Josh Sollitt
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joshsollitt.bsky.social
Josh Sollitt
@joshsollitt.bsky.social
200 followers 250 following 60 posts
Bradgate Park NNR - Warden | Birder & Naturalist - Patch Year List 135/139 | C-Permit Bird Ringer (Views and opinions my own)
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joshsollitt.bsky.social
Willow Tree Fen this pm

15 Crane, 35 Marsh Harrier, 207 Whooper Swan, 38 Goosander, 10 L Egret, GW Egret, 8 G Heron the best

Great to see my first European Eel tonight even if it was being wolfed down by a Heron

@lincswildlife.bsky.social
@lincsbirding.bsky.social
@matthewfitzgerald.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
kanebrides.bsky.social
Latest Greenland White-fronted Goose population estimate: 13,303. Now 13,302 (that we know of). I dread every ringing recovery that lands in my inbox - another bird lost to illegal shooting in Iceland. We can’t afford to lose any more.
📸David Dinsley
December 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
birdguides.bsky.social
The European Bewick's Swan population more than halved between 1995 and 2020, accordingly to a newly published paper:
European Bewick's Swan population more than halves in 25 years
A study shows that Bewick's Swan numbers have fallen by 56% in Europe between 1995 and 2020, with further losses anticipated in the 2026 International Swan Census.
bit.ly
December 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
kanebrides.bsky.social
📉 Our new paper shows Bewick’s Swan numbers in NW/NE Europe have fallen to ~12,900 birds - a 56.7% decline since 1995, with further losses predicted by 2026 unless survival or breeding success improves. Flyway-wide conservation is urgent. 🦢 Download paper > tidsskrift.dk/Wildfowl/art... #Ornithology
A flock of Bewick's Swans by Ben Cherry/WWT
December 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
wanderinglapwing.bsky.social
#NatureLoversOnFacebook

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have another one. #birds

Comment no 3
Another Hen Harrier suspected illegally killed on a grouse moor Screenshot from Facebook. A comment on Facebook about raptors. Brace yourself. ‘Good riddance, far too many predators and raptors, spreading where they are not wanted. We have had to put our small bird feeders under a sheet of plate glass or the raptors would take them all’. Give me strength.
December 11, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
rspbscotland.bsky.social
🎉The good news just keeps coming!

Late last night, MSPs voted in favour of using the Natural Environment Bill to close an unintended loophole in legislation to licence grouse moor shooting.

This is a major step forward in protecting Scotland’s wildlife.

Full quote in image 👇

📷: Andy Hay
A male hen harrier sat in heather A bright blue tile with an RSPB Scotland logo and a quote saying “We are delighted at the closure of a loophole in legislation that governs grouse shooting. During scrutiny of the Natural Environment Bill, the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee gave decisive support to a Scottish Government amendment. If the amended legislation is supported by the wider Parliament next year, it will restore the meaningful deterrent to the illegal killing of birds of prey that was originally intended by the Scottish Parliament in their passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act. It will now recognise that, in some cases, a wildlife crime offence which happens away from a licenced area may “support or benefit the activities permitted by the licence” – that is grouse shoot management – as well as allowing consideration of “relevant offences”. NatureScot could then consider such offenses with respect to the suspension or revocation of a grouse shooting licence.”
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
protectthewild.bsky.social
This is MSP John Mason. He supports the Guga hunt (bludgeoning of Gannet chicks for tradition) as long as the population is stable or increasing. Don't be like John.
December 11, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Another Hen Harrier suspected illegally killed on a grouse moor, her satellite tag had been 'removed'.

Details and commentary ⬇️⬇️

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/11/a...
Another Hen Harrier suspected illegally killed on a grouse moor, her satellite tag had been ‘removed’
Over the last few weeks I’ve blogged about a number of illegally-killed Hen Harriers whose deaths have been barely publicised by the authorities, but instead have been quietly entered onto a …
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
consciglobal.bsky.social
At Avian Haven, most eagles admitted show some level of lead exposure linked to fragments from lead ammo. Sadly, Avian Haven recently lost a golden eagle to extreme lead levels, underscoring the ongoing risk. Officials in Maine are urging a shift to lead-free ammo.

#eagleconservation #hunting
December 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Derbyshire Constabulary appeals for information 3 months later.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/07/p...
Peregrine found with shotgun injuries in Peak District National Park
Derbyshire Police Rural Crime Team posted the following on Facebook on 3 December 2025: WILDLIFE CRIME AWARENESS – INJURED PEREGRINE Between 01/09/25 – 08/09/25, we received a report from the…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
gregorynorminton.bsky.social
"Tek your time over it, lad, we don't want to embarrass his lordship with a prosecution."
December 9, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
birdguides.bsky.social
The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season:
Wisdom the Laysan Albatross returns to nest at Midway Atoll
The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season. 'Wisdom', a female Laysan Albatross, has reoccupied her regular nest site and is now preparing for another chance at parenthood. Wisdom was at least five years old when ringed in 1956, putting her age at approximately 75 years old.
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 9:56 AM
joshsollitt.bsky.social
Eyebrook Reservoir 07/12/25

Great to catch up with a pair of Smew on Sunday. Also managed to dig out 6 Greater Scaup among the hundreds of Tufted Ducks. Also, 40+ Golden Plover, 250+ Lapwing, Great Egret, 3 Little Egret & a Kestrel

