Rob Hemming
@robhemming25.bsky.social
Birdwatching & natural history in general. Birmingham. Local Patch - Edgbaston Res, Winterbourne Gardens, and occasional trips elsewhere.
Reposted by Rob Hemming
Blimey, the Firecrest was ringed on 03/11/25 at the Skagen Fugelstation on the northernmost tip of Denmark #birdingFife
The ringed Firecrest still at Upper Kilminning this morning. Doesn’t appear to be a BTO ring so wonder where it’s come from… #birdingFife
January 21, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Blimey, the Firecrest was ringed on 03/11/25 at the Skagen Fugelstation on the northernmost tip of Denmark #birdingFife
Sitting here doing my tax and this Sparrowhawk dropped by to check on my progress.... Don't think he's very happy 😳 and rightly so!
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#UKbirding
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#UKbirding
January 21, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Sitting here doing my tax and this Sparrowhawk dropped by to check on my progress.... Don't think he's very happy 😳 and rightly so!
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#UKbirding
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#UKbirding
Reposted by Rob Hemming
🚨 NHS England is rolling out Palantir software for our health records - handing huge power to a US firm with a track record in surveillance, military technology and human rights abuses.
Email your local Trust and say NO to Palantir in the NHS: notopalantir.goodlawproject.org/email-to-tar...
Email your local Trust and say NO to Palantir in the NHS: notopalantir.goodlawproject.org/email-to-tar...
Say no to Palantir in the NHS
NHS England is rolling out software to run our health records from Palantir - fight back
notopalantir.goodlawproject.org
January 19, 2026 at 4:40 PM
🚨 NHS England is rolling out Palantir software for our health records - handing huge power to a US firm with a track record in surveillance, military technology and human rights abuses.
Email your local Trust and say NO to Palantir in the NHS: notopalantir.goodlawproject.org/email-to-tar...
Email your local Trust and say NO to Palantir in the NHS: notopalantir.goodlawproject.org/email-to-tar...
Reposted by Rob Hemming
It’s time to end the Guga hunt.
January 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM
It’s time to end the Guga hunt.
Firecrest briefly out the back of my apartment building in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Setee birdwatching doesn't get much better around here.
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Setee birdwatching doesn't get much better around here.
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Firecrest briefly out the back of my apartment building in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Setee birdwatching doesn't get much better around here.
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Setee birdwatching doesn't get much better around here.
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Edgbaston reservoir 745-9.30
A pretty decent return to start the year off for this urban site
Highlights: ad Common Gull
Ylg
Goosander
Green Woodpecker
Blackcap
Fieldfare
2 each of Little & GC Grebe
Plus, Redwings, tufted ducks, gsw, greenfinch etc
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
A pretty decent return to start the year off for this urban site
Highlights: ad Common Gull
Ylg
Goosander
Green Woodpecker
Blackcap
Fieldfare
2 each of Little & GC Grebe
Plus, Redwings, tufted ducks, gsw, greenfinch etc
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Edgbaston reservoir 745-9.30
A pretty decent return to start the year off for this urban site
Highlights: ad Common Gull
Ylg
Goosander
Green Woodpecker
Blackcap
Fieldfare
2 each of Little & GC Grebe
Plus, Redwings, tufted ducks, gsw, greenfinch etc
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
A pretty decent return to start the year off for this urban site
Highlights: ad Common Gull
Ylg
Goosander
Green Woodpecker
Blackcap
Fieldfare
2 each of Little & GC Grebe
Plus, Redwings, tufted ducks, gsw, greenfinch etc
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Edgbaston reservoir team wrap up 2025 on 95sp
4 patch ticks with Rook, Caspian Gull, Spotted Fly & Golden Plover
Including the above, highlights were Rock Pipit, Hobby, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Med Gull, Redshank, Red Kite & Black-necked Grebe
Happy New Year to all blue-sky birders 🍻
