John Marchant
@johnmarchant.bsky.social
Birds, moths and other British wildlife: I have helped record our declining bird diversity for 50+ years as a BTO staffer and volunteer - in retirement, enjoying what’s left, and paying more attention to other taxa.
Reposted by John Marchant
Excellent conversation between these two great minds, highy recommended!
George Monbiot delivers a perfect analysis of where we're at with capitalism on the new episode of Bold Politics with Zack Polanski.
Premiering on YouTube now: youtu.be/3xx6lNFx8tI
Premiering on YouTube now: youtu.be/3xx6lNFx8tI
November 19, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Excellent conversation between these two great minds, highy recommended!
Reposted by John Marchant
Trump defends Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi:
"A lot of people didn't like that gentleman... Things happen... He knew nothing about it."
A US intelligence report concluded that bin Salman personally "approved an operation" to "kill or capture" Khashoggi.
"A lot of people didn't like that gentleman... Things happen... He knew nothing about it."
A US intelligence report concluded that bin Salman personally "approved an operation" to "kill or capture" Khashoggi.
November 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Trump defends Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi:
"A lot of people didn't like that gentleman... Things happen... He knew nothing about it."
A US intelligence report concluded that bin Salman personally "approved an operation" to "kill or capture" Khashoggi.
"A lot of people didn't like that gentleman... Things happen... He knew nothing about it."
A US intelligence report concluded that bin Salman personally "approved an operation" to "kill or capture" Khashoggi.
Reposted by John Marchant
Reposted by John Marchant
For anyone feeling deep despair - I get it.
There is hope, though. And Green Party membership is continuing to rise every single day.
That's thousands and thousands of people coming together to demand change & to make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
There is hope, though. And Green Party membership is continuing to rise every single day.
That's thousands and thousands of people coming together to demand change & to make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
For anyone feeling deep despair - I get it.
There is hope, though. And Green Party membership is continuing to rise every single day.
That's thousands and thousands of people coming together to demand change & to make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
There is hope, though. And Green Party membership is continuing to rise every single day.
That's thousands and thousands of people coming together to demand change & to make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by John Marchant
"A small tax on [multimillionaires and billionaires] would make a big difference to the money we have available."
Ahead of next week's Budget, @adrianramsay.bsky.social makes the case for taxing the wealth of the richest in society to fund our public services.
Ahead of next week's Budget, @adrianramsay.bsky.social makes the case for taxing the wealth of the richest in society to fund our public services.
November 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
"A small tax on [multimillionaires and billionaires] would make a big difference to the money we have available."
Ahead of next week's Budget, @adrianramsay.bsky.social makes the case for taxing the wealth of the richest in society to fund our public services.
Ahead of next week's Budget, @adrianramsay.bsky.social makes the case for taxing the wealth of the richest in society to fund our public services.
Reposted by John Marchant
Cruel. Callous. Cowardly.
The public are seeing this Labour government for exactly who they are.
We all have a responsibility to make them pay at the ballot box.
Reject the hate. Reject them.
This is not who we are. Let's make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
The public are seeing this Labour government for exactly who they are.
We all have a responsibility to make them pay at the ballot box.
Reject the hate. Reject them.
This is not who we are. Let's make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Cruel. Callous. Cowardly.
The public are seeing this Labour government for exactly who they are.
We all have a responsibility to make them pay at the ballot box.
Reject the hate. Reject them.
This is not who we are. Let's make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
The public are seeing this Labour government for exactly who they are.
We all have a responsibility to make them pay at the ballot box.
Reject the hate. Reject them.
This is not who we are. Let's make hope normal again.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by John Marchant
This is exactly what we’ve been saying for months and have the evidence to back it up. Unlike the government who have zero evidence or justification for their approach. They are basically destroying what’s left of our wildlife to line the pockets of the big housing companies.
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This is exactly what we’ve been saying for months and have the evidence to back it up. Unlike the government who have zero evidence or justification for their approach. They are basically destroying what’s left of our wildlife to line the pockets of the big housing companies.
Reposted by John Marchant
Things have come to a pretty pass when it takes until mid-November to see my first Lapwing of the year at Girdle Ness. This one was in Greyhope Bay this morning. Maybe the bird that's undergone the most perceptible loss in British avifauna in my lifetime.
#Birds #BIrdingScotland #UKWildlife
#Birds #BIrdingScotland #UKWildlife
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Things have come to a pretty pass when it takes until mid-November to see my first Lapwing of the year at Girdle Ness. This one was in Greyhope Bay this morning. Maybe the bird that's undergone the most perceptible loss in British avifauna in my lifetime.
