn't get up to see the Grey-headed Lapwing this time round. Does a 'Grey-headed' woodpigeon count? 🙈 #NEBirding
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Lovely evening walk around Cragside with the family. The lights and house looked stunning. #Cragside #NationalTrust
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JD @jdnaturalist.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Very sad! Depressing to think I'm going to see many more reports like this in my lifetime
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Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
"Bird populations have long been considered to provide a good indication of the broad state of wildlife in the UK..." And the news is not good. Link to updates, using the most recent data from 2023, in @btobirds.bsky.social post below 👇 #birds #wildlife
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