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Robert Kelsh

@robertkelsh.bsky.social
102 followers 61 following 18 posts

Birder, Moth-er, and other natural history

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Reposted by Robert Kelsh
Go Green @ecowarriorss.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Greenland fishermen want to cull 1,000 sharks that can live over 400 years and only start to reproduce at the age of 150 with $45 per heart bounty The plan has been dropped but there is momentum growing to kill the sharks Absolute evil - spread the word nypost.com/2026/10/07/w...
nypost.com
Greenland fishermen want to cull 1,000 sharks that can live over 400 years with $45 per heart bounty
Greenland sharks becomes sexually mature at the old age of 150 and are believed to gestate thier young for over a decade — meaning populations can take an extremely long time to recover.
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Andy Mears @andyfmears.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Just heard a Serin near the Spurn Point lighthouse. Presumably in flight but unfortunately I couldn’t see it.
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Wrynecks in the Obs Quarry - nice find by Roger Booth who'd taken a walk over there after we weren't employing him enough with mist-netted birds at the Obs.
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Mark D @seaskywatch.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Estaca yesterday Brown Booby, 2 Zino's type, 1 Deserta's type, 1 South Polar, 49 Long-tails etc!!
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The Author, Séamas O'Reilly @seamas.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Not to be some wild-eyed innocent, but I think it should be slightly bigger news that The Lancet have crunched the numbers and found that Musk's USAID cuts will kill 14 million people. And that's just by 2030. That's 9,600 people a day, every day, until the next world cup rolls around.
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Banded Goldenrod Straw Phalonidia curvistrigana 2nd August. A successful couple of hours dusking/LepiLED-ing for this obscure species in a tiny patch of good quality grassland with plenty of Goldenrod south of Yeolands; known from Portland by the Victorians but latterly only found as early stages...
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
A wonderful example of a master enthuser. RIP Bill Oddie
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 24/06/2026
Letter in today's Times by climate scientist Sir Brian Hoskins: "The discourse around net-zero is increasingly decoupled from…science and our changing weather. "Net-zero is not an arbitrary slogan, rather it is dictated by the laws of physics."
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Interesting acro trapped in the Crown Estate Field this mrng - suspect it's going to turn out to be a Blyth's Reed but certainly a pretty subtle one - plumage not too bad, decent biometrics, poor p4 emargination etc. No field views & no calls.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
So Lee Anderson, who said Islamists have "got control" of Sadiq Khan, wants to close every food bank in the country, and is committed to bringing back the death penalty, has now been made Chairman of Reform UK
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
A Fea's type Petrel east off the Bill at c09:00 - seen briefly but well going past mid-distance with a Manx but lost while then trying to photograph it. Being looked for constantly from the Bill and the Obs since then but still no further sign so presumed to have moved through rather than lingered.
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
And folk wonder why we talk about ecological breakdowns: in the past on this sort of date, today's brisk, chilly headwind would have been a dead cert to produce a strong passage of Swifts and a good fall of migrants; today we logged 3 Swifts and 28 nets - many open for 10 hours - caught 5 migrants!
One of the day's 2 Blackcaps; 2 Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler were the only other migrants ringed today.
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
A decent little fall at the Bill this morning: towards 130 ringed so far incl the first Lesser Whitethroats of the spring and several Redstart - nice!
Redstart, 19th April 2026Lesser Whitethroat, 19th April 2026
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Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Ecocide. #ecocide
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Minor Bill goodie: 2 Red-necked Grebes currently settled on the sea distantly off Pulpit Rock per Kim Milsom
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Sooty Shearwater lingering off the Bill tip amongst the gull flock
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Bit of an ongoing fall at the Bill this morning including this nice Ring Ouzel that's just dropped in at the Obs and a Mistle Thrush trapped in the Crown Estate Field
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Rarity finders: Black-faced Bunting in East Yorkshire A quiet late-autumn visit to Spurn took a dramatic turn for Andy Mears when a 'dull Reed Bunting' at Middle Camp slowly revealed itself to be something far rarer:
bit.ly
Rarity finders: Black-faced Bunting in East Yorkshire
A quiet late-autumn visit to Spurn took a dramatic turn for Andy Mears when a 'dull Reed Bunting' at Middle Camp slowly revealed itself to be something far rarer.
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Sorry for the late news, ridiculously busy first couple of hours so not had time to post a photo of the Black-faced Bunting trapped in the Crown Estate Field on the first net round of the day - ta to Duncan Walbridge for this pic
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South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) @swbiodtp.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
We have just launched our projects for #phd studentships starting in Sept 26 🙌 ⏰Application deadline: Midday, Wed 3 Dec 25 Come and see the (wide!) range of #bioscience projects 👉 tinyurl.com/3m9um286
