LurkyMclurkface
@lurkymclurkface.bsky.social
Hobby birdwatcher and insect-botherer, Suffolk-born, Newcastle-based.
Nervous-looking Water Rail currently on the steps into the water north of Cullercoats lighthouse station. Seems trapped between fear of anglers above and the waves. #NEbirding #UKbirds
November 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Nervous-looking Water Rail currently on the steps into the water north of Cullercoats lighthouse station. Seems trapped between fear of anglers above and the waves. #NEbirding #UKbirds
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
NEW In the heart of the Eurasian steppe, a #BronzeAge metropolis has been unearthed, showing that the settlements of nomadic steppe societies were just as sophisticated as contemporary, more traditionally 'urban' civilisations.
#AntiquityThread 1/14 🧵
🏺 #Archaeology
#AntiquityThread 1/14 🧵
🏺 #Archaeology
November 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
NEW In the heart of the Eurasian steppe, a #BronzeAge metropolis has been unearthed, showing that the settlements of nomadic steppe societies were just as sophisticated as contemporary, more traditionally 'urban' civilisations.
#AntiquityThread 1/14 🧵
🏺 #Archaeology
#AntiquityThread 1/14 🧵
🏺 #Archaeology
Snab Point, Northumberland - is this a Sab's? Help! #NEbirding #UKbirding
November 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Snab Point, Northumberland - is this a Sab's? Help! #NEbirding #UKbirding
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
Israeli settler & 3 soldiers taking turns beating & assaulting Ahmad Shakarneh 65 yrs old - he was harvesting olives with his family in the town of Nahalin near Bethlehem.
The IDF is cooperating with the settlers in the West Bank to evict Palestinians from their homes, land & communities.
The IDF is cooperating with the settlers in the West Bank to evict Palestinians from their homes, land & communities.
October 26, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Israeli settler & 3 soldiers taking turns beating & assaulting Ahmad Shakarneh 65 yrs old - he was harvesting olives with his family in the town of Nahalin near Bethlehem.
The IDF is cooperating with the settlers in the West Bank to evict Palestinians from their homes, land & communities.
The IDF is cooperating with the settlers in the West Bank to evict Palestinians from their homes, land & communities.
I lucked into great views of the SMI Water Pipit today on a very brief visit. My Wabi-sabi bin-phone photos aren't worth sharing, but just wanted to say, in its current state, it really is a *gorgeous* bird. #NEbirding
October 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I lucked into great views of the SMI Water Pipit today on a very brief visit. My Wabi-sabi bin-phone photos aren't worth sharing, but just wanted to say, in its current state, it really is a *gorgeous* bird. #NEbirding
Yellow-brow in the Holy Island public car park hedge. Plenty of thrushes on the deck, but no Ouzel yet. #NEbirding
October 18, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Yellow-brow in the Holy Island public car park hedge. Plenty of thrushes on the deck, but no Ouzel yet. #NEbirding
Ivy is pretty much the place to be for hovers right now. Not a particularly diverse species list, but these plants near to a site I'm working at West Denton-ish had literally hundreds. #hoverflies
Sprawk crossing the A69 a few times, probably based locally somewhere, I've seen it a bit. #NEbirding
Sprawk crossing the A69 a few times, probably based locally somewhere, I've seen it a bit. #NEbirding
October 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Ivy is pretty much the place to be for hovers right now. Not a particularly diverse species list, but these plants near to a site I'm working at West Denton-ish had literally hundreds. #hoverflies
Sprawk crossing the A69 a few times, probably based locally somewhere, I've seen it a bit. #NEbirding
Sprawk crossing the A69 a few times, probably based locally somewhere, I've seen it a bit. #NEbirding
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
@teesbirds.bsky.social does anyone know if Northern Experience Wildlife Tours (that run pelagics out of North Shields) are still operating? Their website is showing trips with spaces available but the booking system doesn’t work and they are not answering emails or the phone
October 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
@teesbirds.bsky.social does anyone know if Northern Experience Wildlife Tours (that run pelagics out of North Shields) are still operating? Their website is showing trips with spaces available but the booking system doesn’t work and they are not answering emails or the phone
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
Smoke and mirrors drivel
There is no such thing as sustainable aviation fuel
We need a prohibative levy on the minority that flies for fun every other weekend
No new airport expansion and a ban on private jets
And train not plane for domestic travel
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
There is no such thing as sustainable aviation fuel
We need a prohibative levy on the minority that flies for fun every other weekend
No new airport expansion and a ban on private jets
And train not plane for domestic travel