#Birds #BIrdingScotland #UKWildlife
#Birds #BIrdingScotland #UKWildlife
Reposted by John Marchant
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by John Marchant
For a party that has always, and always will, stand up for refugee rights - join.greenparty.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:06 PM
For a party that has always, and always will, stand up for refugee rights - join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by John Marchant
Hen Harrier Susie, whose chicks were stamped to death on a Yorkshire Dales grouse moor in 2022, has been found dead on a N Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries.
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Hen Harrier ‘Susie’, whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries
If ever there was an example demonstrating the high level of persecution faced by Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors, the lack of consequences for the offenders, and the lack of justice for the victim…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Hen Harrier Susie, whose chicks were stamped to death on a Yorkshire Dales grouse moor in 2022, has been found dead on a N Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries.
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Reposted by John Marchant
Give the gift of nature this Christmas! 🎄🐦 With a BTO gift membership, your loved one can discover the curiosities of birds and their world with a full year of BTO membership, plus a book and a BTO beanie. 😀 Order today ➡️ www.bto.org/GiftMembership
November 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Give the gift of nature this Christmas! 🎄🐦 With a BTO gift membership, your loved one can discover the curiosities of birds and their world with a full year of BTO membership, plus a book and a BTO beanie. 😀 Order today ➡️ www.bto.org/GiftMembership
Reposted by John Marchant
Yorkshire Water flouted director pay rules, secretly handed £660k bonus through offshore parent company.
Regulator OFWAT says that is OK, govt quiet.
Law is just a paper tiger. Abuses continue. Customers fleeced.
Let customers vote on exec pay.
archive.ph/9rYlp
Regulator OFWAT says that is OK, govt quiet.
Law is just a paper tiger. Abuses continue. Customers fleeced.
Let customers vote on exec pay.
archive.ph/9rYlp
Ofwat says off-shore payments to Yorkshire Water boss do not flout bonus ban
Campaigners have slammed Ofwat after the water regulator found that the undisclosed off-shore payment of £660,000 to Yorkshire Water boss Nicola Shaw did not flout the Government’s bonus ban rule.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Yorkshire Water flouted director pay rules, secretly handed £660k bonus through offshore parent company.
Regulator OFWAT says that is OK, govt quiet.
Law is just a paper tiger. Abuses continue. Customers fleeced.
Let customers vote on exec pay.
archive.ph/9rYlp
Regulator OFWAT says that is OK, govt quiet.
Law is just a paper tiger. Abuses continue. Customers fleeced.
Let customers vote on exec pay.
archive.ph/9rYlp
Reposted by John Marchant
Appalling, illegal, unethical, disgusting. Oh, and in the midst of a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza #BirdFlu #H5N1 where free-range poultry are in mandatory lockdown to prevent viral spread.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
Shot Pheasants found dumped in Dorset
Another week and another pile of shot and dumped gamebirds. Thanks to the blog reader who sent in this photo of a pile of dead, shot Pheasants he found yesterday, dumped on the road (B3081) running…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Appalling, illegal, unethical, disgusting. Oh, and in the midst of a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza #BirdFlu #H5N1 where free-range poultry are in mandatory lockdown to prevent viral spread.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
Reposted by John Marchant
"Yorkshire Water was privatised in 1989 under the Water Act, launched debt-free and promoted as the start of a new, efficient era.
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
Yorkshire Water: it’s time to end the rip-off
Handing the company back to local people would return both control and value to those who need it most
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
"Yorkshire Water was privatised in 1989 under the Water Act, launched debt-free and promoted as the start of a new, efficient era.
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
Reposted by John Marchant
Clearly a sign they are being paid too much money, and not paying nearly enough tax.
They need to check @seatsixtyone.bsky.social to work out how to get there by train
www.ft.com/content/90f5...
They need to check @seatsixtyone.bsky.social to work out how to get there by train
www.ft.com/content/90f5...
Tech moguls turned away as Lisbon airport hits private jet limit
Some delegates to Web Summit technology conference are being forced to land in Spain
www.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Clearly a sign they are being paid too much money, and not paying nearly enough tax.
They need to check @seatsixtyone.bsky.social to work out how to get there by train
www.ft.com/content/90f5...
They need to check @seatsixtyone.bsky.social to work out how to get there by train
www.ft.com/content/90f5...
Reposted by John Marchant
If you live in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight and would like to find out more about how you can get involved in the BTO’s work, join us for a FREE Zoom session on Wednesday 19 November.
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
@hosbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
📷 Flock of Wigeon, by Tom Cadwallendar / BTO
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
@hosbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
📷 Flock of Wigeon, by Tom Cadwallendar / BTO
November 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM
If you live in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight and would like to find out more about how you can get involved in the BTO’s work, join us for a FREE Zoom session on Wednesday 19 November.
