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Josh Sollitt

@joshsollitt.bsky.social

Bradgate Park NNR Warden | Birder & Naturalist - Patch Year List 117/120 | Trainee Bird Ringer (Views and opinions my own)

164 Followers  |  226 Following  |  46 Posts  |  Joined: 19.11.2024  |  2.0887

Latest posts by joshsollitt.bsky.social on Bluesky

Hobby! Very nice

05.08.2025 13:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Miles & miles of maize
but ๐—ป๐—ผ๐˜ ๐—ฎ ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด๐—น๐—ฒ insectโ€”in 2 days of ๐Ÿšดโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿšดin Brittany.

Maize is mainly ๐Ÿ„ feed.

Linked to high pesticide useโ€”and damaging soil erosion.

Governments must be honest about the hidden costs of meat.

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social warned about maize a decade ago ๐Ÿ‘‡

02.08.2025 06:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2153    ๐Ÿ” 566    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 134    ๐Ÿ“Œ 33
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Four more bird flu outbreaks confirmed, including on a Pheasant shoot โ€“ yet selfish BASC starts another legal challenge against Govt restrictions on gamebird releases Four more outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, also known colloquially as Bird Flu) have been confirmed across the UK in recent days, including on a pheasant shoot in Exmoor Nationโ€ฆ

This is astonishing.

Although actually, it isn't if your values are focused on having the 'right' to shoot gamebirds in the face for a bit of fun rather than protect wild birds of high conservation value from a devastating disease. #BirdFlu #Ornithology

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/31/f...

31.07.2025 16:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 104    ๐Ÿ” 52    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
โ€œThis is a very dark day for seabirds.
Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotlandโ€™s globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. Its impacts are so damaging it will make it very difficult for other, less-harmful windfarms to come forward. We are incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for a project which could catapult some of Scotlandโ€™s most-loved seabird species towards extinction.โ€

โ€œThis is a very dark day for seabirds. Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotlandโ€™s globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. Its impacts are so damaging it will make it very difficult for other, less-harmful windfarms to come forward. We are incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for a project which could catapult some of Scotlandโ€™s most-loved seabird species towards extinction.โ€

Gannet pair courting

Gannet pair courting

A dark day for Scotlandโ€™s seabirds.

We're incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for the Berwick Bank offshore windfarm, which could catapult some of our most vulnerable species toward extinction ๐Ÿšจ

We will carefully scrutinise the details and consider our next steps.

31.07.2025 12:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 59    ๐Ÿ” 33    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 7
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Pair of Montaguโ€™s Harriers breeds in England after six-year absence Press release from RSPB (29 July 2025) BRITAINโ€™S RAREST BREEDING BIRD RAISED FOUR YOUNGSTERS AT SECRET LOCATION A pair of Montaguโ€™s Harriers, Britainโ€™s rarest breeding bird, have successfullyโ€ฆ

Brilliant news!

Let's hope the adults & 4 juvs get out of England alive, unlike some of their predecessors. The area nr Sandringham, Norfolk seems particularly risky for Montagu's. For Hen Harriers, too, come to think of it.

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/31/p...

31.07.2025 06:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 110    ๐Ÿ” 25    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Off-lead dogs damage Little Tern colony A colony of rare Little Terns on Norfolk's east coast has suffered after off-lead dogs attacked the birds, killing at least four chicks. The RSPB and Norfolk Police have issued urgent pleas to dog owners, warning of potential prosecution as the breeding season reaches its most critical stage.

Wardens and police have issued an urgent plea to dog owners after uncontrolled pets attacked a colony of Little Terns on the Norfolk coast, killing at least four chicks and endangering dozens more:

31.07.2025 08:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 19    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 8

There'd also be a a big biodiversity benefit, especially in urban/suburban areas, with fewer free-roaming cats killing wildlife.

31.07.2025 11:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 20    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I've huge sympathy for pet owners losing animals, but if they deliberately let them out as road hazards then the main responsibility is theirs.
I agree with @rspcaoffficial.bsky.social that cats should be treated like dogs: with the legal/welfare onus on owners not allowing them to roam. 2/2

31.07.2025 11:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 20    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Aston Villa's Lucy Parker wants law change after cat's crash death Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker only found out her cat was dead several days after her death.

Very illogical from @rspcaoffficial.bsky.social
They want legal legal onus on drivers to report hitting cats that are deliberately let out to roam by owners.
They compare legal requirement for cars hitting dogs, horses, cattle. But it's illegal for them to roam. 1/2

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

31.07.2025 11:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 19    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 6    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Surely a genuine albino with that red eye? Amazing bird!

30.07.2025 17:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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BIG NEWS: For the first time in six years, Britain's rarest breeding bird has successfully nested in the UK!

A pair of Montagu's Harriers have raised four healthy chicks, all of which have taken their first flights.

30.07.2025 09:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7948    ๐Ÿ” 982    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 96    ๐Ÿ“Œ 50
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Some more brilliant news from the region! We have successfully ringed three more Osprey chicks, meet 4R3, 4R4, & 4R5. This is the 3rd year the adults have been successful with all 3 birds fledging. Let's hope we see them back in 2027!! Those talons!! #birdringing

28.07.2025 12:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 47    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Hen Harrier chicks fledge with RSPB support after suspicious loss of parent birds RSPB press release (24 July 2025) Chicks fledge with RSPB support after suspicious loss of parent Hen Harriers.ย  In May 2025, over a period of eight days, four breeding male Hen Harriers suspiโ€ฆ

Four adult breeding Hen Harriers 'vanished' from nest sites in Cumbria & Lancashire in May 2025 - silence from police, valiant conservation efforts from RSPB staff & volunteers.

