Palustris
@palustris.bsky.social
Ecologist. Meadows, mires & meres. Wetland beetles, fen creation, Teesside birds. Against Trump, Putin & Farage.
Reposted by Palustris
Cloud inversion from Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, today. Almost as if the sea had come back to this ancient reef.
January 28, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Cloud inversion from Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, today. Almost as if the sea had come back to this ancient reef.
My contribution the growing collection of Albert Park Otter photos. Apparently 3 different animals there today! This one was catching one Roach after another.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @teeswildlife.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @teeswildlife.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 31, 2026 at 4:34 PM
My contribution the growing collection of Albert Park Otter photos. Apparently 3 different animals there today! This one was catching one Roach after another.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @teeswildlife.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @teeswildlife.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reform candidate in Redcar council byelection withdraws following "racist, antisemitic, xenophobic" social media posts. Whoever would have guessed such people are drawn to Reform UK?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK withdraws support for Redcar candidate over posts
A council by-election candidate resigns from the party over
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Reform candidate in Redcar council byelection withdraws following "racist, antisemitic, xenophobic" social media posts. Whoever would have guessed such people are drawn to Reform UK?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Measly fine for the ex head keeper of Conistone and Grassington Estate for illegal persecution of Hen Harriers. Needs lifetime shotgun ban, better still vicarious liability so that estates where this goes on can be held accountable.
www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2580861...
www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2580861...
Head gamekeeper fined for targeting rare bird of prey in 'legal first'
A North Yorkshire head gamekeeper has been fined at York Magistrates' Court for targeting hen harriers in what police say is the first prosecution…
www.yorkpress.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Measly fine for the ex head keeper of Conistone and Grassington Estate for illegal persecution of Hen Harriers. Needs lifetime shotgun ban, better still vicarious liability so that estates where this goes on can be held accountable.
www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2580861...
www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2580861...
2 Water Pipits from screen nr Saltholme hide, 14.30 @teesbirds.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 2:31 PM
2 Water Pipits from screen nr Saltholme hide, 14.30 @teesbirds.bsky.social
Hartlepool Headland 11-12: 13 Red-throated Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes on sea; not much passing, v small numbers Common Scoter, Shag, Kittiwake. Harbour Porpoise, Harbour Seal.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Hartlepool Headland 11-12: 13 Red-throated Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes on sea; not much passing, v small numbers Common Scoter, Shag, Kittiwake. Harbour Porpoise, Harbour Seal.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Just received 2 vols of Queney & Prevost's Coléoptères Aquatiques de France via Pemberley Books. Text French but superb, clear photos of both whole insect and diagnostic features. Tome 2 covers families for which there isn't a modern @royentsoc.bsky.social key, including Hydraenidae & Dryopidae.
January 28, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Just received 2 vols of Queney & Prevost's Coléoptères Aquatiques de France via Pemberley Books. Text French but superb, clear photos of both whole insect and diagnostic features. Tome 2 covers families for which there isn't a modern @royentsoc.bsky.social key, including Hydraenidae & Dryopidae.
Reposted by Palustris
I know I keep writing about this,but the level of delusion is staggering. How do so many people think Reform will 'save the country' when it’s led by defected Tories from the worst cabinet in UK history?It’s not change, just same failures,new logo,and people cheering like it’s a revival,not a rerun.
January 26, 2026 at 11:25 PM
I know I keep writing about this,but the level of delusion is staggering. How do so many people think Reform will 'save the country' when it’s led by defected Tories from the worst cabinet in UK history?It’s not change, just same failures,new logo,and people cheering like it’s a revival,not a rerun.
Reposted by Palustris
Suella only defected to Reform because the Vlad The Impaler Flay 'Em Alive And Burn Their Entrails Party hasn't been invented yet.
January 26, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Suella only defected to Reform because the Vlad The Impaler Flay 'Em Alive And Burn Their Entrails Party hasn't been invented yet.
One of the Otters was being incredibly obliging on Albert Park Lake, M'bro, at lunchtime, popping up a few metres from the bank. I forgot the camera, so here's a couple of Cormorants instead. Also Goosander x2, Gadwall.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 1:50 PM
One of the Otters was being incredibly obliging on Albert Park Lake, M'bro, at lunchtime, popping up a few metres from the bank. I forgot the camera, so here's a couple of Cormorants instead. Also Goosander x2, Gadwall.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Among all the other madness this is going completely under the radar. Trump has thrown the Syrian Kurds under the bus again, enabling jihadist forces to besiege Kurdish enclaves during brutal winter weather. The people of Kobane turned tide against ISIS in 2015 but have been abandoned by the west.
HELP THE BRAVE KURDS
The city of Kobani is besieged. Cut off from water, electricity and internet.
The brave people who fought against ISIS are now under threat by jihadists.
They don’t deserve betrayal by the West, but our help and solidarity. Now.
The city of Kobani is besieged. Cut off from water, electricity and internet.
The brave people who fought against ISIS are now under threat by jihadists.
They don’t deserve betrayal by the West, but our help and solidarity. Now.
January 24, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Among all the other madness this is going completely under the radar. Trump has thrown the Syrian Kurds under the bus again, enabling jihadist forces to besiege Kurdish enclaves during brutal winter weather. The people of Kobane turned tide against ISIS in 2015 but have been abandoned by the west.
