Hugh Venables

For large animals close to native range, population might die out slowly, over multiple decades and generations, which to many would (initially) look like success due to some breeding (just not enough)

Re-introductions are already reducing awareness of natural recolonisation, likely to happen more.

Some crew saw JCR through from start to end, which was 30 years, including sailing rather than flying the Atlantic (and double Halley winters before that for two of them). Some first-last Rothera visits well over 30 years, with most as winter or summer seasons. I'm on a mere 16 seasons in 22 years

🧵 An urgent appeal to protect one of the UK’s most important Little Tern colonies at Beacon Ponds in 2026.

Without funding for professional wardening, the project may not be able to run this season.

⬇️

Should clarify this is about IOW releases. Scottish WT Eagle reintroduction made sense in situation at the time, before the rapid spread to the near continent.

Slimbridge 2010, when Cranes were very much not extinct in the UK

Messaging about the Cranes was even more "less than complete with the truth". Fenland wintering flock now over 100.

The Lake District pair were from natural recolonisation (and actually first bred in 2000)

But if (when) wild White-tailed Eagles colonise SE England, how much less of a story will that be because they have be released ahead of the spread? See how Poole Harbour Ospreys minimise natural recolonisation (have more sympathy for Osprey projects overall as there are disparate populations)

Donate to Save the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project, organized by Spurn Bird Obs Without urgent support, the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project may not be able … Spurn Bird Obs needs your support for Save the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project

The Little Terns at Beacon Ponds have made a remarkable recovery, but they need urgent help to thrive in 2026. Your support can fund a professional warden, ensuring these birds are protected from threats. Please share and contribute if you can!

gofund.me/83bf3bdd8

Need to work out the odds properly, taking into account that we'd be asking the same question if all had been another score (eg eight 6-4s), and relative likelihood of each score. Roughly 1 in 20,000 I think for something this weird, much higher for this actual weirdness @standupmaths.bsky.social

Small boat sampling, roles are Ocean Scientist (CTD time series, lab work, diving projects) amd Marine Biologist (large diving project). Plus Boating and Diving Officers and marine Operator to support them and other base needs for boating

Sampling continues through the winter, unique within the Antarctic Circle and rare anywhere in a polar environment

Ryder Bay, the time series point is in the middle, roughly where the chevron of rock between the glaciers points to

The marine team also monitor larger animals, including our Orca pod (as seen on Frozen Planet wave-washing seals)

Wintering Rothera jobs now listed for 2026/27/28 posts, for anyone who wants a year in Antarctica diving and/or boating and doing/supporting the year-round time series and benthic studies. Please share. www.bas.ac.uk/jobs/vacanci...

What have the developers not done in Northstowe that the council wants them to? (as opposed to issues with the original S106 agreement)

Eastern Black Redstart at Sheringham

Eastern Black Redstart still at Sheringham, great bird and a bonus Great Shearwater this morning!

Bittern at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, from the main busway viewpoint at Elney lake

Prolonged views of a Bittern at Fen Drayton yesterday, and in the same place again today, from the main busway viewpoint over Elney Lake. Often heard here in spring and sometimes seen in flight, good to have a non-shy one @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social

Ship searchlights on a glacier front while ITV News go live

When the ITV team were filming, there were radio discussions on where the searchlights should be to avoid too much glare.

We have half-hourly seal and bird counts (and sighting-by-sighting cetacean records). 5 species recorded. Limited to when we were moving in "day"light (about 4 hours a day). Didn't split between hauled out or in water (but most Crabbies were swimming, rest mostly on ice or islands). Can send data

Need to find someone who has pictures of a Sarnie on that buoy!

Looks quite dark backed. What is it like in the field?

Possibly a genuine set of Crestie photos with "add another bird the other side to balance the photo" prompt to add the "Willow" Tit (doesn't explain the Crestie's foot though)

Comic. [Two people transferring cargo between a dock and a ship on a cart. A box has fallen off of it into the water labeled “EPIRB: Water-Activated Distress Beacons, 1600 ct”] [caption] “Hello, Coast Guard? We’d like to apologize once again for the 1,600 simultaneous false alarms this morning...”

EPIRBs

xkcd.com/3169/

Collecting penguin eyes is hard, as they get scavenged quickly. Team at Bird Island had to watch them die, then get in there first with a teaspoon. Didn't dare ask if they had a dedicated spoon for the job.

Northern Wheatear an interesting one for migration. Breeds Greenland, Europe, Russia to Alaska, but all winter in Africa. Surely there must be habitat in America they haven't found yet. In contrast, Iceland and Scotland RN Phalaropes winter in the Pacific while Norwegian birds winter in Indian Ocean

Arizona: group of quail and doves at a feeding station. Hummingbird came out of a bush, hovered above them, gave an alarm call and they scattered. Prairie Falcon then went over. Falcon wasn't a risk to the hummingbird, but it went out of its way to give an alarm, which was very clearly understood.

How about building the first primary school a year early, move the neighbouring school in so that can be redeveloped, have the school there as first residents move in and use the spare space as a community centre from the start as well. Sound good? (because that's what Northstowe did).

For most current residents the Longstanton GP surgery (shut every afternoon) is closer than the Northstowe surgery will be once built. Closest building-to-building gap between the two settlements is 75m. Also Nursery, 2x Primary, SEND, 2ndary school, 6th Form, Sports pavilion, community centre + pub

Common Darter, Eddington

A bit of a "last dragonfly of the year" feel to the weather (and forecast). Good to see a few Common Darters still out at lunchtime in Cambridge

maps.app.goo.gl/iv8HV1x9bkbg... in Liverpool

Whooper Swan sick with bird flu in a field, photograph by Kane Brides

Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.

📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland

Still there today, can't be many November records

A south coast influx in October 1963 involved several hundred birds, with "about 100" as the largest individual flock, so anything in 3 figures should count I guess

Saw one do that on Blakeney Point many years ago. Did look like play/practice

Pectoral Sandpiper on Arnold' Marsh

Pectoral Sandpiper on Arnold's Marsh briefly just before lunch