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Matt Bruce

@mattjbruce.bsky.social
1.3K followers 169 following 61 posts

Birder working on wild bird crime in the UK, mainly raptor persecution. Also running, Shetland wildlife and boardgames!

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Reposted by Matt Bruce
British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
News from the deep 🌊 Paul French tells the story of this autumn’s Challenger 1 expedition to The Canyons, taking us on a fascinating journey into the depths. Read ‘Challenger 1 expedition: to The Canyons’ 👉 www.britishbirds.co.uk/news | @nomadbirder.bsky.social
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A short snippet of Egyptian Nightjar activity from Saturday afternoon. Some yawn! #ScottishBirding #UKBirding #RareBirds
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Egyptian Nightjar on a boulder beach at Virkie, Shetland this afternoon. Incredible. #UKBirding #RareBirds
Egyptian Nightjar
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Shocking footage, captured by a covert RSPB camera, shows gamekeeper Russell Mason brutally killing a Goshawk in a crow cage trap in Perthshire.   After pleading guilty, today he was given a 200-hour Community Payback Order for killing the Goshawk and fined £890 for firearm offences.
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
An impromptu search amongst the seaweed at Ulster ferry terminal, Yell. I've been looking for Painted Topshell for a long time. Star Ascidians are incredible and Plumose Anemone are so tiny and awesome. 10 minutes of pure joy. #Rockpool #Yell #Shetland #Wildlife #MarineLife
Painted TopshellBeadlet AnemoneStar AscidianPlumose Anemone
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
European Cowrie from a #Shetland Rockpool today. Most people know these as smooth shells, beach treasures, collected alongside sea glass. Alive, they are a voracious predatory Sea Snail hunting out Sea Squirts #Cowrie #Shell #Rockpool #MarineLife #Nature
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
A young Great Spider Crab traversing a Shetland Rockpool. It has adorned its carapace with bits of algae to help it avoid detection by predators. Doesn't really work when it just ambles about the pale sand though! #Rockpool #Safari #MarineLife #Crab #SpiderCrab #Shetland #Nature #Wildlife #Sealife
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
A Velvet Swimming Crab showing off its swimming legs. These fast aggressive mid sized crabs are common in Shetland in the lower tidal zone, but still a treat to find on a Rockpool Safari. #Crab #Rockpool #Nature #MarineLife #SlowMo
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
A Grey Sea Slug, Aeolidia papillosa, prowling through a Shetland Rockpool on the hunt for a tasty anemone (at 2x speed). Also known as the Shag Rug Nudibranch, because.....well just look at it! 🦀🐚🌊🐌 #Nudibranch #MarineLife #Shetland #RockPool #TidePool
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
A few stills from my afternoon session with these Grey Sea Slugs. At first I thought I'd found one of the other similar species when spying the paler one, but it's Y marking on its head confirms Aeolidia papillosa. #Nudibranch #SeaSlug #MarineLife #Shetland #Rockpool
Aeolidia PapillosaAeolidia PapillosaAeolidia PapillosaAeolidia Papillosa
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Velvet Dorid - Jorunna tomentosa One of our cutest rockpooling finds recently. Those rhinophores are definitely giving sea bunny. This guy was just sliding along the bottom of a shallow pool out in the open. #Nudibranch #SeaSlug #Rockpool #TidePool #MarineLife #SeaLife #Shetland
Velvet Dorid - Jorunna tomentosaVelvet Dorid - Jorunna tomentosaVelvet Dorid - Jorunna tomentosa
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Some recent Rockpool highlights. Braving the cold water this time of year is definitely worth it! #Rockpooling #TidePool #MarineLife #Shetland #Nature #SeaLife #Nudibranch #SeaSlug #Cowrie
Velvet Dorid - Jorunna tomentosaSolar-powered Sea Slug - Elysia viridisEuropean CowrieBloody Henry Starfish
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
A good day out today!
