Lucy B

https://mastodon.org.uk/@linuxlucy

Tech. Cycling. Nature.

Mostly posting wildlife photos.

Based in Manchester, UK

Blog: https://linuxlucy.dev
GitHub: https://github.com/lucyb
Instagram: https://instagram.com/linuxlucy

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[email protected]

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Last Notes

2026-04-04 08:30:55 GMT

Does anyone have any suggestions for UK towns that are okay for cycling? 🚴
I'm getting fed up of consistently bad cycling experiences around Manchester. I've had two incidents that really needed reporting to the police in the last month and could really do with living somewhere that has less drama.

2026-02-19 12:23:11 GMT

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the internal Green polling data shows that they are way ahead of Labour. It's too close to call between Reform and Greens, although the betting shops are behind Greens.
Labour aren't fighting to win, they're fighting to stop the Greens. I don't have evidence, but I have been canvassing with Labour party members who've joined up with the Greens because they're frustrated and desperate to stop Reform (unlike the rest of Labour)

2026-02-13 13:29:10 GMT

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TBF, the Labour candidate has already enacted her plan to improve air pollution on the A57, when she was Manchester Council’s Transport and Environment lead. She widened the road during COVID (against the wishes of locals), thereby increasing traffic and air pollution... Oh, and increasing deaths/injuries.

2026-02-02 19:56:09 GMT

Goldeneye (male).
The resignation of our local MP and resulting by-election means I'll be mostly focused on politics this month. However, we've been treated to a stunning visitor on our local ponds over the last week. I'm really hoping he'll stay to see the election results at the end of the month and to give me more of a chance to photograph him.
Stockport, UK. Jan 2026.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/002/763/826/324/855/original/b9f20d9b3b6e94e7.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/002/763/835/228/864/original/2adf1c2f23fd0610.jpg

2026-02-01 20:22:40 GMT

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Jon and I were having that very discussion at Piccadilly station around the time you posted this, although we didn't have as much of a problem getting home. It really could be so much better though!
Hope you made it back safely and had a good weekend.

2026-01-31 20:34:56 GMT

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that's fantastic!
Labour have been out in force for the last week and pushing hard with online ads. Whereas, Reform have been doing a lot on social and mainstream media. So, everything we do really matters, I think.

2026-01-31 17:33:39 GMT

Hope 💚
#GreenParty #GortonAndDenton
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/990/890/698/131/437/original/788be7b1c557d8af.jpg

2026-01-31 17:25:04 GMT

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speaking as a Denton resident, thank you for coming over! I couldn't make it today, but was over in Longsight yesterday to see the announcement and to do some leafleting.
We can totally do this! 💚

2026-01-27 13:42:26 GMT

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why be mad at the Greens? Labour are already campaigning extremely hard, when they could chose not to. If the regional projections are right, then it's Labour who are splitting the vote. If they had any decency they'd take a step back from this election.
I'm speaking as someone who has just joined the Greens and plans to campaign to keep Reform out.

2026-01-26 22:00:37 GMT

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thank you! 😊

2026-01-26 20:45:09 GMT

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I've just joined up. I'm away this weekend annoyingly but can do some leafleting from Monday onwards (assuming time off work, etc). What's the best way to find out about the events? The local tameside group don't seem to have much on their website.

2026-01-25 15:22:02 GMT

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I'm not surprised. Labour are already out in force leafleting in my area this afternoon.

2026-01-25 14:26:09 GMT

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thanks for this, I needed some optimism today.
Assuming Labour don't find a strong candidate from somewhere, then I'll happily fight for the Greens to get get elected here. I don't want Reform to get in and I don't want to just sit and wait to see if it happens.

2026-01-22 20:46:30 GMT

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Here's the published paper:
https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-086393

2026-01-22 20:45:50 GMT

My colleagues have been involved in an extremely cool piece of research that was published today. It's a great reminder of why we're doing this and how much potential there is to do good with technology in healthcare, when it's done in the right way.
https://theconversation.com/the-pandemics-hidden-toll-millions-of-chronic-conditions-left-undiagnosed-273418

2026-01-18 16:14:22 GMT

Robin.
The sun doesn't shine that often, but when it does it's worth singing about.
I love watching these feisty little birds. Our resident robins are joined by migrants from the continent during cold weather. They're one of the few birds that sing year round too, so help bring some joy to the grey winter months.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/916/949/412/862/918/original/fbcab5738d28ef8b.jpg

2026-01-15 15:55:35 GMT

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yes, I have a ticket! I had too much FOMO after seeing everyone enjoy last year and it would be great to see folks again. ❤️

2026-01-15 15:12:54 GMT

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excellent news. I'm looking forward to it! 🤞

2026-01-11 21:27:57 GMT

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fantastic photo! You've nailed the lighting and I love the detail on the bird.

