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Matthew

@mattbirder.bsky.social
466 followers 410 following 572 posts

Birder and lover of music, RSPB and BTO volunteer living in Norfolk UK. Views my own.

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Steve Hackett Official @stevehacketthq.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Band relaxing after rehearsals… First UK show in Cambridge on Friday!
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Dr Eric Farmer @himself132.bsky.social · 10h
If GB News were a normal commercial venture, like Talk TV, it would have been binned long ago. Since September 2020, it has spewed out hateful far-right propaganda, paying high salaries to people such as Nigel Farage. Ofcom has abjectly failed to address this threat to democracy.
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Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social · 7h
A tad wet today, more for so for ducks, or even geese to be fair! This young Snow Goose only our second here, congrats to local islander/birder Martin who picked this one out on Vatersay! #Barrabirders #Barrabirding #BirdingScotland
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Josh’s Wildlife @joshswildlife.bsky.social · 6h
Great to catch up with the returning Viking gull in Ullapool recently. An intriguing hybrid between a glaucous and a herring gull! They can be very varied but this individual is told by the slightly greyish outer primaries. Cool bird! #birds #birding #seabird
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Matthew @mattbirder.bsky.social · 9h
This male Kestrel posed nicely for me in Norfolk. #Birds! #norfolkbirding #UKbirding
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Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 17h
I’ve never seen a BBC correspondent try to build such a huge mountain out of such a tiny molehill. Chris Mason’s hysterical quest to undermine Andy Burnham, based on a few noncommittal words: Chris Mason: Why Andy Burnham's about-turn on Manchester City matters www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Chris Mason: Why Andy Burnham's about-turn on Manchester City matters
The prime minister's comments on Man City were revealing on several levels - and leapt on by many in football, the BBC's political editor writes.
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M Meerkat @kackbro.bsky.social · 14h
Naomi Klein Is Spot On.......
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Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 14h
A juvenile Snow Goose among the Greylag flock on Vatersay this morning must surely have pretty decent credentials as a transatlantic vagrant, though you can never be 100% sure. Thanks to Martin Macneil for flagging up this odd goose. #birdingscotland
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 18h
Autumn arrival alert: the Yellow-browed Warbler has landed! 😍 Once rare, these tiny travellers from Siberia are becoming a more familiar sight as they pass through each autumn. Weighing just 6 grams, their sharp, distinctive call is usually the first clue they're around. Have you seen one?
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John Crace @mrjohncrace.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Welcome to the new Reform roadshow. Same as the last but more desperate | John Crace
Nige is not rattled that the UK likes its new PM. Or that Reform is second in the polls. Oh no. Because Nige believes in Nige
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Simon Robert H K @simonpostsdog.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#BBC. Chris Mason. You are a snivelling little shit. Burnham is not ‘wounded’ by a remark about Man City. Grasping little turd.
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Matthew @mattbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
September proved to be a blank month on the patch at RSPB Lakenheath Fen. There were 14 separate days an Osprey was seen, I was on the reserve on 5 of those days, still not managed a sighting!! #PWC2026 #Birds!
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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Congratulations to @rufusdawson.bsky.social winner of @marshawards.bsky.social for Young Ornithologist! 🎉 Rufus has conducted tremendous work in leading a monitoring scheme for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker using Passive Acoustic Monitoring. We can’t wait to see more of his work in the future!
An image of Rufus Dawson features in a circular frame. Wording over the image tile reads: Winner. Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist. Rufus Dawson. The BTO and Marsh Charitable Trust logos feature top right of the image.
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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Over the moon (to put it mildly) to find this first year male SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN in our garden at Hillwell, Shetland this morning. The fifth record for Britain and a first for Shetland. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
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OliCWildlife @olicwildlife.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A couple of nice Flycatchers from this week. Red-breasted Fly at the Naze on Tuesday and Pied Fly on Mersea Island this afternoon! #Birding #EssexBirding #UKBirding #UKWildlife
Male Red-breasted FlycatcherPied Flycatcher
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Paul French @nomadbirder.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A very unexpected mega down at Spurn already today, our first Eyebrowed Thrush. Trapped and ringed in Church Field. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social Now back to the gas terminal slog...
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Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) @bbs-birds.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
(1/) Back in 2024, we celebrated 30 years of the Breeding Bird Survey. Gwyn Williams was one of just over 100 dedicated volunteers who surveyed a BBS square each year since the survey began. Have a read of his story: www.bto.org/get-involved... @btobirds.bsky.social #Ornithology
An image of long term BBS volunteer Gwyn Williams out in the field.
