J Hanlon

Genetic Identification of Birds - The Aberdeen Wildlife DNA Lab Help Martin Collinson raise money to support University of Aberdeen Development Trust SCIO

Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to our fundraiser. Recent greatest hits from samples sent in by ringers and birders for ID include an Atlas Flycatcher in Spain, and a Ménétries's Warbler in Poland!

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/...

29 ‘missing’ Hen Harriers & nearly 40 birds of prey poisoned, trapped or shot in Yorkshire Dales National Park since 2015 Media attention has been drawn to the Yorkshire Dales National Park this week, following the RSPB’s press release on the suspicious disappearance of a satellite-tagged Hen Harrier named &#821…

29 ‘missing’ Hen Harriers & nearly 40 birds of prey poisoned, trapped or shot in Yorkshire Dales National Park since 2015...

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/04/2...

OTD 25 yrs ago a bit of a beauty - West Palearctic's 1st ever Blue-winged warbler on Cape Clear Island. I made it before dark! I wonder what Storm Amy will bring this weekend?
#Twitching #Birds

Nice write up. Never seen one despite a few rockpooling attempts. Wish now I had done more locally when studying Marine zoology at Bangor! Not too many here in Cambs but might have to try your IoW spot next yr, Graeme. 🤞🏻

Didn’t know about that parula. Could do with some S coast mega yankage right now tbh.

‘It proves this can be done’: Berlin the blueprint to bring goshawks to UK cities Conservationist plans release of 15 each of the apex predators sourced as chicks into Chester and London

‘It proves this can be done’: Berlin the blueprint to bring goshawks to UK cities

No doubt that was around 7th Sept, part of a huge movement of this species over the N Sea. An unprecedented arrival in daylight was noted especially along the East Anglian coast.

Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running Natural England has finally got around to publishing the data for the 2025 Hen Harrier breeding season, which demonstrate very clear differences between areas managed for conservation and those man…

Natural England confirms ongoing & relentless illegal persecution is reason why Hen Harriers are still rare in England.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...

One of many suggestions but I’ve never heard of one looking like that. Jury’s still out I think!

Assuming not a hoax, here’s a small unidentified #shark caught by an angler on a S coast beach in U.K that doesn’t match any local/regional species. They’re seeking an id - any ideas? @seatrustwales.bsky.social @iucnshark.bsky.social #Elasmobranchs

I think you’ll need to experiment & report back but I reckon you’ll have to do a line of shrimp a good few hundred miles long 😂

I don’t know what the collective noun is for this species but based on this pic I’d suggest an ‘invisibility’!

Scientists find cocaine in shrimps in Suffolk rivers Researchers collected samples from rivers in Suffolk and found the drug when testing for chemicals.

Not a new story but cocaine & ketamine traces found in every single sample. Our crustaceans are all off their nut!
Pretty sobering really.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...

Gosh, that’s a pale-headed one. Actually has a super.

Little Bittern sound recorded over Weymouth last night at 1:06am - that ones blown my mind a bit! macaulaylibrary.org/asset/642530...

When 99% are routinely culled by grouse moor operators it’s hardly a surprise! #BanDrivenGrouseShooting

I'd say that's putting it nicely. You can't polish a turd!

Everyone loves a #kingfisher. When I went for a walk at a new site yesterday there was a vocal brood of 6 young! Being fed by at least one parent @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #birds

Wild bird populations in the UK and England, 1970 to 2024

Latest government stats show a continued decline in many bird species across the UK 🪶🧪

www.gov.uk/government/s...

These data are made possible by the dedication of expert volunteers, allowing us to track common bird populations for >50 years

Cracking shot mate

First Global Mammal Big Day to take place The inaugural Global Mammal Big Day is set to take place on 5 October 2025. Using citizen science, the event's aim is to collectively record as many mammal species worldwide as possible.

The inaugural Global Mammal Big Day is set to take place on 5 October 2025:

Local pet shop had one when I was a kid. They found it dead on the floor one morning as the tank lid had a large gap.
Unethical & should be banned.

Yeah, far too sensible an approach for the likes of social media! One day I’ll learn to ignore it, I hope!

My absolute bugbear on Facebook #BirdingMemes
#Birds #Identification

Cheers pal 👍🏻

Little sketch of yesterday’s Silver-striped hawkmoth. @philj61.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #TeamMoth #NatureNotebook

Chuffed to finally see a rare Silver-striped hawkmoth today nr Stafford, courtesy of Adam Hartley. #MothsMatter

J Hanlon Ecologist & Naturalist - Books & Media Natural History Writing

I update my website here www.urlvanish.com/d6591d15
with monthly recent rare UK wildlife sightings of interest. Recent highlights include

Little Arboreal ladybird & Hair curler slug (both UK 1st)
Lang's short-tailed blue (c4th)
European mantis
Pygmy sperm whale
Loggerhead turtle
Black-winged kite

Good news! Natural England pulls the plug on ‘reintroduction’ of Hen Harriers to southern England It’s been a long time coming, but today Natural England has announced it is finally pulling the plug on it’s project to ‘reintroduce’ Hen Harriers to southern England. It ma…

This was a massive distraction project, intended to draw attention away from the ongoing illegal killing on northern UK grouse moors.

Maybe now NE & Defra will put their (our!) money where it really needs to go - on ramped up enforcement.

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/09/16/g...