RSPB press release & some questions from me ๐Ÿ”ฝ

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/24/h...

24.07.2025 05:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 101    ๐Ÿ” 55    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3

Multiple Hen Harriers 'disappear', 1 with satellite tag that suddenly stopped working.
Every year the same story again and again, multipe petitions calling for action but nothing happens. Those in power seem reluctant to do anything :(

24.07.2025 08:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 24    ๐Ÿ” 10    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Epic!

23.07.2025 18:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Warning as animals killed, staff attacked and wildlife disturbed by loose dogs on nature reserves | Wildlife Trust for Beds Cambs & Northants As nature reserves head into the busiest time of the year conservationists have warned that dogs off leads are causing injury and disturbance to animals and people.

A sheep killed at our Pegsdon reserve is one of a string of dog attacks on livestock, people & wildlife on our sites this year. Dogs must be on leads on nature reserves all year round. Warning this article contains an image some people may find upsetting.
www.wildlifebcn.org/news/warning...

15.07.2025 16:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 36    ๐Ÿ” 16    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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The 2023 Leicestershire & Rutland Bird Report arrived today, with my Waxwings artwork on the cover. Thanks to @daleivor.bsky.social for all his hard work in giving the Report a style makeover this year - all looks really good. #UKBirding #BirdArt

14.07.2025 15:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 39    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Forest is one of Europe's major native habitats, but only 0.5% is 'wild' (unmanaged) woodland. A quarter has little management, but three-quarters is under some sort of regular intervention/logging by forestry. A third of all forest is exploited very/intensively. Europe needs more wild forest.

13.07.2025 10:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 36    ๐Ÿ” 9    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Got an osprey chick that's ready to fly the nest? Put a ring on it ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ˜‰

As many of you will know, we finally had a break from the rainy weather to ring the #FoulshawOsprey chicks.๐Ÿ˜„

Find out how the day panned out!

#Cumbria #LakeDistrict

13.07.2025 08:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 31    ๐Ÿ” 10    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Study maps global migrations of Cape Verde, Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwaters An international study has mapped the migratory routes of three shearwater species โ€“ Cape Verde, Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwaters โ€“ revealing distinct wintering areas and varying levels of migratory connectivity. Tracking more than 800 birds from 34 colonies, researchers found that conservation efforts must account for species-specific migration patterns. The study highlights the need to protect key marine habitats across seasons.

A major international study has revealed new insights into the migratory behaviour of the closely related Cape Verde, Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwaters:

09.07.2025 11:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Russian drone operators killed a bird, likely a rare white pelican. Reportedly, they did it for training.

And they had no problem with posting their crime online.

08.07.2025 07:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 553    ๐Ÿ” 171    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 54    ๐Ÿ“Œ 29
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Appeal as sand martin nests destroyed by vandals | Wildlife Trust for Beds Cambs & Northants An artificial sand martin bank and two nests were destroyed after vandals struck at the Nene Wetlands nature reserve in Northamptonshire.

An artificial sand martin bank was damaged and two nests were destroyed when vandals struck at the Nene Wetlands nature reserve in Northamptonshire recently.
Police have appealed for information: www.wildlifebcn.org/news/appeal-...
@northantspolice.bsky.social

05.07.2025 07:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Pallid Harrier in Barbados is first for Americas Pallid Harrier has been seen for the first time in the Americas. The harrier was identified by raptor expert Dick Forsman from photos taken in Barbados. However, there's bad news for anyone hoping to twitch the birdย โ€“ itย was seen inย December 2014.

The first Pallid Harrier for the Americas has been identified from photos taken in Barbados:

05.07.2025 09:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Found a Baby Bird of Prey - What To Do | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk Found a baby bird of prey out of its nest? Here's what to do if you find a baby bird of prey without its parents.

These cutesy stories are damaging, as they encourage people to 'rescue' (take from the wild) any naturally fledgling Tawny Owl they find. RSPCA has guidance on this: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwel...
Too many 'wildlife/rescue centres' lack good knowledge, and BBC should've caveated it. It's illegal.

30.06.2025 10:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Devon rescue centre finally finds friend for lonely orphaned owl Moorlands Wildlife Centre says it has paired Gizmo with a fellow orphaned tawny owl named Grommit .

One the face of it, a cute story. But in reality these two fledglings were taken (technically illegally) from the wild, and were neither "orphaned" or "abandoned". Parents would be feeding them. At most, they should've been put on nearest tree. Tawnies fledge early.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

30.06.2025 10:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I do hope that's the case. ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿคž

29.06.2025 20:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

17 at my inland reservoir patch yesterday all in full summer plumage. Not a good indication for a successful breeding season, as you say.

29.06.2025 16:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Fortunate to witness an astonishing spectacle at the beach tonight: tens of thousands of (mainly Small) white butterflies pouring in over the sea, as far as you could see. Pulses of butterflies swept in-off everywhere, an extraordinary sight.
@linnetincley.bsky.social
@norfolknats.bsky.social
1/2

25.06.2025 21:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 248    ๐Ÿ” 44    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 8    ๐Ÿ“Œ 6
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Use of bird-friendly glass saves birds' lives According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 1 billion birds a year collide with glass in the U.S. alone

Use of bird-friendly glass saves birds' lives
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 1 billion birds a year collide with glass in the U.S. alone. www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/U...

25.06.2025 08:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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First ospreys breed in East Anglia for centuries | Norfolk Wildlife Trust We can confirm that an osprey pair has successfully hatched at least two chicks at NWT Ranworth Broad and Marshes, making the nature reserve the first known site in the region to make a home for breed...

Some fantastic news from Norfolk today - www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/first-o...

20.06.2025 18:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 119    ๐Ÿ” 26    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2

@joshsollitt is following 20 prominent accounts