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Marcus Lawson

@mjlbirder.bsky.social
878 followers 539 following 486 posts

Birds, moffs and CPFC. Kentishman now living on Shetland.

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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 22h
They often turn up at the same time as moth and bird vagrants from that area and surely they must have been migrants in the first place to get there so why would they lose that instinct 🤷‍♂️
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 16/10/2026
Surely these are from Iberia?
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Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre @hantsbic.bsky.social · 16/10/2026
We are recruiting! Would you like to join our friendly team to assist us and Hampshire County Council's Ecology team with #GIS, data entry, data management, and ecological surveys? #Ecology #EcologyJobs #GISJobs
environmentjob.co.uk
Assistant Ecologist
We are looking to recruit an Assistant Ecologist with strong GIS skills to work across both the Ecology Team and Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) at Hampshire County Council. This post...
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 16/10/2026
I think you're referring to Warmwell GPs in Dorset which is where the Scarlet Darter are nowadays.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
...and Golden Twin-spot.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
bsky.app/profile/rspb...
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Reuben Singleton @bordersnaturalist.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
New salmon farmers scheme condemned as “greenwashing opportunity” www.theferret.scot/salmon-farme... Excellent article. This scheme also relies on self-reporting of any escapes. Self reporting never works.
theferret.scot
New salmon farmers scheme condemned as “greenwashing opportunity”
A new scheme to penalise salmon farmers when fish escape has been launched. But we found it is controlled by the industry prompting criticism.
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Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
#FactoryFarming, as bad, or even worse, in marine environments as on land, given impossibility of #biosecurity www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Heart disease found in 5 of 7 open-net salmon farms: study | CBC News
Researchers are calling on the federal government to update its criteria when diagnosing the disease to align with other countries.
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Countryside Jobs Service @countrysidejobs.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Conservation Manager with Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, based in St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, full-time, permanent position c-js.uk/4ifZrQT
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Sorry but this is utter nonsense. They are invasive and they are pests, these are facts no matter how you try and dress it up. True compassion means looking after our native species and protecting their habitats.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
A rather lovely showing of the Aurora Borealis currently from our front door in Scalloway.
Aurora Borealis from Scalloway, Shetland.
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Phil Chantler @philbockhill.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Interesting silhouette photo of #Quail flushed today at #Bockhill. It appears to show suspended moult in the remiges and possibly the rectrices. Literature notes that late‑bred western European birds often migrate in this condition. Amazing run of Quail records at Bockhill first heard on 15th May.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
That's me bottom left, chatting with Chesh, giving the photographer (Steve Young?) a bit of a glare 🤣
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Andrew Russell @andyrussornitho.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
08/10/26 An uneventful day, saved by the Quendale Black-faced Bunting (stunning photo below). 09/10/26 Scanning through a huge fall of Redwing led to us scoping fields and finding a juvenile American Golden Plover at Fleck. A Quail on the deck! Bonus A.Wigeon and Arctic Warbler. #BirdingScotland
Black-faced Bunting.
Printed versions on sale from £20 (arrow not included)A monochrome Golden Plover with some serious eyebrows from across the pond. Big fan of their comparatively lanky appearance. Quail.

