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Mark Bravery

@markbravery.bsky.social
171 followers 162 following 686 posts

Birding mostly in and around London, drinking real ale across most of Britain, following Sutton Utd FC home and away

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 20h
Puffin island on cusp of closure as it runs out of water www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Puffin island Lundy on cusp of closure as it runs out of water
Lundy is in "real jeopardy" and could be evacuated if supplies run out, bosses say.
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Reposted by Mark Bravery
Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 06/10/2026
Today is the 117th consecutive day somewhere in the UK has recorded a temperature of 20°C or higher. The 11th of June was the last time we didn't reach this threshold. Fresher air comes in on Wednesday allowing temperatures to fall, and likely to stay just below 20°C.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I can't believe there's much substance to this. Agi's record since arriving at Sutton isn't particularly impressive. That may change, but until it does I can't see him going anywhere (unless things actually get worse).
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
🍺 Pelican, Addlestone, Surrey: inter-war pub beside the River Wey Navigation (no pelicans seen). Several customers were sitting by the river on this barmily balmy October evening. A bunch of lads played pool. Taylor Landlord is hardly an exciting option these days, but theirs was in decent nick.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Definitely not normal!
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Reposted by Mark Bravery
Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 04/10/2026
Did you notice that it felt more like July than October this afternoon? Temperatures were widely several degrees Celsius above average today, particularly in the south. Here are today's provisional top temperatures 🌡️👇
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Tony Brown @thecowboybirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The UK drought continues…Alexandra Lake (puddle) Wanstead Flats!
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
🍺 Last Jar, Blackheath: busy, back-street micropub of a size that tests the definition. The Abbeydale Moonshine was in good form. Affable tattooed guy at bar. The cob selection included cheese and black pudding.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
🍺 Britannia, Blackheath, W Mids: busy (aren't they all?) Wetherspoon pub, a brisk twelve-minute walk from Rowley Regis station. The Salted Caramel Porter from Theakston (it seems part of their festival) was full of flavour, but I don't think I'd want another one. 🤢
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
⚽️ Kidderminster Harriers 1 Sutton Utd 1: much-improved from Wednesday (and with a much-changed starting XI), we gifted them a goal through a goalkeeping error in the first half but finished much the stronger, equalising in the 88th minute. Still 11th.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
🍺 Society, Birmingham: modern hall with bench seating, street food counters and a bar run by Vocation brewery, similar to outlets in other large cities. Their hoppy Bread & Butter was a pleasant livener. One of those annoying cashless venues where one's invited to add a tip when paying at the bar.
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Reposted by Mark Bravery
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Flying is officially on course to account for *almost all* the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Heathrow expansion alone would cause more carbon emissions by 2054 than *any other sector of the economy*. So why is it being contemplated? My column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The expansion of Heathrow would be an expensive disaster for Britain and the world. Burnham needs to block it | George Monbiot
A third runway would fly in the face of reason. If we are to prioritise human life over short-term ‘growth’, we need to use planes less, not more, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
1979 was the peak year for sales of singles. And with good reason.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ale Hub, Mere Green: micropub north of Sutton Coldfield, part of a small West Midlands chain. I was the sole customer in at 1pm opening. The Quarter, an amber ale from Birmingham's Attic brewery, was robust with an edgy bitterness.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
🍺 Boldmere Tap, Boldmere, W Mids: multi-roomed Joule's pub, modernised in traditional style with bare floorboards, stained glass and old, ceramic adverts. Two old boys chew the fat. The Dolicita, a golden ale from Joule's, is flavoursome and refreshing.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
⚽️ Tamworth 2 Sutton Utd 0: worryingly poor, error-strewn performance from us against limited but hard-working opponents, lifted out of the relegation zone by this result. The two goals (one an own goal from a corner) came early in the second half; we managed one shot on target all game. Now 11th.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🍺 Tamworth Tap, Tamworth, thrice CAMRA's national Pub of the Year. My fourth visit here. Standards seem to be being upheld, despite the Orkney Red MacGregor served in Oakham glasses.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🍺 First outing for this beautiful monster that was squeezed through my letter-box a couple of weeks ago. Since then I've been busy marking it up. The debut trip is to Tamworth, where there is no new pub to tick off, but a notable one to revisit. And I have plans for tomorrow.