#UKbirding
4 patch ticks with Rook, Caspian Gull, Spotted Fly & Golden Plover
Including the above, highlights were Rock Pipit, Hobby, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Med Gull, Redshank, Red Kite & Black-necked Grebe
Happy New Year to all blue-sky birders 🍻
#UKbirding
December 31, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Edgbaston reservoir team wrap up 2025 on 95sp
4 patch ticks with Rook, Caspian Gull, Spotted Fly & Golden Plover
Including the above, highlights were Rock Pipit, Hobby, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Med Gull, Redshank, Red Kite & Black-necked Grebe
Happy New Year to all blue-sky birders 🍻
#UKbirding
4 patch ticks with Rook, Caspian Gull, Spotted Fly & Golden Plover
Including the above, highlights were Rock Pipit, Hobby, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Med Gull, Redshank, Red Kite & Black-necked Grebe
Happy New Year to all blue-sky birders 🍻
#UKbirding
Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham
Got myself on patch for an overdue visit this morning. Good to stretch the legs but a pretty average affair
2 Redpoll
2 Shoveler
Peregrine
36+ Redwing
Hope everyone has had/is enjoying their Christmas! 🎄
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Got myself on patch for an overdue visit this morning. Good to stretch the legs but a pretty average affair
2 Redpoll
2 Shoveler
Peregrine
36+ Redwing
Hope everyone has had/is enjoying their Christmas! 🎄
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
December 27, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham
Got myself on patch for an overdue visit this morning. Good to stretch the legs but a pretty average affair
2 Redpoll
2 Shoveler
Peregrine
36+ Redwing
Hope everyone has had/is enjoying their Christmas! 🎄
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Got myself on patch for an overdue visit this morning. Good to stretch the legs but a pretty average affair
2 Redpoll
2 Shoveler
Peregrine
36+ Redwing
Hope everyone has had/is enjoying their Christmas! 🎄
#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Pair of Peregrine at Birmingham University this morning. One on Ol' Joe, the other on the engineering building.
#ukbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
December 21, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Pair of Peregrine at Birmingham University this morning. One on Ol' Joe, the other on the engineering building.
#ukbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
#ukbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social
My sister found this a while back. I forgot to post it.
A tiny ball of perfection. Fly agaric
#fungifriends
@westmidsfungi.bsky.social
A tiny ball of perfection. Fly agaric
#fungifriends
@westmidsfungi.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
My sister found this a while back. I forgot to post it.
A tiny ball of perfection. Fly agaric
#fungifriends
@westmidsfungi.bsky.social
A tiny ball of perfection. Fly agaric
#fungifriends
@westmidsfungi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Hemming
Earthball! I've never seen these before 😊 #mycology #mushrooms
November 18, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Earthball! I've never seen these before 😊 #mycology #mushrooms
Starmer is cooked. Labour have betrayed its values for years. I'm so glad it didn't vote for them
Not to say the others are better, they are all parasites & egomaniacs
Green if anything
What a shitshow of a world we live in
Very sad that it's 2025 & ppl are hell-bent on self-destruction
Peace out
Not to say the others are better, they are all parasites & egomaniacs
Green if anything
What a shitshow of a world we live in
Very sad that it's 2025 & ppl are hell-bent on self-destruction
Peace out
November 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Starmer is cooked. Labour have betrayed its values for years. I'm so glad it didn't vote for them
Not to say the others are better, they are all parasites & egomaniacs
Green if anything
What a shitshow of a world we live in
Very sad that it's 2025 & ppl are hell-bent on self-destruction
Peace out
Not to say the others are better, they are all parasites & egomaniacs
Green if anything
What a shitshow of a world we live in
Very sad that it's 2025 & ppl are hell-bent on self-destruction
Peace out
At Edgbaston reservoir this morning.
5 Shoveler & 2 Teal nice to see.
Pied wagtail numbers remain good with at least 14. Probably over 20 overall.