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Barn Owl Support Suffolk @sbgbarnowls.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
What a fantastic day at the University of Suffolk’s Welcome Week Wildlife & Environment Fair! 🦉🌿 Great to see so many enthusiastic students discovering Barn Owl Support Suffolk and the other Suffolk Bird Group projects 💚🦉 @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @learnerbirder.bsky.social
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Patchwork Challenge @patchbirding.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Finally, a very revised version of the August #PWC2026 round-up is now published on the blog. Please head over to the blog and take a look, and enjoy the limited September #patchbirding we have left! Not long till October... patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/09/augu...
patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com
August round-up 2026
Hello from the Patchwork Challenge team!   I am very sorry for the shortened, revised write-up for August. Time has been scarce this month w...
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Ben Sheldon @sheldonbirds.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A map of records of migrating Nutcracker - seemingly all Slender-billed (machrorhynchos) - from Southern Sweden in the last week. Also this great video of 48 migrating SW at Falsterbo today. Definitely something afoot with this species this autumn... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol-I...
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Matthew Mellor @mrm27.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire, 27/9/26. My fourth in the UK, three of which have been at this magnificent reserve. @rspb.bsky.social @rspbframptonmarsh.bsky.social . #birds 🐦🪶
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Nicola Crockford @numenini.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
This reach of River Little Ouse maybe my most ornithologically rich river swim. Apart from Kingfishers, at one point I had Grey Heron, Great & Little Egrets all in one field of view. Unthinkable 20 years ago. Also a pair of Dabchicks. No wonder the Minnows are a bit shy here! #BirdsSeenIn2026
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A couple of eclipse/immature Pintail - my first of the year, 2 juvenile Hobby and a Great White Egret on Hockwold Wash, a Clouded Yellow flew through. Earlier, just a dozen species of Moth in their trap. I’m glad it’s not just me. Did include my 2nd & 3rd Vestals though. #teammoth
PintailVestal
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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I've written Joe Harkness's obituary for the Guardian. I hope it pays good tribute to a wonderful man who was brave, honest and made the world a better place. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Joe Harkness obituary
Writer, teacher and naturalist who explored the effects of the natural world on neurodivergency
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Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Do you have nature records in notebooks that you never look at and wonder what to do with? I've transcribed 10,000 records from the 1960-70s from a Welsh ornithological legend into @birdtrack.bsky.social and @cofnod.org.uk. And it was fascinating... #BirdingWales www.cofnod.org.uk/news/natural...
cofnod.org.uk
Naturalists' Notebooks: a treasure trove - Cofnod
Naturalists' Notebooks: a treasure trove
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Marburymoths @marburybirds.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The Ravens came later for breakfast this morning and it is the first morning I have been cold sat with them for a while. They had some egg and suet and then Chips had a little clack at me before Gravy came to groom him. It seems to always be Gravy grooming Chips!! Just look at Chips face! 😊
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 24/09/2026
Tactical voting at next election could push Reform into fourth place, poll finds
theguardian.com
Tactical voting at next election could push Reform into fourth place, poll finds
Polling suggests Andy Burnham is attracting progressives back to Labour, motivated by desire to stop Nigel Farage • How Labour’s majority depends on five progressive voter types – in charts * UK politics live – latest updates Progressive voters could push Reform UK into fourth place and put Labour within touching distance of a majority if tactical voting is widespread at the next election, a major poll has found. Andy Burnham is beginning to attract a significant number of left-leaning voters back to Labour, motivated by a desire to stop Nigel Farage, the results suggest. Continue reading...
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Drew Lyness @djlbirding.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Still spaces available on my Migration Watch event at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen next month (events.rspb.org.uk/events/174802). Last year, we picked up hundreds of Redwing, Fieldfare and more. Why not come and join us for some autumn migration action on Norwich's doorstep? #NorfolkBirding
events.rspb.org.uk
RSPB Events
Come along to one of our events to enjoy quality time in the natural world and see conservation in action. Nature is in crisis. Together we can save it.
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Matthew @mattbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Nice to catch up with the Lapland Bunting at Salthouse Norfolk today. It was very confiding, feeding around my feet for about 10 minutes. A Drake American Wigeon at Cley was a bonus! #norfokbirding #UKbirding #Birds!