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Reposted by Mark Bravery
London & Southeast🔅 @thesnowdreamer.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Historically late tropical night unknown for time of year. Still needs to be confirmed Heathrow fell just short 19.9C but seems inner London, St James’s Park stayed above 20C.
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Prof Bill McGuire @profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Some good stuff in here, but missing one key word - climate That's right. Not a single mention of the greatest threat this country, and the world, have ever faced Really quite bizarre www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6...
bbc.co.uk
Burnham giving first Labour conference speech as prime minister - watch live
Under the plan, the state pension will continue to rise each year in line with inflation or by 2.5% - but the annual earnings link will be dropped.
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John Boorman @johnboorman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Local birding. 1/2. A juvenile Hobby on a pylon in a small London park this morning. #londonbirds @davidelement.bsky.social @markbravery.bsky.social
A juvenile Hobby perched on an electricity pylon.A juvenile Hobby perched on an electricity pylon.A juvenile Hobby perched on an electricity pylon.A juvenile Hobby perched on an electricity pylon.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🐦‍⬛ Wandle Meadow this morning: two young Hobbies were still around, flying between pylons (intermittently harassed by Carrion Crows) and calling. One had caught a small bird. There were also at least a dozen Chiffchaffs on site (some singing), a Blackcap, and a Cetti's Warbler (singing) by the river.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
⚽️ Hear Mike, Gabriel and I forage through Forest Green then mull over two trips to the Midlands.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
⚽️ Sutton Utd 3 Forest Green Rovers 3: rough-and-tumble match in which we started poorly and were 2-0 then 3-1 behind, but by the latter stage our opponents were down to ten men, a sumptuous volley and a late header earning us a point. We slip to 10th.
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David Element @davidelement.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This rather bizarre sight is a male Common Blackbird Turdus merula that hadn't quite finished moulting yet #birds! Note the feather sheaths. Photographed yesterday in a small London park. As shot, and cropped. He will look far more handsome once his remaining feathers have grown!
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
One of ours. Beer choice has been a bit limited recently but it got the nod for GBG'27.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🐦‍⬛ Wandle Park SW19 today: a cronking Raven flew over as I entered, then a Hobby (probably one of the three juveniles seen here on Monday) alighted briefly on a pylon before being seen off by a Carrion Crow. A crow later mobbed an overflying Red Kite.
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Cab Davidson @gnomeicide.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We have closed all safe and legal routes. This is all that's left. We can fix this by opening safe and legal asylum claims from the other side of the channel, breaking the criminal gangs overnight. That's just not racist enough. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Home Secretary hits out at 'unacceptable' migrant landings in Kent
The arrivals of two unescorted migrant boats mark the first uncontrolled landings recorded in the UK since 2025.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
⚽️ Surrey Senior Cup 1st round, Epsom & Ewell 0 Sutton Utd 2 (played at Chessington & Hook FC): our team of mostly fringe first-teamers made hard work of this against opponents from four tiers below, but goals in the 70th and 72nd minutes, the latter heavily deflected, saw us through.
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Steve Gale @stevewg.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
UMA Day 21 Denbies Hillside, Surrey 5 Red Kite, 40 Common Buzzard, 8 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 90 Meadow Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Stonechat, 9 Blackcap, 30 Chiffchaff, 28 Jay (inc 18 high movers W), 11 Raven + 11 Clouded Yellow (1 helice form), 1 Vestal, 1 Vernal Shieldbug #UMA
Stonechat 21/9/26
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
🐦‍⬛ Great shot from David! I'm delighted to have such special birds in view through my living-room window.
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Reposted by Mark Bravery
Yair Wallach @yairwallach.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
In the last decade, the IDF prosecuted one (1) soldier for unlawfully killing a Palestinian in the occupied territories. Elor Azaria served 9 months in prison. Today Israel's president, Yitzhak Herzog, pardoned him and expunged his criminal record. A clear message of 100% impunity.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Living proof that it's possible to be both a billionaire and phenomenally dim.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
⚽️ FC Halifax Town 1 Sutton Utd 1: a game between two mediocre sides looked to be heading to 0-0 until some very late drama, Halifax scoring in the 94th minute following a free kick, only for us to scramble an equaliser in the 95th! We're 6th again.
