Jason Smart
@jasonsmart.bsky.social
Tudor music, birder, former organist.
Reposted by Jason Smart
Reposted by Jason Smart
Breaking news: Composer Philip Glass withdrew his highly anticipated Symphony No. 15 from its scheduled Kennedy Center performance, saying “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center
The pioneering composer announced that “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message” of his Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln.”
wapo.st
January 27, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Breaking news: Composer Philip Glass withdrew his highly anticipated Symphony No. 15 from its scheduled Kennedy Center performance, saying “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”
Did my RSPB Garden Birdwatch yesterday.
Goldfinch 38
Chaffinch 5
Greenfinch 2
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 1
Coal Tit 1
Blackbird 2
Song Thrush 1
Robin 2
Dunnock 1
Blackcap 1
House Sparrow 2
Magpie 2
Woodpigeon 4
Herring Gull 2
Goldfinch 38
Chaffinch 5
Greenfinch 2
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 1
Coal Tit 1
Blackbird 2
Song Thrush 1
Robin 2
Dunnock 1
Blackcap 1
House Sparrow 2
Magpie 2
Woodpigeon 4
Herring Gull 2
January 25, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Did my RSPB Garden Birdwatch yesterday.
Goldfinch 38
Chaffinch 5
Greenfinch 2
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 1
Coal Tit 1
Blackbird 2
Song Thrush 1
Robin 2
Dunnock 1
Blackcap 1
House Sparrow 2
Magpie 2
Woodpigeon 4
Herring Gull 2
Goldfinch 38
Chaffinch 5
Greenfinch 2
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 1
Coal Tit 1
Blackbird 2
Song Thrush 1
Robin 2
Dunnock 1
Blackcap 1
House Sparrow 2
Magpie 2
Woodpigeon 4
Herring Gull 2
I don't think MPs should be able to switch parties without accountability, just so they can secure their future on the gravy train. That should be up to the people who elected them.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Petition: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
When an MP decides they want to defect to another party a by-election should be automatically triggered to allow the constituents the opportunity have their democratic right to agree or not with their...
petition.parliament.uk
January 18, 2026 at 11:27 PM
I don't think MPs should be able to switch parties without accountability, just so they can secure their future on the gravy train. That should be up to the people who elected them.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Reposted by Jason Smart
It’s a real shame that Nigel Farage is too unwell to do interviews the morning after Donald Trump threatens us with sanctions.
Here he is with “the bravest man he ever met”. He campaigned to make Trump President, and has spent the last year enjoying all the chaos he has caused.
Here he is with “the bravest man he ever met”. He campaigned to make Trump President, and has spent the last year enjoying all the chaos he has caused.
January 18, 2026 at 10:51 AM
It’s a real shame that Nigel Farage is too unwell to do interviews the morning after Donald Trump threatens us with sanctions.
Here he is with “the bravest man he ever met”. He campaigned to make Trump President, and has spent the last year enjoying all the chaos he has caused.
Here he is with “the bravest man he ever met”. He campaigned to make Trump President, and has spent the last year enjoying all the chaos he has caused.
Reposted by Jason Smart
The utterly shameless & widely covered "report" out today, claiming net zero will "cost" £9tn is based on:
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
🧵A political/media guide to the "truth" about net-zero
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
January 13, 2026 at 7:37 AM
The utterly shameless & widely covered "report" out today, claiming net zero will "cost" £9tn is based on:
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
Reposted by Jason Smart
Reposted by Jason Smart
Do you compose or publish music in the UK? 'Call for composers and publishers to deposit digital scores' with the British Library and other legal deposit libraries? www.bl.uk/stories/blog...
Please share with any musicians you know!
Please share with any musicians you know!
Call for composers and publishers to deposit digital scores
Help us to collect digital scores from composers and independent publishers.
www.bl.uk
October 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Do you compose or publish music in the UK? 'Call for composers and publishers to deposit digital scores' with the British Library and other legal deposit libraries? www.bl.uk/stories/blog...
Please share with any musicians you know!
Please share with any musicians you know!
Be aware that, despite the clear impression given—"receive 40% off your order"—the discount offer does *not* apply to this book. Frankly dishonest advertising by @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
boydellandbrewer.com/book/music-p...
boydellandbrewer.com/book/music-p...
Music, Politics and Religion in Early Seventeenth-Century Cambridge
This major study of the famous seventeenth century music manuscripts at Peterhouse sets them in the context of the religious and political movements leading to the Civil War.
boydellandbrewer.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Be aware that, despite the clear impression given—"receive 40% off your order"—the discount offer does *not* apply to this book. Frankly dishonest advertising by @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
boydellandbrewer.com/book/music-p...
boydellandbrewer.com/book/music-p...
Reposted by Jason Smart
Reposted by Jason Smart
Absolutely mind-blowing views of the male Siberian Thrush at Loch of Asta, Shetland this afternoon...
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
October 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Absolutely mind-blowing views of the male Siberian Thrush at Loch of Asta, Shetland this afternoon...
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
Reposted by Jason Smart
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running.
