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Martin Castellan FRGS

@martincastellan.bsky.social
245 followers 48 following 862 posts

Writer-photographer: agriculture - environment Trustee: ANA Conservatoire d'espaces naturels Ariège (French wildlife trust) Co-founder (1969): Staffordshire Wildlife Trust I block foul-mouthed Americans, which seems to be most of them.

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Reposted by Martin Castellan FRGS
Dawn Robertson 🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇫🇷 @hayloftbooks.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
@martincastellan.bsky.social Few yrs ago used to work as farm sec. in Northumberland & got involved in helping a farmer import Limousin bulls & heifers from France (lot of paperwork). My daughter's partner is looking for bull for 200 beef cattle & has failed to find a good one locally any ideas?
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
After descending from the French Pyrenees, Tarasconnais and Castillonais ewes are sorted at the autumn gather
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Charles Keener @charleskeener.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Days before the Palestinian olive harvest, the Israeli military bulldozed, uprooted and torched thousands of fruit-bearing trees in the Occupied West Bank. Olive orchards account for more than 8% of the West Bank’s GDP and provide more than 60,000 jobs.
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Victoria Derbyshire @vicderbyshire.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Daniel Thomas has been arrested by Hampshire Police
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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Much as we love bookshops, they need more than love to keep going. A bookshop can be the centre of a whole community. Bookshops support authors; organize events. A thriving bookshop teaches the next generation that literacy matters. So don't just love your bookshop: actually buy books there.
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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust @staffswildlife.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
🦞 Good news for white-clawed crayfish! Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is helping lead the largest ever national recovery programme for the UK's only native freshwater crayfish.
A close-up of a white-clawed crayfish on a muddy riverbed with text about conservation efforts by the SWT.Four people in outdoor gear working in a shallow stream as part of a Wildlife Trust crayfish conservation programme.A person holding a white-clawed crayfish, with text about a recovery programme and a mapping tool overlaid.A conservationist in a high-vis vest uses a net in a stream, with text about crayfish conservation research.
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🇨🇦Tadhg Dalaigh @tadhgdalaigh.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Israel has destroyed over 800,000 Palestinian olives trees. The olive tree is the heart of the Palestinians and like all greedy Western colonists they must destroy the soul of the indigenous people.. destroy their children, destroy their land, destroy their memories, erase everything.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Viewed from afar, the United States seem awash with law enforcement agencies. None of them appears to be responsible for catching traitors.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
For those in climate denial, here's the River Touyre in the French Pyrenees / Pour les climato-sceptiques, voici la rivière Touyre, en Ariège-Pyrénées.#climate #change #river #dry #bed #Touyre #rivière #sec #climat #changement #France
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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust @staffswildlife.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Hem Heath Woods, a much-loved Stoke-on-Trent woodland, has had a major boost. 🌳 From improved walking routes to woodland restoration, there's plenty to discover at Hem Heath Woods. Discover what's been achieved and why it matters for nature.: orlo.uk/dZirD
staffs-wildlife.org.uk
Restored and Revived: Hem Heath Woods Given Boost | Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
This popular Stoke-on-Trent woodland has been made better for people and nature by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust over the past year.
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🦌 The Deer Whisperer 🦌 @thedeerwhisperer.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Salmon making their way upstream in Ketchikan, Alaska
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Le Monde in English @english.lemonde.fr · 17/08/2026
COP17 to Combat Desertification: Geographer Jean-Daniel Cesaro explains importance of focusing on pastoralism
lemonde.fr
COP17 to Combat Desertification: Geographer Jean-Daniel Cesaro explains importance of focusing on pastoralism
With 40% of the world's land surface, including a quarter of arable land, now degraded, the COP17 to Combat Desertification opens on Monday, August 17, in Mongolia. In an interview with Le Monde, the researcher argues that France should expand its international exchanges to deepen its expertise.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
It seems that the Argentine scrap dealers are back from South Georgia www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Greenland issues ‘strong warning’ as Trump-linked oil firm prepares to drill
Island’s government says no approval given after Greenland Energy brings kit ashore for exploratory drilling
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
My column on how capital becomes a death cult. Faced with a choice between profit and human life, the radical right chooses profit. Then it tries to persuade us that mass death is what we want. It's the new phase of climate denial: accept your fate, earthlings. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Murderous heat, an endangered food supply, decimated landscapes: embrace the Mediterranean life | George Monbiot
As climate disaster stares us in the face, the radical right says ‘Embrace the Mediterranean life’. Embrace death, more like it, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 01/08/2026
Christopher Harry on buying an SUV – cartoon
theguardian.com
Christopher Harry on buying an SUV – cartoon
The new Mega Behemoth XL car – available at 0% interest in the environment
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Margaret G @mls0308.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
#HealingHearts Survivors of trauma deal with flashbacks of abuse, often at random times. They are, to say the least, incredibly unsettling. I saw this quote & it struck me with its truth. There is light on the healing path even when it's hard to see. ✨ #CSASurvivor #Pinks #ProudBlue 💛💚💜