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
@hosbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
📷 Flock of Wigeon, by Tom Cadwallendar / BTO
www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
@hosbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
📷 Flock of Wigeon, by Tom Cadwallendar / BTO
Reposted by John Marchant
That the UK - one of the architects of this fund, designed to save the world’s forests - is now refusing to put any money into it is frankly shameful. Starmer’s claim that he still continues to back the fund is meaningless without resources - so much for climate leadership
November 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM
That the UK - one of the architects of this fund, designed to save the world’s forests - is now refusing to put any money into it is frankly shameful. Starmer’s claim that he still continues to back the fund is meaningless without resources - so much for climate leadership
Reposted by John Marchant
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by John Marchant
Hugely concerning that govt is considering slashing funding for desperately needed home insulation to cut bills in the short term. It’s vital to protect the Warm Homes Plan for long term investment to fix poor housing. Why not use a wealth tax to cut energy bills instead, Rachel?
November 5, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Hugely concerning that govt is considering slashing funding for desperately needed home insulation to cut bills in the short term. It’s vital to protect the Warm Homes Plan for long term investment to fix poor housing. Why not use a wealth tax to cut energy bills instead, Rachel?
Reposted by John Marchant
Check out our new insect decline paper. By analysing 36 yrs of German ground beetle distribution data, we show:
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Check out our new insect decline paper. By analysing 36 yrs of German ground beetle distribution data, we show:
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
Reposted by John Marchant
The world's 10 richest people (nearly all from the U.S.) are collectively $500 billion richer this year thanks to growth in stocks tied to AI.
Meanwhile, data centers are sucking up communities’ water and electricity.
AI is making the rich even richer while everyone else pays the price.
Meanwhile, data centers are sucking up communities’ water and electricity.
AI is making the rich even richer while everyone else pays the price.
November 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The world's 10 richest people (nearly all from the U.S.) are collectively $500 billion richer this year thanks to growth in stocks tied to AI.
Meanwhile, data centers are sucking up communities’ water and electricity.
AI is making the rich even richer while everyone else pays the price.
Meanwhile, data centers are sucking up communities’ water and electricity.
AI is making the rich even richer while everyone else pays the price.
Reposted by John Marchant
Reform UK, the Russian spy and rolls of Kremlin cash: the inside story of Nathan Gill www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Reform UK, the Russian spy and rolls of Kremlin cash: the inside story of Nathan Gill
How did a former Mormon bishop end up pleading guilty to taking bribes to make statements in favour of Russia in the European parliament?
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reform UK, the Russian spy and rolls of Kremlin cash: the inside story of Nathan Gill www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
If this is a Cackling Goose it’s closest to B. h. minima but, given its size, it’s more likely part of the hybrid population of Cackling, Canada and Barnacle Geese spawned by aviculturalists and now booming in the Netherlands. Bar-headed in the flock also probably from there. Walberswick, 22 Oct.
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
If this is a Cackling Goose it’s closest to B. h. minima but, given its size, it’s more likely part of the hybrid population of Cackling, Canada and Barnacle Geese spawned by aviculturalists and now booming in the Netherlands. Bar-headed in the flock also probably from there. Walberswick, 22 Oct.
Reposted by John Marchant
💙🥳🩵
"De enorme invasie van 2025 lijkt dus een opeenstapeling van verschillende factoren en resulteerde in niet eerder vertoonde taferelen van luchten en tuinen vol pimpelmezen".
www.naturetoday.com/nl/nl/nature...
"De enorme invasie van 2025 lijkt dus een opeenstapeling van verschillende factoren en resulteerde in niet eerder vertoonde taferelen van luchten en tuinen vol pimpelmezen".
www.naturetoday.com/nl/nl/nature...
Nature Today | Niet eerder vertoonde pimpelmezeninvasie in Nederland
Wie de afgelopen tijd naar buiten is geweest, is het misschien opgevallen: heel veel pimpelmezen. Met name in de kustgebieden werden ongekende aantallen van pimpelmezen waargenomen, iets dat nog nooit...
www.naturetoday.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:17 AM
💙🥳🩵
"De enorme invasie van 2025 lijkt dus een opeenstapeling van verschillende factoren en resulteerde in niet eerder vertoonde taferelen van luchten en tuinen vol pimpelmezen".
www.naturetoday.com/nl/nl/nature...
"De enorme invasie van 2025 lijkt dus een opeenstapeling van verschillende factoren en resulteerde in niet eerder vertoonde taferelen van luchten en tuinen vol pimpelmezen".
www.naturetoday.com/nl/nl/nature...