David Jobbins
@davidj2024.bsky.social
Birder, journalist, democratic socialist, life member, NUJ, WeBS counter, Hanningfield Res, Essex. Resigned from Labour Party February 2025. Politically homeless.
Today, Remembrance Sunday, I won't wear a poppy. Instead, I'll think of my great uncle George Ravenhill, who left the rolling hills of Herefordshire to fight for his country in an imperialist war and die on the first day of the Battle of Loos. His body was never found.
November 9, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Today, Remembrance Sunday, I won't wear a poppy. Instead, I'll think of my great uncle George Ravenhill, who left the rolling hills of Herefordshire to fight for his country in an imperialist war and die on the first day of the Battle of Loos. His body was never found.
On September 25 1915 my great uncle, George Ravenhill, died on the first day of the Battle of Loos. Aged 35, he was a Herefordshire agricultural worker who volunteered to fight in the war to end all wars.
September 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
On September 25 1915 my great uncle, George Ravenhill, died on the first day of the Battle of Loos. Aged 35, he was a Herefordshire agricultural worker who volunteered to fight in the war to end all wars.
Another to-the-point @privateeyenews.bsky.social cover! Keep it up Ian.
August 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Another to-the-point @privateeyenews.bsky.social cover! Keep it up Ian.
Venus (upper right) and Jupiter (lower left and less bright) approaching conjunction (closest on August 15) in the eastern sky early this morning. Some things are bigger than our puny squabbles.
August 5, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Venus (upper right) and Jupiter (lower left and less bright) approaching conjunction (closest on August 15) in the eastern sky early this morning. Some things are bigger than our puny squabbles.
One at Minsmere the other day...
August 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
One at Minsmere the other day...
Not so aesthetically pleasing, but just as interesting, the gall of Biorhiza pallida, the oak apple gall wasp, 3-4 CMS in diameter, with multiple tiny holes from which the wasps have emerged. There are two generations - one all female producing a second with both males and females.
July 18, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Not so aesthetically pleasing, but just as interesting, the gall of Biorhiza pallida, the oak apple gall wasp, 3-4 CMS in diameter, with multiple tiny holes from which the wasps have emerged. There are two generations - one all female producing a second with both males and females.
Gall of the Oak Apple Gall Wasp Biorhiza pallida, one of several found below an oak in Kelvedon Hatch, Essex. Some 3-4 cms in diameter. #British_insects
July 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Gall of the Oak Apple Gall Wasp Biorhiza pallida, one of several found below an oak in Kelvedon Hatch, Essex. Some 3-4 cms in diameter. #British_insects
June 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Why is the floating crane Rambiz at anchor off Southwold, Suffolk, this morning?
May 22, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Why is the floating crane Rambiz at anchor off Southwold, Suffolk, this morning?
Over my Essex village this morning, five Red Kites (one being seen off by a Raven) and three Buzzards. Can't get over the emergency of Coltsfoot at Hanningfield EWT yesterday #essexbirding
March 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Over my Essex village this morning, five Red Kites (one being seen off by a Raven) and three Buzzards. Can't get over the emergency of Coltsfoot at Hanningfield EWT yesterday #essexbirding
After I pointed it out, the Observer today carries a printed correction to a review that erroneously referred to Australia's "president". That country's head of state, rightly or wrongly, is the king. The review was authored by a senior lecturer in journalism!!
March 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
After I pointed it out, the Observer today carries a printed correction to a review that erroneously referred to Australia's "president". That country's head of state, rightly or wrongly, is the king. The review was authored by a senior lecturer in journalism!!
I've been escaping from this insane world by immersion in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin novels. Now embarking on The Farside of the World, the 10th. A picture of a time when honour was all and scrubs were beneath contempt.
March 16, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I've been escaping from this insane world by immersion in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin novels. Now embarking on The Farside of the World, the 10th. A picture of a time when honour was all and scrubs were beneath contempt.
We don't have pets but most neighbours do... Great and Blue Tit population has crashed locally.
January 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM
We don't have pets but most neighbours do... Great and Blue Tit population has crashed locally.
Water Vole posing at @rspb.bsky.social Minsmere this morning.
December 29, 2024 at 4:09 PM
Water Vole posing at @rspb.bsky.social Minsmere this morning.
À la recherche du temps perdu - a Spot Fly on a sunny May morning in an Essex churchyard too many years ago. None since in my village.
December 12, 2024 at 4:37 PM
À la recherche du temps perdu - a Spot Fly on a sunny May morning in an Essex churchyard too many years ago. None since in my village.
An older photo of The Gherkin from Brick Lane. A city of contrasts.
December 4, 2024 at 10:50 AM
An older photo of The Gherkin from Brick Lane. A city of contrasts.
OK - that's more than half my "keep forever" books on their shelves. Now where to put the others?
December 4, 2024 at 10:46 AM
OK - that's more than half my "keep forever" books on their shelves. Now where to put the others?
Not a ripple, not a breath of wind, the sky reflected in a surface as smooth as a mirror. Southwold Boating Lake café yesterday.
November 29, 2024 at 9:56 AM
Not a ripple, not a breath of wind, the sky reflected in a surface as smooth as a mirror. Southwold Boating Lake café yesterday.
Highlight of today's WeBS count at Hanningfield Reservoir was two Great Egrets. In total 4,235 individuals of 34 species were recorded (3804 individuals of 23 waterbird species) #essexbirding
November 18, 2024 at 6:08 PM
Highlight of today's WeBS count at Hanningfield Reservoir was two Great Egrets. In total 4,235 individuals of 34 species were recorded (3804 individuals of 23 waterbird species) #essexbirding
Just as well birds can't read? Or are they just immune from risk?
November 17, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Just as well birds can't read? Or are they just immune from risk?
Cirrocumulus cloud over my Essex village this morning. A few hours after learning that Luke Howard (1772-1864), who first classified clouds, lived in Plaistow, where my father was brought up.
November 11, 2024 at 12:39 PM
Cirrocumulus cloud over my Essex village this morning. A few hours after learning that Luke Howard (1772-1864), who first classified clouds, lived in Plaistow, where my father was brought up.
Time for a bit of reflection...
November 6, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Time for a bit of reflection...
Delicate yellow -tinged fungi on the edge of Southwold Town Marshes, Suffolk.
October 28, 2024 at 9:06 AM
Delicate yellow -tinged fungi on the edge of Southwold Town Marshes, Suffolk.
Not the greatest photo but two Western Cattle Egrets on Southwold Town Marshes this afternoon. #suffolkbirding
October 27, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Not the greatest photo but two Western Cattle Egrets on Southwold Town Marshes this afternoon. #suffolkbirding