Andrew Clarke
@mrandrewclarke.bsky.social
Art. Archaeology. Biomimicry. Birding. Botany. Conservation. Cymraeg. Entomology. Food. Foraging. Gardening. Health. Herbalism. Horticulture. Music. Natural History. Ornithology. Permaculture. Philosophy. Politricks. Spirituality. Sustainability + more
It took me YEARS to gain the trust of suspicious local farmers at an old birding patch.
It took minutes for some selfish twitchers to chase a Woodchat from the roadside onto private farmland.
I’d carefully consider matters prior to releasing #RareBirdsUK news if there’s any chance of disturbance.
It took minutes for some selfish twitchers to chase a Woodchat from the roadside onto private farmland.
I’d carefully consider matters prior to releasing #RareBirdsUK news if there’s any chance of disturbance.
Sadly, & rather predictably, birders & photographers have accessed private land & blocked a farm entrance in their desire to see the BWKite & now the landowner (who is accommodating of local birders) is extremely annoyed.
Most don’t care, & some probably even think it’s funny. 🤷♂️🙄🤬
#norfolkbirding
Most don’t care, & some probably even think it’s funny. 🤷♂️🙄🤬
#norfolkbirding
January 14, 2026 at 6:23 PM
It took me YEARS to gain the trust of suspicious local farmers at an old birding patch.
It took minutes for some selfish twitchers to chase a Woodchat from the roadside onto private farmland.
I’d carefully consider matters prior to releasing #RareBirdsUK news if there’s any chance of disturbance.
It took minutes for some selfish twitchers to chase a Woodchat from the roadside onto private farmland.
I’d carefully consider matters prior to releasing #RareBirdsUK news if there’s any chance of disturbance.
Bloody lightweight - just keep them around yer neck at all times! 😉 #BirdingGear
No birding today due to poor weather, shopping chores, etc. However, I am always trying to be ahead of the game, so put up a corner shelf for a pair of bins should I need them in an emergency! Too many interesting birds have been missed whilst running for my bins! #birding #birdingequipment
January 14, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Bloody lightweight - just keep them around yer neck at all times! 😉 #BirdingGear
Having witnessed and experienced countless adverse effects caused by this dangerous drug (drink driving deaths and injury, violence, abuse, hangovers, addiction etc) I find it truly astonishing that the term ‘drugs AND alcohol’ is still widely used.
This must be one of the greatest misnomers ever!
This must be one of the greatest misnomers ever!
January 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Having witnessed and experienced countless adverse effects caused by this dangerous drug (drink driving deaths and injury, violence, abuse, hangovers, addiction etc) I find it truly astonishing that the term ‘drugs AND alcohol’ is still widely used.
This must be one of the greatest misnomers ever!
This must be one of the greatest misnomers ever!
It would be interesting to do a deep search into historical photographs and specimens of UK, Ireland and European Black-throated Divers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pacific Diver had occurred in the days before identification criteria and vagrancy potential was fully established.
#UKRareBirds
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pacific Diver had occurred in the days before identification criteria and vagrancy potential was fully established.
#UKRareBirds
January 12th: UK FIRST RECORDS: 🥇
PACIFIC DIVER
Gavia pacifica
A juvenile on January 12th at Farnham GP, N. Yorkshire in 2007 was present from January 12th until February 4th.
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
PACIFIC DIVER
Gavia pacifica
A juvenile on January 12th at Farnham GP, N. Yorkshire in 2007 was present from January 12th until February 4th.
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
January 12, 2026 at 2:05 PM
It would be interesting to do a deep search into historical photographs and specimens of UK, Ireland and European Black-throated Divers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pacific Diver had occurred in the days before identification criteria and vagrancy potential was fully established.
#UKRareBirds
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pacific Diver had occurred in the days before identification criteria and vagrancy potential was fully established.
#UKRareBirds
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
As climate change and urbanization intensify flooding in Rwanda, the hilly capital of Kigali has pushed nature-based solutions, reshaping 18,000 acres of degraded wetlands, planting native species to filter and slow runoff and enhancing biodiversity.
Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands
As climate change and urbanization intensify flooding in Rwanda, the hilly capital of Kigali has embraced nature-based solutions. The city is restoring and reshaping 18,000 acres of degraded wetlands,...
e360.yale.edu
January 6, 2026 at 10:21 AM
As climate change and urbanization intensify flooding in Rwanda, the hilly capital of Kigali has pushed nature-based solutions, reshaping 18,000 acres of degraded wetlands, planting native species to filter and slow runoff and enhancing biodiversity.
One of the highlights of a January visit to the Sheffield Botanical Gardens is the collection of Witch Hazels.
Most begin flowering just after the winter solstice. This truly gorgeous cultivar, bejewelled with iridescent orange-scented flowers, is Hamamelis × intermedia 'Jelena'.
#GardensHour
Most begin flowering just after the winter solstice. This truly gorgeous cultivar, bejewelled with iridescent orange-scented flowers, is Hamamelis × intermedia 'Jelena'.
#GardensHour
January 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
One of the highlights of a January visit to the Sheffield Botanical Gardens is the collection of Witch Hazels.
Most begin flowering just after the winter solstice. This truly gorgeous cultivar, bejewelled with iridescent orange-scented flowers, is Hamamelis × intermedia 'Jelena'.
#GardensHour
Most begin flowering just after the winter solstice. This truly gorgeous cultivar, bejewelled with iridescent orange-scented flowers, is Hamamelis × intermedia 'Jelena'.
#GardensHour
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Little Owl pair
acrylic, 30 x 40 cms
Little Owls may be found in parkland, farmland and at the edge of woods. They feed on small mammals, birds, beetles and worms.
On a sunny day they may perch at the entrance, or beside, their roost site- usually a cavity in a tree or wall.
#littleowl #birdart
acrylic, 30 x 40 cms
Little Owls may be found in parkland, farmland and at the edge of woods. They feed on small mammals, birds, beetles and worms.
On a sunny day they may perch at the entrance, or beside, their roost site- usually a cavity in a tree or wall.
#littleowl #birdart
January 1, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Little Owl pair
acrylic, 30 x 40 cms
Little Owls may be found in parkland, farmland and at the edge of woods. They feed on small mammals, birds, beetles and worms.
On a sunny day they may perch at the entrance, or beside, their roost site- usually a cavity in a tree or wall.
#littleowl #birdart
acrylic, 30 x 40 cms
Little Owls may be found in parkland, farmland and at the edge of woods. They feed on small mammals, birds, beetles and worms.
On a sunny day they may perch at the entrance, or beside, their roost site- usually a cavity in a tree or wall.
#littleowl #birdart
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Japanese artist Kumi Yamashita winds a single black thread around a grid of nails on a wooden board to create intricate portraits #WomensArt
January 3, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Japanese artist Kumi Yamashita winds a single black thread around a grid of nails on a wooden board to create intricate portraits #WomensArt
I met a traumatised ex-soldier a while ago who had served in the Gulf war.
Having seen both colleagues and innocent civilians maimed and slaughtered, and a nation destroyed, he simply described the invading coalition forces as mercenaries for rapacious multinational oil companies.
#Venezuela
Having seen both colleagues and innocent civilians maimed and slaughtered, and a nation destroyed, he simply described the invading coalition forces as mercenaries for rapacious multinational oil companies.
#Venezuela
January 3, 2026 at 12:36 PM
I met a traumatised ex-soldier a while ago who had served in the Gulf war.
Having seen both colleagues and innocent civilians maimed and slaughtered, and a nation destroyed, he simply described the invading coalition forces as mercenaries for rapacious multinational oil companies.
#Venezuela
Having seen both colleagues and innocent civilians maimed and slaughtered, and a nation destroyed, he simply described the invading coalition forces as mercenaries for rapacious multinational oil companies.
#Venezuela
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
It’s almost like green energy is the only way forward and a handful of oil barons are doing everything in their power to keep that from happening so they can get even richer at the cost of literally everything else in the world.
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business
Banks Notch Higher Fees From Green Bonds Than Fossil Fuel Debt
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business.
bloom.bg
January 3, 2026 at 3:00 AM
It’s almost like green energy is the only way forward and a handful of oil barons are doing everything in their power to keep that from happening so they can get even richer at the cost of literally everything else in the world.
