Matthew Pollock
@mattp1975.bsky.social
North Warwickshire birder - mainly on foot or by bike 🚲🦉🐦⬛🦆🤓
IT engineer💻 | metal vocalist 🎤 | gardener🌻| jogger🏃♂️| Green Party member🟢
#birdingbybike #lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding #ukbirding
IT engineer💻 | metal vocalist 🎤 | gardener🌻| jogger🏃♂️| Green Party member🟢
#birdingbybike #lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding #ukbirding
First big flood of the season put KWP off limits today. Across the road at Kingsbury Range was accessible though. Highlights bird wise - Merlin, 40+ Skylark, 60+ Fieldfare, 5x Redwing, c10 Meadow Pipit, 2x Wigeon, 5x Shoveler, c50 Starling, c35 Linnet #lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding
November 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
First big flood of the season put KWP off limits today. Across the road at Kingsbury Range was accessible though. Highlights bird wise - Merlin, 40+ Skylark, 60+ Fieldfare, 5x Redwing, c10 Meadow Pipit, 2x Wigeon, 5x Shoveler, c50 Starling, c35 Linnet #lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding
Slow circuit around the accessible part of Lea Marston Lakes (Coton Pools in old money) this afternoon. 51 sp. noted, 10+ Chiffchaff, 6x Greenfinch, 2x Bullfinch, Great Egret, 12x Redwing, 5x Goldcrest, 2x Grey Wagtail the highlights #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
November 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Slow circuit around the accessible part of Lea Marston Lakes (Coton Pools in old money) this afternoon. 51 sp. noted, 10+ Chiffchaff, 6x Greenfinch, 2x Bullfinch, Great Egret, 12x Redwing, 5x Goldcrest, 2x Grey Wagtail the highlights #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Back on the #localpatch after a week away in Northumberland.
A few winter thrushes about c40x Fieldfare, c5x Redwing at Kingsbury Firing Range. Other bits - 2x Stonechat, 9x Red-legged Partridge, c50x Meadow Pipit, c50x Skylark, c35 Linnet, 8x Greenfinch, Reed Bunting #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
A few winter thrushes about c40x Fieldfare, c5x Redwing at Kingsbury Firing Range. Other bits - 2x Stonechat, 9x Red-legged Partridge, c50x Meadow Pipit, c50x Skylark, c35 Linnet, 8x Greenfinch, Reed Bunting #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
October 19, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Back on the #localpatch after a week away in Northumberland.
A few winter thrushes about c40x Fieldfare, c5x Redwing at Kingsbury Firing Range. Other bits - 2x Stonechat, 9x Red-legged Partridge, c50x Meadow Pipit, c50x Skylark, c35 Linnet, 8x Greenfinch, Reed Bunting #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
A few winter thrushes about c40x Fieldfare, c5x Redwing at Kingsbury Firing Range. Other bits - 2x Stonechat, 9x Red-legged Partridge, c50x Meadow Pipit, c50x Skylark, c35 Linnet, 8x Greenfinch, Reed Bunting #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Last day of the break today. No sign of the YBW this morning in High Newton.
Nice potter around Craster this morning, then I headed up to Budle Bay this afternoon.
Highlights - 3x Red-breasted Merganser, 5x Knot, 10x Sanderling, several thousand Barnacle Geese. #NEBirding
Nice potter around Craster this morning, then I headed up to Budle Bay this afternoon.
Highlights - 3x Red-breasted Merganser, 5x Knot, 10x Sanderling, several thousand Barnacle Geese. #NEBirding
October 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Last day of the break today. No sign of the YBW this morning in High Newton.
Nice potter around Craster this morning, then I headed up to Budle Bay this afternoon.
Highlights - 3x Red-breasted Merganser, 5x Knot, 10x Sanderling, several thousand Barnacle Geese. #NEBirding
Nice potter around Craster this morning, then I headed up to Budle Bay this afternoon.
