Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Andy Atkins

Michael Press @michaeldpress.bsky.social · Apr 28

More than just an archaeological site: the hill of al-Muntar, the highest point in Gaza city, is named after the shrine of Sheikh Ali al-Muntar at the top of the hill, which long hosted an important mawsim (festival) of the region.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 11

Tree Sparrows near the visitor centre and you've a reasonable chance of Barn Owl, Kestrel, Linnet, etc.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 11

That sounds great. June can be crowded at weekends, but the majority stick within 200-300m of the visitors centre and you've a loooong stretch of clifftop to play with, even if the viewing platforms are busy. Just make you're battery'ed and card'ed up! Also look out for the resident (contd)..

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 11

Apparently, something called #FlyDay is a thing, so here's a Black Grouse putting on the brakes as it comes into land.

A Black Grouse coming into land from the right, with wings splayed and legs out, over moorland in the Yorkshire Dales. Photographed at distance from a vehicle with a long lens by Andrew Atkins in April 2025.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 11

Well worth the trip, Dave. Like Dylan, I go every year (outside of workshops) and I always think I can't get a better/different composition than previous trips - then I do! The hardest thing is concentrating on a single bird when panning as it's like being a kid in a old-fashioned sweetie shop.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 10

This is beautifully photographed, Sarah. Thanks for liking my lapwing images and I see you're also a fan of the exceptional Victoria Haack.

Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 10

The special on today's photographic menu is Lapwing, aka Green Plover, Peewit, etc. All images taken this week on the moors over Wensleydale. IMO, one of the hardest, but most rewarding, birds to capture in flight. #birds #lapwing #wensleydale #nikonz8

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 9

The trade dominance thing is another of the administration's bits of hubris, as the US is important across the international trade network, but doesn't have overarching dominance. My home is the UK, where the US isn't our top market in goods despite Brexit. The same goes for many countries.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 9

Fabulous work!

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Reposted by Andy Atkins

Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai @lorenzofb.bsky.social · Apr 9

NEW: The UK government, along with other Western governments, published an advisory containing a list of more than 100 malicious Android apps.

The apps were trojanized versions of two spyware families: BadBazaar and Moonshine, used to target Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Taiwanese ppl.

Governments identify dozens of Android apps bundled with spyware | TechCrunch

The advisories say the spyware apps are used to target members of civil society who may oppose China’s state interests.

techcrunch.com

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 9

Another from yesterday's dawn outing above Wensleydale. This one from when the lek was dispersing, so no display feathers, but a lovely warm light from the early sun on this male Black Grouse. Again, image taken from vehicle at distance with a long lens! #birds #blackgrouse #nikonphotography

Male Black Grouse standing on a soil pile above Wensleydale in warm dawn sunlight.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 8

#Wensleydale was full of mist after dawn this morning but before that, on the dale tops, it was glorious and the #BlackGrouse lek was in full swing. Note: parked well off the lekking ground before dawn and images taken with a big lens from the car. #birds #nikonschool

Black Grouse male heading to the left on moorland above Wensleydale.

A pair of Black grouse males challenge each other in display on a lekking ground above Wensleydale.

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Reposted by Andy Atkins

David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · Apr 7

The amount of ignorance about US history you would have to possess to make a statement like this with a straight face is staggering. But it’s no surprise.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Apr 7

Trump: "You know, our country was the strongest, believe it or not, from 1870 to 1913. You know why? It was all tariff based. We had no income tax." (This is nonsense.)

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Reposted by Andy Atkins

Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · Apr 6

Companies House collects just £1,250 in fines in corruption crackdown
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Companies House collects just £1,250 in fines in corruption crackdown

Just 2% of total penalties paid, raising concerns about agency given new powers to fight economic crime

www.theguardian.com

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 5

I'll be appearing at Tennants Spring Fair in Leyburn, alongside a host of other arty and crafty types. It's a good half-day out in Wensleydale so why not pop May 3rd in your diary. #craftfairs

A message about the craft fair on May 3rd at Tennants Garden Rooms in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 4

I led a 1-2-1 bird photography workshop yesterday at the excellent WWTWashington. Unfortunately, my client's camera malfunctioned within minutes of arriving, leaving them to cope with my unfamiliar NIkon Z8 all day. I've processed a bunch of their images and I think they did a great job. @nikon

Goosander in flight over water at WWT Washington.

Harlequin Duck preening itself on the bank in the sunshine.

Female chaffinch bird on a branch at WWT Washington

Picture of a waiting kestrel looking down from a tree

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 4

Take 2 mins to demand that Meta stop targeting you with creepy personalised ads and content!

goodlaw.social/gk0i

Meta: this time it’s personal

Take 2 mins to write to Meta now!

goodlaw.social

Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 1

Ah. Yes, it helps to have a few more-or-less birding family members 😊

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Apr 1

Stick with it... I felt the same but, after being cajoled into playing by family a few times, it's a great game.

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Reposted by Andy Atkins

Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · Mar 28

America’s loss is Canada’s gain

How eerily reminiscent of McCarthy and Vietnam eras

Prominent Yale professors flee Trump's America for new roles at University of Toronto www.thestar.com/news/gta/pro...

Prominent Yale professors flee Trump’s America for new roles at University of Toronto

Philosophy Prof. Jason Stanley from Yale University is headed to U of T along with Timothy Snyder and Marci Shore.

www.thestar.com

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Mar 28

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of going to the Bardsey Beer Festival. It was strictly a couple of beers for me, though, as I was there to photograph a mate's band. An unusual commission for me, but technically challenging and a lot of fun. Anyway, here are the exceptional Reggie & the Screamers!

Reposted by Andy Atkins

NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · Mar 26

⚠️ Same old Russian terror story: Kharkiv is under a massive Shahed attack right now, reports Mayor Terekhov. Around 10 explosions heard, residential buildings damaged, and a civilian infrastructure site hit.

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Reposted by Andy Atkins

Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · Mar 26

I spent my Tuesday at an event in Warsaw listening to representatives from Polish civil society discussing their experience in fighting back against authoritarianism. Maybe it's time for pro-democracy groups in the US to start engaging with them because that's clearly not happening at the moment.

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Andy Atkins @andyatkins.bsky.social · Mar 25

Very much worth reading this letter. Not everyone with a voice is rolling over., despite Musk's ignorant baiting.

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · Mar 25

Elon Musk recently posted on his site that another lawyer and I are “undermining civilization.” He goes on to ask if we suffered childhood trauma and concludes by suggesting we are suffering from “generational trauma.” This is my response. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-o...

My Open Letter to Elon Musk

From Marc | Elon Musk recently posted on his site that another lawyer and I are “undermining civilization.” This is my response.

www.democracydocket.com

Reposted by Andy Atkins

Institute for the Study of War @thestudyofwar.bsky.social · Mar 24

Russia's crimes against Ukrainian children have been remarkably well-documented, particularly by the perpetrators themselves. isw.pub/SpecialRepor...

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