gpcbirding.bsky.social

BOC but somehow rather apt

Please help us to spread the word about this. The first Red List update on dragonflies since 2008. british-dragonflies.org.uk/what-we-do/r...

www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/isabelline-wheatear-at-donna-nook-and-the-usual-historical-ramblings

The Govt claiming we must drill more fossil fuels so we can use the tax revenues to fund the green transition is about as logical as a doctor telling you to smoke 2 packs a day to raise the money for your lung transplant You don’t put out a fire by pouring on more fuel 🔥#Jackdaw

On this date, 2016, I managed to get my first taste of that legendary Siberian Accentor influx. 😍😎 3 birds together was the start for me, but not the end. It ended with seeing both Siberian and Black-Throated Accentor together in the one logpile. 😎 #birds #birding #birdwatching #finland

This flock of local Feral Pigeons spend about 10 minutes yesterday at high tide seemingly attempting to dunk their legs in the Humber waters - repeatedly flew out over the estuary and did the same thing - anyone any idea why?

For anyone interested www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/easte...

Most TV is just this now.

So I travel on roads in North Lincolnshire covered in thorns from farmers flailing hedges to 1m high in their attempt to destroy nature and a thorn through the side of my car tyre, only done 12000 miles, costs me £147 for new tyre as it can’t be mended: who do I bill? NFU?

A bizarre account of people watching a bird clearly dying and eventually coming to the conclusion it was exhausted: clutching at birding straws : look much better in a breeding cattail marsh

This legume mix field supported 3 Hen and up to 12 Marsh Harriers, 15 GWE and 17 Kestrels last winter through August: Clouded Yellows and numerous butterflies this last week: this morning it’s transformed! No hope for nature in British farmland I’m afraid

On September 16th 1982 I estimated a total of 250,000 Swallows roosted at Barton on Humber with 70,000 still on 29th: tonight 44 years on there was not one! With Spurn Migfest lacking Mig it is obvious we are heading for the precipice like the proverbial lemmings but 99% of Britains don’t care:

What exactly is in the brains of these farmers: how can I hasten the destruction of the planet and destroy any vestige of natural life? Who knows but they clearly try harder every year

What a state the world is in

Forget the glorification of dictator Trump with watching his 1936 style World Cup this is what the appalling oil industry he promotes is doing to the last arctic wilderness www.instagram.com/reel/DZVLL8M...

This ovi-positing Emperor was regularly being attacked by 4 spots and Black-tailed Skimmers - cannot recall such constant attention before - went on for about 5 minutes

Just came up to check this meadow for Quail and quelle surprise: it’s all dead and also all the voles being picked up by corvids and let’s not mention the Skylark and Yellow Wag broods: it’s June : Barton has some of the worst farmers around sadly

Over 1000 Pyramidal Orchids around the A1077 roundabout at Barton this week

Missed out on the great British spring migration but in hindsight I think this was a better option www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/south...

Anyone missing Grasshopper Warblers this spring so far? Also seems to be a local reduction in Chiffchaffs after a good early arrival

We used to dream of having some Audubon’s but guess they would need a new name now! The saving of £8 and 10 shillings was about what my paper round brought in a year

If we push the #AMOC ocean current to collapse, experts warn that the UK will become largely unfit for agriculture. Just let that sink in. This new data calls for a new plan. It's no good working to 'net zero by 2050' devised nearly 20 years ago, before policymakers even knew of this threat.

Sometimes auto-focus systems amaze me and at others they annoy me - this was unusually good

Is there some irony here: sewage dumpers maybe look in Barton Haven outside their “processing” works

Nature recovers human dereliction

2cy male Sparrowhawk

First notable Blackcap arrival locally after a scatter last week

Outside they need to be on a lead - deadly cats -

On a very minor scale every time I see a farmer spraying a field or a hedge destroying flail I feel totally powerless in a world destroyed by profit, greed and plain ignorance or the science we know exists but choose to ignore

Pacific Golden Plovers wintering in Europe? And Slender-billed Curlews? WaderTales blog #157: wadertales.wordpress.com/2026/03/09/s... #ornithology

www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/fuert...

Grey Knot certainly not Red in March

The Lincolnshire Lapland Bunting: how have they gone from regular to even common in winter to a rarity in my lifetime?

Tried to get some flight shots of Plain Tiger - background a bit cluttered but moderate success - it was down a steep bank so 1.4x on the Canon 100-500 lens with the R6II - Fuerteventura March 2026

Black-bellied Sandgrouse Fuerteventura March 2026 - never got anywhere near them in Spain

Fuerteventura Green-striped White endemic to the island and Lanzarote - after rains the island was quite green in early March with lost of butterflies even in the cool northerlies

On another grey and dismal day watching a flock of 12 glowing Yellowhammers when an unfamiliar song drifted from the adjacent scrub: bubbly and piping it went on and initially had me wondering until the penny dropped full song of the Bullfinch but how often do you hear it particularly in February

What is the connection between an electric fire, Franklin's Gull, some mole hills and Cetti's Warbler? Another ramble down memory lane www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/february-13th-the-rise-and-rise-of-the-cettis-warbler-on-my-local-patch-and-more-historical-ramblings

Well maybe an idea not to drive up and down in your tractor flailing the hedges then ?

Finally managed to get 14 White-fronts on my patch at Barton today after a few close calls - Greylags can be useful after all @lincsbirding.bsky.social

At least I can keep dry in the cafe while looking for the Black Duck

come to the conclusion it is just not worth bothering; protected areas by the Humber, right managed by Lincs Trust; track to a sailing pit, apparently hedge prevents wind and stops sailing; also harbours insects that used to feed 1000 Swifts and hirundines in spring - disconnect with natural world

Closed off January with 99 species on my patch list this adult Med Gull - have walked in excess of 130 miles in the month so not many rewards but 99 is still the highest January total for over 25 years