2026-01-10 19:19:00 GMT

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thank you! 😊

2026-01-10 18:57:04 GMT

Sparrowhawk.
Wow, what a week. I saw a water rail on my local patch on Tuesday, as well as a mink with a frog in its mouth. This morning, I had my closest ever encounter with a sparrowhawk. I think a young female, but open to opinions. The cold weather can be an excellent opportunity to see wildlife.
Meanwhile, my laptop is quickly dying, so I'm hastily making backups.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/872/300/182/731/278/original/dba4a15a95d685bc.jpg

2026-01-04 13:46:53 GMT

A slippery start to 2026.
There are many reasons to despair right now and it can be hard to see that there's any good left. So here's a reminder that even in a badly kept urban park, which suffered badly (again) last year, there's still some magic to be found in nature.
Stockport, UK. Jan 2026.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/837/028/299/529/337/original/211a0e1433914ca5.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/837/028/504/513/231/original/cb5b02fd58745be5.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/837/029/069/817/604/original/8a1582f812f28790.jpg

2026-01-02 15:14:02 GMT

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I love the smell when I go past! If the wind is in the right direction I can smell it not far from my house.
Also, if you're hungry after your run (the downside of going past the McVities factory), check out Grounded Manchester in Cringle park. It's a new social enterprise cafe and is really quite good.

2025-12-28 16:39:03 GMT

Red-necked phalarope.
A photogenic, small wader that's always on the move. They're a red listed species in the UK with only 60-70 breeding pairs. They winter as far away as the eastern Pacific and can live up to 12 years. The males are more subtly coloured than the females, as they brood and rear the chicks. A true pleasure to watch; hopefully the population in the Shetland continues to do well (with help from RSPB and others).
Shetland, UK. June 2025.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Wildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/798/127/119/831/306/original/f1abd7f3d603dc4c.jpg

2025-12-23 07:30:44 GMT

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they're great aren't they! Coots always seem to have some kind of drama going on though. I've even seen them chase Canada geese at times.

2025-12-21 15:49:19 GMT

A moment of calm and reflection.
Even a Eurasian coot can be still for a moment (admittedly a fast shutter speed helps). They're a common bird in the UK and eve more so in the winter as the resident birds are joined by visitors from further east.
It can be hard at this time of year to make time for nature, but worth it. We have many migratory birds visiting at the moment, so there's plenty to see too.
Stockport, UK. Dec 2025.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/758/300/194/115/093/original/93d94eda55cccedd.jpg

2025-12-15 07:35:24 GMT

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true, but the presence of bird flu at this site has been confirmed by DEFRA. Sadly, they don't test every animal, but the spread of the disease, symptoms and number of deaths we've been seeing is a very strong indicator of bird flu in these swans.
For feeding smaller birds, then yes cleaning bird feeders to prevent the spread of disease is really important. The larger birds don't have feeders though.

2025-12-15 07:31:29 GMT

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the two adults, and the remaining cygnet, are all doing well. It's likely the adults had partial immunity, as they're old enough to have been exposed to a "normal", less lethal, flu that was circulating many years ago, which was a similar strain to the current bird flu.

2025-12-14 20:51:37 GMT

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I'm sharing this, because I feel like most people don't see what's happening. Animals are usually removed quickly after dying and even when the birds are sick, the signs are missed.
These photos show three of the cygnets while in the early-ish stages of bird flu. See alt text for details.
3/3
#Birds #Nature #Wildlife #UKWildlife #HPAI #BirdFlu
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/719/868/884/461/980/original/2006dad0053e80f3.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/719/870/313/908/179/original/b5eced1ef3a4e232.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/719/872/283/544/430/original/1aa0ce9e40d189e5.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/719/872/072/058/449/original/371a45f00fd18403.jpg

2025-12-14 20:44:04 GMT

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Sadly, 4 of the 5 cygnets died. One within a few days and the rest after nearly a week. Two of those were euthanased by the RSPCA, due to the amount they were suffering. While the RSPCA do rescue wild animals, there's no treatment for bird flu and no local centres will take them due to the risks they pose to other animals, so options are limited.
2/3

2025-12-14 20:40:28 GMT

It's turning into a bad flu year for humans in the Northern hemisphere and it's turning out to be a bad year for bird flu too, at least locally.
The influx of winter migrants has brought with it plenty of sick birds, especially Canada geese, who've been spreading it around my local area.
Recently, our resident mute swans and their 5 cygnets became ill with (suspected) bird flu. It has a high mortality rate and we were all worried.
#Birds #Nature #Wildlife #UKWildlife #HPAI #BirdFlu
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/719/845/252/593/202/original/207de865a97575d8.jpg

2025-12-08 17:55:34 GMT

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I'm fairly familiar with the area around Otterspool road too and there's some amazing wildlife there, which must be really struggling right now.