Highlights - 3x Red-breasted Merganser, 5x Knot, 10x Sanderling, several thousand Barnacle Geese. #NEBirding
Reposted by Matthew Pollock
Today's column is about the government's huge, unprecedented assault on nature ... and about the eerie, astonishing silence of the big nature groups. The RSPB, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts have 7.5m members between them. A vast force, completely unmobilised. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Wage war on nature to build new homes: that’s Labour’s offer, but it’s a con trick | George Monbiot
The government’s new planning bill is tearing down environmental protections to benefit developers. This nation of nature lovers won’t stand for it, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Today's column is about the government's huge, unprecedented assault on nature ... and about the eerie, astonishing silence of the big nature groups. The RSPB, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts have 7.5m members between them. A vast force, completely unmobilised. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Zoe's illness grounded holiday activities today, so I spent most of the day birding on foot from the cottage.
64 sp. for the day. Highlights - Yellow-browed Warbler still, though elusive - Newton Links, 30 Twite - Long Nanny, 16x Razorbill, 6x Common Scoter, 3x RT Diver #NEBirding #LowCarbonBirding
64 sp. for the day. Highlights - Yellow-browed Warbler still, though elusive - Newton Links, 30 Twite - Long Nanny, 16x Razorbill, 6x Common Scoter, 3x RT Diver #NEBirding #LowCarbonBirding
October 15, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Zoe's illness grounded holiday activities today, so I spent most of the day birding on foot from the cottage.
64 sp. for the day. Highlights - Yellow-browed Warbler still, though elusive - Newton Links, 30 Twite - Long Nanny, 16x Razorbill, 6x Common Scoter, 3x RT Diver #NEBirding #LowCarbonBirding
64 sp. for the day. Highlights - Yellow-browed Warbler still, though elusive - Newton Links, 30 Twite - Long Nanny, 16x Razorbill, 6x Common Scoter, 3x RT Diver #NEBirding #LowCarbonBirding
Cracking start to the day with a Yellow-browed Warbler nr Newton Steads car park. Also 27x Gannet past north from the beach.
Stag Rocks - 7x Purple Sandpiper
Holy Island - was way too busy
Low Newton - Pec Sand still, 4x Ruff.
Couldn't dig out any Willow Tit despite a good search #NEBirding
Stag Rocks - 7x Purple Sandpiper
Holy Island - was way too busy
Low Newton - Pec Sand still, 4x Ruff.
Couldn't dig out any Willow Tit despite a good search #NEBirding
October 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Cracking start to the day with a Yellow-browed Warbler nr Newton Steads car park. Also 27x Gannet past north from the beach.
Stag Rocks - 7x Purple Sandpiper
Holy Island - was way too busy
Low Newton - Pec Sand still, 4x Ruff.
Couldn't dig out any Willow Tit despite a good search #NEBirding
Stag Rocks - 7x Purple Sandpiper
Holy Island - was way too busy
Low Newton - Pec Sand still, 4x Ruff.
Couldn't dig out any Willow Tit despite a good search #NEBirding
A quick walk from the cottage this morning produced 4x RT Divers c100m out in Beadnell Bay. Called in at Beadnell for a couple of hours this afternoon - Arctic Tern, 4x Razorbill, 3x RT Diver, 14x Turnstone, 2x Grey Plover, 3x Golden Plover, 3x Rock Pipit, 2x Gannet, 2x Harbour Porpoise #NEBirding
October 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM
A quick walk from the cottage this morning produced 4x RT Divers c100m out in Beadnell Bay. Called in at Beadnell for a couple of hours this afternoon - Arctic Tern, 4x Razorbill, 3x RT Diver, 14x Turnstone, 2x Grey Plover, 3x Golden Plover, 3x Rock Pipit, 2x Gannet, 2x Harbour Porpoise #NEBirding
Today, took in some places I didn't get chance to visit on previous hols - Cullernose Pt, Druridge Bay NR and Longhoughton.
Longhoughton proved best bird wise - 30x Barnacle Geese, Twite, 5x RT Diver, c300 Golden Plover, 6x Grey Plover. Rounded off the day with a Barn Owl - Newton Steads #NEBirding
Longhoughton proved best bird wise - 30x Barnacle Geese, Twite, 5x RT Diver, c300 Golden Plover, 6x Grey Plover. Rounded off the day with a Barn Owl - Newton Steads #NEBirding
October 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Today, took in some places I didn't get chance to visit on previous hols - Cullernose Pt, Druridge Bay NR and Longhoughton.
