iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Simon Gillings

Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

You can check out Nutcracker and hundreds of other species on the amazing Eurobirdportal. Here are counts of Nutcracker. You can change species by clicking on 'new data' and updating visualisation. Also counts/occurences. #BirdTrack data feeds in nightly www.eurobirdportal.org/ebp/en/#home...

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Nice finish to the afternoon listening to a Yellow-browed Warbler, found earlier by James Hutchison at Milton CP. My third in Cambs, all by bike. Hope it stays and I can see it next time! #LowCarbonBirding

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

No joy finding a phalarope today at Grafham so spent time practicing photography and sandpiper ageing with this Common Sandpiper: a heavily moulting adult i think, lacking the usual long tail and only one tertial. #UKBirding

Common Sandpiper feeding in shoreline debris

Closer up of Common Sandpiper wingtips/tail

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Missed the Pectoral Sandpiper at the Ouse Washes but at least 7 Clouded Yellows along a 1km stretch of the bank by the Old Bedford River #UKBirding #UKButterflies

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Unfortunately not a Ring Ouzel. Call of RZ would stop at around 1 kHz, not extend right down to 0 like this. Suggests that's an artifical sound. Right to be cautious with Merlin detections like this

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Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

🐦 Last call before our free postage flies away! As our summer visitors start heading south and autumn migrants arrive, there’s one departure you might not want to miss… FREE UK POSTAGE ends tonight at midnight. ⏰ After midnight, this offer is officially heading south! 👋🐦

**NEW** shrikes design by Alula Designs, available on women's, men's and unisex t-shirts, tops and hoodies

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Bursary opportunity! The aims of the Eric Hosking Trust are to sponsor natural history and ornithological research through the media of writing, photography, painting or illustration. erichoskingtrust.com/apply/ Deadline 30 September - please apply!

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

🍂 Migration is in full swing… and so is our FREE UK POSTAGE weekend! 🐦 Whether you’re watching the bushes for autumn arrivals or just fancy adding a new bird-inspired favourite to your wardrobe, now’s a great time. Free UK postage all weekend — ending Sunday at midnight.

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

We're seeking a Research Ecologist to develop & apply methods for analysing large-scale passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) datasets & to lead work on the collection/analysis of restoration & rewilding data. Apply via www.bto.org/jobs Closing date: 22 September. #Ornithology #bioacoustics

The heads of two Puffins appear above a bank. Wording above reads: We're hiring! Senior Research Ecologist: Landscape Restoration & Monitoring Science.

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Crazy selection of waders on Queen Adelaide Pit, Ely just now. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #UKBirding

BirdTrack list showing 9 Ringed Plover, 1 Lapwing, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 21 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 18 Ruff and 4 Dunlin

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

One of the two Temminck's Stints at Dernford Reservoir, Cambs this afternoon #LowCarbonBirding

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A piece of drainpipe made a good pinhole camera

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Job alert! Could you be our next Philanthropy Manager? For further info➡️ britishtrustforornithology.postingpanda.uk/job/925685 Applications by 23:59 on 26 August please. #ConservationJobs

A male Pied Flycatcher (photo by Edmund Fellowes/BTO) perched on a log covered in lichen, with the words 'We're hiring! Philanthropy Manager - Major Donors' written above.

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

Dawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Job opportunity: Irish Bird Atlas Project Manager BirdWatch Ireland is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to lead organisation of the upcoming Bird Atlas 2027-31 across the Republic of Ireland. Closing date 11th Sept. Find out more: birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved...

birdwatchireland.ie

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Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Like a Lapwing lifting from the marsh or a Godwit catching the evening light, this offer won't be around for long. Today is your final chance to enjoy FREE UK SHIPPING on our bird-inspired clothing collection. 🪶 Head to aluladesigns.co.uk to view the full range

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Some video of the White-rumped Sandpiper at Snettisham this morning. A smart bird with a very distinctive shape when feeding #UKBirding