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Reposted by Matt Bruce
Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
A few non-UV illuminated finds from todays night time safari. Cowries, fish and sea slug species are always a delight. Fish were particularly conspicuous in the torch light, with 20+ of 3 species seen. #Rockpooling #Tidepooling #MarineLife #SeaLife #SeaShore #Cowrie #Nudibranch #Fish
Grey Sea SlugEuropean CowrieLong-spined Bullhead/Sea Scorpion2 Sea Lemons
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Some Rockpool critters under UV light from night session in Shetland this evening. The Sea Spider just glowed, and the pink from the Cowrie is fantastic. #MarineLife #Rockpool #Tidepool #Shetland #Sealife
A Sea Spider in a Shetland Rockpool under UV lightA Scale Worm in a Shetland Rockpool under UV lightA European Cowrie in a Shetland Rockpool under UV lightA beadlet anemone and a grey topshell in a Shetland Rockpool under UV light
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
We've just finalised our schedule up to August 2026! #MarineLife #Rockpool #Wildlife #GuidedTour
Our safari dates February to August are now available for booking.February to MayJune to August
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
#MarineLife
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Polycera quadrilineata or Four-lined Polycera. A small but relatively common nudibranch found in rockpools and along piers and pontoons, if you have the patience to sift through the wracks. #Nudibranch #MarineLife #Polycera #Rockpool #Tidepools #Shetland #VisitShetland #SeaLife #Wildlife #Nature
Four-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in ShetlandFour-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in ShetlandFour-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in ShetlandFour-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in Shetland
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Zac Hinchcliffe @zachinch92.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Moulting adult Sanderling, 28 Black-tailed Godwit and 9 Ringed Plover on the River Mersey east of the Gateway and south of Moss Bank this afternoon #SankeyValley #PatchBirding
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Solar-powered Sea Slug - Elysia viridis, from a Rockpool in Shetland. Flashing part of its "solar panel" that is filled with chlorophyll harvested from the algae it grazes on. #Rockpool #Tidepool #Nature #Shetland #Wildlife #SeaSlug #Nudibranch #MarineLife
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
A lovely evening Safari with 7 entrepid rockpool explorers. We found some of the largest Sea Lemons I've ever seen, and a great selection of other intertidal beasties from Sea Stars to Squat Lobsters. #SeaLemon #Nudibranch #Rockpool #Tidepool #MarineLife #Nature #Wildlife
Our group checking out the finds in a tray.Our group checking out the finds in a tray.Sea Lemon selectionCommon and Brittle Sea Stars
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
European Cowrie or Groatie Buckie in Shetland dialect. So much more interesting like this than the dead shells you might find on the beach! #Cowrie #MarineLife #SeaSide #Rockpool #Tidepool #Nature
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
I recently posted this as Cadlina laevis (White Sea Slug) but on review think it might be Jorunna tomentosa. If anyone on here knows and can talk me through the ID I'd really appreciate it! #Nudibranch #Shetland #MarineLife #Rockpool #Tidepool #Nature #Wildlife
A nudibranch on Corallina officinalis, ID to be confirmed. A nudibranch free floating just off a piece of kelp, ID to be confirmed.
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Elysia viridis - Solar-powered Sea Slug This fascinating little creature ingests chloroplasts from its food algae, then uses them for photosynthesis to supplement its food supply. The folds on its back fan out to increase surface area to aid this process. #SeaSlug #Shetland #Rockpool #MarineLife
Elysia viridis, a nudibranch like sea slug (or perhaps more accurately a sea snail?) from a Rockpool in Shetland, UK.
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Fancy learning about what lies just beneath the surface of Shetlands wonderful shores? All ages welcome! Check out our website and book your tour. If you aren't visiting soon, enjoy the gallery of some of our favourite finds! #Rockpool #WildlifeTour #Nature #Shetland #Starfish #Crab #Nudibranch
A tour participant searching a seaweed covered Rockpool.Common StarfishOrange-clubbed SeaslugHermit crab in the hand
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
We've got spaces on tours in the last week of July: Thu 24th @ 5:00pm Sat 26th @ 6:00pm If you are in Shetland, why not book on one and learn about some of the creatures below (Beadlet Anemone, common starfish, european cowrie, white sea slug) #TidePool #RockPool #Wildlife #SeaLife #Shetland
Beadlet AnemoneCommon StarfishEuropean CowrieWhite Sea Slug
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Some recent Nudibranch finds whilst rockpooling around Shetland. Identifications in Alt text. The variety, colour and alien-ness of Nudibranchs never ceased to amaze me! #Shetland #Rockpool #Tidepool #SeaSlug #Nudibranch #Seashore #MarineLife #UkWildlife #ShetlandWildlife #Nature
Cadlina laevis - a Nudibranch found in Shetland.Aegires punctilucens - a nudibranch found in Shetland.Palio nothus, a Nudibranch found in ShetlandSea Lemon (Doris pseudoargus) in front of a Green Sea Urchin in a sample tray, found in a Rockpool in Shetland.
