Matt Hobbs

Forster's Tern
Poole Park, Dorset
@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Ross's Gull at Newlyn Harbour on Saturday, brilliant showing by this small Gull.

And finally some perched/swimming pics of the Iceland Gull in Roundhay Park #Leeds this last weekend #ukbirding #birds #nikon #birdoftheday

Some flight shots of the Iceland Gull in Roundhay Park #Leeds this last weekend #ukbirding #birds #nikon #birdoftheday

I spent a lot of time last weekend hanging with my new 'gullfriend' in Roundhay Park #Leeds and finally got the shots I was after of this beautiful biscuity Iceland Gull. This set is of interactions with other gulls - yes there will be more 😍 #ukbirding #birds #nikon #birdoftheday

Back in Leeds this week and another go at the Roundhay Park Iceland Gull - 10 mins walk from my parent's house. I just love the biscuit lattice embroidery on this bird 😍 Took my camera this time but the light could improve ... #ukbirding #birds #nikon #wildlifephotography

Well done Andy. A really great bird 👌

Fantastic harbour porpoise photo !!

Better late than never !!

Wow, this speech from Mayor of NY Zohran Mamdani 👏💯

"I speak of Renee Good, whose final words to the man who murdered her moments later were: I'm not mad at you"

"I speak of Alex Pretti who died as he lived, caring for the stranger"

"Let us offer a new path: one of defiance through compassion"

Bonapartes, Mediterranean, and black headed gull off Tolcarne Beach Penzance today. @cbwps.org.uk

Up visiting my folks in Leeds this weekend. Was slightly taken aback when I saw reports of this Iceland Gull at my old patch Roundhay Park! I didn't have my camera so borrowed my dad's. What a cracker and the first I've seen for 5+ years 😍 #ukbirding #birds

What looks like a dark morph Lapwing seen at #RSPBGreylake #Somerset this morning. It was very aggressive to any other Lapwing that came to close.

Any idea which are the key impact pathways? Some decent papers to look at?

Interesting point Alex and in Wales it's 90% sheep pasture with little arable. However arable land is ca. 15% of the UK and I'm not sure that's changed much in the last 30 years so is it changes in chemical use?

Yes I agree. I think it's clear this bird is not identifiable - have you read the email reply from the author of the paper on this thread? That's his opinion too. Someone's gonna have to swim out with a ruler I think 🤔

Yes I agree Andy. It's also interesting how little there is published about their ID. That one article seems to be it and that was based on analysing photos on ebird, not skins etc. Guillermo has replied already - here's my email and his reply. He agrees in summary.

It has too much white on the flanks to fall into the category of 'identifiable in the field' i.e. birds that are in the darkest 25% of Holbøll’s. I've emailed the author to see what he thinks 🤔 #ukbirding #birds
3 of 3🧵

Holbøll’s Red-necked Grebe revisited: are they doable in the field? — subalpinebirding The identification of Red-necked Grebe subspecies primarily relies on measurements, and most accepted records of the Nearctic taxon holbollii in Europe come from deceased individuals that were accur...

Having read this blog my view FWIW is that it ✅ some boxes for Holbøll’s - Size/structure, bill length/structure, extent of dark on the face esp. below the gape (see pics from others) BUT... 2 of 3 🧵https://subalpinebirding.com/blog/holblls-red-necked-grebe-revisited-are-they-doable-in-the-field

I saw the Red-necked Grebe at Cheddar yesterday morn. It was terrible light (backlit) + these pics were taken at +3 exposure and are masked/edited. I got some pics of it in flight escaping a GCG that attacked it by surfacing underneath it! 1 of 3 🧵 #ukbirding #birds @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Great views of all the interesting geese @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social today with 15 Tundra Bean*, 110 Russian White-Fronted*, and single Pink-Footed seen
#ukbirding #birds #nikon #naturephotography

The Tack Piece at Slimbridge today was an absolute wetland delight. 1000s of wildfowl and waders turned into swirling marvels of life by regular marsh harrier and peregrine passes.
#ukbirding #birds #nikon @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social

Bewick's #Swans at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire today for #BirdOfTheDay yesterday ...
#ukbirding #birds #nikon #naturephotography

A Black-Winged Stilt coming in to land at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire in July 2022
#BirdOfTheDay
#Poise

Lesser Redpolls at @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social this morning
#ukbirding #birds #nikon #naturephotography

Help us make hope normal again.

Join the Green Party now.

A Wood Warbler in song in ancient oak woodland in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire in May 2024 for the #BirdOfTheDay theme which is #singing
#nikon #naturephotography #birds #ukbirding

"The UK does not have enough land to feed its population and rear livestock: a wholesale change in consumer diets would be required." re: the challenge of food security under nature collapse.

from a UK govt national security assessment out today…

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...

Nice find Andy 👌 What were we talking about on Saturday ....

Drake Green-winged Teal, Noah’s, Shapwick - proper one! The ducks are well-flighty today though… @birdguides.bsky.social