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘This is real progress’: airlines on sustainable aviation fuels and the chances of net zero flying
The EU and UK have imposed mandates, and investors see its value – but the industry has mixed views
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Smoke and mirrors drivel
There is no such thing as sustainable aviation fuel
We need a prohibative levy on the minority that flies for fun every other weekend
No new airport expansion and a ban on private jets
And train not plane for domestic travel
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
There is no such thing as sustainable aviation fuel
We need a prohibative levy on the minority that flies for fun every other weekend
No new airport expansion and a ban on private jets
And train not plane for domestic travel
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
"For the next 15 years, give us a subsidy from public money, and remove the disincentive for us to stop dumping raw sewage, so our creditors are rescued from the consequences of their own greed" is not, I have to say, the world's most appealing pitch. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Thames Water creditors ask for up to 15 years’ leniency from river pollution rules
Lenders say a ‘full return to legal, regulatory and environmental compliance’ under new rescue plan would not be completed until at least 2035-2040
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM
"For the next 15 years, give us a subsidy from public money, and remove the disincentive for us to stop dumping raw sewage, so our creditors are rescued from the consequences of their own greed" is not, I have to say, the world's most appealing pitch. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Glossy Ibis N over SMI causeway 1653. #NEbirding
September 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Glossy Ibis N over SMI causeway 1653. #NEbirding
Hoopoe just flew round N half of Whitley Bay Crem! Current whereabouts unknown. #NEbirding
September 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Hoopoe just flew round N half of Whitley Bay Crem! Current whereabouts unknown. #NEbirding
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
I'd appreciate it if this could be re posted by as many people as possible to highlight this greedy firm. Apparently if your Husband is rushed to hospital and you get there urgently (following the ambulance) you still have to read the conditions on the sign & appeal failed. @england.nhs.uk use them
May 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I'd appreciate it if this could be re posted by as many people as possible to highlight this greedy firm. Apparently if your Husband is rushed to hospital and you get there urgently (following the ambulance) you still have to read the conditions on the sign & appeal failed. @england.nhs.uk use them
Second shot is a good summary of the majority of times this bird showed itself. Not bad for a skulker mind. #NEbirding
September 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Second shot is a good summary of the majority of times this bird showed itself. Not bad for a skulker mind. #NEbirding
Hovers getting less frequent in the NE, with some rainy days like today featuring zero records. Nevertheless still some pretty ones around. Here's an Eristalis arbustorum ♂️ from Wednesday, Eupeodes latifasciatus ♀️ from last Saturday and a Syrphus ribesii ♀️ from last Tuesday.
#hoverflies
#syrphidae
#hoverflies
#syrphidae
September 11, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Hovers getting less frequent in the NE, with some rainy days like today featuring zero records. Nevertheless still some pretty ones around. Here's an Eristalis arbustorum ♂️ from Wednesday, Eupeodes latifasciatus ♀️ from last Saturday and a Syrphus ribesii ♀️ from last Tuesday.
#hoverflies
#syrphidae
#hoverflies
#syrphidae
SMI seawatch and island-watch at 12:30 onwards featured 60+ Wigeon S, 4 Whimbrel heading S then in over the island and a Shag S. Most notable though was a large bat making its way NW over the causeway at c. 14:00. 🤔
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
September 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
SMI seawatch and island-watch at 12:30 onwards featured 60+ Wigeon S, 4 Whimbrel heading S then in over the island and a Shag S. Most notable though was a large bat making its way NW over the causeway at c. 14:00. 🤔
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
A small Grebe present in Druridge Bay, level with Chev. I'm a bit optically challenged, but it looks a bit too elegant and long to be 'just' a Little Grebe. Or am I underestimating both their elegance and seagoing tendencies? Answers pls #NEbirding
September 6, 2025 at 8:54 AM
A small Grebe present in Druridge Bay, level with Chev. I'm a bit optically challenged, but it looks a bit too elegant and long to be 'just' a Little Grebe. Or am I underestimating both their elegance and seagoing tendencies? Answers pls #NEbirding
Cavenham Heath NR this morning: 6+ Stone Curlew present in the heather and a young Cuckoo still wafting around. A massive Pompilid (spider-hunting wasp) with orange abdominal banding wouldn't allow me to photograph it properly, so I'll post this beautiful silver birch texture instead.
