iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I’m birdwatching in my friend’s garden in Redmond WA. Amazing! Photos courtesy of Cornell Lab that recorded these birds and named them for me! (I’m a seasonal migrant from the UK. How would I know what I was hearing?) 👍

House Finch, chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Flicker, Belted Kingfisher

American Crow, Anna’s Hummingbird, Song Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Coolish, beautiful morning in an English country garden, replete with birds, though the raven is probably a bit of a stretch… #birds

House Sparrow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Magpie

Magpie, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Raven?, Collared Dove

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Seven days into The Big Butterfly Count: Peacock Brook, Newent, Gloucestershire

Butterfly Count for 7/7/25
Large White 2
Small White 16
Gatekeeper 2
Ringlet 9
Speckled Wood 5
Comma 2
Holly Blue 2

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

If I were still concerned about politics, I’d be furious all the time. Meanwhile:

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Keir Starmer’s pitch to become Party Leader, or, “How I stole a Party and f**ked it up.” Wry smiles as he sinks in the polls and tries to throw some sops to the disgruntled working class who are about to get shafted by Farage. Glad I switched to birdwatching.

My promise to you is that I will maintain our radical values and work tirelessly to get Labour in to power – so that we can advance the interests of the people our party was created to serve.

Based on the moral case for socialism, here is where I stand.

1. Economic justice

Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse the Tories’ cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance, particularly of large corporations. No stepping back from our core principles.

2. Social justice

Abolish Universal Credit and end the Tories’ cruel sanctions regime. Set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP; Invest in services that help shift to a preventative approach. Stand up for universal services and defend our NHS. Support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning.

3. Climate justice

Put the Green New Deal at the heart of everything we do. There is no issue more important to our future than the climate emergency. A Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally. Demand international action on climate rights.

4. Promote peace and human rights

No more illegal wars. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act and put human rights at the heart of foreign policy. Review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice.

5. Common ownership

Public services should be in public hands, not making profits for shareholders. Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water; end outsourcing in our NHS, local government and justice system.

6. Defend migrants’ rights

Full voting rights for EU nationals. Defend free movement as we leave the EU. An immigration system based on compassion and dignity. End indefinite detention and call for the closure of centres such as Yarl’s Wood.

7. Strengthen workers’ rights and trade unions

Work shoulder to shoulder with trade unions to stand up for working people, tackle insecure work and low pay. Repeal the Trade Union Act. Oppose Tory attacks on the ri…

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Birds, birds, birds! Walk through woods and meadows behind the cottage.

Eurasian Robin
Collared Dove
Eurasian Blackbird
Common Woodpigeon
Common Chiffchaff
Eurasian Wren
Dunnock
Eurasian BlueTit
Eurasian Blackcap
Eurasian Jackdaw
Great Tit
Song Thrush

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

I’m a granny not an economist, but this makes perfect sense to me. (Forbes made me fill out a form, and a whole new world opened before me. I have absolutely no interest in acquiring any of these things. Checked “Spirits” just for fun.)

List of luxury goods to choose as your main pursuits:
, Watches, Handbags,Clothing, Automobiles, Boats, Spirits

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Woodland Walk North Gloucestershire 24/4/25 #nature

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I went for a walk this morning. In this octave of Easter, I revel in the joy of the resurrection - tempered with sadness at. Pope Francis’death. Walking through orchards I saw this. Death, resurrection and hope in one shot:

A young apple tree blown down in a winter storm, sends out a living shoot that is in full bloom.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I bowed out of the psycho-drama of politics when it became evident we’re caught in a spiral of decline orchestrated by fascism. Not the nasty kind with uniforms and guns, yet, but this⬇️ Brexit and the SEZ’s supported by Tories and Labour are textbook fascist takeovers. I post #birds now.

FASCISM

"BENITO MUSSOLINI CREATED THE WORD 'FASCISM.' HE DEFINED IT AS 'THE MERGING OF THE STATE AND THE CORPORATION.' HE ALSO SAID A MORE ACCURATE WORD WOULD BE 'CORPORATISM.'

THIS WAS THE DEFINITION IN WEBSTER'S UP UNTIL 1987 WHEN A CORPORATION BOUGHT WEBSTER'S AND CHANGED IT TO EXCLUDE ANY MENTION OF CORPORATIONS."