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
It's almost like there's something Trump wants to distract us from
January 3, 2026 at 11:53 AM
It's almost like there's something Trump wants to distract us from
Fantastic work as usual @jmjbirding.bsky.social both for your weekly updates and this timely summary. There can’t be many other #WelshBirding or #UKBirding counties which have an annual bird report published on the last day of the same year!
Best wishes and good birding in 2026.
Best wishes and good birding in 2026.
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy New Year. Calling time on 2025 records (hopefully not premature!). Anglesey cumulative year total ended on 227. Included 2 BBRC plus 1 sub-species, 11 WBRC species (20 individuals) - 10 species accepted so far. 2025 report at: sites.google.com/view/anglese...
ABN - Annual Reports
sites.google.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Fantastic work as usual @jmjbirding.bsky.social both for your weekly updates and this timely summary. There can’t be many other #WelshBirding or #UKBirding counties which have an annual bird report published on the last day of the same year!
Best wishes and good birding in 2026.
Best wishes and good birding in 2026.
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Beth Robertson Fiddes, contemporary land and seascapes painter whose work captures the wild nature of the Scottish highlands and Western Isles #WomensArt
December 30, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Beth Robertson Fiddes, contemporary land and seascapes painter whose work captures the wild nature of the Scottish highlands and Western Isles #WomensArt
That’s very early, certainly compared to my sightings in North Wales. Ebol Troed (Colt’s Foot) in Welsh from the leaf shape.
Scientific name is Tussilago farfara. "Tussilago" from Latin "tussis," meaning cough, and "ago," meaning to act or to cast out, as the plant is used for respiratory ailments.
Scientific name is Tussilago farfara. "Tussilago" from Latin "tussis," meaning cough, and "ago," meaning to act or to cast out, as the plant is used for respiratory ailments.
Must be February. Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara starting to flower on the dramatic coastal slippage cliffs at Highcliffe, Hampshire. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 9:27 PM
That’s very early, certainly compared to my sightings in North Wales. Ebol Troed (Colt’s Foot) in Welsh from the leaf shape.
Scientific name is Tussilago farfara. "Tussilago" from Latin "tussis," meaning cough, and "ago," meaning to act or to cast out, as the plant is used for respiratory ailments.
Scientific name is Tussilago farfara. "Tussilago" from Latin "tussis," meaning cough, and "ago," meaning to act or to cast out, as the plant is used for respiratory ailments.
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
The presence of Common Loons indicates ecosystem health because their bodies accumulate mercury and other contaminants as they move up the food chain. Loon monitoring can double as ecosystem health monitoring. The ABA salutes all the birders who monitor and protect Common Loons.
December 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The presence of Common Loons indicates ecosystem health because their bodies accumulate mercury and other contaminants as they move up the food chain. Loon monitoring can double as ecosystem health monitoring. The ABA salutes all the birders who monitor and protect Common Loons.
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Contemporary Northumberland printmaker Rebecca Vincent #WomensArt
December 27, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Contemporary Northumberland printmaker Rebecca Vincent #WomensArt
As a child I used to turn the pages of my bird book in wonder, returning over and again to the Bullfinch illustration. Would I ever see one?
Imagine my delight when opening my bedroom curtains one morning after snowfall and there, in the garden, was my first ever pair of this gorgeous finch! 😍
Imagine my delight when opening my bedroom curtains one morning after snowfall and there, in the garden, was my first ever pair of this gorgeous finch! 😍
December 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
As a child I used to turn the pages of my bird book in wonder, returning over and again to the Bullfinch illustration. Would I ever see one?
Imagine my delight when opening my bedroom curtains one morning after snowfall and there, in the garden, was my first ever pair of this gorgeous finch! 😍
Imagine my delight when opening my bedroom curtains one morning after snowfall and there, in the garden, was my first ever pair of this gorgeous finch! 😍
Great recent article here packed with useful information, references and images of this distinctive (sub-)species.
bsky.app/profile/gpcb...
#RareBirdsUK
bsky.app/profile/gpcb...