Hartlepool Headland 12.30 to 14.30: decent movement of seabirds southwards. Steady stream of Razorbills and Guillemots, 30+ Gannets, 1 Great Northern Diver, 14 Red-throated. Small numbers Fulmar, Kittiwake, GC Grebe, Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Hartlepool Headland 12.30 to 14.30: decent movement of seabirds southwards. Steady stream of Razorbills and Guillemots, 30+ Gannets, 1 Great Northern Diver, 14 Red-throated. Small numbers Fulmar, Kittiwake, GC Grebe, Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Little Auk S past Hartlepool Headland 12.40 with group of Razorbills @teesbirds.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Little Auk S past Hartlepool Headland 12.40 with group of Razorbills @teesbirds.bsky.social
Spoonbill, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit at Tidal Pool 11.15
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Spoonbill, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit at Tidal Pool 11.15
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Sleazy Ben, who gave away 90% of Teesworks after more than £500 million public investment in the site, says he won't defect to Reform because he's concerned about their "economic competence" 🤣.
Defections, defections, defections. @leighsus.bsky.social looks at Reform's attempts to woo Ben Houchen
Nigel Farage attempting to get Ben Houchen to defect
Tees Valley mayor has met with Reform UK leader
teesside.thelead.uk
January 24, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Sleazy Ben, who gave away 90% of Teesworks after more than £500 million public investment in the site, says he won't defect to Reform because he's concerned about their "economic competence" 🤣.
Reposted by Palustris
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
January 22, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
Chiffchaff in scrub line leading to viewpoint at Coatham Marsh NR 13.10. Elusive but calling. Little else except unseen Water Rail calling.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Chiffchaff in scrub line leading to viewpoint at Coatham Marsh NR 13.10. Elusive but calling. Little else except unseen Water Rail calling.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Water Pipit right in front of Saltholme Pools hide 12:00
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Water Pipit right in front of Saltholme Pools hide 12:00
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Albert Park is close to the centre of Boro, surrounded by urban development and roads. A small beck enclosed by concrete walls runs by the lake but it goes through extensive culverts (underground pipes) both upstream and downstream. Shows how adaptable Otters can be!
A Goosander and two Otters fishing in Albert Park lake 12.15 today. @teesbirds.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Albert Park is close to the centre of Boro, surrounded by urban development and roads. A small beck enclosed by concrete walls runs by the lake but it goes through extensive culverts (underground pipes) both upstream and downstream. Shows how adaptable Otters can be!
Part of the Line Ponds on Skipwith Common in Vale of York. These are where flax would be retted (soaked) to extract the fibre for spinning into linen. Retting flax or hemp was a polluting activity, kept away from village water supplies. 'Tow dykes' elsewhere on the Common had a similar function.
January 20, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Part of the Line Ponds on Skipwith Common in Vale of York. These are where flax would be retted (soaked) to extract the fibre for spinning into linen. Retting flax or hemp was a polluting activity, kept away from village water supplies. 'Tow dykes' elsewhere on the Common had a similar function.
Missed the White-tailed Eagle but had an enjoyable couple of hours at North Duffield Carrs in the wonderful Lower Derwent Valley today, with Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Scaup, Spotted Redshank, Peregrine & Marsh Harrier among many other birds.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Missed the White-tailed Eagle but had an enjoyable couple of hours at North Duffield Carrs in the wonderful Lower Derwent Valley today, with Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Scaup, Spotted Redshank, Peregrine & Marsh Harrier among many other birds.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
2 Corn Buntings singing by A19 just N of Thormanby nr Thirsk.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 9:39 AM
2 Corn Buntings singing by A19 just N of Thormanby nr Thirsk.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Palustris
How about some good news?
We got some indications that offshore windfarms can actually improve underwater ecosystems and diversify aquatic life.
🧪🌊
Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We got some indications that offshore windfarms can actually improve underwater ecosystems and diversify aquatic life.
🧪🌊
Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
How about some good news?
We got some indications that offshore windfarms can actually improve underwater ecosystems and diversify aquatic life.
🧪🌊
Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We got some indications that offshore windfarms can actually improve underwater ecosystems and diversify aquatic life.
🧪🌊
Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Palustris
The Norwegian government is staying fairly quiet for now, but as a sign of the shifting vibe here the former head of Norway’s armed forces has come out and called the US a “neo-fascist banana republic” and a “hostile great power without norms”. www.dn.no/politikk/tid...
Tidligere forsvarssjef om Trumps USA: – Neo-fascistisk bananrepublikk (+)
Tidligere forsvarssjef Sverre Diesen mener USA er blitt «en normløs og fiendtlig innstilt stormakt», og advarer samtidig mot å feste vår lit til Europa. Harald Sunde mener det haster med en plan B.
www.dn.no
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
The Norwegian government is staying fairly quiet for now, but as a sign of the shifting vibe here the former head of Norway’s armed forces has come out and called the US a “neo-fascist banana republic” and a “hostile great power without norms”. www.dn.no/politikk/tid...
Reposted by Palustris
If you're yet to order our new book 'The Birds of the Lower Derwent Valley' please use the e-mail address below to place a pre-order and secure yourself a copy 📖🐦🦉🦆, with all proceeds to go directly into the Friends of the #LDV charity @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
We've also just heard that one of our Lesser Redpoll (ringed on the Common in September 2025) has been recaught in Brandon, Norfolk - 187 km to the southeast. The recoveries map in the new ‘Birds of the LDV’ (snip below) shows a regular NW/SE flyway for ‘our’ birds @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 9:50 AM
If you're yet to order our new book 'The Birds of the Lower Derwent Valley' please use the e-mail address below to place a pre-order and secure yourself a copy 📖🐦🦉🦆, with all proceeds to go directly into the Friends of the #LDV charity @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk