banner
LightNews
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George
@jannerbirder.bsky.social
1.7K followers 1.6K following 1.7K posts
Bird nerd, patch worker and BTO surveyor. MSc Ornithology (mostly a seabirds thing). Proud Devonian currently exiled to North Shropshire. I also run the #Shropshirebirds feed.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · Oct 17
I've just created a Shropshire Birding feed for bird sightings and updates in the county.

Please use #Shropshirebirding or #Shropshirebirds in your post.

A big thank you to @jamiedunning.bsky.social for his guidance.

Don't forget to pin the feed once you've followed it!

bsky.app/profile/did:...
4 11 43
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 22m
Nothing wrong with that, John!

The image of you two really sells it for me, it's such a positive pic. No grim, studious faces, hand lenses or clipboards in sight, just the joy of natural history. It's why most of us do it 🙂
1
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 1h
Great find (and pics!) John 🙂
1 1
Reposted by Martin George
pilning.bsky.social
John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 1h
Plymouth Thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) at (where else?) Plymouth Hoe and Plymouth Thistle selfie with @janettem34.bsky.social on the way back from the SW. Thanks to @andymus.bsky.social for the quality gen. Three plants in flower in this area #wildflowerhour
1 5 35
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 11h
Written for an Australian audience but much of it applies to birders everywhere, although as a tribe we don’t all reach the lofty heights described 🙂

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Here’s to the birdwatchers! Optimistic, slightly eccentric custodians of wonder and joy and passion and love
At its heart, birdwatching is an act of quiet rebellion, says Natalie Kyriacou. It is the gentle act of noticing – the willingness to see the world around you
www.theguardian.com
6 10
Reposted by Martin George
btoshropshire.bsky.social
BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 1d
We currently have several vacant WeBS sites in Shropshire, including large, easy to access and count wetlands such as Priorslee Lake. Check the map on the WeBS pages or DM for more info.
webs-gsmp.bsky.social
Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) | Goose & Swan Monitoring (GSMP) @webs-gsmp.bsky.social · 2d
This weekend is the October Core Count! Did you know that with WeBS beginning as the National Wildlife Counts, we are continuing a tradition of counting that began in 1947! Learn more about our history here▶️https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/wetland-bird-survey/about/history-webs
A male Pochard is floating on still water, facing forward. Above is the heading 'October WeBS Core Count Sunday 12th' and below is the WeBS logo and the web address 'www.bto.org/webs'.
1 3
Reposted by Martin George
westmidlandsrg.bsky.social
West Midlands Ringing Group @westmidlandsrg.bsky.social · 1d
Record-breaking morning on Cannock Chase!
➡️ 208 Redpoll ringed yesterday
➡️ 258 total including our test hour the previous day.
Unbelievable numbers for the season, a real Redpoll influx! 🔴 #BirdRinging #Migration #Redpoll
1 5 45
Reposted by Martin George
rspbscience.bsky.social
RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 2d
Connection with nature can benefit our mental health and biodiversity, but how can conservation orgs and healthcare providers work together more effectively?

Read on to find out 🧪

Full study: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

#WorldMentalHealthDay
In a mental-health care setting, can nature conservation and health priorities align?
There is growing evidence that activities in nature could meet both health and nature conservation goals. Consequently, there is growing interest in collaborations between health and nature conserv...
www.tandfonline.com
1 7 15
Reposted by Martin George
btobirds.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 2d
Grab yourself a cup of tea, and sit back and enjoy this week's BTO Migration Blog.

And then head out and let us know what you spot over the weekend!

www.bto.org/our-work/new...

📷 Whooper Swans by Sarah Kelman/BTO

#UKBirding #ornithology @birdtrack.bsky.social
Three Whooper Swans in flight. Photograph by Sarah Kelman/BTO.
18 96
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 2d
“Archaeologists examining the nests of the Bearded Vultures in the southern Spanish mountains uncovered medieval artefacts, including a crossbow bolt, a slingshot, and a decorated piece of leather, some of which date back to around 1375.”

www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Hoard of 600-year-old treasures uncovered in vulture nests
Archaeologists examining the nests of bearded vultures recovered an ‘extraordinary’ stash of medieval artefacts
www.independent.co.uk
6 28
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 2d
“If you've ever felt calmer after a walk in the park or a stroll through the woods, it's not your imagination - it's biology.”

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Wild about nature: Four health benefits of the outdoors
Spending just 20 minutes in nature can lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress levels.
www.bbc.co.uk
9 12
Reposted by Martin George
davelevitan.bsky.social
Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 3d
The researchers then HEARD CHEWING SOUNDS on the biologger the bat was fitted with, FOR 23 MINUTES. YES I AM SHOUTING THIS IS AWESOME. LOOK AT THIS BAT WITH A FEATHER AND BLOOD IN ITS MOUTH.