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

80 species today at Snettisham with @sconebirding.bsky.social, including great and educational views (close, distant and very distant) of an adult White-rumped Sandpiper. Also adult Curlew Sandpiper, a lone Brent Goose and over 100 Little Terns #UKBirding

Adult White-rumped Sandpiper (left) with adult Dunlin

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A nice Stone-curlew sound recorded over my Chesterton garden at 23:55 last night, also picked up a few streets away by @arjuncdutta.bsky.social xeno-canto.org/1161651 #nocmig @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social

spectrogram showing calls of a Stone-curlew

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Inspired by @wildbirdacoustics.bsky.social I've made this faux-fur rig for a stereo recorder, ready for some windy autumn nights. Just hope something doesn't try to eat it! #bioacoustics #nocmig

Songmeter Mini2 in home-made housing awaiting fur cover

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I've not seen the Cocker paper but there's a section on Redstart mimicry in The Sound Approach to Birding (2nd edition at least)

Sample page from The Sound Approach to Birding

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

After recent conditions, a bracingly cold high tide visit to Snettisham this morning. c4 Little Stints among good numbers of Dunlin. 4 Spotted Redshanks, 83 Avocets, 40 Spoonbills and 100s of Med Gulls, including lots of smart fresh juveniles #NorfolkBirding

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

After a fleeting view of an adult Mediterranean Gull from a moving car earlier in the week, it was nice to catch up with it properly today, feeding on insects on Stourbridge Common, 5 mins walk from home @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #UKBirding

Adult summer Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls, loafing on a track between bouts of hawking for insects

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A rather damp Red-belted Clearwing saved from water in our garden. A new moth for me. Surprised how small it is

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

A familiar but unexpected call prompted me to look up during my lunchtime run: Ruddy Shelduck flying over the River Cam! No doubt one of the local birds of 'unknown origin'. Nice nonetheless #UKBirding

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Free UK postage on all Alula Design products this weekend. Order before midnight Sunday to avoid disappointment. aluladesigns.co.uk/ #BirdArt #UKBirding #Freepost

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Hi, I can't seem to open this even though it says it's open access. The page just says to sign in (which I have) or subscribe.

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

BTO Cymru @btocymru.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

1/ We’ve been investigating Swift chick feeding rates using sound! 🔊 Swifts are declining in Wales, so @northwaleswt.bsky.social teamed up with us to research food availability during the breeding season by installing audio recorders at nest sites. 🎥 James Shrimpton #Ornithology #bioacoustics

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Do you love filming, and creating videos? Our Digital Communications Officer (Videographer) role could be for you! Find out more and apply ➡️ www.bto.org/jobs 📆 Full time. 📝 £33,954 per annum. 📍 Thetford, Norfolk (Hybrid). ⚠️ Application deadline: 5 July.

A side view of a Cuckoo perching on top of a tree, showing its pointed wings and long tail, blue-grey head and upper plumage with white black-barred underparts. Wording above reads: We're hiring! Digital Communications Officer (Videographer).

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Burton, N.H.K., Kahounová, H., Walker, J.R., Conway, G.J., Robinson, R.A. and Petrusková, T. (2026), Individual acoustic monitoring and colour-ringing yield comparable estimates of male annual survival in a migratory songbird, but differ in breeding season detectability. Ibis doi.org/10.1111/ibi....

doi.org

Individual acoustic monitoring and colour‐ringing yield comparable estimates of male annual survival in a migratory songbird, but differ in breeding season detectability

Monitoring demography is key to understanding how species respond to environmental change; however, in estimating demographic rates it is important to consider any potential biases, for example throu...