Longhoughton proved best bird wise - 30x Barnacle Geese, Twite, 5x RT Diver, c300 Golden Plover, 6x Grey Plover. Rounded off the day with a Barn Owl - Newton Steads #NEBirding
Longhoughton proved best bird wise - 30x Barnacle Geese, Twite, 5x RT Diver, c300 Golden Plover, 6x Grey Plover. Rounded off the day with a Barn Owl - Newton Steads #NEBirding
Decent start to our week away in Northumberland.
Pectoral Sandpiper still - Low Newton Pool, c20 Twite - Long Nanny.
Other coastal goodies inc. - RT Diver, 3x Guillemot, c300 PF Geese, c200 Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Gannet, Rock Pipit, 4x Dunlin, c20 Ring Plover, Common Scoter #NEBirding
Pectoral Sandpiper still - Low Newton Pool, c20 Twite - Long Nanny.
Other coastal goodies inc. - RT Diver, 3x Guillemot, c300 PF Geese, c200 Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Gannet, Rock Pipit, 4x Dunlin, c20 Ring Plover, Common Scoter #NEBirding
October 11, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Decent start to our week away in Northumberland.
Pectoral Sandpiper still - Low Newton Pool, c20 Twite - Long Nanny.
Other coastal goodies inc. - RT Diver, 3x Guillemot, c300 PF Geese, c200 Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Gannet, Rock Pipit, 4x Dunlin, c20 Ring Plover, Common Scoter #NEBirding
Pectoral Sandpiper still - Low Newton Pool, c20 Twite - Long Nanny.
Other coastal goodies inc. - RT Diver, 3x Guillemot, c300 PF Geese, c200 Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Gannet, Rock Pipit, 4x Dunlin, c20 Ring Plover, Common Scoter #NEBirding
Reposted by Matthew Pollock
Astonishing advance by the Greens, astonishing implosion of Labour. When will Starmer's government get the message that it is destroying its base with deeply unpopular, rightwing policies?
By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.
By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.
Latest poll puts Greens just two points behind Labour. When I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour but to replace them, I meant it.
Join us and let's make hope normal again.
join.greenparty.org.uk
Join us and let's make hope normal again.
join.greenparty.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Astonishing advance by the Greens, astonishing implosion of Labour. When will Starmer's government get the message that it is destroying its base with deeply unpopular, rightwing policies?
By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.
By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.
Reposted by Matthew Pollock
ME/CFS is a devastating condition that has long been denied, dismissed, psychologised and underdiagnosed. Research is at last starting to catch up with it, with glimmers of hope for those who have been left untreated for so long.
There's a huge BUT coming ...🧵
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
There's a huge BUT coming ...🧵
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Scientists develop first ‘accurate blood test’ to detect chronic fatigue syndrome
Research could offer hope for ME patients – but some experts urge caution and say more studies needed
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:09 AM
ME/CFS is a devastating condition that has long been denied, dismissed, psychologised and underdiagnosed. Research is at last starting to catch up with it, with glimmers of hope for those who have been left untreated for so long.
There's a huge BUT coming ...🧵
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
There's a huge BUT coming ...🧵
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
An extended #localpatch walk this morning from Kingsbury Firing Range to Kingsbury Wood in search of Stonechat.
Found a pair along the dried out ditch that runs through the site - sp #89 for the site list. Other birds of note - c50 Skylark, c75 Linnet, c50 Mipit
#lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding
Found a pair along the dried out ditch that runs through the site - sp #89 for the site list. Other birds of note - c50 Skylark, c75 Linnet, c50 Mipit
#lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding
October 5, 2025 at 11:14 AM
An extended #localpatch walk this morning from Kingsbury Firing Range to Kingsbury Wood in search of Stonechat.
Found a pair along the dried out ditch that runs through the site - sp #89 for the site list. Other birds of note - c50 Skylark, c75 Linnet, c50 Mipit
#lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding
Found a pair along the dried out ditch that runs through the site - sp #89 for the site list. Other birds of note - c50 Skylark, c75 Linnet, c50 Mipit
#lowcarbonbirding #warksbirding
Reposted by Matthew Pollock
Greta Thunberg along with hundreds of others is being kept in an Israeli prison where she is forced to stay in a cell crawling with bedbugs, refused food and water, and forced to take photographs holding Israel flags.
But the West does nothing as Israel tortures its citizens.
But the West does nothing as Israel tortures its citizens.
