Palustris
@palustris.bsky.social
Ecologist. Meadows, mires & meres. Wetland beetles, fen creation, Teesside birds. Against Trump, Putin & Farage.
Rough sea and little moving at Hartlepool Headland late morning. Small numbers of Gannets, handful of Kittiwakes, Red-throated Divers, Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Rough sea and little moving at Hartlepool Headland late morning. Small numbers of Gannets, handful of Kittiwakes, Red-throated Divers, Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 10:27 AM
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.
If you have the sun behind you when it does that, you get a 'Brocken Spectre' effect where you cast a huge shadow onto the clouds below with an aura round it.
January 31, 2026 at 5:20 PM
If you have the sun behind you when it does that, you get a 'Brocken Spectre' effect where you cast a huge shadow onto the clouds below with an aura round it.
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..."
The resident waterfowl are alert and nervy. Even the bold-as-brass park rats are in hiding.
The resident waterfowl are alert and nervy. Even the bold-as-brass park rats are in hiding.
January 31, 2026 at 4:41 PM
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..."
The resident waterfowl are alert and nervy. Even the bold-as-brass park rats are in hiding.
The resident waterfowl are alert and nervy. Even the bold-as-brass park rats are in hiding.
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...
Report refers to wing-tagged Hen Harrier involved in same incident (but not shot):
"She was found dead in January 2025 having ingested a toxic mixture of pesticides, known as the Nidderdale cocktail, linked with 'numerous' other hen harrier deaths".
"She was found dead in January 2025 having ingested a toxic mixture of pesticides, known as the Nidderdale cocktail, linked with 'numerous' other hen harrier deaths".
January 30, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Report refers to wing-tagged Hen Harrier involved in same incident (but not shot):
"She was found dead in January 2025 having ingested a toxic mixture of pesticides, known as the Nidderdale cocktail, linked with 'numerous' other hen harrier deaths".
"She was found dead in January 2025 having ingested a toxic mixture of pesticides, known as the Nidderdale cocktail, linked with 'numerous' other hen harrier deaths".
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
It's playing to empty cinemas in UK according to The Guardian:
January 28, 2026 at 7:11 PM
It's playing to empty cinemas in UK according to The Guardian:
Admittedly a niche interest but the intricacy and sheer strangeness of Hydraenid genitalia is particularly well captured. These structures are critical in separating externally similar species, some of which have extremely limited global ranges and are important indicators of ecological quality.
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Admittedly a niche interest but the intricacy and sheer strangeness of Hydraenid genitalia is particularly well captured. These structures are critical in separating externally similar species, some of which have extremely limited global ranges and are important indicators of ecological quality.
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.
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.
A Labour-Green alliance led by Burnham was best chance we had of keeping Reform out at the next GE. This isn't just about the cowardice and self-interest of the Labour leadership, it's about opening the door to the science-denying far-right and the immense harm they will do to UK's climate efforts.
January 25, 2026 at 4:24 PM
A Labour-Green alliance led by Burnham was best chance we had of keeping Reform out at the next GE. This isn't just about the cowardice and self-interest of the Labour leadership, it's about opening the door to the science-denying far-right and the immense harm they will do to UK's climate efforts.
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" 🤣.
Too little, too late. Trump has no qualms about insulting allied nations precisely because spineless chumps like Starmer and Lammy have spent so long treading on eggshells. It's not a special relationship, it's an abusive relationship.
January 23, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Too little, too late. Trump has no qualms about insulting allied nations precisely because spineless chumps like Starmer and Lammy have spent so long treading on eggshells. It's not a special relationship, it's an abusive relationship.