Dave Foster
@pratorum2112.bsky.social
Whitburn, NE England. Mostly birds and dreadful photographs, but a bit of other stuff too...
26 Tundras and 89 Russian Whitefronts into Boldon Flats to roost by 1740. Then Pete C had another 3 Beans and 5 Whitefronts arrive after I left, plus another group of Whitefronts which arrived unseen after dark. Flippin' brilliant goose day here 😃 #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 8:59 PM
26 Tundras and 89 Russian Whitefronts into Boldon Flats to roost by 1740. Then Pete C had another 3 Beans and 5 Whitefronts arrive after I left, plus another group of Whitefronts which arrived unseen after dark. Flippin' brilliant goose day here 😃 #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
82 Russian Whitefronts off Cleadon Lane, Whitburn late a.m., then went E. 23-24 just S of Cleadon at about midday (initially seen arriving from the N over Whitburn). It's all go on the Whitefrontfront #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 1:24 PM
82 Russian Whitefronts off Cleadon Lane, Whitburn late a.m., then went E. 23-24 just S of Cleadon at about midday (initially seen arriving from the N over Whitburn). It's all go on the Whitefrontfront #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
29 Tundras (20 and 9, left W), 91 Russian Whitefronts (90 left NE, 1 left SW), 2cy Casp, Whimbrel and 2 Barwits at Boldon Flats at 'dawn' #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 8:02 AM
29 Tundras (20 and 9, left W), 91 Russian Whitefronts (90 left NE, 1 left SW), 2cy Casp, Whimbrel and 2 Barwits at Boldon Flats at 'dawn' #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Foster
Looks good for that combo to me! Great bird. And compares well to this birdhybrids.blogspot.com/2017/03/tund...
Tundra Bean Goose x Greater White-fronted Goose
probable Tundra Bean Goose x Greater White-fronted Goose hybrid (with Tundra Bean Geese), Oost (Texel, Netherlands), 29th December 2016 -...
birdhybrids.blogspot.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Looks good for that combo to me! Great bird. And compares well to this birdhybrids.blogspot.com/2017/03/tund...
Reposted by Dave Foster
An interesting goose paired to a Tundra Bean. The all pale peachy-pink bill, white halter and small dark spots on the upper belly perhaps point to it being a Tundra Bean X Russian Whitefront hybrid rather than an aberrant Tundra Bean. With Ash McElwee and Graham Fellows
February 11, 2026 at 8:16 PM
An interesting goose paired to a Tundra Bean. The all pale peachy-pink bill, white halter and small dark spots on the upper belly perhaps point to it being a Tundra Bean X Russian Whitefront hybrid rather than an aberrant Tundra Bean. With Ash McElwee and Graham Fellows
Reposted by Dave Foster
Al Jazeera investigation reveals how US-supplied thermal and thermobaric munitions burning at 3,500ºC have left no trace of nearly 3,000 Palestinians. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Al Jazeera investigation reveals how US-supplied thermal and thermobaric munitions burning at 3,500ºC have left no trace of nearly 3,000 Palestinians. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
4 Tundra Beans and 54 Russian Whitefronts still in the field adjacent to the flood, Washington, here...
#NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
#NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 AM
4 Tundra Beans and 54 Russian Whitefronts still in the field adjacent to the flood, Washington, here...
#NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
#NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Foster
This is my go-to paper to point out that significant long-distance trade in wildlife is an ancient phenomenon- here macaws were traded from AD 700 from Meso into North America. Advocates of reintroductions of charismatic species based on sparse remains often conveniently overlook the role of trade.
February 11, 2026 at 6:53 AM
This is my go-to paper to point out that significant long-distance trade in wildlife is an ancient phenomenon- here macaws were traded from AD 700 from Meso into North America. Advocates of reintroductions of charismatic species based on sparse remains often conveniently overlook the role of trade.
Reposted by Dave Foster
1. Many here seem bemused by the anger and disappointment this government attracts. Please bear with me while I try to explain it.
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Is our Government Complicit in Genocide?
The Genocide Convention imposes obligations on states and individuals not just to punish the crime of genocide but to actively prevent it. Two years into the war in Gaza and over 20 months since th…
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:31 AM
1. Many here seem bemused by the anger and disappointment this government attracts. Please bear with me while I try to explain it.
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
47 Russian Whitefronts (4 2cy) and a Slav. Grebe at Hurworth Burn #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 10:54 AM
47 Russian Whitefronts (4 2cy) and a Slav. Grebe at Hurworth Burn #NEbirding @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Foster
The Forth has been great for it's scoter flocks over the years. WWS now becoming the new Surf Scoter in rarity terms. The 1st bird in Adam's fine quartet has some Stejneger's genes I believe. A very interesting bird.
February 8, 2026 at 11:51 PM
The Forth has been great for it's scoter flocks over the years. WWS now becoming the new Surf Scoter in rarity terms. The 1st bird in Adam's fine quartet has some Stejneger's genes I believe. A very interesting bird.
Reposted by Dave Foster
Anyone want to comment on this bird the current thinking is it’s not a WWS but either maybe a 3cy Stejnegers or Stej x Velvet hybrid #birdingFife @rarebirder.bsky.social
Lovely views of drake White-winged Scoter at Buckhaven carpark in choppy seas along with the cracking white headed Velvet. #RareBirdsUK Fife
February 8, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Anyone want to comment on this bird the current thinking is it’s not a WWS but either maybe a 3cy Stejnegers or Stej x Velvet hybrid #birdingFife @rarebirder.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Foster
Part of the flock of 507 Russian White-fronts off Bradshaw Lane, Pilling this afternoon found by Bob Danson, over ten times the previous Fylde record count before this weekend #LancsBirding
February 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Part of the flock of 507 Russian White-fronts off Bradshaw Lane, Pilling this afternoon found by Bob Danson, over ten times the previous Fylde record count before this weekend #LancsBirding
Reposted by Dave Foster
We’re recruiting at Spurn Bird Observatory 🐦
Head Little Tern Warden + 2 Assistant roles available at Beacon Ponds this season.
