Mark Bravery
@markbravery.bsky.social
Birding mostly in and around London, drinking real ale across most of Britain, following Sutton Utd FC home and away
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Last Wednesday, the village of Grazalema (southern Spain, 900 m altitude) received 577 mm of rain in one day: the second highest ever recorded in Spain, only behind the deadly downpour in the Valencia region of 29 October 2024. malagaldia.es/2026/02/06/g...
Grazalema sufrió el segundo día más lluvioso jamás registrado en España, según la Aemet - malagaldia.es
La Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) activó el aviso rojo -peligro extraordinario- el miércoles por lluvias muy abundantes en zonas de Cádiz (Grazalema
malagaldia.es
February 8, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Reposted by Mark Bravery
"We find that the principal drive for global warming acceleration began in about 2015, which implies that 2°C global warming is likely to be reached in the 2030s, not at midcentury" - James Hansen et al.
mailchi.mp/caa/another-...
mailchi.mp/caa/another-...
February 7, 2026 at 3:07 AM
"We find that the principal drive for global warming acceleration began in about 2015, which implies that 2°C global warming is likely to be reached in the 2030s, not at midcentury" - James Hansen et al.
mailchi.mp/caa/another-...
mailchi.mp/caa/another-...
🐦⬛ There was a hint of spring in Wandle Park today, with a Chiffchaff and (more surprisingly) a Redwing among the songsters. The regular female Kingfisher and Little Egret posed for photos, while in the reedbed crept a wintering Water Rail (seen briefly) and the resident Cetti's Warbler (heard only).
February 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM
🐦⬛ There was a hint of spring in Wandle Park today, with a Chiffchaff and (more surprisingly) a Redwing among the songsters. The regular female Kingfisher and Little Egret posed for photos, while in the reedbed crept a wintering Water Rail (seen briefly) and the resident Cetti's Warbler (heard only).
Reposted by Mark Bravery
This is a very cool study and, as far as I can tell from a quick read, robust.
Statins probably don't cause most of the side-effects that people think they do.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Statins probably don't cause most of the side-effects that people think they do.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Assessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials
Adverse event data from blinded randomised trials do not support causal relationships
between statin therapy and most of the conditions (including cognitive impairment,
depression, sleep disturbance, ...
www.thelancet.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM
This is a very cool study and, as far as I can tell from a quick read, robust.
Statins probably don't cause most of the side-effects that people think they do.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Statins probably don't cause most of the side-effects that people think they do.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Urban Pubs & Bars, the fast-growing London pub group, has published impressive financial results for 2025, citing record profits beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/04/u... #pubs #pubsnews
Record profits for London’s Urban Pubs & Bars - Beer Today
Urban Pubs & Bars, the fast-growing London pub group, has published impressive financial results for 2025, citing record profits
beertoday.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Urban Pubs & Bars, the fast-growing London pub group, has published impressive financial results for 2025, citing record profits beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/04/u... #pubs #pubsnews
⚽️ Surrey Senior Cup quarter-final, Sutton Utd 5 Horley Town 0: on a soggy evening, we were close to cruise control against Combined Counties League opponents, a few of our fringe players getting useful run-outs, and two recent recruits scoring their first Sutton goals. Into the last four.
February 3, 2026 at 10:10 PM
⚽️ Surrey Senior Cup quarter-final, Sutton Utd 5 Horley Town 0: on a soggy evening, we were close to cruise control against Combined Counties League opponents, a few of our fringe players getting useful run-outs, and two recent recruits scoring their first Sutton goals. Into the last four.
🍺 Having been back in CAMRA's national Pub of the Year (Tamworth Tap) only last month, I'm hoping to get to their Club of the Year (see below) this month.
Fortuitously, Sutton Utd recently played at Tamworth and are soon to play Hartlepool Utd away. ⚽️ 🙂
Fortuitously, Sutton Utd recently played at Tamworth and are soon to play Hartlepool Utd away. ⚽️ 🙂
Billingham Catholic Club has been named CAMRA’s club of the year. The competition is run in partnership with Club Mirror beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/03/c... #beer #beernews #clubs @camraofficial.bsky.social
CAMRA names its 2025 club of the year - Beer Today
Billingham Catholic Club has been named CAMRA's club of the year. The competition is run in partnership with Club Mirror
beertoday.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 9:41 AM
🍺 Having been back in CAMRA's national Pub of the Year (Tamworth Tap) only last month, I'm hoping to get to their Club of the Year (see below) this month.
