Tom Lane

A positive tree planting story!!
This project has transformed the landscape of the area I was born and grew up in.

In Denmark, farmers are required by law to grow field flowers for bees on 5 % of their land…. 💐🐝
I think that’s a fantastic solution to a big problem, they can do it here too ❤
catharinaweb
aliveonallchannels

Just opened the parcel I’ve been eagerly awaiting and wanted to say a huge thank you to @songbirdsurvival.bsky.social , for providing some wonderful literature and informative guides, in readiness for our junior bird surveying event!

An influx of Peacock Butterflies on the Buddleia today!

Photo, by Lars Robertson, of a Red Crossbill standing on seaweed in the intertidal and nibbling on a barnacle. Text on the image says: Unsolicited Bird Fact-Crossbills, like many other finches, seek out salt and other minerals like calcium. They are often attracted to roads where they feed on the mineral salts used for de-iceing in the winter. Sadly, this can lead to them being hit by vehicles. This Red Crossbill has found a better option- nibbling on a barnacle!.

Did you ask for a bird fact? No, but you're getting one whether you like it or not. 🪶

A new species of Lovebird (Aves, Psittaculidae, Agapornis) from the Plio-Pleistocene of the Cradle of Humankind (Gauteng, South Africa) | www.sciencedirect.co... | Geobios | #ornithology #palaeoecology 🪶

Says it all really !

No doubt, the most versatile nesting wader we have in the U.K.

Was fortunate enough to get this Sedge Warbler song flight right over my head

Hopefully you’ll hear one soon then Matthew, as it sounds like everything else is turning up nicely. Fingers crossed for a successful nesting season

First Cuckoo of the year, heard here in the highlands of Sutherland!! Still chilly though, with this easterly wind 🥶

First Swallow here in Star of Markinch. To see one already in Fife, four days earlier than my Sussex average over the last twenty five years, is quite indicative of the shift in the seasons! But great to see them back and the weather is set to be fair for more on arrival 😁

Recorded my first one of the year on the 20th of March, at Bonar Bridge on the Kyle of Sutherland

From the wilds of surveying in Sutherland yesterday. Today brings us to the Ise of May on Puffin patrol!

I heard them first and was like, No Way!! Then way up on a similar flight line to the Pinks, three pairs, clear as day, calling every now and again. But where were they heading on that trajectory and so far north? I would love to know!!

That’s interesting to know, thank you Lisa. I was surveying on the Corn Bunting patch on Monday. These Cranes were well up there and following a similar line to some of the Pinks that are coming through on passage.
First Osprey of spring recorded at Bonar Bridge on the 20th March. How about you?

Wow, wow and WOW!!! Just had 6 (3pairs) of Cranes fly over from Tain direction, over the Dornoch Firth and heading north! What a welcome surprise and a wonderful sound. @btoscotland.bsky.social @wwtworldwide.bsky.social @wildlenslife.bsky.social @kanebrides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

31st of March sees the close of the winter bird surveying season and in 15c conditions, it couldn’t have felt any less wintery up in Fraserburgh today.
A wonderful mix of farmland birds, waders and wildfowl, including a flyover of 12 Golden Plover. Also to note, Sycamore breaking leaf already!!!

Cleaning out the Tree Sparrow nest boxes before the beginning of April and look at the mass of material bought in to one box by a pair, in a single season!!!

My first Swallow of the year at 5pm this afternoon at Watch Lane Flash @sandbachflashes.bsky.social for #BirdsSeenIn2025 PN

That’s crazy!! Please, let’s hope we don’t get Arctic conditions in the next few weeks 🤞

Wow! Fledgling In March!!!

Skylark, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Wren and Linnet in spring song here in Fife, and the resident Tree Sparrows were already staking claim to their nest boxes on Saturday 1st March.

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This evening we had the pleasure of one of the most informative ornithological talks I’ve ever been to, all about Corn Buntings, here in the East Neuk of Fife. Hats off to Mr Becket and thank you Fife Bird Club for hosting! 👏

One of the highlights of today’s surveying trip! A Great Northern Diver. #birds

Moine House in the Flow Country of Sutherland, this afternoon!

It was great while it was a free app. I did a lot of our HLS measuring with it and was also shocked when I looked at the subscription fee today

An unexpected Red-breasted Meganser on this morning’s survey, where I’d anticipated Goosander. #Birds

I have used Field Area Measure to good effect in the past Matthew, when it was free. But I’ve just logged on and see you may need a subscription now