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Dave Foster

@pratorum2112.bsky.social
268 followers 282 following 365 posts

Whitburn, NE England. Mostly birds and dreadful photographs, but a bit of other stuff too...

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 15h
Endless corruption.
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is a lovely bit of writing
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rubatroid.bsky.social @rubatroid.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Well, it’s been a really quiet autumn at the Tate Modern so I’ve had to resort to looking at gulls 😂 This big fella has been keeping me interested though; current thinking is probable Caspian though bill not very typical. #londonbirds
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Gary Woodburn @gary-woodburn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
More migrants at Newton today, a large arrival of Song Thrushes, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Redstarts, 4 Lesser Whitethroats (including this funky thing), 2 Garden Warblers, 12 Bramblings + good numbers of Robins and Chiffchaffs. #NEbirding
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Graham Sparshott @fifevismig.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
No such worries when a flock passes this close in excellent light. A joint largest flock of 29 flew past at low level, easily my best ever views. Two of the birds in the images are ringed and one of these also has a neck collar. #birdingFife
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John Hewitt @wathingsmecca.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Eye-browed Thrush trapped in Church Field @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social this morning
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Steve Duffield @wiwildlife.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Then there were 2. Second time lucky looking for an American Buff-bellied Pipit at Drimsdale, S Uist. Was enjoying it's company when it was joined by a second bird! #BirdingScotland #RareBirdAlert #BirdingOuterHebrides
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's not just that we had two wasted years under Keir Starmer - years in which, with a vast majority and quite a lot of goodwill - he could have turned this country around. On crucial issues, we had two years of spiralling backwards, towards a very dark place. 🧵 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Ed Miliband to acknowledge Labour’s former stance on Palestine fell short
Foreign secretary will tell party’s conference ‘we are not here to accept the status quo but to change it’
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Here is how politics, in most cases, works: Rich and powerful interests, whether in fossil fuels, finance, big tech, media, meat, pharma or foreign governments, make a demand, and use their sophisticated tools to persuade a government to adopt it. The government adopts it. Please read whole🧵
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Stewart @stewchat.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Anyone have any info on a Black Stork at Snape, Suffolk recently and more importantly is it still around ? #UKBirding #SuffolkBirding
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Mark D @seaskywatch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Off to catch ferry home. A little diversion to Laredo to see the adult Kelp Gull (southern form apparently!). Smart bird👍
Kelp Gull - Laredo, Spain
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John Malloy @johnmalloy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Incoming! Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent family (juv = hybrid?) Budle Bay, Northumberland @budlebirder.bsky.social #NEbirding #hybrid #goose #brant #brent
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John Malloy @johnmalloy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Black Brant - a very rare sub species for Northumberland, in fact only the second for the county, and first since 1999. #NEbirding
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot
Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
HELP NEEDED! There is a stranded Manx Shearwater in the West Midlands (SOLIHULL) that needs a ride back to the coast. Can anyone in that area help? Even to take it some of the way and pass on to another volunteer? Please call 01437 723193 if you can help 🙏
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Mika Rantanen @mikarantane.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Radar image of Tuesday's mass crane migration. A 100 km long line of migrating cranes was clearly visible on weather radar. It is estimated that around 10,000 (?) cranes were involved in that formation. The highest count observed was 26,000 migrating cranes on that day in Kangasala (near Tampere).