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Shetland Rockpool Safaris @shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Come rockpooling with us! We love rockpooling and are excited to be starting a new venture - offering guided rockpool safaris here in Shetland. Check out our website for more details and dates of sessions! #Rockpool #Rockpooling #Shetland #Tidepool #Wildlife #Seaside
shetlandrockpoolsafaris.co.uk
Shetland Rockpool Safaris
Shetland Rockpool Safaris - offering guided rockpool tours in Shetland, UK. Come and take a look at the fantastic wildlife beneath the waves with us.
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
The stunning breeding plumage female Grey (Red) Phalarope at Spiggie, Shetland, this afternoon. What an incredible looking bird! Not often seen looking like this in the UK. My only other sighting was about a decade ago at Brandon Marsh, Warks! #Phalarope #Waders #Wildlife #UkBirding
Grey (Red) Phalarope in ShetlandGrey (Red) Phalarope in ShetlandGrey (Red) Phalarope in Shetland
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
So many photos to go through from my time in Pine Marten heaven - Ardnamurchan, West coast of Scotland. Such wonderful characters, I watched them for hours climbing over rocks and trees behind the hours. #BritishMammals #PineMarten #Wildlife #Nature #Ardnamurchan
Pine MartenPine MartenPine Marten
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
A week long holiday on the Ardnamurchan peninsula provided some incredible Pine Marten encounters from the comfort of our accommodation. Amongst Atlantic rainforest, these mustelids evoke strong feelings of wilder times gone by. #PineMarten #BritishMammals #Nature #Wildlife #BritishWildlife
A Pine Marten on a moss covered rock in Ardnamurchan.
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
A Purple Heron this afternoon at Boddam Voe gave Shetland another slice of the recent spring migrant action after yesterday's elusive Black-crowned Night Heron. #UKBirding
Purple Heron in Boddam, ShetlandPurple Heron coming in to land at Boddam, Shetland
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
The Killer Whale pod known as the 27s visited my local Shetland coastline today, or at least 4 of them did. 27 herself and Bull 34 put on a show. Lovely weather but still very cold in the wind 🥶 #KillerWhale #Orca #SeaLife #MarineMammals #Wildlife #Shetland
Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
The solo bull Orca hanging around near Voe in Shetland right now. Lots of long feeding dives, there must be some good fish down there, he's been here for days now! #Shetland #Orca #KillerWhale
Male Killer Whale in ShetlandMale Killer Whale in ShetlandMale Killer Whale in ShetlandMale Killer Whale in Shetland
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Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Brilliant campaigning from @wwtworldwide.bsky.social ft Megan McCubbin in spoof video at the Duck & Cover restaurant. The use of humour as a campaign tool shouldn't be underestimated. #BanLead #Ornithology raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/02/11/t...
raptorpersecutionuk.org
“The Toxic Restaurant” – spoof video highlighting toxic lead ammunition sends BASC into meltdown
In the build up to a forthcoming decision by the DEFRA Secretary of State (and his counterparts in the devolved governments) whether to accept the HSE’s recommendations to ban the use of toxi…
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Mark Gurney @markgurn.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Feisty little dudes. I'm almost used to calling them Curruca instead of Sylvia now. Scratchy songs, angry fire eyes, good colour schemes, but lose a point for being a bit too skulking = 8/10 #birdart #birds
An illustration of twelve warblers. Each row has three similar species. The top three are grey with black heads and varying amounts of black below; the next row has three with long tails, two are all grey, one is wine-red below;  then there are the three subalpine warblers, which are grey above and red or orange below; and the bottom row has three with white throats and brown backs, two have rusty wing panels and the other is rather different with dark legs and a rather cold tone. The birds are all facing left and in the same pose so it is easier to compare the differences between them.