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Just spotted this bird on the allencam feeder in Pretoria, Gautang. Merlin couldn’t identify it, but Google lens suggested Senegal Coucal. Seems out of place … any other suggestions? #birds

Small coucal with a black cap and buffy underparts. There is a Found in a variety of habitats with a thick understory, including tall grassland, scrub, thickets within savanna, and forest edge.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

A cacophony of birdsong at 9am today. Newent Gloucestershire. (Cornell Bird App Sound Identifier) #birds

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Carrion Crow
Robin
SongThrush
Coal Tit

Great Tit
Wren
Chiffchaff
Dunnock
Woodpigeon
Blackbird

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Amazing walk along Peacock Brook today. The Jay and Buzzard are rarely heard hear. I confirmed both by sight. Cornell Labs Bird App 10 mins 4secs 28/325 am

Common Chiffchaff
European Rob
Eurasian Blackcap
Great Tit
Dunnock

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian Blackbird
Eurasian BlueTit
Goldcrest

Common buzzard
Eurasian Jay
Song thrush,
Eurasian nut hatch

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

All I had to do was open the bedroom window … # birds #lazybirds

Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, Robin, Great Tit, Carrion Crow

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The native daffodils are in bloom! So much more beautiful than the blowsy cultivated blooms.

The perfect native daffodil “Narcissus narcissus” near Peacock Brook, Newent, Glos.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

I guess, as hundreds more Palestinians die, during a “ceasefire,” because the U.K. and USA have decided,in the interest of regional goals, that genocide is a regrettable necessity.What can a poet do but weep?

Conscience

When the last Palestinian

Prays alone in her enclave, or prison cell,

Will you wring your hands, wishing the Soldiers who killed her sons had Been kinder?

Or the thief who stole her land had been
More of a gentleman?

Maybe.

You will shrug your shoulders, will you not?

Regretting that This First Nation did not simply
Creep quietly

Away

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

My latest wheeze “Birding Without Getting Out of Bed. (Except to open the window of course, and that doesn’t count. ) Courtesy of Cornell Labs Bird App sound recording 5 mins 38 secs 18 Mar 2025 8:16am Newent, England.

Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Birds. U.K. Mar 5th 0850-0903 Newent, Glos U.K. Cornell Bird App

LH Colomn: Common Raven, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Wren.
RH Column: Chaffinch,Bluetooth, Magpie, Great Tit, Robin, Carrion Crow.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

I’m amazed how to be enlightened, ie “woke” has become a term of abuse. I’m with Jon Stewart on this one:

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

I like pigeons. I know they’re considered pests by many, but I’m pretty sure they would have not terribly complimentary things to coo about us too. Thing is with pigeons, they’re always there for us. There’s one, right now, watching me from the top of a pole outside my window. #birds #worstphoto

Pigeon on top of a telegraph in a winter garden. Foreground: shed. Middle ground, hedge bound lawn, background, low hills.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Today’s birds! Cornell Labs are collecting Backyard Bird data 14-17 Feb. Here’s mine. 2pm today, Gloucestershire. #birds

Dunnock

Prunella modularis

Great Tit Parus major

Redwing

Turdus iliacus

European Robin Erithacus rubecula

Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Common Magpie Pica pica

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Though I saw neither it’s chestnut head nor its yellow-ish tail, I DID capture that rather distinctive bill … “Siri, take a screenshot …” Cornell Labs Panama Fruit Feeder 7/2/25 8:26 GMT #birds

Squirrel and Chestnut-headed oropendola on fruit feeder under a tropical canopy.

20:36 GMT

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Rather large, dark, yellow- tailed bird of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands. Where present, colonies of large pendulous nests adorn tall trees. Often in flocks, usually in forest canopy at fruiting trees. Male is much larger than female, but sexes look similar, with a dark, rich brown head and body, blackish upperparts, pale yellowish bill, and bold yellow tail sides.

Flight much quicker than larger Montezuma Oropendola, with deep, rather swooping wingbeats that produce a rushing sound.

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Credit: Cornell Lab Panama Fruit Feeder

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

You literally wait all day for a Black-chested Jay to come along, and four come along at once. Livescreenshot Cornell Panama Fruit feeder 4/2/25 2229 GMT

Black Chested Jay

Striking jay with mostly black head and throat, deep indigo upperparts, and contrasting white belly. Long tail with white tip. Pale eye. Sexes alike. Usually found in small family groups. Occurs in forested habitats, including shrubby second growth and forest edge. Calls include a harsh doubled “chee-chee” and other mechanical and musical notes.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

I love Jon Stewart’s take on history …

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Forgot to say, birds identified by sound in the Cornell Labs. “Merlin” Bird App. Which is free and fab. The song-scape was phenomenal, so uplifting. #birds

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Ten minute walk behind my home in a wooded fringe alongside Peacock Brook. Midday 29/1/25. The birds are thinking, “Spring!” See ALT for identities … #birds

Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula

European Greenfinch Chloris chloris

Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Dunnock

Prunella modularis

Great Tit

Parus major

Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

Goldcrest

Regulus regulus

Wooded area with a stream flowing through.