@lrosbirds.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
vin-fleming.bsky.social
This is a fantastic site, and well worth supporting if you are able. As good as it is (& I’ve been watching it for c25 years) it has the potential to be even better with appropriate management. A great opportunity for nature recovery in this intensively farmed county #lincsbirding
lincswildlife.bsky.social Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust @lincswildlife.bsky.social · 18d
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save one of the largest areas of grassland left in Lincolnshire. Can you help us purchase and protect Hawthorpe for nature before it is ploughed and lost forever?
Find out more: lincstrust.org.uk/hawthorpe-appeal
December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
wildmustanglover.bsky.social
seashepherd.org/2025/12/04/h...
Historic: Criminal Charges Filed in the Faroes
For the first time in history, Faroese police have filed criminal charges against grind whalers — halting hunts in the northern islands after Sea Shepherd’s evidence proved dozens of pilot whales were...
seashepherd.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
leicsperegrines.bsky.social
Hi all, the next Leicester Peregrines watch will be on Tuesday 9th December weather permitting. Come and say hello to the group at the Leicester Cathedral gardens from 9.30am to 12.30 as usual @lrosbirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #peregrines #leicester
December 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
kf-peregrine.bsky.social
Scientists slam Canada-US proposal to lower trade protections for peregrine falcons
#RaptorResearch
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/scie...
Scientists slam Canada-US proposal to lower trade protections for peregrine falcons
The crow-sized, slate-blue-backed peregrine falcon, with its bright yellow feet, soars across the skies from Greenland’s Arctic tundra to the steppe plains of Patagonia in South America. Falco peregri...
news.mongabay.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
davidho.bsky.social
“The highest levels were found in Irish breakfast cereal, followed by Belgian wholemeal bread, then German wholemeal bread, then French baguette. It was found across a huge range of products, from spaghetti, to cheese scones and ginger bread.” 🥖
High levels of ‘forever chemical’ found in cereal products across Europe – study
Pesticide Action Network Europe study finds average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Attempt to downlist conservation status of Peregrine Falcons to allow international trade is thwarted at CITES Conference. #CITESCoP20

Good news for Peregrines, but not sure why UK voted to support this proposal!

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/04/a...
Attempt to downlist conservation status of Peregrine Falcons (to allow international trade) is thwarted at CITES conference
To the relief of many raptor conservationists, a proposal to downlist the Peregrine Falcon from Appendix 1 to Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which w…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Hen Harrier found poisoned on a grouse moor in North Yorkshire.

Once again, details have only come to light through scrutiny of a spreadsheet - where's the publicity from the Police? This is supposed to be a national wildlife crime priority!

#RaptorResearch

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/01/h...
Hen Harrier found poisoned on a grouse moor in North Yorkshire
I’ve blogged recently about a number of illegally-killed Hen Harriers whose deaths have not been publicised by the authorities (Hen Harrier ‘Susie’ who was found dead with gunshot…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 1, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
darrylspittle.bsky.social
Have had the ringing details on the Pied Flycatcher back from @btobirds.bsky.social.
It was ringed as an adult female on 20th May 2024 at Afon Artro, Gwynedd, 155 km NNW of Glebelands Park.
#gwentbirding #birdingWales
darrylspittle.bsky.social Darryl @darrylspittle.bsky.social · 16d
Did not expect to see a Pied Flycatcher today. Latest Gwent record. Might go back tomorrow to get it on the ‘birds I have seen in the UK in December’ list. Currently attempting to piece together the ring details. Ta to Chris for finding and Matt for passing on the news. #gwentbirding #birdingWales
Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca),… in Gwent,… in November(!). Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca),… in Gwent,… in November(!). Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca),… in Gwent,… in November(!). Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca),… in Gwent,… in November(!).
December 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
More detail on Natural England's decision to close its Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project (& a discussion on how much public funding has been wasted on this pointless project).

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/02/m...
More detail on Natural England’s decision to close Hen Harrier Southern Reintroduction Project
Back in September, Natural England announced its decision to end its controversial plan to ‘reintroduce’ Hen Harriers to southern England (see here). The decision was widely welcomed by…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Goshawk dies from gunshot injuries in Aberdeenshire. Police Scotland appeals for information.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/01/g...
Goshawk dies from gunshot injuries in Aberdeenshire – Police Scotland appeals for information
Press release from Police Scotland (1 December 2025): APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER BIRD OF PREY SHOT IN ABERDEENSHIRE Officers are appealing for information after a bird of prey was shot in Aberdee…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
lincswildlife.bsky.social
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save one of the largest areas of grassland left in Lincolnshire. Can you help us purchase and protect Hawthorpe for nature before it is ploughed and lost forever?
Find out more: lincstrust.org.uk/hawthorpe-appeal
November 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Josh Sollitt
birdguides.bsky.social
A single camera-trap image captured in Nepal's has dramatically expanded the known western range of Asian Golden Cat by nearly 400 km:
Camera-trap record extends Asian Golden Cat's known range 400 km westward
A camera-trap photograph from Nepal's Jajarkot district has extended the known range of the Asian Golden Cat by nearly 400 km, yet the species is now classed as Vulnerable owing to mounting threats including habitat loss, snaring and retaliatory killing. Conservationists are calling for more dedicated research, greater community engagement and better protection measures to ensure the survival of this elusive medium-sized wild cat.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:16 AM