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Dawn Erskine @dawnbirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Lapland Bunting just hopped up onto the fence by the bridge at Salthouse, Norfolk at 3.45pm. Happy birthday, birding 🪶 @birdguides.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Icelass @icelass.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The 4 Glossy Ibis @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social NWT Cley Marshes as dusk fell this evenings #UKBirding #Birds @btoengland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social
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Icelass @icelass.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
There’s something very special about standing in the middle of the marshes with barely anyone else about enjoying hearing & seeing the Pink Footed Geese come over the horizon and right over your head and down to roost 🥰 @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social NWT Cley Marshes @btoengland.bsky.social
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Over the last few months these guys made me proud to be British: kind, practical, profoundly moral, a testament to this island. Now they're targeted by the very worst of us. I just gave them a bunch of money. You should too. Show those fascist clowns what's what. rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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Steve Fitzgerald @stevefitz.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
A close encounter with this living jewel, at Lakenheath Fen this evening #UKBirding #birds
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snixon66.bsky.social @snixon66.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Juvenile Montagu's harrier, Gedgrave, Suffolk.
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Tyne Kittiwake Partnership @tkp-kittiwake.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Tue, 16 June 2026, No 2 With the R. Tyne apparently occupied nest (AON) surveys complete for 2026 initial results are available. Following number crunching we see more than 1,700 AON along the Tyne and an increase by 4.8% compared to this time in 2025. Figures indicate strong kittiwake population.
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Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Man who supported Brexit then fucked off to Monaco to avoid contributing a penny of his £15 billion fortune to public services makes the mistake of thinking anyone gives a shit what he thinks.
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Obama: “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening. It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent right now would have tolerated behavior like that from me.” Clip courtesy @meidastouch.com
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The White Falcon @markgolley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I still get a buzz from seeing Glossy Ibis & that's based, entirely, on my formative years when they were (away from Stodmarsh) really rare, a bit like Great Egret, even Little Egret too, significant rarities in my youth. A warming planet ensures they'll keep coming... #cleybirds #norfolkbirding
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Steph' Thorpe @stephbirdart.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Bit of video of the two Pectoral Sandpipers at #Carsington taken in really bad light the other evening. They wouldn't stand together in frame!😁 #Derbyshirebirding #Ukbirding
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Shoveller @shoveller.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
And why does anyone give a rat's corpse for what this tax dodging, corporate welfare scrounger, thinks or says
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Peter Sketch @petersketch.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Today I was at Spurn for the always-wonderful #Migfest and I was present when their first Pink-footed Geese of the winter flew over on arrival from colder climes. It is now officially winter in the UK as far as the #birds are concerned. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #UKWildlife
Against a background of clear blue sky a skein of about 70 geese fly in a slightly ragged v formation, high above the photographer.
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Miaganga @miaganga.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
💟☮️
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Steve Fitzgerald @stevefitz.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Really pleased to spot my first Short Eared Owls of the autumn this evening. Just something very special about these birds #UKBirding #norfolkbirding #birds
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Hassinator @hassinator.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
a great letter in the times today. perhaps worth sharing in these troubled times. #RNLI #heroes
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Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A superb afternoon seawatch didn't have a great deal of birds but it did have excellent quality - the star being a first for Dungeness in the form of an adult Brown Booby! Other goodies included a close juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 15 Black Tern and three Little Gull. #kentbirding
The star of the day, the adult Brown Booby found by Neil Burt. Image of it taken by Martin Casemore.1cy Long-tailed Skua taken by Richard Watkins.Arctic Skua taken by Graham Parry.Black Tern
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Matthew @mattbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Two Ospreys passed through RSPB Lakenheath Fen yesterday and I happened to be doing a volunteer shift, which was handy as I'd missed previous birds! Off the mark for September! #PWC2026 #Birds!
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Chris Rose @campaignstrat.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Skeins of Pink Footed Geese coming in high from the east today over Wells in Norfolk. A wonderful presence. Doubtless more around. Autumn has arrived. @wildernorfolk.bsky.social @themarshtit.bsky.social @jakefiennes.bsky.social
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Steve Fitzgerald @stevefitz.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Holme 2 Bronze Age timber circle, the “other Seahenge”. Amidst all the fuss around the excavation of Seahenge in 1999, it was slightly brushed over that there was a second monument on the beach. Left in place, it can still be seen on particularly low tides, like we had today
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Icelass @icelass.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Just this …. #RNLI 🧡
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