Details here 👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
Head Little Tern Warden + 2 Assistant roles available at Beacon Ponds this season.
Details here 👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
February 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM
We’re recruiting at Spurn Bird Observatory 🐦
Head Little Tern Warden + 2 Assistant roles available at Beacon Ponds this season.
Details here 👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
Head Little Tern Warden + 2 Assistant roles available at Beacon Ponds this season.
Details here 👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
February 8, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Brilliant morning at Boldon Flats. 22 Tundras, plus a single which arrived and then hung around with the Greylags rather than the Tundra flock, plus a flock of 7 Beans S over which had much more of a Taiga feel to 'em 🤷 . Ad. and 2 cy Russian Wf 'on the deck', plus 43 S/SW over (2, 36, 5). 1/2.
February 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
2/2 3 Barwit, Whimbrel still, 3cy Med. Gull, and an absolutely lovely 2cy Yellow-leg #NEbirding
February 8, 2026 at 4:33 PM
2/2 3 Barwit, Whimbrel still, 3cy Med. Gull, and an absolutely lovely 2cy Yellow-leg #NEbirding
Brilliant morning at Boldon Flats. 22 Tundras, plus a single which arrived and then hung around with the Greylags rather than the Tundra flock, plus a flock of 7 Beans S over which had much more of a Taiga feel to 'em 🤷 . Ad. and 2 cy Russian Wf 'on the deck', plus 43 S/SW over (2, 36, 5). 1/2.
February 8, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Brilliant morning at Boldon Flats. 22 Tundras, plus a single which arrived and then hung around with the Greylags rather than the Tundra flock, plus a flock of 7 Beans S over which had much more of a Taiga feel to 'em 🤷 . Ad. and 2 cy Russian Wf 'on the deck', plus 43 S/SW over (2, 36, 5). 1/2.
22 Tundras and 2 Russian Whitefronts currently at Boldon Flats. Also 23 Pinkfeet N over, and at least 1 Barwit. #NEbirding
February 8, 2026 at 10:12 AM
22 Tundras and 2 Russian Whitefronts currently at Boldon Flats. Also 23 Pinkfeet N over, and at least 1 Barwit. #NEbirding
Reposted by Dave Foster
I'm sure Elon Musk would not care that putting "a million satellites into orbit to form vast, solar-powered datacentres" would essentially end the utility of the celestial compass for animal navigation 🕷🐦⬛🌍🌃
One more Musk fantasy.
"Datacentres on earth are constantly maintained – component failure is normal. Shipping components to space is complex and expensive, and you would have to be innovative regarding how components are fitted.”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"Datacentres on earth are constantly maintained – component failure is normal. Shipping components to space is complex and expensive, and you would have to be innovative regarding how components are fitted.”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Why has Elon Musk merged his rocket company with his AI startup?
SpaceX’s acquisition of xAI creates business worth $1.25tn but whether premise behind deal will work is questioned
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:57 PM
I'm sure Elon Musk would not care that putting "a million satellites into orbit to form vast, solar-powered datacentres" would essentially end the utility of the celestial compass for animal navigation 🕷🐦⬛🌍🌃
Reposted by Dave Foster
NBC is editing out JD Vance being booed at the Olympics. CBS and ABC paid millions in bogus settlements to fund Trump. CNN made Scott Jennings a rightwing star. The Washington Post just laid off 300 journalists.
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
February 7, 2026 at 2:24 PM
NBC is editing out JD Vance being booed at the Olympics. CBS and ABC paid millions in bogus settlements to fund Trump. CNN made Scott Jennings a rightwing star. The Washington Post just laid off 300 journalists.
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Support independent media. Subscribe to Democracy Docket. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
It's been a few years since I last had Snow Bunting from the garden, but one's just gone SE over. Still waiting for Russian Wfs.... #NEbirding
February 7, 2026 at 9:08 AM
It's been a few years since I last had Snow Bunting from the garden, but one's just gone SE over. Still waiting for Russian Wfs.... #NEbirding
A flock of 52 Russian Whitefronts heading S down the Wyre at 0820 this a.m., here... #Lancsbirding
February 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM
A flock of 52 Russian Whitefronts heading S down the Wyre at 0820 this a.m., here... #Lancsbirding
Reposted by Dave Foster
For all who more or less know the butterflies of NW Europe, but find the diversity of the Balkans overwhelming, there is a masterclass on "Eastern continental and Balkan butterfly species" by Rudi Verovnik on 11th February at 15h CET. For more details see butterfly-monitoring.net/epic-butterfly
February 6, 2026 at 8:21 AM
For all who more or less know the butterflies of NW Europe, but find the diversity of the Balkans overwhelming, there is a masterclass on "Eastern continental and Balkan butterfly species" by Rudi Verovnik on 11th February at 15h CET. For more details see butterfly-monitoring.net/epic-butterfly
24 Russian Whitefronts here this afternoon #Lancsbirding @saloplarus.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM
24 Russian Whitefronts here this afternoon #Lancsbirding @saloplarus.bsky.social