Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · 17d

Clearest views I've ever managed up the coast from Kettleness, but not sure how far im seeing...are the tower blocks Sunderland or Hartlepool? And if so where is the final headland? Any Durham birders help me out?

1 1 3

Reposted by Ollie Metcalf

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · May 23

Labour promised to restore nature. ❌

Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.

We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.

Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.

Without significant change, it must be scrapped.

Screenshot of a Guardian news article with the headline: “Wildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill.” The subheading reads: “Conservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched.” Below, a protest photo shows handmade signs in woodland. One reads “BAT FACTS – 14 species of bat in Buckinghamshire. Bats are the only mammals that can fly.” Another says “FAT CATS KILL BATS” in bold letters. The image underscores public anger and the scale of opposition to the proposed Planning Bill.

12 360 770

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 12

Note Crane, Peregrine and Black-necked Grebe hidden by eBird cos rare breeders, but no prizes for guessing where we saw/heard them!

2

Reposted by Ollie Metcalf

Tim Jones @timsbirding.bsky.social · May 12

BIG thanks to all the Yorkshire birders who helped out with supplying information on birds in their area, we wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise! Too many to list here but, THANK YOU!

1 2 7

Reposted by Ollie Metcalf

Tim Jones @timsbirding.bsky.social · May 12

We did it! Just about recovered from 24hrs of birding, 52,000 steps, 450miles drove and 157 species recorded, a new record! Donations towards @ldvnnr.bsky.social @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social Jack Snipe project really appreciated! 'Trip' report by @ollie333.bsky.social here ebird.org/tripreport/3...

3 5 23

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

That's weird, try this: ebird.org/tripreport/3...

Yorkshire Big Day 2025 - eBird Trip Report

10 May, 2025. Created by Oliver Metcalf

ebird.org

1

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

Updated link: ebird.org/tripreport/3...

Yorkshire Big Day 2025 - eBird Trip Report

10 May, 2025. Created by Oliver Metcalf

ebird.org

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

Sponsorship link to help us understand more about the wintering and migration behaviour of Jack Snipe: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Help raise £1500 to support animals – JustGiving Crowdfunding

Iʼm raising money to support animals. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

www.justgiving.com

1 3

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

Yesterday, we took on the 24 hour Yorkshire Bird Race. Despite few migrant species, we managed to finish on 157 species, breaking the previous record by 1! You can view our route and list here (sens sp hidden). Pls sponsor us to track wintering Jack Snipe (link below). ebird.org/tripreport/3 #birds

ebird.org

4 2 21

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

Don't forget to sponsor us here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Help raise £1500 to support animals – JustGiving Crowdfunding

Iʼm raising money to support animals. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

www.justgiving.com

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

A dash to Filey saw us descending to the Brigg in moonlight to get Purple Sandpiper. We equalled the record with a Barn Owl and broke it with an underwhelming Red-legged Partridge on the way home. New Yorkshire Bird race record of 157!

3 12

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

We stopped at Hornsea on the way, picking up Little Gull. At Flamborough we got the breeding seabirds in quick succession, plus bonus Red-throated Diver and Manx Shearwater, leaving us just 2 species off the record. #birds #Yorkshirebirding

a woman says so close i could taste it in front of a world map

Alt: a woman says so close i could taste it in front of a world map

media.tenor.com

1 4

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 11

Thread got a little broken here as my tired brain got scrambled, so to tidy up and finish it off... bsky.app/profile/olli...

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

21 species at Spurn in quick succession and after a slow afternoon our race is back on and looking like an exciting finish. Off to Flamborough at dusk still needing a heap of seabirds. #birds #Yorkshirebirding

Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · May 10

17 hours in and the Motus Lads are still going strong. Kentish Plover now added to the Bird Race tally. Support the effort to raise funds for Motus tracking of Jack Snipe by donating here:
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
#GlobalBigDay

📸 Sarah Harris, Neill Hunt

1 10

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

The tree holding the lonely male Willow Tit at North Duffield, and Skipwith Common NNR, where we've been MOTUS tagging Jack Snipe. Sponsor us (link above) so we can continue...

1 3

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

A sweep through the southern end of @ldvnnr.bsky.social resulted in Corn Bunting, Green Woody, Marsh and Willow Tit plus bonus Ruff for species 121. #birds #Yorkshirebirding

1 2 10

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

Leaving the Aire Valley after a blitz of new birds. Highlights include Temminck's Stint, Spoonbill, Cattle Egret, BN Grebe etc. Leaving for the LDV on 113. Please sponsor us at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

www.justgiving.com

1 3

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

Leaving Sheffield a little late, with mixed success for 89 species. Pied fly, spot fly, redstart, crossbill etc all quite easy, but missed dipper, raven and redpoll. ebird.org/tripreport/3...

Yorkshire Big Day 2025 - eBird Trip Report

10 May, 2025. Created by Oliver Metcalf

ebird.org

1 1 7

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

Quick detour into suburban Sheffield for some Cat C dross with Mandarin+Ring-necked Parakeet. Saw a Jay. Made a friend. Left on 69. Sponsor us and help us by some MOTUS tags for Jack Snipe #birds #Yorkshirebirding

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

1 7

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

24 hr Yorkshire Bird Race update: Ring Ouzel, Golden Plover, Tree Pipit and Short-eared Owl brings up 50 species. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding... #birds

Help raise £1500 to support animals – JustGiving Crowdfunding

Iʼm raising money to support animals. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

www.justgiving.com

1 3 13

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

Stop 3. Redmires Resv first light. 24 hr Yorkshire Bird Race. 33 species, Grasshopper Warbler reeling, Woodcock roding. See above for donation page 🪶

1 7

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 10

Yes please

1 1

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 9

Stop 1 of Yorkshire 24 hr Bird Race. 00:30 and 15 species. Highlights include Bittern, Cetti's, Barnacle Goose and Badger. Donate here to support @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social Jack Snipe project www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Adam Hutt, Ollie Metcalf and Jack Ashton-Booth stand on top of a dark bank.

2 5 34

Reposted by Ollie Metcalf

Jono Leadley @birdingdad.bsky.social · May 8

Excited to be doing the Yorkshire Big Day on Saturday with our Dirty Habicht team @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social and Dunc Poyser. We'll be trying to beat the record we set in 2019 of 156 bird species in 24 hours.
We'll be donating to the Jack Snipe tracking project too.

7 29

Ollie Metcalf @ollie333.bsky.social · May 7

#birding #ukbirding #ornithology #yorkshirebirding

Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · May 7

This saturday the 10th May, Spurn regulars Jack, Adam, Tim and Ollie will be doing a 24hr Yorkshire bird race to raise money for our MOTUS Jack Snipe project! More info in the link, help
Support our project by donating below www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

1 5