Pete Fontana
@tighthead22.bsky.social
Birder, ex Rugby Player and Chelsea supporter based in Stoke on Trent
Reposted by Pete Fontana
One thing that stood out on our wander to Salthouse y'day was this distinctive seaweed that was really abundant along a half-mile stretch of beach. Looks just like Irish Moss (carragheen) but on the east coast? Puzzling...
@linnetincley.bsky.social
@norfolknats.bsky.social
@peediepuss.bsky.social
@linnetincley.bsky.social
@norfolknats.bsky.social
@peediepuss.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 10:48 AM
One thing that stood out on our wander to Salthouse y'day was this distinctive seaweed that was really abundant along a half-mile stretch of beach. Looks just like Irish Moss (carragheen) but on the east coast? Puzzling...
@linnetincley.bsky.social
@norfolknats.bsky.social
@peediepuss.bsky.social
@linnetincley.bsky.social
@norfolknats.bsky.social
@peediepuss.bsky.social
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Least OR Small Adder’s Tongue Fern apparently on Wingletang Down,Scilly. 11/10/25. Can anyone confirm which species please ?
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Least OR Small Adder’s Tongue Fern apparently on Wingletang Down,Scilly. 11/10/25. Can anyone confirm which species please ?
Reposted by Pete Fontana
This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst.
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
November 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst.
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Another 'missing' Hen Harrier, this time in the Moorfoot Hills, south of Edinburgh - a well known hotbed of illegal raptor persecution over several decades.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier ‘Circe’ disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland
Press release from Hen Harrier Action (20th November 2025) HEN HARRIER ACTION APPEALS FOR INFORMATION AS ANOTHER RARE HEN HARRIER SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY KILLED IN SCOTLAND A satellite tag…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Another 'missing' Hen Harrier, this time in the Moorfoot Hills, south of Edinburgh - a well known hotbed of illegal raptor persecution over several decades.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Such a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife. This should not be happening. Please repost :-)
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
Derwent Hunt trespasses again at Chafer Wood nature reserve | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
On the 15th November, the Derwent Hunt once again trespassed into our Chafer Wood nature reserve near Ebberston.
www.ywt.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Such a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife. This should not be happening. Please repost :-)
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
Reposted by Pete Fontana
#BirdingGear has anyone bought a Baerskin fleece/waterproof shell combo and is it any good please?
November 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
#BirdingGear has anyone bought a Baerskin fleece/waterproof shell combo and is it any good please?
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Bird flu has arrived very early this year and Shropshire is already under DEFRA restrictions. We are receiving regular reports of dead and sick waterfowl. Please do not approach or “rescue” wild birds that are obviously ill - ring your local wildlife rescue for advice and report your find to DEFRA.
Your occasional reminder, if you’re in the UK, that it is shaping up to be a hideous bird flu season, with many wildlife casualties (including resident birds, not just winter migrants), and, however soft your heart, it is a Really Bad Idea to handle sick or ‘injured’ birds or bring them inside.
November 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Bird flu has arrived very early this year and Shropshire is already under DEFRA restrictions. We are receiving regular reports of dead and sick waterfowl. Please do not approach or “rescue” wild birds that are obviously ill - ring your local wildlife rescue for advice and report your find to DEFRA.
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Requesting opinion/thoughts on a possible AGP with 30 GP at Hayle pm today. Retained summer plum, slighter in size, strong head pattern, grey-er background colour, thinner bill. Didn’t get underwing nor primary proj - face-on the whole time until it flew W #idhelp #cornwallbirding #please #begentle
November 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Requesting opinion/thoughts on a possible AGP with 30 GP at Hayle pm today. Retained summer plum, slighter in size, strong head pattern, grey-er background colour, thinner bill. Didn’t get underwing nor primary proj - face-on the whole time until it flew W #idhelp #cornwallbirding #please #begentle
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Merrick was shot & killed as she slept, over two years ago. NatureScot has had all the evidence on its desk for over 18 months. Now we're being asked to wait "a few weeks" more. It's pathetic.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/05/n...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/05/n...
NatureScot says “decision in next few weeks” on whether to impose General Licence restriction in relation to shooting & killing of golden eagle Merrick
The Scottish Government’s nature advisory agency, NatureScot, has been now been procrastinating for over 18 months on whether to impose a sanction on an estate in relation to the ‘shooting and kill…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Merrick was shot & killed as she slept, over two years ago. NatureScot has had all the evidence on its desk for over 18 months. Now we're being asked to wait "a few weeks" more. It's pathetic.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/05/n...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/05/n...
