Martin George
@jannerbirder.bsky.social
Bird nerd, patch worker and BTO surveyor. MSc Ornithology (mostly a seabirds thing). Proud Devonian currently exiled to North Shropshire. I also run the #Shropshirebirds feed.
Pinned
Martin George
@jannerbirder.bsky.social
· Oct 17
I've just created a Shropshire Birding feed for bird sightings and updates in the county.
Please use #Shropshirebirding or #Shropshirebirds in your post.
A big thank you to @jamiedunning.bsky.social for his guidance.
Don't forget to pin the feed once you've followed it!
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Please use #Shropshirebirding or #Shropshirebirds in your post.
A big thank you to @jamiedunning.bsky.social for his guidance.
Don't forget to pin the feed once you've followed it!
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Martin George
Today is Imbolc. A festival I really like.
Marking halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. From now on in, spring starts to win out.
I'm no wiccan. Just all my birding life I argued ornithological year really should start March 1st 😉
(Pics from my #Medway Imbolcs past)
#KentNature
Marking halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. From now on in, spring starts to win out.
I'm no wiccan. Just all my birding life I argued ornithological year really should start March 1st 😉
(Pics from my #Medway Imbolcs past)
#KentNature
February 1, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Today is Imbolc. A festival I really like.
Marking halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. From now on in, spring starts to win out.
I'm no wiccan. Just all my birding life I argued ornithological year really should start March 1st 😉
(Pics from my #Medway Imbolcs past)
#KentNature
Marking halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. From now on in, spring starts to win out.
I'm no wiccan. Just all my birding life I argued ornithological year really should start March 1st 😉
(Pics from my #Medway Imbolcs past)
#KentNature
Reposted by Martin George
Hours of fun at Teignmouth today with 14 Little Gull fishing along the shoreline and at times very close in. Had great fun standing on the beach photographing them while the world and its dog wandered past, oblivious. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
January 31, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Hours of fun at Teignmouth today with 14 Little Gull fishing along the shoreline and at times very close in. Had great fun standing on the beach photographing them while the world and its dog wandered past, oblivious. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
Reposted by Martin George
Highly recommended! Being able to identify birds by sound is such an important skill, and often key to getting good views of birds such as Kingfisher or Cetti's Warbler or Bullfinch.
Once you're confident with songs and calls a whole world of BTO survey fieldwork awaits!
#ShropshireBirds
Once you're confident with songs and calls a whole world of BTO survey fieldwork awaits!
#ShropshireBirds
Want to learn what birds are singing? Join our Bird Sound ID in Early Spring training course ➡️ www.bto.org/training #Ornithology
January 31, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Highly recommended! Being able to identify birds by sound is such an important skill, and often key to getting good views of birds such as Kingfisher or Cetti's Warbler or Bullfinch.
Once you're confident with songs and calls a whole world of BTO survey fieldwork awaits!
#ShropshireBirds
Once you're confident with songs and calls a whole world of BTO survey fieldwork awaits!
#ShropshireBirds
Very soggy on the local patch near Crosemere, and I had to work hard for two Shelduck, the first there since 11 July.
Nearby floods are about as large as they get, and held two Shoveler and 56 Lapwing. Quite a change after a 65 species day at Burton Mere Wetlands a week ago!
#ShropshireBirds
Nearby floods are about as large as they get, and held two Shoveler and 56 Lapwing. Quite a change after a 65 species day at Burton Mere Wetlands a week ago!
#ShropshireBirds
January 31, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Very soggy on the local patch near Crosemere, and I had to work hard for two Shelduck, the first there since 11 July.
Nearby floods are about as large as they get, and held two Shoveler and 56 Lapwing. Quite a change after a 65 species day at Burton Mere Wetlands a week ago!
#ShropshireBirds
Nearby floods are about as large as they get, and held two Shoveler and 56 Lapwing. Quite a change after a 65 species day at Burton Mere Wetlands a week ago!
#ShropshireBirds
Reposted by Martin George
Please help to end the senseless harvesting of Gannets. It’s a ‘tradition’ that needs stopping.
Please sign the petition which is already over 80,000 and I’m told the highest signed petition ever for a Scottish Parliament petition.
#birdingScotland
Please sign the petition which is already over 80,000 and I’m told the highest signed petition ever for a Scottish Parliament petition.
#birdingScotland
Petition: Stop the Guga Hunt
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove the power to grant licences for taking Gannets on Sula Sgeir.
petitions.parliament.scot
January 29, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Please help to end the senseless harvesting of Gannets. It’s a ‘tradition’ that needs stopping.
Please sign the petition which is already over 80,000 and I’m told the highest signed petition ever for a Scottish Parliament petition.
#birdingScotland
Please sign the petition which is already over 80,000 and I’m told the highest signed petition ever for a Scottish Parliament petition.
#birdingScotland
Reposted by Martin George
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs were recorded in hedgerows near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Reposted by Martin George
Great work by Tom! This is why we record bird sightings, to establish what is normal, what is unusual, and to discover changes over time.
Full lists with highest breeding evidence (when appropriate) through the @birdtrack.bsky.social app is our preference, but eBird and iRecord data also help.
Full lists with highest breeding evidence (when appropriate) through the @birdtrack.bsky.social app is our preference, but eBird and iRecord data also help.
With all the minutus excitement, I'd missed the fact that tonight's count of 720 Common Gulls appears to have been the highest in #shropshirebirding for c20 years. A far cry from the 5,000 recorded in 1993, but still significant #lovegulls
January 28, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Great work by Tom! This is why we record bird sightings, to establish what is normal, what is unusual, and to discover changes over time.
Full lists with highest breeding evidence (when appropriate) through the @birdtrack.bsky.social app is our preference, but eBird and iRecord data also help.
Full lists with highest breeding evidence (when appropriate) through the @birdtrack.bsky.social app is our preference, but eBird and iRecord data also help.
Reposted by Martin George
One of my favourite books is Wild America, the 1953 trip made by legendary naturalists Roger Tory Peterson (USA) and James Fisher (UK).
Some of it was filmed and RTP took that on tour to theaters across the States. Until today, that was the only opportunity to see it (1/2)
youtu.be/irjm8dxb0xA?...
Some of it was filmed and RTP took that on tour to theaters across the States. Until today, that was the only opportunity to see it (1/2)
youtu.be/irjm8dxb0xA?...
WILD AMERICA
YouTube video by Roger Tory Peterson Institute
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 9:38 PM
One of my favourite books is Wild America, the 1953 trip made by legendary naturalists Roger Tory Peterson (USA) and James Fisher (UK).
Some of it was filmed and RTP took that on tour to theaters across the States. Until today, that was the only opportunity to see it (1/2)
youtu.be/irjm8dxb0xA?...
Some of it was filmed and RTP took that on tour to theaters across the States. Until today, that was the only opportunity to see it (1/2)
youtu.be/irjm8dxb0xA?...
Reposted by Martin George
The 2024 Shropshire Bird Report will be back from the printers later this week, and work is about to start on the 2025 Report.
If you have any bird sightings for Shropshire in 2025 please add them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord in the next few days.
#ShropshireBirds
If you have any bird sightings for Shropshire in 2025 please add them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord in the next few days.
#ShropshireBirds
January 26, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The 2024 Shropshire Bird Report will be back from the printers later this week, and work is about to start on the 2025 Report.
If you have any bird sightings for Shropshire in 2025 please add them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord in the next few days.
#ShropshireBirds
If you have any bird sightings for Shropshire in 2025 please add them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord in the next few days.
#ShropshireBirds
Reposted by Martin George
Corn Bunting’s status in Shropshire is “Uncommon resident (declining)”, with just 144 records submitted in 2023.
Records of winter flocks or singing males during the breeding season are very helpful, please share by adding them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord.
#ShropshireBirds
Records of winter flocks or singing males during the breeding season are very helpful, please share by adding them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord.
#ShropshireBirds
(1/) Corn Bunting, with its song that sounds to some like a set of keys being jangled, declined by 83% across the UK between 1967 and 2023. However, in more recent years, this species has increased, especially in certain areas. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Corn Bunting’s status in Shropshire is “Uncommon resident (declining)”, with just 144 records submitted in 2023.
Records of winter flocks or singing males during the breeding season are very helpful, please share by adding them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord.
#ShropshireBirds
Records of winter flocks or singing males during the breeding season are very helpful, please share by adding them to BirdTrack, eBird or iRecord.
#ShropshireBirds
Reposted by Martin George
I normally err towards pale northern Herring, but this beauty on the north side of Shrewsbury this morning looked smooth, pale and Glaucy enough to be a Viking #lovegulls #shropshirebirding
January 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I normally err towards pale northern Herring, but this beauty on the north side of Shrewsbury this morning looked smooth, pale and Glaucy enough to be a Viking #lovegulls #shropshirebirding
Dr Teresa Frost, head of the Wetland Bird Survey - @webs-gsmp.bsky.social - at British Trust for Ornithology, says there seems to be "genuine susceptibility" to the disease among the swan species, due to lifestyle and weather factors.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why swans may be more likely to die from bird flu
The British Trust for Ornithology considers swans lifestyle and weather factors when investigating deaths.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Dr Teresa Frost, head of the Wetland Bird Survey - @webs-gsmp.bsky.social - at British Trust for Ornithology, says there seems to be "genuine susceptibility" to the disease among the swan species, due to lifestyle and weather factors.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I was marooned and soaked in #Shrewsbury thanks to a puncture this afternoon.
