Palustris
@palustris.bsky.social
Ecologist. Meadows, mires & meres. Wetland beetles, fen creation, Teesside birds. Green.
Stonechat from Alvor last winter.
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Stonechat from Alvor last winter.
Hartlepool Headland 9-10: 17 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Red-throated Divers, 1 Mediterranean Gull, several Harbour Porpoises.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Hartlepool Headland 9-10: 17 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Red-throated Divers, 1 Mediterranean Gull, several Harbour Porpoises.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Not been to Coatham Woods before (Coatham nr Long Newton, not the Redcar one!) 185 ha of woodland with plenty of scrub and tussocky grassland. Woodcock, GSW, Jay, large numbers of winter thrushes, Bullfinch, Siskin, Redpoll.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Not been to Coatham Woods before (Coatham nr Long Newton, not the Redcar one!) 185 ha of woodland with plenty of scrub and tussocky grassland. Woodcock, GSW, Jay, large numbers of winter thrushes, Bullfinch, Siskin, Redpoll.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Palustris
The "peace plan" that Trump is trying to force on Ukraine was cooked up in Miami by Dmitriev, Witkoff & Kushner - cutting out even Marco Rubio. It's a Mafia shakedown reeking of kleptocracy, corruption & betrayal. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The "peace plan" that Trump is trying to force on Ukraine was cooked up in Miami by Dmitriev, Witkoff & Kushner - cutting out even Marco Rubio. It's a Mafia shakedown reeking of kleptocracy, corruption & betrayal. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
One of the first actions of Reform UK councils was to remove Ukrainian flags from civic buildings. Join the dots...
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
One of the first actions of Reform UK councils was to remove Ukrainian flags from civic buildings. Join the dots...
Hartlepool Headland 8-10: extremely quiet. 1 Brent Goose S, small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe & Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Hartlepool Headland 8-10: extremely quiet. 1 Brent Goose S, small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe & Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Mistle Thrush singing at Boro Sports Village: first sign of spring!
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Mistle Thrush singing at Boro Sports Village: first sign of spring!
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Greatham Creek and Cowpen Marsh from Heslop Harrison's Survey of the Lower Tees Marshes (1918). Embankment began in 1740, eventually allowing reclamation of 26,000 acres (10,522 hectares) of saltmarsh on Cowpen and Saltholme Marshes.
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Greatham Creek and Cowpen Marsh from Heslop Harrison's Survey of the Lower Tees Marshes (1918). Embankment began in 1740, eventually allowing reclamation of 26,000 acres (10,522 hectares) of saltmarsh on Cowpen and Saltholme Marshes.
Reposted by Palustris
As the Lords environment and climate change committee made clear last month organised waste crime is out of control in this country but instead of a serious effort to tackle this crisis all we get are stupid gimmicks.
Fly-tippers dump ‘mountain’ of waste in Oxfordshire field
Area’s MP says it would cost more than local council’s annual budget to remove the 10-metre high pile of waste
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:36 PM
As the Lords environment and climate change committee made clear last month organised waste crime is out of control in this country but instead of a serious effort to tackle this crisis all we get are stupid gimmicks.
Privileged to see this beautiful Firecrest at close-quarters recently, caught for ringing on Hartlepool Headland. One of a few on Teesside over the past couple of weeks. Thanks to all involved.
November 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Privileged to see this beautiful Firecrest at close-quarters recently, caught for ringing on Hartlepool Headland. One of a few on Teesside over the past couple of weeks. Thanks to all involved.
Reposted by Palustris
An excellent, as always, article from the excellent Zack Polanski.
"This is our moment to prove that climate action is key to freedom from poverty, pollution, and fear. The future is still ours to write, but only if we act now."
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/cop30-must...
"This is our moment to prove that climate action is key to freedom from poverty, pollution, and fear. The future is still ours to write, but only if we act now."
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/cop30-must...
COP30 must confront the climate and cost of living crises together
By Zack Polanski
bestforbritain.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
An excellent, as always, article from the excellent Zack Polanski.
"This is our moment to prove that climate action is key to freedom from poverty, pollution, and fear. The future is still ours to write, but only if we act now."
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/cop30-must...
"This is our moment to prove that climate action is key to freedom from poverty, pollution, and fear. The future is still ours to write, but only if we act now."
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/cop30-must...
Hartlepool Headland 7.45-10.45: 14 Whooper Swans, c. 240 Pinkfeet, 14 Brent Geese, 80 Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 23 Red-throated Divers, 7 Great Crested Grebes.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Hartlepool Headland 7.45-10.45: 14 Whooper Swans, c. 240 Pinkfeet, 14 Brent Geese, 80 Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 23 Red-throated Divers, 7 Great Crested Grebes.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Palustris
A grim read - Lesser Kestrels at the 1000-pair colony in Matera, Italy suffering large losses (65%) as a result of climate-induced heatwaves. For every 10 chicks, the heat killed 7.
Not sure how they will adapt to that…
www.lifefalkon.eu/en/news/the-...
Not sure how they will adapt to that…
www.lifefalkon.eu/en/news/the-...
LIFE FALKON
Fostering the breeding rAnge expansion of central-eastern Mediterranean Lesser Kestrel pOpulatioNs
www.lifefalkon.eu
November 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A grim read - Lesser Kestrels at the 1000-pair colony in Matera, Italy suffering large losses (65%) as a result of climate-induced heatwaves. For every 10 chicks, the heat killed 7.
Not sure how they will adapt to that…
www.lifefalkon.eu/en/news/the-...
Not sure how they will adapt to that…
www.lifefalkon.eu/en/news/the-...
J.W. Heslop Harrison's 1921 floristic map of the 'Trollius Marsh', once part of Teesside's Billingham Beck Valley, now drained and part of a golf course. He described a remarkable fen habitat, full of Globeflower, Meadow-rue, Marsh Hawksbeard (📷), Great Burnet & Purple Moor-grass.
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 PM
J.W. Heslop Harrison's 1921 floristic map of the 'Trollius Marsh', once part of Teesside's Billingham Beck Valley, now drained and part of a golf course. He described a remarkable fen habitat, full of Globeflower, Meadow-rue, Marsh Hawksbeard (📷), Great Burnet & Purple Moor-grass.
Hartlepool Headland 8.30-10.30: 1 GN Diver, 15+ Red-throated Divers, 62 Common Scoter, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Mediterranean Gull, steady movement of Kittiwakes pushed inshore.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Hartlepool Headland 8.30-10.30: 1 GN Diver, 15+ Red-throated Divers, 62 Common Scoter, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Mediterranean Gull, steady movement of Kittiwakes pushed inshore.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Water Stick-insect at RSPB Saltholme today. This predatory bug (not a stick-insect!) has expanded its range rapidly northwards in recent years. In the late 1990s it reached Nottinghamshire before moving into Yorkshire around 2000. By 2023, it was into Scotland.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Water Stick-insect at RSPB Saltholme today. This predatory bug (not a stick-insect!) has expanded its range rapidly northwards in recent years. In the late 1990s it reached Nottinghamshire before moving into Yorkshire around 2000. By 2023, it was into Scotland.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Hewitt's Chart of Teesmouth, 1832 (re-drawn) vs now, showing the enormous loss of inter-tidal, saltmarsh & coastal grazing-marsh habitats. S = Seaton Snook, T = Todd Point.
November 12, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Hewitt's Chart of Teesmouth, 1832 (re-drawn) vs now, showing the enormous loss of inter-tidal, saltmarsh & coastal grazing-marsh habitats. S = Seaton Snook, T = Todd Point.
A 'List of Birds' from Sharp's History of Hartlepool (1816). Eider was a rarity but Scaup were common: over 1,000 caught in a week in winter 1788-9 were "sold for 1s. per dozen". Glaucous Gull was simply known as Winter Gull, and a local Herring Gull reached 21 years old. 1/2
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A 'List of Birds' from Sharp's History of Hartlepool (1816). Eider was a rarity but Scaup were common: over 1,000 caught in a week in winter 1788-9 were "sold for 1s. per dozen". Glaucous Gull was simply known as Winter Gull, and a local Herring Gull reached 21 years old. 1/2
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Sheep-puddled margins provide excellent habitat in this Teesside pond, trampling inhibiting growth of reedmace and maintaining open conditions. Both Chara and Nitella stoneworts are present along with a range of pioneer insects such as Mottled Backswimmer (Notonecta maculata).
November 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Sheep-puddled margins provide excellent habitat in this Teesside pond, trampling inhibiting growth of reedmace and maintaining open conditions. Both Chara and Nitella stoneworts are present along with a range of pioneer insects such as Mottled Backswimmer (Notonecta maculata).
15.00: Greenshank again on Salterns, silty pool between new floodbank and tank farm embankment. Merlin over Greenabella Marsh.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
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@teesbirds.bsky.social
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November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
15.00: Greenshank again on Salterns, silty pool between new floodbank and tank farm embankment. Merlin over Greenabella Marsh.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
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@teesbirds.bsky.social
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Hartlepool Headland 8.00-10.15: small movement of Little Gulls south, 20 in total. Regular Mediterranean Gull, 28 Red-throated Divers, Snow Bunting over. Harbour Porpoise, 2 (different?) pods of dolphins, first v hyperactive, jumping clear of water but distant.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Hartlepool Headland 8.00-10.15: small movement of Little Gulls south, 20 in total. Regular Mediterranean Gull, 28 Red-throated Divers, Snow Bunting over. Harbour Porpoise, 2 (different?) pods of dolphins, first v hyperactive, jumping clear of water but distant.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Palustris
Zohran's campaign was his determination to make New York a city everyone can afford to live in. Huge congratulations!
His success will resonate throughout the world. A story where no one is left behind.
It's time to write that story across England & Wales too.
His success will resonate throughout the world. A story where no one is left behind.
It's time to write that story across England & Wales too.
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Zohran's campaign was his determination to make New York a city everyone can afford to live in. Huge congratulations!
His success will resonate throughout the world. A story where no one is left behind.
It's time to write that story across England & Wales too.
His success will resonate throughout the world. A story where no one is left behind.
It's time to write that story across England & Wales too.
Hartlepool Headland 9-11.30: 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Puffin, 3 Little Gulls all moving S. Purple Sandpipers on rocks at low tide. Harbour Porpoise.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Hartlepool Headland 9-11.30: 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Puffin, 3 Little Gulls all moving S. Purple Sandpipers on rocks at low tide. Harbour Porpoise.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
This sprawling brassica has suddenly become a prolific weed on the allotments. Don't recall seeing it before this year. Basal leaves coarsely toothed, bristly and stalked. I'm keying it to either Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) or Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Does that sound right, botanists?
November 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This sprawling brassica has suddenly become a prolific weed on the allotments. Don't recall seeing it before this year. Basal leaves coarsely toothed, bristly and stalked. I'm keying it to either Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) or Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Does that sound right, botanists?
Hartlepool Headland 8.30-11.00: Quiet - 29 Red-throated Divers, c 120 v distant ?Pinkfeet S, 4 Goosanders, 1 Mediterranean Gull. Harbour Porpoise, Grey & Harbour Seals.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Hartlepool Headland 8.30-11.00: Quiet - 29 Red-throated Divers, c 120 v distant ?Pinkfeet S, 4 Goosanders, 1 Mediterranean Gull. Harbour Porpoise, Grey & Harbour Seals.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social