Mark Eaton
@markaeaton.bsky.social
Scientist, conservationist, naturalist, birder. Secretary of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel & ornithologist for hire. Loves all of that plus dogs, music, leftwing politics, football, Northumberland, family. He/him.
Reposted by Mark Eaton
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Reviewing the RBBP species list
Mediterranean Gull, Mark Eaton
The RBBP collects data and reports upon all native species with UK breeding populations of fewer than 2,000 pairs. In addition, s...
rbbp.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW BLOG - the RBBP reviews what species we should collect data on regularly. Here’s an explanation of what we consider when species are removed, and why Avocet and Mediterranean Gull are staying on our list, for now rbbp.org.uk/2025/11/25/r...
Reposted by Mark Eaton
There was actually a time quite recently when the Young People still used Tinder
(Published around the time of Dawn Chorus Day)
(Published around the time of Dawn Chorus Day)
![[Scene is a WOODLAND just before dawn. In a tree, a TEENAGE ROBIN with big headphones on is slouching on a branch, swiping on her phone. Her DAD ROBIN approaches her on the branch looking cheerful with her MUM ROBIN also in tow].
DAD ROBIN:
Wakey wakey darling, it's National Dawn Chorus Day!
TEENAGE ROBIN:
Ugh, Dad...
DAD ROBIN:
Come on, dear...
DAD ROBIN:
It's time for us all to shout into the darkness for sex!
TEENAGE ROBIN:
What
DAD ROBIN:
You're a big bird now.
Time to put down that blessed phone and find a mate...
TEENAGE ROBIN:
I am.
On Tinder.
[She swipes on her phone]
DAD ROBIN:
Oh for heaven's sake.
Your generation has no sense of tradition!
TEENAGE ROBIN:
Right... so you'd rather I found love by bellowing into the woods for a pre-dawn hookup with a total stranger?
DAD ROBIN:
It's natural!
TEENAGE ROBIN:
It's dogging.
DAD ROBIN:
Well that's how your Mum and I had you...
TEENAGE ROBIN:
OH MY GOD GROSS
MUM ROBIN [Singing sweetly into the air]:
Sex pleeease...
TEENAGE ROBIN:
Stop it Mum.
MUM ROBIN:
SEEEEEX PLEEEEAAAASE...
TEENAGE ROBIN:
MUUUM!
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreierbhobnorq5sxzbz3n5wpp2y3b4d6gpudj7qf6qycqqlvwja7eoi@jpeg)
November 23, 2025 at 11:18 PM
There was actually a time quite recently when the Young People still used Tinder
(Published around the time of Dawn Chorus Day)
(Published around the time of Dawn Chorus Day)
Reposted by Mark Eaton
Are you an MSc student based at a UK university? Or do you know one?
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
Postgraduate opportunities
The RSPB is offering a variety of exciting research projects for postgraduate students in 2026.
www.rspb.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Are you an MSc student based at a UK university? Or do you know one?
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
Reposted by Mark Eaton
This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst.
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
November 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst.
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
Curlews dropping into the fields to roost at Boulmer this evening. A Jack Snipe coming in-off low over the haven was a pleasant surprise #NEbirding
November 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Curlews dropping into the fields to roost at Boulmer this evening. A Jack Snipe coming in-off low over the haven was a pleasant surprise #NEbirding
Three gigs in a week, all very different - tonight was soaring psychedelia from Gong in Newcastle. Fantastic, but I am looking forward to a quiet night in tomorrow
November 21, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Three gigs in a week, all very different - tonight was soaring psychedelia from Gong in Newcastle. Fantastic, but I am looking forward to a quiet night in tomorrow
Pete Kember - Sonic Boom - in Glasgow last night. 36 years since I first saw him in Spacemen 3, his music has enriched my life immeasurably ever since. I also enjoyed, in a clear case of mistaken identity, being ushered backstage to meet him, to the bemusement of us both (but my delight!) 😂
November 21, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Pete Kember - Sonic Boom - in Glasgow last night. 36 years since I first saw him in Spacemen 3, his music has enriched my life immeasurably ever since. I also enjoyed, in a clear case of mistaken identity, being ushered backstage to meet him, to the bemusement of us both (but my delight!) 😂
Epic skies at Goswick right now. Though tbh I think I’d rather be looking at them on my phone screen like you are, rather than standing here dreading the next 30 mph hail storm 😂
November 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Epic skies at Goswick right now. Though tbh I think I’d rather be looking at them on my phone screen like you are, rather than standing here dreading the next 30 mph hail storm 😂
Reposted by Mark Eaton
I recently wrote something about the science of pareidolia, the "you can't unsee this face in this inanimate thing" bias - and all the examples I found are delightful, ludicrous and worrying! (It's amazing how completely it hijacks our mind.)
I dare you to unsee the following examples.
1/
I dare you to unsee the following examples.
1/
November 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
I recently wrote something about the science of pareidolia, the "you can't unsee this face in this inanimate thing" bias - and all the examples I found are delightful, ludicrous and worrying! (It's amazing how completely it hijacks our mind.)
I dare you to unsee the following examples.
1/
I dare you to unsee the following examples.
1/
Pleased to find a Black Redstart on the beach at Howick this afternoon, but it didn’t want its photo taken #NEbirding
November 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Pleased to find a Black Redstart on the beach at Howick this afternoon, but it didn’t want its photo taken #NEbirding
Purple Sandpipers evading the waves at Howick this afternoon. Thought that sooner or later there’d be a wave big enough to disturb the roost, so I waited... I was right #NEbirding #WaderWednesday #birds
November 19, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Purple Sandpipers evading the waves at Howick this afternoon. Thought that sooner or later there’d be a wave big enough to disturb the roost, so I waited... I was right #NEbirding #WaderWednesday #birds
Well, they did say there might be snow. One of a flock of 11 Snow Buntings at Seaton Point this afternoon. Also 5 Whooper Swans, 35+ Purple Sandpipers, Barn Owl #NEbirding #birds
November 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Well, they did say there might be snow. One of a flock of 11 Snow Buntings at Seaton Point this afternoon. Also 5 Whooper Swans, 35+ Purple Sandpipers, Barn Owl #NEbirding #birds
Left it a bit late to go out - forgot how early it’s going dark now - but a quick jaunt around Howick-Craster was good for Firecrest & Yellow-browed Warbler (both nr Craster car park) plus Chiffchaff, Woodcock, c20 Goldcrests #NEbirding
November 17, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Left it a bit late to go out - forgot how early it’s going dark now - but a quick jaunt around Howick-Craster was good for Firecrest & Yellow-browed Warbler (both nr Craster car park) plus Chiffchaff, Woodcock, c20 Goldcrests #NEbirding
Great gig by the unique Fyfe Dangerfield in the grand setting of the @thebowesmuseum.bsky.social last night. Honoured that he played ‘Birdwatcher’ for @yolobirder.bsky.social and I!
November 16, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Great gig by the unique Fyfe Dangerfield in the grand setting of the @thebowesmuseum.bsky.social last night. Honoured that he played ‘Birdwatcher’ for @yolobirder.bsky.social and I!
As well as a giant of raptor conservation and monitoring with a razor-sharp intellect, Patrick was a kind man with a wonderful dry wit. He was a pleasure to work with, and I and very many others will miss him.
We are saddened to hear of the death of Patrick Stirling-Aird, who for many decades was a leading light in the monitoring and conservation of raptors. It was a honour to work with Patrick on the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme; we will miss him immensely. raptormonitoring.org/about-the-sr...
November 14, 2025 at 11:29 PM
As well as a giant of raptor conservation and monitoring with a razor-sharp intellect, Patrick was a kind man with a wonderful dry wit. He was a pleasure to work with, and I and very many others will miss him.
After almost a full day of RBBP meeting, we got out just in time to see this female Ring-necked Duck on Ladyburn Lake in very murky conditions #NEbirding
November 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
After almost a full day of RBBP meeting, we got out just in time to see this female Ring-necked Duck on Ladyburn Lake in very murky conditions #NEbirding
No great rarities, but my @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count at East Chevington was hooching with birds with much disturbance from Otters and Marsh Harriers. A Raven was a site first for me #NEbirding
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
No great rarities, but my @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count at East Chevington was hooching with birds with much disturbance from Otters and Marsh Harriers. A Raven was a site first for me #NEbirding
Great entertainment from this Otter, one of two at East Chevington today. Pretty sure it was playing with the eel it had caught, releasing it and catching it again
November 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Great entertainment from this Otter, one of two at East Chevington today. Pretty sure it was playing with the eel it had caught, releasing it and catching it again
Reposted by Mark Eaton
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Raptor recovery… Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey have all increased substantially over recent decades. Ospreys have colonised new counties at the rate of one a year, including Co. Fermanagh in 2023, the first breeding on the island of Ireland in 200 yrs #ukbirding #ornithology
The sound of a Dusky Warbler giving it large at Craster this morning #NEbirding
November 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The sound of a Dusky Warbler giving it large at Craster this morning #NEbirding
Two (!) Dusky Warblers at the south end of the Arnold Memorial reserve, Craster. Only one seen but the two birds heard calling at each other. Very pleasing self-found ✅ #NEbirding
November 8, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Two (!) Dusky Warblers at the south end of the Arnold Memorial reserve, Craster. Only one seen but the two birds heard calling at each other. Very pleasing self-found ✅ #NEbirding
Reposted by Mark Eaton
Some good news for Friday: the new RBBP report reveals that five species of large wading bird reached record totals in 2023, including Spoonbill. See the trend since 2010 below… even the bird itself looks shocked by the increase! Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ukbirding #ornithology
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Some good news for Friday: the new RBBP report reveals that five species of large wading bird reached record totals in 2023, including Spoonbill. See the trend since 2010 below… even the bird itself looks shocked by the increase! Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ukbirding #ornithology
4 dead and 3 sick Greylags at Branton Pits Northumberland today (reported). Worrying #NEBirding
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 10:44 PM
4 dead and 3 sick Greylags at Branton Pits Northumberland today (reported). Worrying #NEBirding
Reposted by Mark Eaton
Both the Red-spotted and White-spotted races of Bluethroat try to breed in the UK occasionally but breeding has only been confirmed on five occasions, in 1968, 85, 95, 2016 (Red-spotted) and 1996 (White-spotted). There were single possible breeding records of both in 2023 #ukbirding #ornithology
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Both the Red-spotted and White-spotted races of Bluethroat try to breed in the UK occasionally but breeding has only been confirmed on five occasions, in 1968, 85, 95, 2016 (Red-spotted) and 1996 (White-spotted). There were single possible breeding records of both in 2023 #ukbirding #ornithology