As usual, the birds saved the day: Goosanders, Moorhens, and a surprise pair of Mute Swans grazing by St Chad's Church. Gorgeous light, too, after the downpour that caught me out between bridges.
#ShropshireBirding
As usual, the birds saved the day: Goosanders, Moorhens, and a surprise pair of Mute Swans grazing by St Chad's Church. Gorgeous light, too, after the downpour that caught me out between bridges.
#ShropshireBirding
January 23, 2026 at 10:16 PM
I was marooned and soaked in #Shrewsbury thanks to a puncture this afternoon.
As usual, the birds saved the day: Goosanders, Moorhens, and a surprise pair of Mute Swans grazing by St Chad's Church. Gorgeous light, too, after the downpour that caught me out between bridges.
#ShropshireBirding
As usual, the birds saved the day: Goosanders, Moorhens, and a surprise pair of Mute Swans grazing by St Chad's Church. Gorgeous light, too, after the downpour that caught me out between bridges.
#ShropshireBirding
“Some vital ecosystems could face collapse within five years, threatening the UK’s national security and prosperity, according to the 14-page report.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:15 PM
“Some vital ecosystems could face collapse within five years, threatening the UK’s national security and prosperity, according to the 14-page report.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“The Antarctic ecosystem is a network with very few links – losing several species of #penguins before the end of the century, as models predict, could be a fatal blow to its functioning and its resilience.”
#Seabirds
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
#Seabirds
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Antarctic penguins have radically shifted their breeding season – seemingly in response to climate change
Changing temperatures may be behind change in behaviour, which experts fear threatens three species’ survival
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:09 AM
“The Antarctic ecosystem is a network with very few links – losing several species of #penguins before the end of the century, as models predict, could be a fatal blow to its functioning and its resilience.”
#Seabirds
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
#Seabirds
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
"Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the publication of a Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy, setting out an evidence-based plan to protect Wales’ internationally important seabird populations — including major colonies off the Pembrokeshire coast."
#Seabirds
#Seabirds
Welsh seabird strategy published as ministers warn of threats to colonies
Plan covers 29 species and highlights HPAI impact at Grassholm, where gannet numbers are believed to have halved DEPUTY First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the publication of a Welsh Seabi...
pembrokeshire-herald.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:32 PM
"Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the publication of a Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy, setting out an evidence-based plan to protect Wales’ internationally important seabird populations — including major colonies off the Pembrokeshire coast."
#Seabirds
#Seabirds
Shropshire Mammal Group AGM 2026 takes place next Saturday (24th Jan) from 10am at Preston Montford Field Studies Centre, all are welcome. Birds on camera traps will also feature, perhaps even a county mega! See 🧵
Email [email protected] if you would like to attend.
#ShropshireBirds
Email [email protected] if you would like to attend.
#ShropshireBirds
January 17, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Shropshire Mammal Group AGM 2026 takes place next Saturday (24th Jan) from 10am at Preston Montford Field Studies Centre, all are welcome. Birds on camera traps will also feature, perhaps even a county mega! See 🧵
Email [email protected] if you would like to attend.
#ShropshireBirds
Email [email protected] if you would like to attend.
#ShropshireBirds
Reposted by Martin George
The International Swan Census takes place this weekend, 17-18 January.
If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack this weekend please consider adding details of the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint. Alternatively, please DM the details.
#ShropshireBirds
If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack this weekend please consider adding details of the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint. Alternatively, please DM the details.
#ShropshireBirds
January 16, 2026 at 9:15 PM
The International Swan Census takes place this weekend, 17-18 January.
If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack this weekend please consider adding details of the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint. Alternatively, please DM the details.
#ShropshireBirds
If you record any Bewick's or Whooper Swans in BirdTrack this weekend please consider adding details of the number of adults and juveniles, habitat and location pinpoint. Alternatively, please DM the details.
#ShropshireBirds
Reposted by Martin George
Enjoyable read: the latest despatch from @transportforwales.bsky.social writer-in-residence Jon Gower, featuring @jonniprice.bsky.social and others @rspbcymru.bsky.social #Conwy reserve.
