Barry Yates

Several large flocks of Starlings are feeding in the wet grassland of Pett Level.
They are in full breeding plumage - full of little stars - but these will soon be migrating eastward to northern Europe and Russia.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
#starling

My book is out there in the wild Although I have had copies of the book for about a month now (and I had a great day at Adastra a couple of weeks ago by way of a 'soft launc...

As it's publication day, I have put a few words down about what I have tried to do with the book, it's a lot more than just pan-species listing. Please have a read. I am now an author!

With the leaves fallen, the difference is less striking, but I took the left-hand image in February 2022, and the other yesterday.

Not one of these trees was planted. All I did was prevent sheep and other grazers from getting at them, and the forest came by itself.

58 at Rye Harbour later in the day...

Small gulls washing in yesterday's sunshine at Pett Level.
In the foreground are Mediterranean Gulls, with Black-headed Gulls behind.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
#gulls

A Black-headed Gull coming into breeding plumage with its dark brown hood for the #BirdOfTheDay theme of #WideOpenWings

A big arrival of Avocets into the area overnight with 30+ at Rye Harbour & 25 at Pett Level this morning
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
#avocet

Stone-curlews are returning to East Anglian pig fields.
What other habitats are important and how can they be created?
wadertales.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/g... 🎂5️⃣
Paper by Rob Hawkes et al
#ornithology

In celebration of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s centenary, our friends The Book Hive have curated 10 years of my Norfolk Magazine columns - & words from other Norfolk authors - into This Wild Dream.

Details of the book and events at www.thebookhive.co.uk/product/this...

ALL profits go to NWT & nature.

A Common Redshank feeding in saltmarsh mud today at Rye Harbour and it catches a large Ragworm.
Video taken at high frame rate, so is shown at a quarter speed.
#redshank
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social

When this one was in view there was another singing nearby, but there might have been dozens of Dartford Warblers hidden there today!
2/2

I spent this afternoon in the sunshine at Rye Harbour in the company of this elusive little wintering bird.
It spent 99% of the time skulking in dense Bramble, but when it did appear it was a challenge to get a good focus.
1/2
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Can you really count these released non-natives?

The tiny Ramshorn Bagworm moth Luffia lapidella caterpillar in its case on a lichen covered gravestone, Alphington Church Exeter, Devon today.

A lovely warm and sunny day got the Lapwings tumbling and peewitting over their breeding territories.
So sad that this is now such a rare sight and sound in southern England.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
#lapwing

This Goldfinch posing on a Teasel seedhead might qualify for #BirdOfTheDay theme today of #PowerPose

It's peak flowering time now for Cherry Plum.

But it's freshwater wetland in the Pannel Valley...

Last night, in complete darkness this Lapwing caught a large worm in the wetland.
Does it locate the worm by sound?
What species of large worm can live underwater?
Trail camera with infrared lighting.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
@billybloodwom.bsky.social

This is your annual reminder to look closely at Mediterranean Gulls for colour rings - read and report them.
Today at Pett Level, 85 was the peak count and 3 rings were read - the second image is of right white 3L3R
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
#gulls

Plenty have clocked how Nigel Farage talks to women journalists — pure condescension: “listen, love,” “go write your silly little story.” Know your place.
No shock from a man who praises Andrew Tate.
The real surprise? It’s only being called out now.

A Northern Gannet diving into a clear #Shetland sea for #BirdsInTheirElement as my #BirdoftheDay

Farmers call for clarity on Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says it is working on a new proposal.

Wise words
BBC News - What is the future of nature-friendly farming?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A Green Sandpiper foraging in nice light last week at Pett Level.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
#sandpiper

A Ruddy Turnstone washing in a fresh water puddle for the #BirdOfTheDay theme of #WaterDroplets

A Common Tern in August at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for #BirdOfTheDay theme of #WingsOverWater
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A deceased Puffin lies on its back on the ground. Wording above reads: Please report sightings of all dead birds. A graphic showing an exclamation mark in a triangle features.

⚠️ We've had reports of seabirds washing up. Please report ALL species of dead birds ⬇️

📍 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📍 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📍 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

Britain’s Labour government feels the heat over Palantir contracts The U.S. data company is taking fresh flak in the U.K. — as the country’s reliance on U.S. tech firms shoots up the political agenda.

Exactly right @sianberry.bsky.social: UK has “sleepwalked into a situation that carries enormous risk” by relying on U.S. tech companies"

www.politico.eu/article/brit...

This morning was one of those rare occasions when the Pett Level Curlew came close to the road, and the light was perfect.
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@curlewaction.bsky.social
#curlew

Wider deer culling planned for England to protect trees and crops The government unveils a long awaited 10-year deer management plan that will identify priority culling areas.

"The government said that current deer management had failed, with 33% of English woodlands now classed as being in an "unfavourable condition" due to excessive trampling and grazing by deer, up from 24% in the early 2000s."