October 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Greta Thunberg along with hundreds of others is being kept in an Israeli prison where she is forced to stay in a cell crawling with bedbugs, refused food and water, and forced to take photographs holding Israel flags.
But the West does nothing as Israel tortures its citizens.
But the West does nothing as Israel tortures its citizens.
Reposted by Matthew Pollock
I think the genocide is stoking tension, you clattering twat of a charisma void.
October 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I think the genocide is stoking tension, you clattering twat of a charisma void.
A long sought after site ✅ came today, by way of a Common Redstart in the public footpath hedge at Kingsbury Firing Range.
Personal site list now up to 87 species.
Other birds of note - 20+ Skylark, 100+ Linnet, Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit
#localpatch #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Personal site list now up to 87 species.
Other birds of note - 20+ Skylark, 100+ Linnet, Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit
#localpatch #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
September 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A long sought after site ✅ came today, by way of a Common Redstart in the public footpath hedge at Kingsbury Firing Range.
Personal site list now up to 87 species.
Other birds of note - 20+ Skylark, 100+ Linnet, Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit
#localpatch #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Personal site list now up to 87 species.
Other birds of note - 20+ Skylark, 100+ Linnet, Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit
#localpatch #warksbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Shustoke Reservoir this morning - Dunlin & Ruff - both at the west end. Quiet otherwise #warksbirding #localpatch
September 25, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Shustoke Reservoir this morning - Dunlin & Ruff - both at the west end. Quiet otherwise #warksbirding #localpatch
Nice to be back out on the #localpatch this pm after 3 days stuck indoors painting. All change bird wise - last few Common Terns gone, along with the steady passage of hirundines from K'bury South. Green Sand replaces the lingering Common Sand.
K'bury Range - 60+ Mipit, 70+ Linnet new #warksbirding
K'bury Range - 60+ Mipit, 70+ Linnet new #warksbirding
September 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Nice to be back out on the #localpatch this pm after 3 days stuck indoors painting. All change bird wise - last few Common Terns gone, along with the steady passage of hirundines from K'bury South. Green Sand replaces the lingering Common Sand.
K'bury Range - 60+ Mipit, 70+ Linnet new #warksbirding
K'bury Range - 60+ Mipit, 70+ Linnet new #warksbirding
A few bits on passage through the patch this weekend.
3x Whinchat - Seeney Lane, Marston (Cuttle Mill Farm/HS2 footpath) yesterday, Wheatear - Seeney Lane, Marston (Marston Lakes/HS2) this evening. #warksbirding #birdingbybike
3x Whinchat - Seeney Lane, Marston (Cuttle Mill Farm/HS2 footpath) yesterday, Wheatear - Seeney Lane, Marston (Marston Lakes/HS2) this evening. #warksbirding #birdingbybike
September 7, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A few bits on passage through the patch this weekend.
3x Whinchat - Seeney Lane, Marston (Cuttle Mill Farm/HS2 footpath) yesterday, Wheatear - Seeney Lane, Marston (Marston Lakes/HS2) this evening. #warksbirding #birdingbybike
3x Whinchat - Seeney Lane, Marston (Cuttle Mill Farm/HS2 footpath) yesterday, Wheatear - Seeney Lane, Marston (Marston Lakes/HS2) this evening. #warksbirding #birdingbybike
Went out #birdingbybike this afternoon looking for local Whinchat. Didn't find any, so headed up to #middletonlakes
Highlights - Spotted Redshank, 2x Curlew Sandpiper, Water Rail, Peregrine, Ruff, 4x LRP, 3x Snipe, 5x Black-tailed Godwit.
KWP - Yellow-legged Gull
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Highlights - Spotted Redshank, 2x Curlew Sandpiper, Water Rail, Peregrine, Ruff, 4x LRP, 3x Snipe, 5x Black-tailed Godwit.
KWP - Yellow-legged Gull
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
August 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Went out #birdingbybike this afternoon looking for local Whinchat. Didn't find any, so headed up to #middletonlakes
Highlights - Spotted Redshank, 2x Curlew Sandpiper, Water Rail, Peregrine, Ruff, 4x LRP, 3x Snipe, 5x Black-tailed Godwit.
KWP - Yellow-legged Gull
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Highlights - Spotted Redshank, 2x Curlew Sandpiper, Water Rail, Peregrine, Ruff, 4x LRP, 3x Snipe, 5x Black-tailed Godwit.