Even if you don’t see one the sound of a water rail is quite something else, often compared with a pig squealing. Which is not something you’d expect in the depths of a reedbed ✍️ Jon Gower wp.me/p8Mk4U-1ckX
January 13, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Enjoyable read: the latest despatch from @transportforwales.bsky.social writer-in-residence Jon Gower, featuring @jonniprice.bsky.social and others @rspbcymru.bsky.social #Conwy reserve.
Reposted by Martin George
The new artwork for Hello You the Shropshire podcast has been created by Shrewsbury illustrator Saffron Russell, and I'm thrilled with it!
It launched with episode 150 of Hello You. If you're curious about what I do and why, take a listen? It's only 20mins or so
open.substack.com/pub/jimallth...
It launched with episode 150 of Hello You. If you're curious about what I do and why, take a listen? It's only 20mins or so
open.substack.com/pub/jimallth...
December 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The new artwork for Hello You the Shropshire podcast has been created by Shrewsbury illustrator Saffron Russell, and I'm thrilled with it!
It launched with episode 150 of Hello You. If you're curious about what I do and why, take a listen? It's only 20mins or so
open.substack.com/pub/jimallth...
It launched with episode 150 of Hello You. If you're curious about what I do and why, take a listen? It's only 20mins or so
open.substack.com/pub/jimallth...
Reposted by Martin George
Amazing image series. Has the status of Pacific Diver really changed in the Western Palearctic via range extension in western Greenland or population growth elsewhere, or did we simply get our eye in for this species as a vagrant? #UKBirding
Two Pacific Divers off Roskilly (12th Jan). These are probably the third & fourth for Cornwall. Photo includes four Great Northern Diver and two Pacific Diver (extreme right and second left). This is the first time that two Pacific’s have actually been seen and photographed together in Cornwall.
January 13, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Amazing image series. Has the status of Pacific Diver really changed in the Western Palearctic via range extension in western Greenland or population growth elsewhere, or did we simply get our eye in for this species as a vagrant? #UKBirding
Reposted by Martin George
Only 10 tickets left! Book now for our Welsh Raptor Convention 2026! ➡️ www.bto.org/RaptorConvention2026
Are you a raptor enthusiast? Discover more about birds of prey in Wales at our Raptor Convention in January. Book a space ➡️ www.bto.org/RaptorConvention2026
Hear more about our Cudyll Cymru survey, hear from expert guest speakers and meet other nature enthusiasts over lunch. #BirdingWales
Hear more about our Cudyll Cymru survey, hear from expert guest speakers and meet other nature enthusiasts over lunch. #BirdingWales
January 12, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Only 10 tickets left! Book now for our Welsh Raptor Convention 2026! ➡️ www.bto.org/RaptorConvention2026
Reposted by Martin George
Thanks to our excellent team of WeBS counters we have 100% coverage in Shropshire, but several other areas still have vacancies.
Just one visit on 17 or 18 January, so minimal commitment, but you’ll be part of a very worthwhile project.
Just one visit on 17 or 18 January, so minimal commitment, but you’ll be part of a very worthwhile project.
🦢The International Swan Census is fast approaching, on the weekend of 17th-18th January. We still have vacant sites, particularly in Northern Ireland, Mull, Skye, Orkney and Uists. If you can help, please request a site on the map: app.bto.org/gsmp/public/...
#UKBirding #Ornithology
#UKBirding #Ornithology
January 9, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Thanks to our excellent team of WeBS counters we have 100% coverage in Shropshire, but several other areas still have vacancies.
Just one visit on 17 or 18 January, so minimal commitment, but you’ll be part of a very worthwhile project.
Just one visit on 17 or 18 January, so minimal commitment, but you’ll be part of a very worthwhile project.
Reposted by Martin George
Snow baths for both Ravens today. I’m sure if I watched other birds as closely I’d see how they all have amazing characters, but Ravens do seem special! I wonder, if more people saw what fun, affectionate characters birds are they would care more about them and their habitats.
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Snow baths for both Ravens today. I’m sure if I watched other birds as closely I’d see how they all have amazing characters, but Ravens do seem special! I wonder, if more people saw what fun, affectionate characters birds are they would care more about them and their habitats.
Reposted by Martin George
Voxpop request: Panurus biarmicus is the sole member of the family Panuridae, AviList uses Bearded Reedling (in use since the 19th century) as the English vernacular, BOURC maintains Bearded Tit even though they are more closely related to larks. Should we change the name? #Ornithology #UKBirding 🪶
January 9, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Voxpop request: Panurus biarmicus is the sole member of the family Panuridae, AviList uses Bearded Reedling (in use since the 19th century) as the English vernacular, BOURC maintains Bearded Tit even though they are more closely related to larks. Should we change the name? #Ornithology #UKBirding 🪶