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Nicholas Mallinson @nwmallinson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Record shot of the Black Brant at Budle bay early afternoon. Made up for dipping the Baird’s, still…. got my steps in. #NEBirding
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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Khurkh Bird Ringing Station day 8: 196 birds incl 7 Siberian Accentor (p1), Daurian Jackdaw, 2 Red-throated Thrush (p2), Hume's Warbler, Azure Tit (p3), Taiga Flycatcher, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler (p4), 8 Daurian Redstart & 6 Siberian Rubythroat www.facebook.com/share/14sZ2s... #BelvideRingers
Siberian AccentorRed-throated Thrush Azure Tit Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Khurkh Bird Ringing Station #Mongolia day 7: 89 birds including Siberian Pipit (p1), Dusky Thrush (p2), Pallid Harrier, Nutcracker, Red-flanked Bluetail, Rustic (p3) & 2 Lapland Buntings (p4), 2 Azure Tit, 33 Pallas's Warbler & 12 Siberian Rubythroat www.facebook.com/share/14sZ2s... #BelvideRingers
Siberian PipitDusky Thrush Rustic Bunting Lapland Bunting
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This week on Origin Story: The life & ideas of John Rawls, the most celebrated liberal philosopher of the post-war period. These are some of the most beautiful arguments in progressive thought. We do it as a one hour crash course. Everything you need to know. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
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Lundy Bird Observatory @lundybirds.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Eastern type Lesser Whitethroat, based on plumage features, was caught and ringed near Old Light this evening. @birdguides.bsky.social
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Wich’yanan L. @jay-shrike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This 1cy Grey-streaked Flycatcher found accidentally by me on a brief stop to look at the viewpoint at Khao Wat Doem, #Chumphon, yesterday was the 2nd record for #Thailand! #BirdOfTheDay #birdphotography #birding #birdwatching #naturebeauty #littlebrownjob #wild #vagrant #migratorybird #flycatcher
Grey-streaked Flycatcher (นกจับแมลงอกลายขีด), 1cy
𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢Grey-streaked Flycatcher (นกจับแมลงอกลายขีด), 1cy
𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢Grey-streaked Flycatcher (นกจับแมลงอกลายขีด), 1cy
𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢Grey-streaked Flycatcher (นกจับแมลงอกลายขีด), 1cy
𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢
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Lundy Bird Observatory @lundybirds.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Eastern ??? Type Lesser Whitethroat today on the island by Old Light. A good bird to discuss on a big day for migrants! @birdguides.bsky.social
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Graham Sparshott @fifevismig.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
8 Little Gulls heading inland. We don't get the big numbers further down the Forth and off Fife Ness, always a treat here. Last but certainly not least, 2 Juv LT Skua, dark + Intermediate circling over the Forth. The intermediate went overland on it's own giving superb close views. #birdingFife
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Graham Sparshott @fifevismig.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
22/09/26 Ferry Hills. A week off allows not just an AM shift but some PM effort too. Great variety today with 35 species. Three species of diver with a notable group of 3 Black-throats (two in the Pic), 1 GND and 95 RTD heading inland. RTD count highest of the autumn so far. #birdingFife
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sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A closer look at a presumed helice Clouded Yellow (C.crocea) from the Sandwich Bay Estate yesterday. Restricted black on trailing edge of hindwing, pale submarginal spots not encircled in black, and washed out yellow ground colour look good for Pale/Berger's Clouded Yellow (C.hyale/alfacariensis)?
Clouded Yellow butterfly species in flightClouded Yellow butterfly species on flower
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Dave Foster @pratorum2112.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Brambling just gone W. high over my garden. Nice.
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Hayden Fripp @dorseth.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A class find by J. McManus, American Pipit at Saltcoats Harbour #UKbirding
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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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Mark Lewis @fatpaulscholes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Remember when we all had blogs? Im going to give it another go…. lewissparky.wixsite.com/website/post...
lewissparky.wixsite.com
Vismig in South West France
I'm a lucky guy. My other half is French which means that over the years I have got to know a particular corner of South West France very well indeed. Or it's birdlife, at least. And it's food and win...
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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
🚨🚨 Social media venues such as #facebook and #instagram's algorithms have been designed by #meta to filter out 'social topic' such as #civilrights and #feminism. #Freespeech my ass. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Meta bans ads for Virginia Woolf play in Spain because they relate to feminism
Theatre told that Facebook and Instagram filter out ads mentioning ‘social topics’ such as civil rights or feminism
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HappyToast @happytoast.co.uk · 21/09/2026
Reform aren't racist, they just don't think they should support being against racism. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Sunderland's Reform Council ends Show Racism the Red Card support
Reform ends Sunderland Council support for Show Racism the Red Card in a row with the charity's head.
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Mark D @seaskywatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
7 on this holiday and unlikely to get another ! Not as many as I saw in 2023 and 2024.0bviously not a description bird here now, but they are attempting to allocate to Desertas or Zino’s type. Also South Polar no longer a description bird! How things move on!