KWP - Yellow-legged Gull
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Shustoke Reservoir - Ruff, 4x Common Sandpiper, 2x Raven
Whitacre Heath NR - 2x Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff #ukbirding #localpatch
Whitacre Heath NR - 2x Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff #ukbirding #localpatch
August 24, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Shustoke Reservoir - Ruff, 4x Common Sandpiper, 2x Raven
Whitacre Heath NR - 2x Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff #ukbirding #localpatch
Whitacre Heath NR - 2x Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff #ukbirding #localpatch
Point blank views of a smart looking Ruff this morning at Shustoke Reservoir. Not a bird I've seen at the site before. The receding water levels and exposed shoreline likely bringing the waders in. 3x Common Sandpiper also #ukbirding #localpatch
August 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Point blank views of a smart looking Ruff this morning at Shustoke Reservoir. Not a bird I've seen at the site before. The receding water levels and exposed shoreline likely bringing the waders in. 3x Common Sandpiper also #ukbirding #localpatch
Visit to #RSPBFramptonMarsh today. Water levels extremely low, so number of birds on the reserve massively reduced.
Still, managed a few good bits - 7x Little Stint, 2x Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Whooper Swan, Peregrine, 5x Dunlin, 2x Yellow Wag, Greenshank, Redshank. LRP, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover
Still, managed a few good bits - 7x Little Stint, 2x Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Whooper Swan, Peregrine, 5x Dunlin, 2x Yellow Wag, Greenshank, Redshank. LRP, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover
August 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Visit to #RSPBFramptonMarsh today. Water levels extremely low, so number of birds on the reserve massively reduced.
Still, managed a few good bits - 7x Little Stint, 2x Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Whooper Swan, Peregrine, 5x Dunlin, 2x Yellow Wag, Greenshank, Redshank. LRP, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover
Still, managed a few good bits - 7x Little Stint, 2x Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Whooper Swan, Peregrine, 5x Dunlin, 2x Yellow Wag, Greenshank, Redshank. LRP, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover
Seeing a lot of this in my area. Blackberry yields a fraction of a "normal" year. Trees shedding brown leaves for last 6 weeks.
Even got hedgehogs in the garden during the day which I assume is related to heat and lack of water.
Be interested to see how this year has played out when the data is in.
Even got hedgehogs in the garden during the day which I assume is related to heat and lack of water.
Be interested to see how this year has played out when the data is in.
August 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Seeing a lot of this in my area. Blackberry yields a fraction of a "normal" year. Trees shedding brown leaves for last 6 weeks.
Even got hedgehogs in the garden during the day which I assume is related to heat and lack of water.
Be interested to see how this year has played out when the data is in.
Even got hedgehogs in the garden during the day which I assume is related to heat and lack of water.
Be interested to see how this year has played out when the data is in.
A few hours #birdingbybike around the #localpatch this morning.
Highlights:
KWP - 2x Black Tern (juv) briefly on Swann Pool 10am
20+ Common Tern (mainly juv) across the park, Hobby - Richards Meadow.
Whitacre Heath NR - 4x Yellow Wagtail - Flashes hide
Lea Marston Landfill - 2x Raven
#ukbirding
Highlights:
KWP - 2x Black Tern (juv) briefly on Swann Pool 10am
20+ Common Tern (mainly juv) across the park, Hobby - Richards Meadow.
Whitacre Heath NR - 4x Yellow Wagtail - Flashes hide
Lea Marston Landfill - 2x Raven
#ukbirding
August 16, 2025 at 1:25 PM
A few hours #birdingbybike around the #localpatch this morning.
Highlights:
KWP - 2x Black Tern (juv) briefly on Swann Pool 10am
20+ Common Tern (mainly juv) across the park, Hobby - Richards Meadow.
Whitacre Heath NR - 4x Yellow Wagtail - Flashes hide
Lea Marston Landfill - 2x Raven
#ukbirding
Highlights:
KWP - 2x Black Tern (juv) briefly on Swann Pool 10am
20+ Common Tern (mainly juv) across the park, Hobby - Richards Meadow.
Whitacre Heath NR - 4x Yellow Wagtail - Flashes hide
Lea Marston Landfill - 2x Raven
#ukbirding