August 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Cavenham Heath NR this morning: 6+ Stone Curlew present in the heather and a young Cuckoo still wafting around. A massive Pompilid (spider-hunting wasp) with orange abdominal banding wouldn't allow me to photograph it properly, so I'll post this beautiful silver birch texture instead.
Suffolk insects: Volucella inanis (a #hoverfly); Sphaerophoria rueppelli (also hoverfly); the #butterfly (two photos) is I think a Purple hairstreak, although it wouldn't open its wings for me.
July 28, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Suffolk insects: Volucella inanis (a #hoverfly); Sphaerophoria rueppelli (also hoverfly); the #butterfly (two photos) is I think a Purple hairstreak, although it wouldn't open its wings for me.
BLOOD/INJURY WARNING, don't look too closely if you don't like [mild] animal suffering.
Seal TSH78 looking a little worse for wear this evening at SMI. Looks like blood/flesh rather than a man-made item. I don't think it's food either, it appeared to be coming from a nostril.
Seal TSH78 looking a little worse for wear this evening at SMI. Looks like blood/flesh rather than a man-made item. I don't think it's food either, it appeared to be coming from a nostril.
July 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
BLOOD/INJURY WARNING, don't look too closely if you don't like [mild] animal suffering.
Seal TSH78 looking a little worse for wear this evening at SMI. Looks like blood/flesh rather than a man-made item. I don't think it's food either, it appeared to be coming from a nostril.
Seal TSH78 looking a little worse for wear this evening at SMI. Looks like blood/flesh rather than a man-made item. I don't think it's food either, it appeared to be coming from a nostril.
1-2pm, Castle Island had, among regular gulls, Lapwing and Redshank, 10+ Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin. The Wansbeck from Castle Island to the mouth, a minimum count of 20 Little Egret.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
July 19, 2025 at 2:26 PM
1-2pm, Castle Island had, among regular gulls, Lapwing and Redshank, 10+ Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin. The Wansbeck from Castle Island to the mouth, a minimum count of 20 Little Egret.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
Some people really are as stupid as they come. #NEbirding
July 12, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Some people really are as stupid as they come. #NEbirding
I bought this phone well before getting back into insects and really lucked out with the camera. Some NE hoverflies of late:
- Cheilosia illustrata, m
- Scaeva pyrastri, f
- Eupeodes, probably corollae, f
- Pyrophaena (or Platycheirus) rosarum f
- Cheilosia illustrata, m
- Scaeva pyrastri, f
- Eupeodes, probably corollae, f
- Pyrophaena (or Platycheirus) rosarum f
July 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
I bought this phone well before getting back into insects and really lucked out with the camera. Some NE hoverflies of late:
- Cheilosia illustrata, m
- Scaeva pyrastri, f
- Eupeodes, probably corollae, f
- Pyrophaena (or Platycheirus) rosarum f
- Cheilosia illustrata, m
- Scaeva pyrastri, f
- Eupeodes, probably corollae, f
- Pyrophaena (or Platycheirus) rosarum f
Reposted by LurkyMclurkface
“The real conflict is not town v country, but money & power v people.”
Profound piece by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social on the forthcoming eviction of an entire village by a faceless plutocrat, the enclosure of access, & @righttoroam.bsky.social’s next mass trespass:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Profound piece by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social on the forthcoming eviction of an entire village by a faceless plutocrat, the enclosure of access, & @righttoroam.bsky.social’s next mass trespass:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
An entire village in Dorset is facing eviction – proof that private money holds all the power in rural England | George Monbiot
This scandalous story gives lie to the claim that the biggest threat to country life comes from city dwellers, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
June 28, 2025 at 6:49 AM
“The real conflict is not town v country, but money & power v people.”
Profound piece by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social on the forthcoming eviction of an entire village by a faceless plutocrat, the enclosure of access, & @righttoroam.bsky.social’s next mass trespass:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Profound piece by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social on the forthcoming eviction of an entire village by a faceless plutocrat, the enclosure of access, & @righttoroam.bsky.social’s next mass trespass:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...