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Andrew Harrop @ahjharrop.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A detailed discussion of Lesser Kestrel identification (in English): #BirdingScotland marcduquet.com/wp-content/u...
marcduquet.com
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Batumi Raptor Count @batumiraptorcount.org · 20/09/2026
CRESTED HONEY BUZZARD!!! This year, we have been lucky to observe 56 CHBs so far, double our average of 28! Photos by Thijmen Stolk, Valentin Cordes, and Yang Li
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Jared Wilson @wilsonjaredm.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Plus a write-up of the Barolo Shearwater at Fife Ness on 25/08/26 #birdingFife chatterstanes.wordpress.com/2026/09/13/b...
chatterstanes.wordpress.com
Barolo Shearwater, Fife Ness, 25/08/26
The latter half of August had seen unprecedented numbers of Cory’s and Great Shearwaters at Fife Ness and down much of the east coast of Scotland, including four Cory’s past Fife Ness on the mornin…
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Jared Wilson @wilsonjaredm.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Oof #rarebirdsUK cbwps.org.uk/recent-sight...
cbwps.org.uk
Sunday 20th September 2026 - Cornwall Birds (CBWPS)
Porthgwarra: 1 Red-billed Tropicbird. (P. Hall) RSPB Marazion Marsh: 2 Bearded Tit (1m, 1f), 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Cettis Warbler (heard), 2 Stone...
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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Quite emotional to report that we've just found our amazing survivor Marsh Tit, still here in his ancient woodland kingdom. He's now 11 yrs 4 months old, survived the 2026 heatwaves/drought and smelt the wildfires of nearby Holme Fen. I ringed him in my 30s and I'm now in my 50s.
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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Khurkh Bird Ringing Station day 3: brief session due to rain: 78 birds incl 20 Black-faced Bunting, 9 Siberian Rubythroat, 4 Dusky (p1), 4 Pallas's & 1 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler (p2), 2 Daurian Redstart, Eyebrowed Thrush (p3) & White's Thrush (p4) www.facebook.com/share/14sZ2s... #BelvideRingers
Dusky WarblerPallas's Grasshopper WarblerEyebrowed Thrush White's Thrush
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Steve Dudley @stevedudley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Climate change has always been about identifying and managing risk. The problem has long been the politicians not understanding nor grasping the severity of the risk because it was always beyond their term. People have always been the biggest risk and nothing has changed.
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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Khurkh Bird Ringing Station day 4: 196 birds incl: 29 Pallas's, 9 Yellow-browed, 2 Radde's, Hume's (p1), Pallas's Grasshopper & Thick-billed Warblers (p2), 25 Siberian Rubythroat, 3 Red-flanked Bluetail, 2 Azure Tit (p3) & Pallas's Reed Bunting (p4) www.facebook.com/share/14sZ2s... #BelvideRingers
Hume's Warbler Thick-billed Warbler Azure TitPallas's Reed Bunting
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Aidan G. Kelly @agk10k.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Was lucky to be in Kerry when this gorgeous juv. Least Sand. was found by Elliot Maher this morning. My 4th in Ireland, but first for quite a while.
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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Rest in peace, Joe Harkness. I was shocked and gutted when I heard the news. He was a generous, inspirational teacher and such an important writer. He was brutally honest, inclusive and funny too. When I interviewed him last summer (below) he was so full of life. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘Intrinsically connected’: how human neurodiversity could help save nature
Biodiversity is linked to people’s diversity, and nature lends itself to people who are different, says author Joe Harkness
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St Kilda World Heritage Site NTS @stkildawhs.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Near-annual on #StKilda in recent years, but still rare nationally, we had 2 American Buff-bellied Pipits this morning. @hebridesbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Nige Jarman @nigej.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Some footage of just a fraction of the 20000+ House Martins moving down channel #Bockhill this morning.
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Steve Rogers 🟰🟰 @runnelstone.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Four key pics of the moulting first summer Short-billed Dowitcher at Drift Res (14th Sept). Observed for a couple hours before a Peregrine spooked it and then flew off high. It was video’d and the Turnstone-like call recorded. First record for Cornwall.
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beachyheadbirder.bsky.social @beachyheadbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Beachy Head: A better image of todays smart, pale juvenile Honey Buzzard. Always get a kick seeing these head out over the sea. Fare thee well...
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John Bowler @tireebirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
6 Nearctic waders of 4 spp. on Tiree today with @kgbirder.bsky.social : 2 juv Pec Sands at Balevullin & a 3rd at Balinoe, juv AGP & Buff-breast still at Ruaig & Baird's Sand at Gott Bay. Glossy Ibis: 6 at Balevullin(am), with 1 over Balemartine(noon) & 3 at Greenhill(pm) #BirdingScotland #PWC2026
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Eighteen young Common Buttonquail have arrived in Andalusia in the next phase of a project to restore the species to Spain:
f.mtr.cool
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