First time seeing one of these on the ground in 20 years of birding-oh I'm getting old.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Why do all parties believe the only way to solve the so called housing crisis is to build more new houses 😔 There are so many other ways to free up existing housing as well as change of use, which seems harder to get permission for than to build on green-belt.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I believe it was the Polynesians who discovered it and then completely chopped down all the native trees whilst also clearing nearly all the native vegetation as well as most of the native wildlife.
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Sheep densities across Europe. Native to southwest Asia, these domesticates are possibly the most effective means of killing off forests and other natural ecosystems ever devised.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Gone all Fabrizio there Martin.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I'd just said exactly that on a WhatsApp group 🤣
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
To be honest most birding areas are like that Brett. Little cliques who don't like to share and get upset if they're then excluded themselves. You'll be fine mate 🙏
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I do know exactly what you mean mate. It was very hard to find anywhere to bird in Dorset where you're not disturbed by dog walkers, kayakers, paddle boarders, jet skiers etc etc.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I suspect it's a Flea Beetle of some sort.
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Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler at Gibraltar Point showed well on & off all afternoon yesterday, but was frustratingly silent throughout, often alongside a YBW and several Chiffchaffs. It was astonishing how its subtle colour tones became increasingly pale and grey as the afternoon wore on. #UKBIrding
An Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler feeding in a Cornus bush at Gibraltar Point. Subtle grey, green and yellow tones became progressively pale and grey with the afternoon light. An Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler feeding in a Cornus bush at Gibraltar Point. Subtle grey, green and yellow tones became progressively pale and grey with the afternoon light. The pale head and face with distinct white eye ring were always evident. An Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler feeding in a Cornus bush at Gibraltar Point. Subtle grey, green and yellow tones became progressively pale and grey with the afternoon light. This image shows well its very white face and eye rings.
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Countryside Jobs Service @countrysidejobs.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trapper x 2 with @rspb.bsky.social field based work in Orkney (ONWP Office, Kirkwall) with @rspbscotland.bsky.social full-time, fixed term contract c-js.uk/4rSnecX
c-js.uk
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): Trapper x 2 advertised with CJS
Location: Field based work, Orkney (ONWP Office, Kirkwall)Terms: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Fixed Term, Until 31 December 2027Salary: £30,977.00 - £33,037.00 Per Annum The Orkney Native Wildlife…
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J Hanlon @jahanlon.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A couple of days at Spurn a little below par as the EB thrush had gone but this poorly seen harrier (mainly into the sun) continues to intrigue me. Saw the E Bonelli’s on way home at last knockings whilst getting hammered by 🦟 #birding
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
There are many, many ways to resolve what housebuilders call a housing crisis. Capping rents is well down on that list.
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Paul Frost @frostybirding.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The highlight of an incredible day on Shetland was this Siberian Blue Robin at Hillwell. #birds #ukbirding #shetland
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It certainly is on days like today Paul. There's a few goodies up here which I'll try and list for you another time. A Haworth's Minor was resting on the wall the other day is one you won't get down there, probably.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Cheers Bazza, it's certainly got off to a flier.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Well worth the wait Reuben, such stunning creatures 😍
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It must have left his garden, it wasn't getting pushed around but there were quite a lot of people there.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I did pop down to see this little bundle of Sibeness in Hugh's garden earlier today though. Sadly lots of people didn't manage to see it 😞 x.com/HughHarrop/s...
x.com
Hugh Harrop Wildlife (@HughHarrop) on X
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.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Absolutely delighted to be back home on Shetland after my wife and I moved up last week. Our daughter is now at Edinburgh Uni and is settling in slowly whilst our son is down in west London working in computery things. Nothing mega in the garden, yet...
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The Birder's Store @birdersstore.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The incredible @opticron.bsky.social Aurora BGA VHD are firmly established as one of the finest #birding #binoculars under £1000. Available in 8x42 & 10x42 they are a serious contender if you're looking for top end optics without the top end price! birders-store.co.uk/opticron-aur... #BirdingGear
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Sun Cakes Pasties C̶r̶e̶s̶s̶a̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶c̶o̶ S̶u̶n̶s̶e̶t̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶c̶o̶ 😉
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Trade them in for Leica Noctivid if you want top end bins with top end build quality. Opticron Aurora are superb too, but without the bigger price tag.
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Countryside Jobs Service @countrysidejobs.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Rise of 'mega-dairies' pushing nature to breaking point. Tighter rules on intensive dairy farms and increased support for farmers to cut pollution, restore nature and build a more resilient sector are urgently needed, say @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social c-js.uk/4jrCyef
c-js.uk
Rise of 'mega-dairies' pushing nature to breaking point
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Countryside Jobs Service @countrysidejobs.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Job of the day: People Director with @footprintecology.bsky.social full or part time, permanent position based in Wareham c-js.uk/4rzzNtv
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Shetland News @shetnews.co.uk · 26/09/2026
A rare chance has emerged for someone to buy one of Shetland’s uninhabited islands. The island of Hildasay, located off Scalloway, is being sold for offers over £350,000. shet.news/gxhxl
shet.news
Island up for grabs as Hildasay goes on the market
A RARE chance has emerged for someone to buy one of Shetland’s uninhabited islands. The island of Hildasay, located off Scalloway, is being sold for offers...
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Peter Moore @moorebirdsbybike.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A late afternoon dash on the bike to Keyhaven paid off with close views of the Semipalmated Sandpiper, keeping company with a Little Stint
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Love that second shot Pete, very instructive. Are you up on Shetland this year?
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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I’d forgotten all about this, but as someone just ‘liked’ it, I’ll share it again.
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John Cantelo @johncantelo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The sunset behind Medina Sidonia from Alcala de los Gazules this evening. Back to the UK tomorrow. A great few weeks here - Spanish, B'ted, Bonelli's & S-t Eagles, Griffon & Egyptian Vultures, Bee-eaters, R-k Coot, Marbled Duck, Great Bustard, Elegant Tern,Wilson's Petrel etc. What a great place!
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Psychedelic Furs are supporting them not The Man From Del Monte, although I do believe the latter are performing again and are well worth looking out for 😉
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In what way is it pioneering please?
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Come on, fess up, they're breeding on there aren't they 🤣 Wonderful birds and one I hope to find sometime on Shetland 🤞
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Have you got any good references which help to identify Dunlin races please Graham?
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Hope you're feeling better soon John but, as you say, there's worse places to be holed up.
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Fair enough, I'm alright though 🙂
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Marcus Lawson @mjlbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Who's idea was that name I wonder 🙄 The trophy was awarded between 1995 and 2002 but once Chris Barker (I think) stopped his involvement it all fizzled out. Hope all is well mate 🙏
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