Andrew Lucas

Tom Lehrer, acclaimed musical satirist of cold war era, dies aged 97 A child prodigy in mathematics who graduated Harvard at just 19, his darkly prophetic and cynical show tunes won him a cult following in the 50s and 60s

Tom Lehrer, brilliant satirist, has poisoned his last pigeon.

"When they see us coming the birdies all try and hide,

But they still go for peanuts, when coated with cyanide."

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...

A great day of birding with @struthjones.bsky.social yesterday at Slimbridge. Tundra Bean Goose, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper, then even the Bluethroat put in an appearance. Finally on to Grimley and cracking views of the Night Heron. #UKbirding

Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee - 11/06/2025 The Senedd is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.

This is depressing. The Senedd environment committee interviewing the next NRW chair. In an hour, no mention of biodiversity, the nature emergency or science.

"What are your connections to Wales?"

"I've opened several supermarkets here, and I live in Bristol."

www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Arch...

Newyddion ofnadwy i bawb sydd yn gyfarwydd â Rhosili. Gobeithio y bydd y perchnogion a'i busnes yn ôl cyn bo hir.

Classic misprint from the Guardian today, reporting Ed Milliband's statement to Parliament on the climate:

"...in Britain, a quarter of our mammals, nearly half of our bird species, are currently at risk of extinction, with birds like starlings, turtle doves and grape cartridges under threat."

a cartoon monkey says no look harder while pointing ALT: a cartoon monkey says no look harder while pointing

It's a bit like that, isn't it!

Marsh Oblique Barred

This rather unimpressive moth is Marsh Oblique Barred. Although common on bogs and moorland in the west, it is nationally scarce. It somehow found its way to my garden moth trap in Clydach, Swansea but perhaps no big surprise as suitable habitat is only 1km away. #teammoth

Charging our #EV at the Tafarnaubach charger point, just off the newly completed A465 Heads of the Valleys road in South Wales. With its own wind turbine, driving doesn't get much greener. A very competitive 55p/kWh with electroverse. Looks like this will be a regular stop in future.

Despite our strong family connections to Canada, we don't normally do much for Canada Day.

But these are not normal times, so we went all out. A party for friends with burgers, hot dogs, poutine, pumpkin pie, timbits and some very nice maple whisky.

Bonne fête du Canada !

#CanadaDay #ElbowsUp

🥰 Newyddion da dydd Gwener! Mae RSPB Gwlybtiroedd Casnewydd yn gartref i unig boblogaeth bridio’r Cambig yng Nghymru, yr aderyn ar ein logo - ac eleni mae gennym ni 13 o gywion gwych! Diolch i’r holl staff a gwirfoddolwyr ymroddedig yn RSPB Gwlybtiroedd Casnewydd!

📸 : Ben Andrew

76 species from a marshy grassland site near Cwmgors, Glamorgan. The west Wales speciality Double Line, also Small Seraphim, Beautiful Snout and True Lover's Knot. Migrants represented by Rush Veneer, Dark Sword-Grass and Silver Y. Also, a single insularia form of Peppered Moth. #teammoth

Anyone who thinks birding is a way to relieve stress has never stood in a marsh next to the M42 for three hours in January, being simultaneously frozen, gassed and deafened, whilst at the same time failing to see a Dusky Warbler.

And after a long day in the heat, "Ice Cold in Quebec"!

Marais Réal D Carbonneau

Tree Swallow

Green Heron

Marsh Wren

Last full day of birding in Canada today, at the Marais Réal D. Carbonneau wetlands near Sherbrooke. 40 species recorded, including Tree Swallow, Green Heron and Marsh Wren.

Canadians. You've got to love them.

Sign on the back of a Tesla, and sign on a shop door.

Hairy Woodpecker

Purple Finch

Song Sparrow and Mourning Dove

Common Grackle.

Some garden birds from Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

I'd say for about 18 years. And then some!

If it helps, although you're a volunteer, they will pay for petrol.

This is a really nice bit of citizen science to get involved with. Just four days a year, dead easy, and an expert will even come and talk you through it the first time you do the survey.

There must be someone on South Wales who can snap this up?

Some evening birding at Indian Point Marsh, Mahone Bay, NS. Great Blue Heron, a very showy Yellow-rumped Warbler and Alder Flycatcher. Later nearby, the beavers were busy. #birds #Canada

Nova Scotia. It's awful. You wouldn't like it here. Probably best if you stay away. #NovaScotia

I have awful memories of a marsh just off the M42 in January, where you could simultaneously be frozen, gassed and deafened, whilst at the same time not seeing a Dusky Warbler.

Except for the few you take home to experiment.

A walk around the local woodlands produced loads of birds, including a confiding Common Yellowthroat and a drop-dead-gorgeous Northern Parula. #birds #Canada

The rock formations at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park NB, at low tide. The rocks are Carboniferous sedimentary deposits, carved into bizarre shapes by the huge tides of the Bay of Fundy.

Concern over pollinator decline has increased interest in ‘pollinator-friendly’ plants. Annual seed mixes are often grown in parks & gardens, but the choice of plants included is generally based on anecdote. Here we build an evidence-base for plants that are good for pollinators and people.

Piping Plover, male

Piping Plover, female.

Target bird for the trip safely on the list!

Piping Plover ssp melodus, an extremely local breeder on sandy beaches along the eastern North American seaboard, today at Kelly's Beach, Kouchibouguac National Park, NB. What cracking little birds they are! #birds #Canada

The waterfalls at...er...Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada. The energy is harnessed for hydroelectric, generating 60MW. Northern Waterthrush, Wood Thrush and Chestnut-sided Warbler in nearby woodland.

The church you can just make out on the horizon, like many in secular Quebec, is disused. It has been converted to a restaurant called...wait for it...'OMG'!!!

Lac des Nations, Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Yellow Warbler

Warbling Vireo

Unseasonably cold and windy in Sherbrooke, QC. In the gloom, the Yellow Warblers stood out like gold, and the Warbling Vireos were in fine voice. The weather forced down a big flock of Cliff, Barn and Tree Swallows, and Sand Martins. A Bald Eagle flypast finished the afternoon. #birds #Canada