#RareBirdsUK
More of the Sheringham 1w♂️ Eastern Black Redstart this morning. Looks like a classic phoenicuroides (and as with - every? - 1w ♂️ EBR in the UK, this is a "paradoxus"♂️, showing obvious ♂️ characteristics in 1w plumage ~ perhaps a trait of EBR).
@linnetincley.bsky.social
#NorfolkBirding
#RareBirdsUK
@linnetincley.bsky.social
#NorfolkBirding
#RareBirdsUK
December 24, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Great recent article here packed with useful information, references and images of this distinctive (sub-)species.
bsky.app/profile/gpcb...
#RareBirdsUK
bsky.app/profile/gpcb...
#RareBirdsUK
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Not long now until our 15th #NewYearPlantHunt!
From 1 - 4 January, let's head out and see how many wild or naturalised plants we can find in bloom.
Resources to help us:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
The data we collect will deepen our understanding of how our plants are responding to a changing climate.
From 1 - 4 January, let's head out and see how many wild or naturalised plants we can find in bloom.
Resources to help us:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
The data we collect will deepen our understanding of how our plants are responding to a changing climate.
December 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Not long now until our 15th #NewYearPlantHunt!
From 1 - 4 January, let's head out and see how many wild or naturalised plants we can find in bloom.
Resources to help us:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
The data we collect will deepen our understanding of how our plants are responding to a changing climate.
From 1 - 4 January, let's head out and see how many wild or naturalised plants we can find in bloom.
Resources to help us:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
The data we collect will deepen our understanding of how our plants are responding to a changing climate.
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Blue skies but a fierce wind at Ynys Llanddwyn. Could only find three Purple Sandpipers on the rocks, but nice to hear a Crossbill singing from a treetop in the relative shelter of Newborough Forest. #BirdingWales @angbirdnews.bsky.social
December 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Blue skies but a fierce wind at Ynys Llanddwyn. Could only find three Purple Sandpipers on the rocks, but nice to hear a Crossbill singing from a treetop in the relative shelter of Newborough Forest. #BirdingWales @angbirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Clarke
Christmas can be an expensive time of year, so how about something for free?
The @scottishbirding.bsky.social and Scottish Birds Records Committee are hosting a FREE online conference over the evenings of February 24th to the 26th. Three talks per night and some real belters among them.
The @scottishbirding.bsky.social and Scottish Birds Records Committee are hosting a FREE online conference over the evenings of February 24th to the 26th. Three talks per night and some real belters among them.
December 18, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Christmas can be an expensive time of year, so how about something for free?
The @scottishbirding.bsky.social and Scottish Birds Records Committee are hosting a FREE online conference over the evenings of February 24th to the 26th. Three talks per night and some real belters among them.
The @scottishbirding.bsky.social and Scottish Birds Records Committee are hosting a FREE online conference over the evenings of February 24th to the 26th. Three talks per night and some real belters among them.
Superb blog post with some exquisite images. Can’t wait to see (or even find!) one of these far eastern beauties.
Interesting to hear a key reference highlighting just how distinct this (sub?-)species really is, especially with regard to recent (taxonomic) changes to the British List.
#RareBirdsUK
Interesting to hear a key reference highlighting just how distinct this (sub?-)species really is, especially with regard to recent (taxonomic) changes to the British List.
#RareBirdsUK
Images and some musings on Eastern Black Redstarts and the Lincolnshire connections @lincsbirding.bsky.social www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/msuaxblqlk8udyg3obugjhmkz8f6hg
Eastern Black Redstarts and the Lincolnshire connections — Graham Catley Photography
On November 28th 2025 I went to Scarborough not for fish and chips, ice cream or a Walrus but to try and see a first winter male Eastern Black Redstart found by exported Lincs’ birder Ben Ward. Arrivi...
www.grahamcatley.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Superb blog post with some exquisite images. Can’t wait to see (or even find!) one of these far eastern beauties.
Interesting to hear a key reference highlighting just how distinct this (sub?-)species really is, especially with regard to recent (taxonomic) changes to the British List.
#RareBirdsUK
Interesting to hear a key reference highlighting just how distinct this (sub?-)species really is, especially with regard to recent (taxonomic) changes to the British List.
#RareBirdsUK