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running
Natural England has finally got around to publishing the data for the 2025 Hen Harrier breeding season, which demonstrate very clear differences between areas managed for conservation and those man…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running.
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Reposted by Jason Smart
After watching Ospreys on my guided Dart 'Osprey' Cruise and telling the group to look out for possible Glossy Ibis's this happens!! I estimated 70 but there were 91! perhaps the Wadebridge flock? at least 3 Ospreys, Kingfisher Mandarin Ducks, Common Sandpipers too.
September 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
After watching Ospreys on my guided Dart 'Osprey' Cruise and telling the group to look out for possible Glossy Ibis's this happens!! I estimated 70 but there were 91! perhaps the Wadebridge flock? at least 3 Ospreys, Kingfisher Mandarin Ducks, Common Sandpipers too.
Findhorn Valley, Scotland
August 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Findhorn Valley, Scotland
Reposted by Jason Smart
Wryneck was still showing well around #TurfLocksHotel again today and feeling the heat at times. Also seen were Glossy Ibis flying around the #ExminsterMarsh main lagoon, Osprey with fish in dead tree west of Turf and Kingfisher south of the #TurfLockGates
August 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Wryneck was still showing well around #TurfLocksHotel again today and feeling the heat at times. Also seen were Glossy Ibis flying around the #ExminsterMarsh main lagoon, Osprey with fish in dead tree west of Turf and Kingfisher south of the #TurfLockGates
Exciting news! ✨
The recorded lecture given by Dr Joseph Mason in association with our 'Sing Joyfully' exhibition has just been published on our YouTube!
If you missed the lecture or are interested in musical manuscripts, then give this video a watch! 🎶
The recorded lecture given by Dr Joseph Mason in association with our 'Sing Joyfully' exhibition has just been published on our YouTube!
If you missed the lecture or are interested in musical manuscripts, then give this video a watch! 🎶
Dr Joseph Mason: Notes from the archive: a tour through pre-modern music in Lambeth Palace Library.
On 31 July 2025, Dr Joseph Mason gave a short paper to introduce the exhibition 'Sing Joyfully: Exploring Music in Lambeth Palace Library'. In particular, he discussed a newly discovered piece of…
youtu.be
August 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Thick-legged Hoverfly
August 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Thick-legged Hoverfly
A single voice part from a short setting of Ave Maria added to a liturgical psalter printed in London in 1503. The rear flyleaves also contain some plainsong, including the verse 'Disperge illos in virtute tua' of the respond 'Congregati sunt inimici'.
archive.org/details/bim_...
archive.org/details/bim_...
Psalteriu cu antiphonis dnicalib & Eboracen. deseruietibus, ... 1503 : Liturgies-Latin Rite-Psalters. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Psalteriu cu antiphonis dnicalib & Eboracen. deseruietibus, ... 1503..Digitized from IA40313010-03.Previous issue:...
archive.org
July 23, 2025 at 7:40 PM
A single voice part from a short setting of Ave Maria added to a liturgical psalter printed in London in 1503. The rear flyleaves also contain some plainsong, including the verse 'Disperge illos in virtute tua' of the respond 'Congregati sunt inimici'.
archive.org/details/bim_...
archive.org/details/bim_...
Reposted by Jason Smart
Red-crested pochard. From our forum.
#photography
#birds
#birdphotography
#nature
#focusonphotographynet
focus-on-photography.net/media/red-cr...
#photography
#birds
#birdphotography
#nature
#focusonphotographynet
focus-on-photography.net/media/red-cr...
Red-crested Pochard
focus-on-photography.net
June 8, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Red-crested pochard. From our forum.
#photography
#birds
#birdphotography
#nature
#focusonphotographynet
focus-on-photography.net/media/red-cr...
#photography
#birds
#birdphotography
#nature
#focusonphotographynet
focus-on-photography.net/media/red-cr...
Reposted by Jason Smart
Four butterfly species in Devon have fallen to their lowest numbers in at least 10 years, according to new data from Butterfly Conservation:
Devon butterfly numbers plummet to decade low
Butterfly numbers for four species in Devon fell to their lowest in a decade in 2024, new data has revealed. Habitat loss, pesticide use and poor weather are blamed. Butterfly Conservation warns the decline reflects a wider UK trend, with more than half of species now in long-term decline for the fi...
bit.ly
June 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Four butterfly species in Devon have fallen to their lowest numbers in at least 10 years, according to new data from Butterfly Conservation:
Reposted by Jason Smart
"Imagine flattening an irreplaceable grade I listed building like the Royal Albert Hall, replacing it with karaoke machines in various towns and then telling the public this is a ‘win-win’ for architecture and music." @ruthtingay.bsky.social on threats to wildlife
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Revealed: 5,000 English nature sites at risk under Labour’s planning proposals
Exclusive: Planning bill includes mechanism for developers to ‘pay to pollute’ valuable ecosystems, experts warn
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"Imagine flattening an irreplaceable grade I listed building like the Royal Albert Hall, replacing it with karaoke machines in various towns and then telling the public this is a ‘win-win’ for architecture and music." @ruthtingay.bsky.social on threats to wildlife
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...