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

This morning completed my 10th year of @bbs-birds.bsky.social surveying in Cambs. All the usual suspects plus my first Marbled White butterflies for the square #UKBirding

A view along one of my transects, comprising a grassy bank beside a stream, with tall marginal vegetation and bushes

A Marbled White bufferfly amongst foliage

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Realised my first attempt at the Western Reef Heron was too dark. Here's version 2 #BirdArt

Western Reef Heron portrait, by Simon Gillings for Alula Designs

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

My new design for @aluladesigns.bsky.social - a very smart bird to draw. I'm thinking some egrets next #BirdArt

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Volunteers are at the heart of BTO. 🐦 We couldn't achieve what we do for birds, science & people without you. Thank you! Here's a snapshot of what some of our survey volunteers have achieved 🙌 From Regional Reps to BTO Youth, there's a variety of volunteer roles at BTO➡️ www.bto.org/volunteer

An infographic showing volunteer statistics. The title reads: Thank you to BTO Volunteers. White cut out images of birds feature on a green background. A Swallow raises its wings near the wording 100k users on BirdTrack. Below, a Starling perches near the words 2,500+ signed up to the Birds in Greenspaces survey. At the bottom of the image a Stonechat perches on top of a gorse bush next to the wording 2,800+ volunteers achieved the greatest number of sites ever monitored for the 2025 Breeding Bird Survey. Above, the head of a Curlew appears on the left of the image alongside the wording 3,435 sites covered for the latest Wetland Bird Survey report. Above this a Chaffinch flies with wings outstretched by the wording 10.9+ million submissions to date to Garden BirdWatch.

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Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

FREE UK DELIVERY THIS WEEKEND Good news — all UK orders placed between now and midnight Sunday qualify for FREE postage! It’s the perfect time to treat yourself (or someone else 👀). 📦 Free UK postage on every order ⏰ Ends midnight Sunday Visit aluladesigns.co.uk/

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Also lots of Red Grouse family groups on the moors #UKBIrding

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

One of three Whinchats on the North York Moors this morning. Lovely calm conditions for sound recording. Audio here: xeno-canto.org/1138848/player #UKBirding #bioacoustics

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Bit of surprise today when a buzzing at the kitchen window turned out to be not another disoriented bee, but a Hummingbird Hawkmoth

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Spent Saturday with @scottmayson.bsky.social birding the Suffolk coast. Just shy of 100 species, with a nice bit of sound recording of local breeders too xeno-canto.org/set/11805 #UKBirding #BirdTrack #Bioacoustics

Walberswick, Suffolk, viewing south over a brackish pool looking towards reed beds, with sand dunes on the left

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Nominate now and celebrate the achievements of an inspiring ornithologist, birder, volunteer, young person or group for the BTO & Marsh Awards! 🎉Vote at www.bto.org/awards Nominations close on 31 May! #Ornithology

A Manx Shearwater is on the ground amongst green foliage, wording alongside reads: Do you know an inspiring ornithologist? Nominate them for a BTO or Marsh Award!

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Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Bank Holiday special offer: freepost on all UK deliveries of Alula Designs until midnight Monday. #BirdArt by birders, for birders #UKBirding www.aluladesigns.co.uk

Collage of some of Alula Designs stylised bird faces

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Reposted by Simon Gillings

Alula Designs @aluladesigns.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Free UK shipping on all Alula Designs this May bank holiday weekend (offer closes midnight Monday). Available on all designs including our new retro arcade game design aluladesigns.co.uk

Alula Design, reimagining vismig as a retro arcade game

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Simon Gillings @simongillings.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

A successful trip to RSPB Ouse Fen this evening produced 2 Wood Sandpipers, a drake Garganey and a fly-through Osprey. #UKBirding @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social

Drake Garganey swimming in front of four Black-headed Gulls on an island

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

There's a mini jobs bonanza just now at BTO! 🐦 Apply to become our next Scottish Raptor Monitoring Coordinator, Biological Data Manager or Research Support Officer via www.bto.org/jobs Birds Science People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

Photo of a Buzzard by Edmund Fellowes / BTO and text advertising three jobs at BTO.

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