Author | Lightnews

LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 1d

Best photo I've seen of it so far. 👌🏻

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 1d

Came here to say broadly this, 2w birds are my favourite.

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Reposted by LurkyMclurkface

Jules 🍉💔🖤🤍💚🇮🇪 @katsikajules.bsky.social · 1d

Israeli settler & 3 soldiers taking turns beating & assaulting Ahmad Shakarneh 65 yrs old - he was harvesting olives with his family in the town of Nahalin near Bethlehem.
The IDF is cooperating with the settlers in the West Bank to evict Palestinians from their homes, land & communities.

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 2d

I lucked into great views of the SMI Water Pipit today on a very brief visit. My Wabi-sabi bin-phone photos aren't worth sharing, but just wanted to say, in its current state, it really is a *gorgeous* bird. #NEbirding

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 7d

Can confirm there is a bird in every picture you've posted today Dave (unless you've deleted any).

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 9d

Yellow-brow in the Holy Island public car park hedge. Plenty of thrushes on the deck, but no Ouzel yet. #NEbirding

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 15d

I'm certain I will. I'm midway through my 5th and it feels like one of the healthiest indoor activities that I do.

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 15d

I think the standard of your 'poor' aligns with the standard of what I consider good in my little nature diary. Mine's also lined. :)

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 20d

Noticing plenty of Harlequins flying past the last few days in Newcastle and surrounds, at least a few every hour, pretty much wherever I am.

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 21d

Ivy is pretty much the place to be for hovers right now. Not a particularly diverse species list, but these plants near to a site I'm working at West Denton-ish had literally hundreds. #hoverflies
Sprawk crossing the A69 a few times, probably based locally somewhere, I've seen it a bit. #NEbirding

A bulky black and yellow female hoverfly, _Myathropa florea_, sits on a ivy leaf.

A female _Epistrophe grossulariae_ with a yellow abdomen with straight black stripes, feeds while still buzzing its wings on an ivy flower.

A female _Syrphus torvus_, a black and yellow hoverfly with a gold thorax and hairy, red-brown eyes, sits on an ivy leaf

A female _Eupeodes luniger_, a black and yellow hoverfly, hangs upside down from an ivy flower.

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Reposted by LurkyMclurkface

Colin Conroy @colintheconroy.bsky.social · 21d

@teesbirds.bsky.social does anyone know if Northern Experience Wildlife Tours (that run pelagics out of North Shields) are still operating? Their website is showing trips with spaces available but the booking system doesn’t work and they are not answering emails or the phone

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Reposted by LurkyMclurkface

Prof Bill McGuire @profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 23d

Smoke and mirrors drivel

There is no such thing as sustainable aviation fuel

We need a prohibative levy on the minority that flies for fun every other weekend

No new airport expansion and a ban on private jets

And train not plane for domestic travel

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

‘This is real progress’: airlines on sustainable aviation fuels and the chances of net zero flying

The EU and UK have imposed mandates, and investors see its value – but the industry has mixed views

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by LurkyMclurkface

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 24d

"For the next 15 years, give us a subsidy from public money, and remove the disincentive for us to stop dumping raw sewage, so our creditors are rescued from the consequences of their own greed" is not, I have to say, the world's most appealing pitch. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Thames Water creditors ask for up to 15 years’ leniency from river pollution rules

Lenders say a ‘full return to legal, regulatory and environmental compliance’ under new rescue plan would not be completed until at least 2035-2040

www.theguardian.com

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 27d

Sadly departed due south asking the links. Keep your eyes to the skies! #NEbirding

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 27d

*dropped!

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 27d

Changed its mind, looks to have dried into the wetland. #NEbirding

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · 27d

Glossy Ibis N over SMI causeway 1653. #NEbirding

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 25

Lost to the avenues of trees as it flew west through the gap between avenue and crematorium building. Good luck!

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 25

It's not in the Crem still unless it's hiding very well, so yes. I guess the Links and the dunes might be worth a try in the morning.

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 25

Hoopoe just flew round N half of Whitley Bay Crem! Current whereabouts unknown. #NEbirding

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Reposted by LurkyMclurkface

Paul Weddle @onemantess.bsky.social · May 17

I'd appreciate it if this could be re posted by as many people as possible to highlight this greedy firm. Apparently if your Husband is rushed to hospital and you get there urgently (following the ambulance) you still have to read the conditions on the sign & appeal failed. @england.nhs.uk use them

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 21

Second shot is a good summary of the majority of times this bird showed itself. Not bad for a skulker mind. #NEbirding

Joe Fryer @joebirding.bsky.social · Sep 21

Pechora pipit, South Shields today.

#UKBirding #NEBirding

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 11

Hovers getting less frequent in the NE, with some rainy days like today featuring zero records. Nevertheless still some pretty ones around. Here's an Eristalis arbustorum ♂️ from Wednesday, Eupeodes latifasciatus ♀️ from last Saturday and a Syrphus ribesii ♀️ from last Tuesday.
#hoverflies
#syrphidae

A yellow and black hoverfly with large connected eyes and a pale face sits on a green leaves and a dried and fallen Annual Honesty seed pod.

A striking black and yellow band hoverfly with a yellow face and a black frons sits on the head of a dandelion

A yellow and black hoverfly with yellow legs and a shining gold-looking scutum attends a pink flower with a yellow centre

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LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 8

Anyone got any insight into these sightings? Related? (I don't have a sub, so can't see for myself.)

A screenshot of a list of sightings from 7th September 2025 on the website Bird guides, showing three entries among bird sightings for Nathusius' Pipistrelle, a bat.

LurkyMclurkface @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social · Sep 8

My impression (with no direct comparison available) was of something like this size. So very plausible. Thanks Chris.

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