Jono Leadley

Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall pleads guilty to conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park. BREAKING NEWS… Further to this morning’s blog, gamekeeper Racster Dingwall has pleaded guilty to two charges, including conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor on the Coniston…

BREAKING NEWS....Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall pleads guilty to conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park ⚖️

New blog ⬇️

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/29/g...

That's great, thanks for finding that out! I assume ringed as a chick last year?

Same bird, other leg. I think it's silver BTO but I'll confirm later.

Insane scenes at Castle Howard lake this morning with 17 Shags per Rob and Jane Chapman! 9 previous records for York, so this is nuts. One 1w has a red ring with BES code. David, any idea of origin? @steelyseabirder.bsky.social
Congrats to @eborbirder.bsky.social & @ollie333.bsky.social for find.

Classic winter wetands day in the @ldvnnr.bsky.social on our @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social tour. Two White-fronted Geese, several Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, c100 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Whooper Swans and 90 Redpolls at Skipwith Common.

Petition: Stop the Guga Hunt Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove the power to grant licences for taking Gannets on Sula Sgeir.

Sign here to voice your disgust at the annual Guga slaughter. Gannets are magnificent and this old ‘tradition’ needs to end.

petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE...

Mediterranean Gulls have been surprisingly scarce in the @yorkbirding.bsky.social area this winter, so nice to find this adult in the roost at Wheldrake Ings. Also, 5 Marsh Harriers, 90+ Black-tailed Godwits. Earlier at least 1 Twite still at Dunnington, White-tailed Eagle at North Duffield Carrs.

Spectacular views of the @ldvnnr.bsky.social White-tailed Eagle this morning at North Duffield Carrs on our @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social birding day. It was mobbed by a very feisty Peregrine and a couple of Marsh Harriers. Awesome!

There is a lot of talk about this new film, 'H is for Hawk'. I read Helen MacDonald's book upon which this is based, and it left me very sad. I much prefer to see Goshawks away from people, in wild landscapes, where they are free. Not tethered to people, tamed and broken.

finale even!

Smart Caspian Gull at Castle Howard this afternoon, the fiale of a good day birding in @yorkbirding.bsky.social with two Short-eared Owls, Spotted Redshank and three Scaup the other highlights. No sign of the White-tailed Eagle y'day or today. @birdguides.bsky.social @northyorksbirds.bsky.social

Can you throw another Green Party Party here in the north, please? York preferably ;-)

It's flown by!

I've been writing a birding blog for 18 years...gulp! Can't believe anybody reads my drivel.
birdingdad.blogspot.com?m=1

Gamekeeper Thomas Munday convicted after brutally clubbing trapped Buzzard to death on a Pheasant shoot at Hovingham, North Yorkshire Further to last week’s blog about a gamekeeper being due to appear in court charged with killing a Buzzard on a Pheasant shoot at Hovingham, North Yorkshire (here), the case was heard today a…

Gamekeeper Thomas Munday convicted after brutally clubbing a trapped Buzzard to death on a Pheasant shoot at Hovingham, North Yorkshire.

Press release and video in blog ⬇️

‼️WARNING - the video content is highly disturbing.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/12/g...

The #LDV monthly sightings have now been updated on our NNR blog, including December - ldvnnr.blogspot.com/p/dec-25.html. Many thanks to everyone who contributed records & counts throughout the month, in particular to members of @yorkbirding.bsky.social & regular patch birder @duncbye.bsky.social

The @ldvnnr.bsky.social White-tailed Eagle was showing well off Ellerton Church late morning, hunting along the river. I saw it again early afternoon from North Duffield Carrs. A Rock/Water Pipit at NDC, 2 White-fronted Geese at East Cottingwith and a possible Bar-tailed Godwit south past Ellerton.

Think you might be thinking of Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle hunting wildfowl in the @ldvnnr.bsky.social this morning and showing well from Ellerton Church. Nearby, 188 Whooper Swans in a field east of the village. @yorkbirding.bsky.social

Saxilby - Misuse of a level crossing We are appealing for information after one, maybe two dogs died

Lincolnshire Police are asking for help: who might own a pack of foxhounds misusing a level crossing, causing a passenger train to emergency brake and killing two dogs. Someone on horseback may be a witness, apparently. It's a mystery!
@protectthewild.bsky.social
www.lincs.police.uk/news/lincoln...

Gorgeous! The flock of eight 'bumbarrels' I get in my little garden is down to 3 :-( tough weather for these guys.

Scientists Call for More Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean - Inside Climate News As climate change and commercial fishing threaten krill, the crustaceans that fuel Antarctica’s entire food web, scientists and advocates say those responsible for protecting Antarctica’s marine life ...

Every time you eat farmed salmon you are effectively starving whales and penguins.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1101202...

Not sure, we don't get them here in the UK!

It is freezing out there, so great to help a few of the garden birds, including this male Blackcap, which enjoyed tucking into this apple. @yorkbirding.bsky.social

Excellent!

Glad you got the eagle!! Good views?

I'd suggest Aughton Church to start with as that's been the most reliable starting place. Thorganby is further north but on the opposite side of the valley. Good luck!

Big thanks to @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social for the generous donation in support of our Yorkshire Bird Race team!
With @duncbye.bsky.social & @ldvbirder.bsky.social
Still time to donate:
gofund.me/82e200515

Enjoyable day in the @ldvnnr.bsky.social for the Mike Clegg Memorial Yorkshire Bird Race, with @duncbye.bsky.social & @ldvbirder.bsky.social. Our total of 88 will not be submitted, as we used an EV due to icy conditions. Managed to miss all the scarce stuff!
gofund.me/82e200515

A watchful female Marsh Harrier at Wheldrake Ings this morning. Makes a change from eagle pics!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social

Swantail Hide now accessible in wellies.