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Calling nocmiggers what might this be xeno-canto.org/986314 Isle of Rum, Scotland. To hear the call in context with passing common greenshank listen here xeno-canto.org/986316 #bioacoustics
XC986314 Identity unknown
Isle of Rum West Scotland, almost sounds a bit snipe like but it isn't
xeno-canto.org
April 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Calling nocmiggers what might this be xeno-canto.org/986314 Isle of Rum, Scotland. To hear the call in context with passing common greenshank listen here xeno-canto.org/986316 #bioacoustics
Reposted by Pete Fontana
We are still interested in any found twite feathers for a study on the relationships and genetic diversity between the British groups - particularly now for birds of Scottish origin in the NE of England or, birds on the Avon.
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
October 28, 2025 at 7:20 AM
We are still interested in any found twite feathers for a study on the relationships and genetic diversity between the British groups - particularly now for birds of Scottish origin in the NE of England or, birds on the Avon.
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
Reposted by Pete Fontana
I've got a couple of days in Northumberland next week and would love to see a range of bird life. I wonder if anyone could give me some advice about places to try for a full dawn to dusk day? Thanks in advance! #ukbirding
October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I've got a couple of days in Northumberland next week and would love to see a range of bird life. I wonder if anyone could give me some advice about places to try for a full dawn to dusk day? Thanks in advance! #ukbirding
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Well that’s interesting. The Sunflower that I posted earlier has been identified by the CR as Perennial Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida; a new county record!
October 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Well that’s interesting. The Sunflower that I posted earlier has been identified by the CR as Perennial Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida; a new county record!
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Surprised to seeing this growing by the canal. It’s about 30cm tall. Looks like a diminutive Sunflower. What do you think @naturelark.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Surprised to seeing this growing by the canal. It’s about 30cm tall. Looks like a diminutive Sunflower. What do you think @naturelark.bsky.social
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other windfarm on Earth, devastating colonies of Gannets, Puffins and Kittiwakes off Scotland’s coast. 🚨
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
Add your voice to a campaign to stop an offshore wind farm that threatens seabirds
YouTube video by RSPB
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other windfarm on Earth, devastating colonies of Gannets, Puffins and Kittiwakes off Scotland’s coast. 🚨
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Can birders please stay out of the conservation area/ ringing rides at South Landing please. If looking for the Barred Warbler please view only from the car park
@birdguides.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Can birders please stay out of the conservation area/ ringing rides at South Landing please. If looking for the Barred Warbler please view only from the car park
@birdguides.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
Reposted by Pete Fontana
A windy night in the #Cairngorms with our @ukecn.bsky.social weather station located at 700 m recording a gust of 106 mph and sustained winds of 75 mph as #StormAmy rolled through. That’s our highest recorded gust since Dec 2011, 14 years ago!
October 4, 2025 at 7:41 AM
A windy night in the #Cairngorms with our @ukecn.bsky.social weather station located at 700 m recording a gust of 106 mph and sustained winds of 75 mph as #StormAmy rolled through. That’s our highest recorded gust since Dec 2011, 14 years ago!
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Natural England confirms ongoing & relentless illegal persecution is reason why Hen Harriers are still rare in England.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running
Natural England has finally got around to publishing the data for the 2025 Hen Harrier breeding season, which demonstrate very clear differences between areas managed for conservation and those man…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Natural England confirms ongoing & relentless illegal persecution is reason why Hen Harriers are still rare in England.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Any birding plumbers out there who can advise please?
We have oil central heating via a combi boiler. There has been a burst main in a field nearby so our water is off.
Can we still use the heating tonight?
Google gives conflicting replies?
Cheers
We have oil central heating via a combi boiler. There has been a burst main in a field nearby so our water is off.
Can we still use the heating tonight?
Google gives conflicting replies?
Cheers
October 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Any birding plumbers out there who can advise please?
We have oil central heating via a combi boiler. There has been a burst main in a field nearby so our water is off.
Can we still use the heating tonight?
Google gives conflicting replies?
Cheers
We have oil central heating via a combi boiler. There has been a burst main in a field nearby so our water is off.
Can we still use the heating tonight?
Google gives conflicting replies?
Cheers
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Camera recovered from Blithe Bay, Blithfield Reservoir this morning (13/09/25) ahead of the rain later today. DM me details to claim.
September 14, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Camera recovered from Blithe Bay, Blithfield Reservoir this morning (13/09/25) ahead of the rain later today. DM me details to claim.
Reposted by Pete Fontana
Epsom Downs, Surrey: what’s this? If it were out at sea I’d say it was a water spout
September 14, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Epsom Downs, Surrey: what’s this? If it were out at sea I’d say it was a water spout
Reposted by Pete Fontana
I think this small Alchemilla is Alpine Lady's Mantle growing on the trackside up Glen Muick yesterday. A new plant for me...
#Scotland #Botany #Wildflowerhour
#Scotland #Botany #Wildflowerhour
September 10, 2025 at 7:54 AM
I think this small Alchemilla is Alpine Lady's Mantle growing on the trackside up Glen Muick yesterday. A new plant for me...
#Scotland #Botany #Wildflowerhour
#Scotland #Botany #Wildflowerhour