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Thanks for letting me know, Bob...a great bird, especially for campus!
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Trip to Isle of Wight for Sylvie's birthday turns out to have been superbly planned. Calshott Great-tailed Grackle looking lovely in the sun!
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Paul Bowerman @severnsidebirds.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Today was the funeral of Richard Parry the creator of Pilning Wetland. He sadly passed away suddenly last month. I first met him in 2005 when he purchased the ex MOD rifle range and he told me about his ambition to create a wetland. Well through his hard work he certainly created a special place.
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Fabulous find, Andy!
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
www.theguardian.com/environment/... Such a wasted opportunity
theguardian.com
Government U-turns on support for bird-friendly swift bricks in new homes
Housing minister Steve Reed refuses to back mandating measure, despite giving support while in environment job
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Oceana UK @oceanauk.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Turning our backs on the Climate Change Act is turning our backs on the future. Scrapping it would be a reckless retreat from climate leadership, threatening both our seas and the UK’s green economy 🌍🌊🔽 www.theguardian.com/environment/...
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
2 each of Whinchat and Wheatear, and 8 Golden Plover, on Salisbury Plain (Everleigh) this morning. Also 7 species butterflies, including Wall Brown, Common Blue and v worn Small Copper
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Great time at Cheddar after work today. Still present, in lovely light: 5 Glossy Ibis, 3 Grey and 1 Red-necked Phalaropes, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Ruff and 21 Dunlin @birdguides.bsky.social
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
www.portlandbirdobs.com/2025/09/3rd-september.html
portlandbirdobs.com
3rd September
We're usually the first ones to moan about constantly windy weather but the quality of the seawatching that it's precipitated has been so go...
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Wonderful news this evening! A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced:
bit.ly
Montagu's Harrier pair successfully breeds in England
A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.
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South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) @swbiodtp.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
📢Open for registration📢 Our FREE PhD #biosicence Taster Summer School🙌 Try out a 3wk SELF-PACED mini-PhD #datascience project Working as interdisciplinary teams, supported by our friendly student mentors😊 🗓️Virtual 23 Jun-11 Jul🗓️ Register today👉https://shorturl.at/IxKn6
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Happy 99th birthday to the man who gave voice to the wild. 🎉 Sir David Attenborough, thank you for a lifetime dedicated to the natural world, and for sharing its story with wisdom, wonder, and grace. You've inspired generations to fall in love with nature.
This photograph captures Sir David Attenborough seated outdoors on the rugged terrain of Skomer Island. Behind him, the ocean and coastal cliffs form a scenic backdrop under a clear sky. Sir David, dressed in a khaki jacket and light trousers, looks towards the camera with a gentle expression, exuding a sense of warmth, calm, and wisdom. Around him, puffins can be seen flying and perched on the rocky ground, illuminated in rays of golden sunlight as the sun sets behind the cliffs.
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
www.portlandbirdobs.com/2025/04/10th-april.html
portlandbirdobs.com
10th April
Bar another flurry of Hoopoe sightings today didn't have tremendously much going for it; the unbroken sunshine was again nice but an unwelco...
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Ring-necked Duck, NE corner of Noah's Lake
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Andy Mears @andyfmears.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Brilliant views of the very dapper Ring-necked Duck just past the Ham Wall railway bridge still, down to 30m
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Jonathan Pomroy @jonathanpomroy.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
11+ hawfinches feeding in yews by west entrance of Fountains Abbey 12.50pm @nybirdnews.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
2 f Long tailed duck, 2 f Common Scoter, 2Blacknecked Grebe 3GNDiver, Ferrybridge
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Black Restart at Chesil Beach by Cove House Inn @birdguides.bsky.social @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
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Alexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
"It was found that 85% of the tracked dogs were walked off-lead in the breeding season despite signage requesting owners not to let their pets run free due to ground-nesting birds. At Snelsmore Common, Berkshire, more than 90% of the site was disturbed by dogs, reducing its conservation value"
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Steve Chinnery @stevechinnery.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
An amazing patch lifer. Ross's Gull this afternoon from S. Shields Pier. A few secs of slomo showing off its wedge shaped tail and pink underside. Sheer class. #NEbirding #UKbirding
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Hawfinch in Kilmersdon church yard... With bonus Peregrine on church!
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Robert Kelsh @robertkelsh.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
Siberian Chiffchaff showing v well at Compton Dando STW this morning
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