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Shetland has the highest density of European Otter in the world. I saw at least 7 today in 4 different encounters. This youngster was the first I saw, at a popular walk location. Being downwind, I was fortunate to watch it feed for some time from close range. #Otter #Draatsi #Shetland
A young otter on rocks in ShetlandA young otter opening it's mouth mid-meal on the shore in Shetland.A young otter peeking out from a hole in the rocks, Shetland.A young otter moving through the rocks, Shetland.
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Dan Baldassarre @evornithology.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Your 2025 Le Creuset x bird color guide
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Niall Machin @niallmachin1.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
My son James caught up with booted eagle at Marazion this morning - nice pale phase
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
New research has investigated the motivations for dog owners keeping their pet on a lead in natural areas, and suggested the creation of dedicated dog exercise space as a solution:
bit.ly
Fenced dog parks could help protect wildlife
A study in South Australia has investigated the values of dog owners and how social norms could be shifted to protect vulnerable wildlife from off-lead dogs.
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
Tailing off now but we nipped out beyond the garden for a few more photos and to just take it all in.
My wife and I in front of the camera with Mirrie Dancers over head.The Corona, heart of the Aurora
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
The sky just exploded with colour above our Shetland house. One of the best displays I've seen. Many colours visible to the naked eye and it was dancing and flowing and changing constantly. Breathtaking! #AuroraBorealis #NorthLights #MirrieDancers #Shetland
Mirrie Dancers in ShetlandMirrie Dancers in ShetlandMirrie Dancers in ShetlandMirrie Dancers in Shetland
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
A great day of Otter encounters on Friday! Started off with a mother and 3 cubs fishing and playing right next to us. Whilst watching them, Beth looked down and saw a male fast asleep barely 5m from us. On the drive back another family party of 4 were feeding under Trondra bridge. #Shetland #Otters
Otter mother and cub grooming on the seaweedSleepy male Otter Mother and cub watching out for dangerMore mother and cub otter snuggles
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Ann Leckie @annleckie.com · 27/12/2024
Seen a few folks astonished by my lack of support for ChatGPT and similar. Because AI, right? Yeah, no. What we have right now is glorified autocorrect. Glorified autocorrect that takes the energy of an entire city to do what it does, plus half of Lake Erie to cool down while it's doing it.
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
A big highlight of Gambia was seeing Black Heron doing it's thing, otherwise known as the "Night-time Day-time bird" 😂 It caught something almost every time it created it's fake shady fish refuge!
Black Heron standing amongst Spur-winged PloverBlack Heron using its wings to create shade and reduce glare to aid in its fishing attempts.
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
A few more Gambia pics. We saw 9 Egyptian Plovers on one day during the trip - amazing birds! #Birding #Nature #Gambia
Grey-headed KingfisherPearl-spotted OwlettEgyptian PloverChestnut-backed Sparrow-lark
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Back from a brilliant Bird tour in Gambia with Inglorious Bustards. Many many photos taken. Mostly of birds but so much other life to take in. Will post some every few days as I go through them all. IDs in alt text. #Birding #Gambia #Africa #Wildlife
Red Colobus Monkey familyAdamawa Turtle Dove. African FinfootWest African Banded Cobra (Naga Savanula).
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
The 2nd Shetland record of American Coot on Loch Spiggie this afternoon, with a Eurasian for company. Subtle differences, but it showed moderately well on the western shore. Top marks to Phil for finding it #Coot #Shetland #UKbirding
American Coot (front) and the head of a Eurasian Coot on a choppy Loch in ShetlandAmerican Coot (front) and a Eurasian Coot on a choppy Loch in ShetlandAmerican Coot (front) and a Eurasian Coot on a choppy Loch in ShetlandAmerican Coot on a choppy Loch in Shetland
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Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
This mornings walk along the beach at Easington for the Shore Larks was beautiful. Amazing to think it was thick snow flurries and grey skies an hour later. The Hume's Warbler showed briefly in Church field too. #UKbirding
Shore Lark on a rock near Spurn Bird ObservatoryShore Lark on a rock near Spurn Bird ObservatoryShore Lark on a beach near Spurn Bird ObservatoryShore Lark on a rock near Spurn Bird Observatory
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