Fortuitously, Sutton Utd recently played at Tamworth and are soon to play Hartlepool Utd away. ⚽️ 🙂
Fortuitously, Sutton Utd recently played at Tamworth and are soon to play Hartlepool Utd away. ⚽️ 🙂
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Business Focus: From extreme weather to increasing temperatures, climate change poses a significant threat to UK hop farming, an industry vital to British brewing beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/02/f... #beer #beernews #hops #britishhops #climatechange
The UK hop industry takes on climate change challenges - Beer Today
From extreme weather to increasing temperatures, climate change poses a significant threat to UK hop farming, an industry vital to British brewing
beertoday.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Business Focus: From extreme weather to increasing temperatures, climate change poses a significant threat to UK hop farming, an industry vital to British brewing beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/02/f... #beer #beernews #hops #britishhops #climatechange
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Colder in the south of Florida than most of Western Europe this morning.
London Heathrow 5.7c (42F) min
Palm Beach International Airport 2.2c (36F) at 4am local time
London Heathrow 5.7c (42F) min
Palm Beach International Airport 2.2c (36F) at 4am local time
February 1, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Colder in the south of Florida than most of Western Europe this morning.
London Heathrow 5.7c (42F) min
Palm Beach International Airport 2.2c (36F) at 4am local time
London Heathrow 5.7c (42F) min
Palm Beach International Airport 2.2c (36F) at 4am local time
Reposted by Mark Bravery
National League: Sutton United 1 Brackley Town 1. The home clubs obsession with playing the ball out from the back was absurd as not only were they poor at it but gave a goal away doing so and tied themselves up in knots in the process. Avian highlight: 2 Cormorants east
January 31, 2026 at 5:53 PM
National League: Sutton United 1 Brackley Town 1. The home clubs obsession with playing the ball out from the back was absurd as not only were they poor at it but gave a goal away doing so and tied themselves up in knots in the process. Avian highlight: 2 Cormorants east
⚽️ Sutton Utd 1 Brackley Town 1: sluggish start by us but we went ahead on the break only to gift them possession in our half, their guy duly equalising. We improved, but rarely looked like finding a winner, and neither did they. We slip to 20th, only out of the drop zone on goal difference.
January 31, 2026 at 5:20 PM
⚽️ Sutton Utd 1 Brackley Town 1: sluggish start by us but we went ahead on the break only to gift them possession in our half, their guy duly equalising. We improved, but rarely looked like finding a winner, and neither did they. We slip to 20th, only out of the drop zone on goal difference.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Beer Hour: Derek Prentice MBE @teamdb.bsky.social
Beer Hour: Derek Prentice MBE
Derek Prentice MBE is known widely across the industry as one of London’s most experienced brewers. Decorated him with Lifetime Achievement Awards and an MBE, he is, as many will attest, a bit of a le...
www.thedrinksbusiness.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Beer Hour: Derek Prentice MBE @teamdb.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Bravery
I often get asked about the differences between male and female Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis #birds. A female (photo from today, left), note orange lower mandible and greenish plumage, and a male (photographed last January) are juxtaposed. Males are brighter blue with black bills.
January 29, 2026 at 7:37 PM
I often get asked about the differences between male and female Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis #birds. A female (photo from today, left), note orange lower mandible and greenish plumage, and a male (photographed last January) are juxtaposed. Males are brighter blue with black bills.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Further misery for #Ukraine a frigid Siberian blast will consume region this weekend into early next week.
Temps will fall more than 15C below average sometimes 20C below. Life threatening cold. The situation becoming critical when many apartment buildings remain without heating.
Temps will fall more than 15C below average sometimes 20C below. Life threatening cold. The situation becoming critical when many apartment buildings remain without heating.
January 28, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Further misery for #Ukraine a frigid Siberian blast will consume region this weekend into early next week.
Temps will fall more than 15C below average sometimes 20C below. Life threatening cold. The situation becoming critical when many apartment buildings remain without heating.
Temps will fall more than 15C below average sometimes 20C below. Life threatening cold. The situation becoming critical when many apartment buildings remain without heating.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
BREAKING NEWS/PUBS: Government announces major support package for under-pressure pubs after backlash at controversial biz rates changes, widespread closures & job losses. Pubs to get £100m a year through financial support to 2029 & shake-up of licensing rules. #BskyBeer
January 27, 2026 at 12:40 PM
BREAKING NEWS/PUBS: Government announces major support package for under-pressure pubs after backlash at controversial biz rates changes, widespread closures & job losses. Pubs to get £100m a year through financial support to 2029 & shake-up of licensing rules. #BskyBeer
Reposted by Mark Bravery
In the last 24 hours, all my Tik Tok content has been removed for US users.
I have about 250K followers on there, 80% are American. They now see NOTHING.
I know many on here hate Tik Tok. But it is a huge platform for 18-24 year olds and information suppression is the fascist’s tool of choice.
I have about 250K followers on there, 80% are American. They now see NOTHING.
I know many on here hate Tik Tok. But it is a huge platform for 18-24 year olds and information suppression is the fascist’s tool of choice.
January 26, 2026 at 8:48 PM
In the last 24 hours, all my Tik Tok content has been removed for US users.