Footpath through rural scene with overhanging hazel catkins

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Downy Woodpecker and large grey flightless bird on ClimbersCam in Lancaster PA #birds

Downey Woodpecker and grey swiirrel on feeders in snowy woodland

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I have some amazing butterfly shots. Sadly few my own, but those recorded for me in The Big Butterfly Count App. I must have taken this screen shot, because a typical day would be more red admirals and peacocks and no woodland species. 18th July 2023, Newent U.K.

16 Small Whites
8 Gatekeepers
1 Meadow Brown
6 Specled Woods
12 Commas
1 Red Admiral
1 Peacock

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Fabulous! Not mine, I haven’t the skill or the patience … Thankyou ⬇️ @fozziefotos.bsky.social

Two goldfish chilling out amidst hazel catkins.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

You’re fed up with me now aren’t you? I know Ann’s blocked me for sure, so I’m going to just leave you with Denmark, and an excellent video explaining why Starmer and Reeves are scamming you. It’s about how a modern economy REALLY works. youtu.be/IHxloLkMXeU?... Warning! This could blow your mind.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Don’t get scared by the words, “Democratic socialist.” These words only appear on LP Membership Cards. You have to actually PAY to see them.Though this was before Starmer took over and put flags on everything … so ANYTHING recognisable by Clem Atlee could be gone by now …

The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Panama. Palm Tanager, Clay Coloured Thresh, Squirrel.

Large, plain tanager, gray overall with hints of olive-green in good light; note contrasting black wings with paler patch at base of primaries. A habitat generalist often found around palm trees and in open shrubby areas, gardens, and forest edges. Usually in pairs or small flocks, sometimes with other species. Often quite noisy and conspicuous; gives a series of sputtering squeaks or a single nasal “swee?”

Drab, uniformly brown thrush with slightly warmer belly. Dull yellowish bill and very faint streaks on throat. Very common and widespread throughout Central America; limited U.S. range. Found in a variety of shrubby wooded habitats, towns, and parks. Unique color and blandness makes this rarity unlikely to be confused with other species. Tends to stay on the ground or in low vegetation, either singly or in pairs. Song is a varied series of phrases similar to a mockingbird.

Red and brown squirrel in tropical forest..

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Maybe the War on the Poor isn’t going so well?

Photo: “Labour”
Leader Keir Starmer.
Text; Nightmate for KS as Labour on the brink of civil war over multiple policies.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

We oldies were accused of stealing our grandkids future. (How?) But that’s a myth spread by guys like this who want you to believe a gov’t in sole control of its own money supply must borrow it, from him, (thus adding to the debt by paying interest to him) or DIE. Don’t be strung along: learn #MMT

Ray Dalio
Old white guy with daft opinions

Britain may need to borrow increasing amounts to service rising interest costs, creating the danger of "debt death spiral," according to Ray Dalio, founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.

U.K. in danger of 'debt death s...

At www.marketwatch.com/story/u-k-i...

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

The Avians are back! “Return of the Green Woodwoodhoopoes.”( They’re blue.) #birds

Screenshot from the allenbird.com cam Pretoria, Gautang

An elongated, metallic-green-black bird with red feet and a long, decurved, red-orange bill. Juveniles have dark bills but are often in the company of adults. It flies heavily, with the long floppy, white-tipped tail dangling behind. Pairs and groups of up to 14 birds are highly social, occupying savanna, woodland, riverine forest, and gardens, where they nest and roost in natural cavities. Clambers in trees, probing bark and crevices for insects and small vertebrates. They communicate using a strong cackling chatter that sounds maniacal. The almost identical Grant’s and Violet woodhoopoes (with which it sometimes hybridizes) differ from Green Woodhoopoe only by having a coppery-purple (not glossy greenish) metallic sheen.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

The Lancaster PA Conservancy Cam is always busy …

Grey squirrel hogging the feeder tray. Northern Cardinal looks on, Morthern Flicker playing hide and seek behind right hand feeder.

Street map of Lancaster PA showing site of feeder on 2nd Ave.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Late Lunch at Sapsucker Woods FeederWatch Cam, Ithaca NY #birds

Mourning doves, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Northern Cardinal (in flight) Sapsucker Woods Cornell Lab FeederWatch Cam 14:08 January 19th 2025

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

New bird for the Life List Hurry -it’s getting dark. A Northern Cardinal is feeding popping in right now! merlinbirds.org/species/whbnut

The largest nuthatch in North America, with distinctive white face, black cap, and blue-gray upperparts. Also note rusty lower belly and undertail coverts. Females have a slightly paler crown than males. Fairly common and widespread, usually in mature woodlands with large trees. Creeps along tree trunks and branches, often upside-down. Sometimes joins mixed flocks with other songbirds. Visits feeders. Listen for insistent yammering calls. Some subtle variation across range, mainly in the darkness of the sides and back, width of the black crown, and vocalizations.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

True to my word. I took a short walk around a long back garden. #birds

European Robin Erithacus rubecula
Great Tit Parus major
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Redwing Turdus iliacus
Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Common Magpie Pica pica

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

The soundscape in my garden. 3.04 seconds of bliss …

European Robin
Great Tit
Collared Dove
Redwing
Chaffinch
Magpie

Dull and boring winter garden scene with two feeders. No birds!!

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Yes, yes, I WILL get up and do some fieldwork when it warms up a bit. I’ll then use Cornell Sound ID. Here’s one I prepared earlier ….(Some of my best holiday memories are captured in sound.)ALT for those who want to know where. #birds

Birds recorded on a walk beside Lake Sammamish in Tedmond, Washington.
Dark-eyed Junco
Anna’s Hummingbird
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Mallard
Black-capped Chickadee
Canada Goose

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Laughing dove, Pretoria, Gautang. I’m thinking of forming a new community. “The Homebirders.” All the fun of #birds without getting wet. Cornell Lab App provides the ALT, YouTube the screenshot. Expert cropping by me.

Allenbirdcam.com feeder tray in open woodland. Laughing dove at a seed feeder.

Small, similar in size to European Turtle-Dove. Tail is strikingly long with white corners and a grey center, but is all white underneath. Its body is pastel shades of brown and pink with a spotted black collar. Usually associated with human-modified landscapes, such as plantations, gardens, and urban areas as long as some trees are present. The call is a repetitious “coo- coo coo ru” replicated 5–8 times.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

First I open YouTube allenbird.com livestream and take a screenshot. Then I open the Cornell Labs App and use Photo option to ID the bird. Yes it’s cheating, but it’s fun. I don’t even have to get out of bed! Full description of the bird given in ALT. #brds

Allenbird.com feeder. Wooded location. Tray with assorted fruit and nuts. Two hanging seed feeders, a nectar dispenser and a water fountain. The variety sounds on this site are amazing.

A gregarious species of open habitats, especially weedy and agricultural areas; occurs in flocks of tens to hundreds. Typically one of the most common weaver species where it occurs, but care should be taken to separate it from rarer species, especially when in nonbreeding plumage. Note the red eyes, hefty bill, and relatively large size. Where introduced in the Caribbean, the bill shape and eye color separate breeding male weavers from oriole species. Village Weavers in other plumages are distinguished from the Northern Red Bishop by their larger size, larger bill, and eye color. Constructs compact hanging woven nests, often in large colonies in or near towns. Like most weavers, has a remarkable song made up of a jumble of squeaky notes followed by a drawn out sizzling buzz. Calls include a sharp “dzip” and “chut” or “chit” given singly or in series. Flocks create a loud burbling chatter.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Where are you, right now? I’m chilling in the lovely Community Hub (“G11”) in Dursley, Gloucestershire, awaiting my grandsons who will will walk from school with grandad and eat here for £1. The tea ‘s free on Weds and we pay with tokens. The world could do with more places like this …

View of a warm and bright community room. Games are out on the tables awaiting the arrival of the schoolchildren. My book is open in front of me, next to a mug of tea.

Tea and tokens on the table in front of me.

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Mary Francis @quodlibet.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Ten minutes of scrolling the newsfeed and I’m flocking back to the birds. Do ostriches really bury their heads in the sand? #birds

Ostriches drinking at a waterhole on Namibia. Just sand and a shallow pool.

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