Having PTSD is like having pop-up ads in your brain for a horror movie that's based on a true story.
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National Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 28/07/2026
Happy birthday, Beatrix Potter. Born on this day in 1866. Though she is famous for her illustrated tales, she was also a prominent member of the farming community and a campaigner on conservation issues.
Black and white photo of Beatrix Potter stood outside her home, Hill Top in Cumbria. She holds her hat in her hands.
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The Observer @theobserveruk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Bill Oddie: a man of jokes and birds Bill Oddie, who has died aged 85, showed there are a million ways of enjoying nature ✍️ Simon Barnes observer.co.uk/profile/obituary/art…
observer.co.uk
Bill Oddie: a man of jokes and birds | The Observer
Bill Oddie, who has died aged 85, showed there are a million ways of enjoying nature
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 27/07/2026
Bill Oddie: the comedy legend tragically undervalued by the BBC
theguardian.com
Bill Oddie: the comedy legend tragically undervalued by the BBC
The beloved star of The Goodies went on to become TV’s most famous birdwatcher. But behind these triumphs were pain, frustration and mental health issues that led him to leave the show he loved
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 20/07/2026
Changing face of the Peloponnese: backdrop to The Odyssey braces for tourism surge
theguardian.com
Changing face of the Peloponnese: backdrop to The Odyssey braces for tourism surge
Tracing a journey across the Peloponnese, taking as its starting point the locations of Christopher Nolan’s new film
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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust @staffswildlife.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
🌼 It’s #NationalMeadowsDay! Wildflower meadows provide homes for pollinators and vital food sources for insects, birds and bats. Head of Nature Recovery Networks, Dave Cadman, shows us a key plant in the meadow. Please excuse the audio – we visited on the (only) rainy day in June!
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
How come American verbs are accompanied by the adverb "literally"?
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First Among Equals @pyncster.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Art appreciation
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Massimo (mirror) @rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
The owner didn't need to speak; the dog handled the entire situation Original post
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The London Economic @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
"He's had a milkshake thrown at him, Jo Cox and David Amess were murdered - the man is a whining coward." Read more: www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/jam...
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Digital Brain @yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
🔥 The Hawizeh Marshes in southern Iraq are coming back to life after a long period of drought
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Cath Hodsman @cathhodsman.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Did u know? To combat the harmful effects of heat during our ever hotter summers, let your plants grow large & spread out, cheek-by-jowl, creating an uninterrupted cool canopy that protects small souls who shelter in its depths; it also traps moisture in & keep temps down - Looks fab too. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐸🦔🐦‍⬛
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Damn they know how to hurt him
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The Brain Cutter 🔪🔪🔪🩸🩸🩸🩸 @briancutter.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Good morning and Happy Father's Day to everyone who voted for Kamala Harris. Fuck the rest of you.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Ariège, French Pyrénées: In spring, farmers lead their animals to the mountains, where they will find ample water and grazing during the hot summer. Despite appearances, these Gascon cattle are accomplished mountaineers.
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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust @staffswildlife.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
🌿 From coal to conservation! We’ve taken on a 30-year lease of Bleak House, a former coal mine near Cannock, to restore it into a thriving nature reserve. 🔗 Read the full story here: orlo.uk/lhcQL
Aerial view of a former Cannock coal mine, now a nature reserve, with text overlay taht reads: Former Cannock coal mine protected for nature SWT signs 30 year lease.A small warbler bird singing on a thorny branch, with text that reads: Bleak House supports 140 species of rare wildlife including warblersA yellow and black dragonfly with spread wings clings to a dried grass stalk against a blurred green background. Text reads: Black darter dragonflies and great-crested newtsBrown cow with green collar and electronic device in a field, with text that reads: Thre long lease will enable investment in 'no fence' technology.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
A welcome reprieve from people's cats...
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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust @staffswildlife.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Love wildlife? Want to make a real difference in Staffordshire? We’re recruiting a Trustee & Honorary Secretary to help guide our future and support nature’s recovery in Staffordshire. 📅 Deadline: Tuesday 30 June 👇More info and full recruitment pack:
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust recruitment pack cover with two hikers on a hill overlooking a valley.Letter from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Chair inviting applications, with a ladybird on a fern and a portrait of Stephen Smith. Text reads: "Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. I hope you find this document helpful in introducing the work of the Trust to you. 

The Board’s intention is that the Trust should be one of the leading Wildlife Trusts in the country and the foremost wildlife organisation in Staffordshire. This means that the Board needs to provide strong leadership and strategic direction to the organisation and its staff if we are to succeed, and that requires a diverse and experienced group of Trustees to work together to take the organisation forward. ....."

