Simon Mitchell
perilsofbirding.bsky.social
Simon Mitchell
@perilsofbirding.bsky.social
Birder, Ecological surveyor, Bird tour leader, Academic Researcher and Conservationist
Pinned
After 25+ miles walked in better conditions along the Norfolk coast this month it felt sort of ironic that the first bird I lifted my bins for on a family outing at Happisburgh this afternoon was this lovely 1w Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike.
Very happy to find this Pallid Swift at Cromer this a'noon - a typical chameleon in different light conditions, it gradually shifted towards East Runton after being repeatedly mobbed by a Pied Wag(!) Also marks my most-wanted birding milestone - my 300th species self-found in Britain and Ireland!
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by Simon Mitchell
"The Treasury....plans to gut green rules with amendments to its planning and infrastructure bill – ditching the precautionary principle, slashing species protections and curbing legal challenges"

Indefensible

This must be fought tooth and nail

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Labour targeting nature: the problem isn’t snails, but a broken housing model | Editorial
Editorial: Rachel Reeves’s drive to speed up development is beginning to treat wildlife and the environment as expendable. Voters want homes built, but not at any cost
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Simon Mitchell
Global pet food emissions rival those of a small country. Switching dogs to plant-based foods could slash emissions tenfold—without sacrificing nutrition.
Researchers compare the footprint of meat vs. plant-based dog foods. The differences were staggering.
Global pet food emissions rival those of a small country. A new UK study reveals that switching dogs to plant-based foods could slash emissions tenfold—without sacrificing nutrition.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org
October 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Simon Mitchell
A great thread dismantling the latest 'conservation populism' to be floated in Britain. With funding available for species recovery, this is business for some. We'll see more of this pitching for commercial projects that scientists & species experts think is useless. #ornithology #ukbirding
October 4, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Interesting set of conditions for displacing migrants across NE North America over the last few days serve as a potential insight into the extend that ‘initial conditions’ vs ‘conveyance conditions’ impact vagrancy of American land birds - thread.
October 5, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Simon Mitchell
'Following the science' is fundamental to uphold, whether combatting climate change denial by populist political parties, or ecological denial by populist 'conservation' groups, both of which have coincidentally right wing backers. Rejecting science & expertise seems integral to the world view.
October 2, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Simon Mitchell
I've just finished revising my free Birding Cadiz Guide (but donations via my Just Giving page to Alzheimer's Society are very welcome). No major changes, just minor updates (corrections are also posted on my blog - birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birdin...)
October 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Simon Mitchell
Yellow-browed Bunting trapped, ringed and released at the Swannery. It's flown to the hedge which runs alongside the Swannery grounds and the bird may be viewable from the permissive path heading west from Grove Lane.
September 29, 2025 at 8:06 AM
After 25+ miles walked in better conditions along the Norfolk coast this month it felt sort of ironic that the first bird I lifted my bins for on a family outing at Happisburgh this afternoon was this lovely 1w Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike.
September 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
One of a brace of nice obvious 2cy Caspian Gulls on Norwich Waterworks this morning @rarebirder.bsky.social
September 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Didnt expect my (long overdue), self found Glossy Ibis to be a flock of 22 which took off from a hidden ditch at Buckenham! Terrible phone photo as they headed SSE over the Yare
September 8, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Gonna tell my kids this is what Ross’s Gulls looked like
This leucistic Sand Martin ghosted past me as I walked along the causeway at Farmoor Reservoir this morning. Smart looking bird! #UKbirding
August 3, 2025 at 9:53 PM