Highlight was watching an adult Peregrine successfully hunting a pigeon. It came within meters as it pursued its quarry. Love their power
#UKbirding
5 Shoveler & 2 Teal nice to see.
Pied wagtail numbers remain good with at least 14. Probably over 20 overall.
Highlight was watching an adult Peregrine successfully hunting a pigeon. It came within meters as it pursued its quarry. Love their power
#UKbirding
November 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
At Edgbaston reservoir this morning.
5 Shoveler & 2 Teal nice to see.
Pied wagtail numbers remain good with at least 14. Probably over 20 overall.
Highlight was watching an adult Peregrine successfully hunting a pigeon. It came within meters as it pursued its quarry. Love their power
#UKbirding
5 Shoveler & 2 Teal nice to see.
Pied wagtail numbers remain good with at least 14. Probably over 20 overall.
Highlight was watching an adult Peregrine successfully hunting a pigeon. It came within meters as it pursued its quarry. Love their power
#UKbirding
I've noticed someone logging unusual birdtrack records.
It's great that everyone has a chance to record things they see, but sometimes it seems too easy to put anything down
This person has form
51 - Fifty One! Plus the rest - at Swan Pool, Withymoor
I want to be wrong, but....
It's great that everyone has a chance to record things they see, but sometimes it seems too easy to put anything down
This person has form
51 - Fifty One! Plus the rest - at Swan Pool, Withymoor
I want to be wrong, but....
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 AM
I've noticed someone logging unusual birdtrack records.
It's great that everyone has a chance to record things they see, but sometimes it seems too easy to put anything down
This person has form
51 - Fifty One! Plus the rest - at Swan Pool, Withymoor
I want to be wrong, but....
It's great that everyone has a chance to record things they see, but sometimes it seems too easy to put anything down
This person has form
51 - Fifty One! Plus the rest - at Swan Pool, Withymoor
I want to be wrong, but....
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I've noticed someone logging unusual birdtrack records.
It's great that everyone has a chance to record things they see, but sometimes it seems too easy to put anything down
This person has form
51 - Fifty One! Plus the rest - at Swan Pool, Withymoor
I want to be wrong, but....
It's great that everyone has a chance to record things they see, but sometimes it seems too easy to put anything down
This person has form
51 - Fifty One! Plus the rest - at Swan Pool, Withymoor
I want to be wrong, but....
Two rather splendid Pestle Puffballs were growing in a client's garden. 7" tall, 5-6" across.
The discolouration inside means they shouldn't be eaten, giving one gastric distress. They need to be clean white.
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#fungifriends
@ecorecord.bsky.social
The discolouration inside means they shouldn't be eaten, giving one gastric distress. They need to be clean white.
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#fungifriends
@ecorecord.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Two rather splendid Pestle Puffballs were growing in a client's garden. 7" tall, 5-6" across.
The discolouration inside means they shouldn't be eaten, giving one gastric distress. They need to be clean white.
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#fungifriends
@ecorecord.bsky.social
The discolouration inside means they shouldn't be eaten, giving one gastric distress. They need to be clean white.
Edgbaston, Birmingham.
#fungifriends
@ecorecord.bsky.social
Autumn into winter
Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham.
A few winter thrushes, the regular Little Egret and 1000s of Woodpigeons heading south.
Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham.
A few winter thrushes, the regular Little Egret and 1000s of Woodpigeons heading south.
November 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Autumn into winter
Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham.
A few winter thrushes, the regular Little Egret and 1000s of Woodpigeons heading south.
Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham.
A few winter thrushes, the regular Little Egret and 1000s of Woodpigeons heading south.