Stephen SmithA hare with large ears sits in a grassy field, looking alertly towards the camera. Text reads, "About us, Join our movement. We are the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. Our climate is in crisis and nature needs our help, but together we can make a difference.

Our 50-year vision is for a thriving county 
with wildlife at its heart, which everyone enjoys, values, and wants to play their part in protecting and improving. "Three badgers in a natural setting with green foliage and purple flowers. Text on the right describes company values. Text reads, "What we stand for, we are: Resourceful: Making best use of what we have, and always alive to opportunities to do things better and more efficiently.

Passionate: Making the case for valuing and protecting wildlife.

Pioneering: Using new and innovative ways to achieve our vision helping us led by example.

Evidence Based: Making our case on scientific-fact and interpretation.

Welcoming: Giving our members, our supporters, and the wider public the best service possible.

Professional: Striving to be the best we can 
be in all that we do, seeking continuous improvement and benchmarking our performance.

Collaborative: Working in partnerships between staff, volunteers, members, communities, landowners, businesses and many others to achieve our vision."
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Aubrac, Massif Central, France: The last weekend in May, farmers take their Aubrac cattle to the hills for the summer where grass and water will be plentiful.#Aubrac,#transhumance,#massifcentral,#france
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Mirepoix, French Pyrenees: It's coming time to move livestock to the mountains, where there'll be more grass, water and fewer insects.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Vinça, Pyrénées Orientales, France: A Rouge de Roussillon ewe just wants to say "hello".
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Why writing a book takes so long...
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Ariège, French Pyrénées: Château de Lagarde #lagarde #mirepoix #ariège #ariege #occitanie #occitanietourisme #ariegetourisme #chateau #chateaux #pyrenees #pyrénées #castles
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Étang de Bages, Aude, France: A fisherman empties his eel traps. Behind, the picturesque Bages village and the mysterious mountain Mont Canigou. It is the eastern end of the Pyrenees before they descend to the Mediterranean. Spain lies on the other side. #fisherman
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Peak District, northern England: The river Dane at Three Shires Head, where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire all meet. This packhorse bridge was part of an 18th century national transport system.
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Gardouch, Haute-Garonne, Occitanie, France: The Canal du Midi, opened in 1681 to connect Toulouse to the Mediterranean. Another canal leads from Toulouse to Bordeaux. Together they connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean without sailing all round Spain and Portugal. #canaldumidi #France
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Ariège-Pyrénées, France: Dawn over Lac Montbel
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Ariège-Pyrénées, France: Cette semaine, c'est la Grande Foire de Printemps, le 8-9 mai. / This week, it's the Great Spring Show, the 8-9 May. #foire #agricole #show #agricultural #agriculture #farming
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Étang de Bages, Languedoc Roussillon, Occitanie, France: Bages village and Mont Canigou, the eastern end of The Pyrénées before they dip into the Mediterranean Sea. #canigou #bages #Mediterranean #France #Occitanie #yacht #sailboat #Pyrénées
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Léran, Ariège-Pyrénées, France: A flowering crop of oilseed rape tells us it's springtime / Une culture de colza en fleurs nous annonce le printemps #colza #oilseedrape #ariège #pyrénées #agriculture #farming #mountains #montagnes
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Camargue, southern France: A gardienne collecting a group of Camarguais horses known in French as Crins blancs. #Camargue #horses #France #chevaux #crinsblancs
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Bethmale, Ariège, French Pyrénées: It's that time of year again when Gascon calves enjoy their first sunshine. Their pinkish colour will gradually change to their adult grey over the next few months. #calves #gascons #farming #pyrenees #ariège #livestock #cattle
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
English Peak District, Manifold Valley Show: Retired farmer, John, keeps up his sheep-wrestling skills while his daughter, Helen, coiffures her Oxford Down before judging. #sheep #Oxford Down #show #Manifold #Peak District
English Peak District, Manifold Valley Show: Retired farmer, John, keeps up his sheep-wrestling skills while his daughter, Helen, coiffures her Oxford Down before judging. #sheep #Oxford Down #show #Manifold #Peak District
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Peak District National Park @peakdistrict.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Trainee Ranger Based at Longdendale Environmental Centre Part-time / permanent A fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and experience, with possible progress to become one of our Engagement Rangers. Apply online... bit.ly/pdnp_jobs #careers #vacancies #jobs
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Martin Castellan FRGS @martincastellan.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
French Pyrenees, Pic de Cagire: Shepherd, Yves, keeps an eye on his flock accompanied by his collie flock manager. Border collies are Scotland’s greatest export, deploying Scottish soft power worldwide. #collie #shepherd #Pyrenees #France #border-collie
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