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Simon Lee @simonleewx.com · 19/09/2026
BBC News with yet another bizarrely weak way of saying “Climate change is driven predominantly by burning fossil fuels and will continue until net zero emissions are reached.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“Recent climate data combined with record heatwaves have given weight to the argument against further exploitation of fossil fuels.”
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🍺 Vocation & Co, Hebden Bridge: brewery tap, rather forbidding stone exterior disclosing an airy, modernised interior. Quite a few older folk in. Their Chop & Change was marginally my beer of the day.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🍺 Old Gate, Hebden Bridge: long, landmark, town-centre bar with copper-topped counter and upstairs restaurant. Mixed crowd in. I had high hopes of the Redwillow Amarillo Porter but it's disappointingly sweet and bland.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🍺 Fox & Goose, Hebden Bridge, W Yorks: cosy, three-roomed, community-owned pub with flagstone floor and garden terrace upstairs. Mostly mature clientele, relaxed ambience. Great choice of ales; the Pale Ale from Stockport's Runaway Brewery is in fine form but rather too dry for my palate.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
🍺 Robin Hood, Cragg Vale, W Yorks: up-valley from Mytholmroyd, and helpfully served by an evening bus from Hebden Bridge, this imposing, rural pub has two rooms, one for dining and one for drinking. The hazy Lost in Ikea, from local brewery Nightjar, is pleasantly fruity.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
🐦‍⬛ Wimbledon Common today: I was delighted (without trying hard) to find four Firecrests but, intriguingly, I didn't encounter a single Goldcrest. This seems to be the way that Surrey woodland is going. Also of note: flyover, cronking Raven and, on Queensmere, Mandarin Duck pair, two Little Grebes.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
⚽️ Sutton Utd 2 Eastleigh 1: same starting XI as on Saturday but a much improved performance, against a side managed by Matt Gray who took us into the EFL in 2021. Two goals in five first-half minutes set us on our way, and we could even afford a late failure from the penalty spot. Up to 6th.
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Reposted by Mark Bravery
Prof Bill McGuire @profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
You can read my latest piece in @theguardian.com here 2027 is going to be grim www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The incoming ‘super’ El Niño will create chaos around the world. And we are far from ready for it | Bill McGuire
One of the biggest upheavals in a millennium is on its way, strengthened by the climate crisis. We need leaders who make things better not worse, says climate professor Bill McGuire
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🐦‍⬛ A few of us have spotted the Spotted C!
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Amanda Tuke @amandatuke.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Autumn phase of my book tour getting underway, with lots of fun things #urbannature #booktour
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Phil Mellows @philmellows.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Community ownership "the only way" to secure future of Wimbledon's Trafalgar | Morning Advertiser www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...
morningadvertiser.co.uk
Community ownership ‘only way’ to protect city pub
Campaigners are looking to raise £250k to buy The Trafalgar in South Wimbledon and make it Merton’s first community-owned pub.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🐦‍⬛ Staines Reservoirs, Surrey: my third recent visit, today's highlight a Pectoral Sandpiper on the south basin's emerging islands. Other waders present: Little Stint, Knot (my 200th bird of 2026 🙂), Common Sandpiper, plenty of Ruff, Dunlin, Ringed Plover. A Peregrine then scattered them all away!
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
⚽️ Sutton Utd 0 Scunthorpe Utd 2: rather disjointed performance from us, nothing in an attacking sense coming off, their keeper twice saving well. That's three straight league defeats, with zero goals scored, and we're now 9th. The early-season wheels have well and truly come off.
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
😂
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
That left-hand pumpclip might give a clue to the county!
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Mark Bravery @markbravery.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Pretty sure I stayed there once on the way back from the Scillies. Convenient (near station), but rather forgettable. I agree about St Austell generally.
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