Where to start with this slop? 🤦♂️😏
November 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Where to start with this slop? 🤦♂️😏
Reposted by Rob Hemming
Interesting(!) that these captive-bred ducks for sale in East Yorkshire seem to be unringed in very many cases. Baikal, Blue-winged, Green-winged Teals, plus Garganeys. Dread to think how many end up in the wild and in local bird reports... #ukbirding
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Interesting(!) that these captive-bred ducks for sale in East Yorkshire seem to be unringed in very many cases. Baikal, Blue-winged, Green-winged Teals, plus Garganeys. Dread to think how many end up in the wild and in local bird reports... #ukbirding
Reposted by Rob Hemming
Victorian attitudes towards birds of prey in the UK are fueled by sensationalist fear-mongering like this, published routinely by mainstream media.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/28/a...
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/28/a...
Absurd claim that White-tailed Eagles ‘snatched’ five Shetland ponies leads to inevitable call to ‘shoot eagles’
The absurd claim that White-tailed Eagles had ‘snatched’ five Shetland pony foals on South Uist hit the headlines at the end of August. A crofter / farmer named Donald Cameron said that…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Victorian attitudes towards birds of prey in the UK are fueled by sensationalist fear-mongering like this, published routinely by mainstream media.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/28/a...
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/28/a...
Lots of oak/acorn galls this year. Found this specimen today whilst out fungi hunting
A bolet species, horse mushroom and blackening wax cap amongst the 17 species found. Trying to ID the others before asking for more help inevitably.....
#fungifriends
#wildflowerhour
A bolet species, horse mushroom and blackening wax cap amongst the 17 species found. Trying to ID the others before asking for more help inevitably.....
#fungifriends
#wildflowerhour
October 26, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Lots of oak/acorn galls this year. Found this specimen today whilst out fungi hunting
A bolet species, horse mushroom and blackening wax cap amongst the 17 species found. Trying to ID the others before asking for more help inevitably.....
#fungifriends
#wildflowerhour
A bolet species, horse mushroom and blackening wax cap amongst the 17 species found. Trying to ID the others before asking for more help inevitably.....
#fungifriends
#wildflowerhour
Reposted by Rob Hemming
Pure #PatchGold!
10 Crossbill @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social this morning!
It is so energising, inspiring and uplifting to fall in love with nature every day!
Every experience feels just as powerful as the first.
I would highly recommend that you fall in love with nature too! 😎
10 Crossbill @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social this morning!
It is so energising, inspiring and uplifting to fall in love with nature every day!
Every experience feels just as powerful as the first.
I would highly recommend that you fall in love with nature too! 😎
October 26, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Pure #PatchGold!
10 Crossbill @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social this morning!
It is so energising, inspiring and uplifting to fall in love with nature every day!
Every experience feels just as powerful as the first.
I would highly recommend that you fall in love with nature too! 😎
10 Crossbill @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social this morning!
It is so energising, inspiring and uplifting to fall in love with nature every day!
Every experience feels just as powerful as the first.
I would highly recommend that you fall in love with nature too! 😎
Kestrel over B&Q in Halesowen earlier.
An uncreasingly uncommon sighting around the area these days. It's a shame. Nice to see one here and there
@ecorecord.bsky.social
#wmbirding
An uncreasingly uncommon sighting around the area these days. It's a shame. Nice to see one here and there
@ecorecord.bsky.social
#wmbirding
October 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Kestrel over B&Q in Halesowen earlier.
An uncreasingly uncommon sighting around the area these days. It's a shame. Nice to see one here and there
@ecorecord.bsky.social
#wmbirding
An uncreasingly uncommon sighting around the area these days. It's a shame. Nice to see one here and there
@ecorecord.bsky.social
#wmbirding
Reposted by Rob Hemming
ReFuk Election vote catching: “We’ll make efficiency savings and cut your taxes”
ReFuk reality “No we aren’t. We lied”.
ReFuk reality “No we aren’t. We lied”.
Reform UK Councils
Council Tax increases
Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD
Council Tax increases
Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
ReFuk Election vote catching: “We’ll make efficiency savings and cut your taxes”
ReFuk reality “No we aren’t. We lied”.
ReFuk reality “No we aren’t. We lied”.