Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 1d

Edgbaston res

A Lapwing was nfy.

Only other bits of interest were a Siskin over & 2 f Teal.

No Redwing as yet, just a couple of mipits flying over

8 Skylark flew over Montagu's road on Thursday, only a stones throw away from the reservoir

#UKbirding
#urbanbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

1 13

Reposted by Rob Hemming

Alex Richards @alxrchrds.bsky.social · 1d

The brilliant @privateeyenews.bsky.social captures British journalists and political commentators in a nutshell over their Nigel Farage and Reform Party UK Ltd obsession.

SHOCK POLL:
NIGEL FARAGE ‘WILL BE PM TOMORROW’

IN an amazing poll conducted by The Pointless Polling Company, it was revealed that voters' intentions may well change over the next three and a half years and at present it's 100 percent impossible to guess what the next government might look like.
However, 99 percent of journalists agree that it would be much more fun if we had an election tomorrow and everybody resigned and everything was chaos and Farage had a go at being PM, just for the hell of it, because it was so much fun when Brexit happened and then the government kept falling every five minutes and we could write endless pieces about (cont. p94)

8 37 130

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 7d

You can bet on it 😏....that or tightroping across. I'd watch that tbh!

2

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 8d

The Great Edgbaston Reservoir Delta & Gillot Falls in all their 'glory'.

4 Teal were the highlight
Plus; 2 Peregrine, 2 Raven, 2 GCGs
7 Mipits the only overhead movement
35 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, P&G Wags & a few Chiffs

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

Edgbaston reservoir with very low water levels

The water inlet at Edgbaston reservoir from Gillot Road

1 1 22

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 15d

Edgbaston res this am.

Water levels lowest I've ever seen. Lots of disturbance from the off.
Nothing out of the ordinary. Lots of Grey & Pied wagtails present.fair few chiffchaff. Couple of mipits over
3 little Grebe & first GCG for a while

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

13

Reposted by Rob Hemming

Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 19d

Ed Davey, "I'm afraid Nigel Farage should be apologising for helping cause this problem in the first place"

"Before Brexit we didn't have a small boats problem because we had 27 return agreements with EU countries and we could return people"

-Maybe we should call them Farage's Brexit Boats

100 1.3K 3.6K

Reposted by Rob Hemming

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 21d

A blog about the spark that got me into birding, the number of generous people it took to give me opportunities to experience nature, and why we should live generously to encourage others. Thanks for reading. #ukbirding #birds

Grey Phalarope and the birding spark

Many people can remember a "spark moment" that changes their interests and sets in motion a passion with something that lasts a lifetime. I...

themanchesterbirder.blogspot.com

7 8 60

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 21d

Edgbaston res 6.30-9

Nice autumnal feel this morning 🍂 A few bits & bobs on a lovely morning

Wigeon 4
Juv Peregrine whizzing around again. Entrancing watching it at such close quarters! Beautiful.
20 or so Mipits
Handful of House Martins

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

8

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 22d

Edgbaston res. 6.30-9

Single Golden Plover flew over, calling as it went.
Second patch tick this week!

A bit of vis mig produced:

Swallow 47
Mipits 35
Siskin 2
Sand Martin 1
Song thrush

Med Gull still present

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Edgbaston reservoir

18

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 24d

Edgbaston res - middayish

Patch tick in the form of an adult Spotted Flycatcher! No 137 I think

Showed nicely around the willows at the rotton pk Rd end.

The friendly neighbourhood juv Med Gull continues its stay. Over 2 weeks now

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

16

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · 28d

Edgbaston res 6-9 with @thehairycrisp.bsky.social

Superb display from a juv Peregrine as it bombed around & perched up for a bit

Kingfisher nfy
Juv Med Gull still present
A few Mipits over

A chat species flew around but couldn't pin it down. Prob juv Whinchat imo, but can't be sure

#UKbirding

11

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 7

It's been good for sure. 5 records from two areas in 4 years.
3 occurrences in Edgbaston area were outstanding. 2 at Walton (including yesterday) were brief affairs.
Although still obviously low in numbers, I think there's more around than ppl think

4

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 6

And many thanks to @pmandrews1973.bsky.social as always for organising.

#WestMidsAlldayer

4

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 6

Walton Hill Wanderers (Edg res trio) finished on a low 55, but saw some nice birds & enjoyed a change of scenery.

Goshawk, Firecrest, Hobby, Yellowhammer, & Kingfisher the highlights

Well done to all teams🍻

Special thanks to @thehairycrisp.bsky.social & @sprayxcappo.bsky.social

#WestMidsAlldayer

3 25

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 5

Close 😄

1

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 5

HJ9V

1 1

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 5

Hi Mike. Matt has confirmed the med gull to be the Sandwell valley bird

1 1

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 4

Unfortunately not. Matt and I both went with scopes today. He didn't see the bird, and it flew off whilst I was setting up. Hopefully there'll be another chance to view it

1 2

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 4

Edgbaston res

Matt Hadlington @thehairycrisp.bsky.social found a Polish ringed Caspian Gull this morning

Many thanks for the help from @midlandsbirder.bsky.social & @belvidebirding.bsky.social with ID & origins

He also found a Wheatear
juv Med Gull still present

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

Juvenile Caspian Gull with Polish ring Edgbaston reservoir

Juvenile Wheatear at Edgbaston reservoir

2 1 33

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 4

Deaths-head hawkmoth. Wow! Is that local Chris?

1 2

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thanks Tom
Yesterday's bird definitely had a red ring, too. I did look for a metal one (with Sandwell valley bird in mind), but I couldn't see it with bins. It was first light though, so that didnt help, and I couldn't relocate it later.

2

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 3

Yes, hard to ignore that, especially due to the rings. But looking at the good images of the valley bird, it didn't look as well marked on the scapulars in the field
Additionally, today's & yesterday's bird also looked different, but happy to put that down to different light
Scope views needed!

1 2

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 3

Edgbaston res

Med Gull again. Looked different to yesterday's bird, but maybe just the light? Red ring right leg, metal on left. Didn't see a metal ring on yesterday's bird, which I may have just missed

Also, Common Tern. Our first confirmed tern of the year!

#UKbirding
@ecorecord.bsky.social

Grainy image of juvenile Mediterranean Gull - Edgbaston reservoir

Grainy image of a Common Tern - Edgbaston reservoir

Grainy image of a Common Tern in flight - Edgbaston reservoir

1 16

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thank you for yours. Aside from the general birding news and other people's exploits, this is the reality for most of us I'd have thought 👍

1

Rob Hemming @robhemming25.bsky.social · Sep 3

There are times when just nothing happens aren't there 😞 motivation wanes & it makes me want to give up. But the hooks are deep in, & even in low times I think about what I'm(probably not)missing.
Agree it's been a poor year in some parts, that's for sure. Conditions have been real cause for concern

1