(Photo credit Jorge Sereno)
A large bat on a black background, its wings somewhat extended, with a white feather hanging off its chin
2 4 37
Reposted by Martin George
davelevitan.bsky.social
Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 3d
EXTREMELY COOL BAT STUFF: A study out in Science today found that the greater noctule bat, Europe's largest, hunts and catches *migrating birds* while in flight. In at least one case, a bat climbed to more than 1200 feet, then chased a robin downward FAST until it caught it near the ground.
Greater noctule bats prey on and consume passerines in flight
Despite billions of passerines seasonally migrating during the night at high altitudes, only three bat species have been found to consistently tap into this rich prey resource. However, it remains unk...
www.science.org
8 65 190
Reposted by Martin George
btoshropshire.bsky.social
BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 3d
Our autumn newsletter has just been sent to BTO members and supporters in Shropshire.

It opens with a great account by @saloplarus.bsky.social of an aerial survey of nesting gulls in Shrewsbury, and also has lots of local BTO news.

It's online here:
padlet.com/martin690/bi...

#ShropshireBirding
Screenshot of the first page of the BTO autumn newsletter, with a header image of a female Blackbird with the BTO logo and "Birds Science People" strapline. A screenshot of the BTO Shropshire autumn newsletter, including an image of fluffy gull chick on a corrugated roof, taken by Tom Lowe during his fieldwork on the breeding gulls of Shrewsbury. A screenshot of the BTO Shropshire autumn newsletter, including graphs and data boxes reporting on the Breeding Bird Survey in the county in 2025.
4 12
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 3d
Gorgeous images! It was a great evening to be up on a west-facing hill 🙂
2
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 3d
A sunny day and the urgent realisation that we had just 17 light evenings left in 2025 took me up to the Long Mynd after work, and it was glorious, but cold!

Wonderful views plus Red Grouse and lots of Stonechat. It was a delight to just stand there and watch the sun set and the moon rise ♥️
A low sun over tussocky upland vegetation on the Long Mynd, with distant hills receding towards the horizon. Heather moorland and a curious sheep. Distant Welsh hills seen from a Shropshire hill as the sun sets. Distant Welsh hills seen from a Shropshire hill as the sun sets, this time with the foreground enlivened with a grazing sheep.
1 7
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 4d
The feature on the remarkable rise of eBird may be of interest to you, @saloplarus.bsky.social 🙂
2
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 4d
I'm long-term loyal to @birdtrack.bsky.social and think it's brilliant, but this is an interesting, encouraging read, highlighting how many young people are contributing to large, enlightening datasets and generally engaging with wild birds. At a UK level that's probably true for BirdTrack.
The remarkable rise of eBird – the world’s biggest citizen science project
In 2002, an online database was set up allowing birdwatchers to record their species observations. It is now a vast resource, shaping scientific research.
theconversation.com
1 2 12
Reposted by Martin George
btoshropshire.bsky.social
BTO Shropshire @btoshropshire.bsky.social · 4d
Marc's fascinating and accessible feature is our favourite #SciComm feature of the year. So far!

BTO News is always a great read, with regular articles on science, practical fieldcraft and results of BTO research. Arguably worth the membership fee on its own!
marcgilles.bsky.social
Marc Gilles @marcgilles.bsky.social · 4d
Want to know everything about bird smell?
I wrote an "Ornithological masterclass" on Avian Olfaction for BTO News @btobirds.bsky.social #ornithology
Link to the article 👉 www.researchgate.net/publication/...
1 5
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 5d
Glad you had a nice break, you deserve no less 🙂 People tell the Balearics are lovely.

I've met birders who say things like "It's wonderful, once you escape the trackie-bottom and back-to-front baseball cap wearing hordes at the airport!"
1 2
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 5d
Thank you very much!

Majorca sounds nice. Did the sun shine on you?! 😎

I bumped into Anna at her day job last week (not on a shout), it was good to see her after what’s probably ten years. I was impressed she recognised me. She was probably thinking “Who on Earth am I talking to?” 😆
1 1
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 5d
Wow, Deb! I hope you were all able to dodge those lethal beaks?!

Were any of the birds found in Shropshire, please? If they were I will follow up discreetly through the approved channel 🙂
1 1
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 5d
A Manx Shearwater was found grounded on an Oswestry industrial estate on 9 September and was safely released from Ynyslas beach the following day 😮

#ShropshireBirds

www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/2552177...
Seabird given hand with winter migration after surprising Oswestry ju-jitsu class
Kerry Mackay contacted Manx Shearwater Rescue after she found the seabird poking its head in at her son’s jiu-jitsu class.
www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk
1 4 22
Reposted by Martin George
iansheppard.bsky.social
Ian Sheppard @iansheppard.bsky.social · 5d
A composite shot from back in 2018 of salmon leaping at #Shrewsbury weir. #Shropshire
1 9
jannerbirder.bsky.social
Martin George @jannerbirder.bsky.social · 7d
Great images, Ian! This one and the Kestrel 🙂
1
Reposted by Martin George
iansheppard.bsky.social
Ian Sheppard @iansheppard.bsky.social · 7d
Two Grey Herons having words at Venus Pool nature reserve #ShropshireBirding
Two Grey Herons fighting
12 46 480