I have about 250K followers on there, 80% are American. They now see NOTHING.
I know many on here hate Tik Tok. But it is a huge platform for 18-24 year olds and information suppression is the fascist’s tool of choice.
I have about 250K followers on there, 80% are American. They now see NOTHING.
I know many on here hate Tik Tok. But it is a huge platform for 18-24 year olds and information suppression is the fascist’s tool of choice.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Because so many seem utterly convinced that you're unsafe in Europe because of immigrants - that's complete bollocks. Want to avoid being murdered? Get out of America. open.substack.com/pub/pedersch...
European homicide rates are tiny compared to those in America
And what it tells us about the Overton window and perceptions of 'normal' in transatlantic context.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Because so many seem utterly convinced that you're unsafe in Europe because of immigrants - that's complete bollocks. Want to avoid being murdered? Get out of America. open.substack.com/pub/pedersch...
⚽️ Tamworth 0 Sutton Utd 1: not a game of great sophistication, but we defended robustly against pretty direct opponents, and, in a rare outbreak of accurate, attacking football, we scored the only goal. Up to 18th.
January 24, 2026 at 8:19 PM
⚽️ Tamworth 0 Sutton Utd 1: not a game of great sophistication, but we defended robustly against pretty direct opponents, and, in a rare outbreak of accurate, attacking football, we scored the only goal. Up to 18th.
🍺 Three Crowns, Willenhall: backstreet boozer, close to what remains of the historic town centre, where a barfly politely moves away so I can order. The Robinson's Trooper, not a beer I much favour, is actually very good. A lone local bemoans the declining availabiity of decent ale in the town.
January 23, 2026 at 4:23 PM
🍺 Three Crowns, Willenhall: backstreet boozer, close to what remains of the historic town centre, where a barfly politely moves away so I can order. The Robinson's Trooper, not a beer I much favour, is actually very good. A lone local bemoans the declining availabiity of decent ale in the town.
🍺 Robin Hood, Willenhall, W Mids: typically comfortable Black Country Ales pub with a neatly divided seating area extended around the servery. My Plum Pig has a restrained plumminess (a quality in short supply in these parts). Customers discuss with astonishment the African Cup of Nations final. ⚽️
January 23, 2026 at 2:53 PM
🍺 Robin Hood, Willenhall, W Mids: typically comfortable Black Country Ales pub with a neatly divided seating area extended around the servery. My Plum Pig has a restrained plumminess (a quality in short supply in these parts). Customers discuss with astonishment the African Cup of Nations final. ⚽️
Reposted by Mark Bravery
The Tamworth Tap has been named CAMRA’s national Pub of the Year 2025, taking the title for a unprecedented third time beertoday.co.uk/2026/01/23/t... #pub #pubnews #pubaward @camraofficial.bsky.social
Pub of the Year is a three-time winner - Beer Today
The Tamworth Tap has been named CAMRA’s national Pub of the Year 2025, taking the title for a unprecedented third time
beertoday.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 9:18 AM
The Tamworth Tap has been named CAMRA’s national Pub of the Year 2025, taking the title for a unprecedented third time beertoday.co.uk/2026/01/23/t... #pub #pubnews #pubaward @camraofficial.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Bravery
"But a full, internal version of the report, seen by The Times,
goes further, suggesting that the degradation of rainforests in
the Congo & the drying up of rivers fed by the Himalayas
could drive people to flee to Europe, leading to “more polarised
& populist politics in the UK”"
#ClimateEmergency
goes further, suggesting that the degradation of rainforests in
the Congo & the drying up of rivers fed by the Himalayas
could drive people to flee to Europe, leading to “more polarised
& populist politics in the UK”"
#ClimateEmergency
Suppressed climate report warned of mass migration and nuclear war
Unabridged document said disappearing forests and rivers drying up could drive people to Europe and lead to conflict in Asia
www.thetimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:32 AM
"But a full, internal version of the report, seen by The Times,
goes further, suggesting that the degradation of rainforests in
the Congo & the drying up of rivers fed by the Himalayas
could drive people to flee to Europe, leading to “more polarised
& populist politics in the UK”"
#ClimateEmergency
goes further, suggesting that the degradation of rainforests in
the Congo & the drying up of rivers fed by the Himalayas
could drive people to flee to Europe, leading to “more polarised
& populist politics in the UK”"
#ClimateEmergency
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Canada's first European Robin has caused a stir after its discovery in Montreal:
First European Robin for Canada makes headlines
Canada's first European Robin has caused a stir after its discovery in Montreal. The bird was found close to the banks of the St Lawrence River on 7 January by Sabrina Jacob. Many hundreds of observers have travelled to Montreal to see this wayward European visitor.
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Canada's first European Robin has caused a stir after its discovery in Montreal: