Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 5h

Unlike a certain WTN🤬 the Rutland Water Baird’s Sandpiper was showing very well this afternoon #lrosbirds #ukbirds #ukrarebird #ukbirding #birds
@lrosbirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Reposted by Simon West

Steve Dudley @stevedudley.bsky.social · 1d

As a county bird recorder I can honestly say that the best and easiest way for you to make your birding count, is to upload them to either eBird or BirdTrack. Doing so contributes directly to #ornithology and bird #conservation at both local and national levels.

#birdingScotland #birdingWales

The remarkable rise of eBird – the world’s biggest citizen science project

In 2002, an online database was set up allowing birdwatchers to record their species observations. It is now a vast resource, shaping scientific research.

theconversation.com

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 16h

I’m working there for the 6/7 weeks so will post on here if I see it.

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Ariel Brunner @arielbrunner.bsky.social · 2d

Tens of millions of essentially factory farmed poultry are dumped into the countryside each year. They boost the population of mesopredators like foxes, reducing ground nesting bird populations. They are an obvious avian flue hazard. They eat declining reptiles. Turn out they're also a health hazard

British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 14d

Ticks are more likely to carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease in areas where Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus are released, according to new research.

Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content

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Reposted by Simon West

Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · 2d

📣You really couldn't make this up!

On the day Scottish Govt announces it is delaying, for a second time, the implementation of muirburn licensing, this happens...

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/09/b...

Breaking news….’out of control muirburn’ on grouse moor in Cairngorms National Park

You couldn’t make this up if you tried… Breaking News….on the day the Scottish Government announced it was delaying, for a second time, the implementation of muirburn licensing af…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 1d

No I haven’t but do put all of my records on eBird. Will it be picked from that or should I do one of the above?

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 2d

Rice's Whale, the world's newest recognised whale species, is already on the brink of extinction:

Rice's Whale population in peril only years after species discovered

Rice's Whale, described in 2021, is already Critically Endangered, with only 50 individuals surviving in the Gulf of Mexico. Threatened by oil exploration, ship strikes, noise and pollution, its limited range makes it highly vulnerable. Conservationists are calling for urgent protective measures, warning that without immediate action, this newly recognised species could disappear within decades.

bit.ly

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 3d

Black Redstart still present this morning at work in Eling (Berkshire) #berksbirds #ukbirds#ukbirding

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 4d

While at work today (7/10/25) in Eling (Berkshire) came across this Black Redstart flitting around the various buildings #berksbirds #ukbirds #ukbirding @berksbirdclub.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 6d

Chillingham Wild Cattle - Chillingham Park (Northumberland) 30/7/25 #chillingham #wildcattle

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 7d

Pectoral Sandpiper - Stanborough GP (Hertfordshire) 2/10/25 #hertsbirds #londonbirds #ukbirds #ukrarebird #ukrarity #ukbirding @hertsbirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Matthias Huss @matthias-huss.bsky.social · 9d

Like pulling the plug of a bathtub: an incredible mass of #glacier ice disappearing at Griesgletscher (🇨🇭/🇮🇹) in one century.
It felt emotional to visit the exact same spot @swisstopo cartographers chose in 1919. The view was so different.
Simply unbelievable!!
@vaw-glaciology.bsky.social

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 8d

Thanks for the quick reply. Was hoping you might keep it tomorrow to as too far to get to you today.

Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 8d

Will it be on show & for how long??

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UK Wild Otter Trust 🦦 @ukwildottertrust.bsky.social · 9d

This morning, our Founder and CEO Dave Webb is sharing some difficult news.

“On September 18th, we were given four months’ notice to leave our home and six months' notice to dismantle and move all otter centre materials, animals, and associated equipment.

Save Our Charity: Statement from CEO Dave Webb - UK Wild Otter Trust

“I’m sharing difficult news on behalf of the UK Wild Otter Trust – news that has left me and our volunteers devastated. As some supporters know, my wife and I […]

ukwildottertrust.org

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 9d

Pectoral Sandpiper - Stanborough GP (Hertfordshire) 2/10/25 #hertsbirds #londonbirds #ukbirds #ukrarebird #ukrarity #ukbirding @hertsbirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Clifford Smout @csmo34.bsky.social · 10d

My first Herts Pec Sand today at Stanborough GP. #hertsbirds #ukbirding

Pectoral Sandpiper - Stanborough GP. 1/10/2025

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 10d

Finished work earlier than expected so popped into #BemptonCliffsRSPB. Not much about bird wise but nice to see a #Weasel run down one of the paths #ukmammal #ukwildlife @mammalsociety.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 13d

Red-necked Phalarope - Nosterfield LNR (North Yorkshire) 28/9/25 #NorthYorksBirds #ukbirds #YorkshireBirding #ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 13d

Red-necked Phalarope still at Nosterfield LNR (North Yorkshire) from viewing screen at 15.45 #NorthYorksBirds #ukbirds #YorkshireBirding #ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 14d

I go up to Scotland several times a year with work & that’s when I’m next up there.

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 14d

Red-Throated Divers - Wilstone Reservoir (Hertfordshire) 27/9/25 #hertsbirds #ukbirding #ukbirds @hertsbirds.bsky.social @hertswildlifetrust.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 14d

I just need the Marsh Sand to hang around for c5 weeks before I’m that way again 🫣

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 14d

I was lucky when I was last up there!

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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 14d

The WWS was hard to pick out even in on a calm sea. Was the Surf not still there? It was much easier to find as well.

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