2025-12-08 17:52:38 GMT

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So frustrating to hear that.
On Sunday I did my monthly BTO wetland bird count along the river Tame not too far from here and it was full of shit. United Utilities have been doing a lot of discharging over the last few months. It's heartbreaking to think about what it looked like just a few years ago. I'm so angry with them!

2025-12-07 14:41:47 GMT

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wonderful news. Congratulations! 🎉

2025-12-05 16:49:36 GMT

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the MFA part was definitely helpful (although we were already using it in 95% of cases) and some others too. But it was a lot of work, for not much gain and in same cases reduced our security posture. It was frustrating when it could have been just as much work (or less) for a much bigger gain.

2025-12-05 14:43:51 GMT

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your mistake is thinking that CE has anything to do with security.
I survived the process by accepting it was an administrative burden and desperately tried not to think about the security aspect.

2025-11-28 21:38:27 GMT

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this is a fascinating thread, thank you for sharing your experience.

2025-11-23 20:18:17 GMT

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thanks, that's super useful! I'm currently waiting to hear back for a bit more information, but this will make looking through various options much faster.

2025-11-23 16:26:03 GMT

This is a season of change.
As the cold weather comes in, birds like this tufted duck return from their summer adventures, and others, like the young coot and young black‐headed gull experience cold weather for the first time. Meanwhile, photographers make the most of the warm, low autumnal light.
Stockport, UK. November 2025.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/599/826/756/661/003/original/9726b6e9ebb89074.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/599/826/748/903/893/original/1b31e3edb78ae58f.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/599/826/762/284/018/original/bda65ad527bbeb7d.jpg

2025-11-22 17:17:31 GMT

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sounds perfect, thank you!

2025-11-22 17:16:02 GMT

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thanks, that's good to know. Windows isn't my thing either, but i do need something that will just work without me providing tech support. I'll be recommending one of the bigger suppliers, I think.

2025-11-22 17:13:34 GMT

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thanks! An XPS13 would definitely be too expensive, but an older Latitude might be okay.

2025-11-22 17:12:20 GMT

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that would be mine too, but i wasn't sure about how suitable they'd be for a non-techie (or whether they were still good).

2025-11-22 17:11:13 GMT

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thanks, this is the sort of thing I was looking for. I was put off by the really bad trustpilot reviews of Dell Refurbished and so was hoping someone with lots of experience with them might respond with information.

2025-11-22 16:45:33 GMT

A relative is looking to get a new laptop this Christmas. It needs to be cheap and run Windows. I'm thinking that refurbished might offer good value for money. Does anyone have any recommendations,based on personal experience (UK only)?

2025-11-15 19:44:45 GMT

Shetland.
Three very different views of Shetland, of three different islands. No colour, just light, shadow and shape. And birds, of course.
#bird #Shetland #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/555/291/118/485/099/original/17d7120e4ba12faa.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/555/291/172/479/595/original/e876d928a6767484.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/555/291/164/975/773/original/8992bd28629ee303.jpg

2025-11-08 18:59:19 GMT

About AI..
No not that AI. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), or bird flu, is hitting our wildlife hard again and the winter hasn't yet started. I've heard reports from various places in Greater Manchester about deaths from (mainly) swans and geese.
If you see a sick or dead bird, don't touch it.
Report any dead birds:
• In England, Wales & Scotland https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds;
• In Northern Ireland https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-dead-wild-bird-online-reporting-tool?brid=hGNqm2_eP38oDRgWaeRS6Q
• In Republic of Ireland https://aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
#birds #UKBirds

2025-11-07 19:01:58 GMT

Grey heron.
Infinitely patient. Hidden among the weeds. Watching and waiting.
Herons typically live around five years, although the oldest ringed bird was 23 years old. We're lucky enough to have several of them around at the moment.
Oct 2025. Stockport, UK
#Birds #Nature #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/509/937/201/995/053/original/3e7844a13f0dfad7.jpg

2025-11-03 07:37:22 GMT

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aren't they just!

2025-11-03 07:36:59 GMT

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yes, it is thank you!
I forgot to put the details on, but it was taken a couple of weeks ago in Stockport, UK.

2025-11-02 13:19:39 GMT

Carrion crow.
The world seems to be full of arseholes today, especially ones who get angry with people for being on a bicycle.
Anyway, here's a crow who spent ages manoeuvring these monkey nuts to make them all fit in their beak.
#Birds #Nature #Wildlife #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/480/268/581/993/082/original/dd6e3eebda9dd26e.jpg

2025-10-26 21:28:28 GMT

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thank you 😊

2025-10-26 19:47:42 GMT

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thank you so much 😊
I'm really looking forward to doing more bird ones. It's a really interesting and creative way to use all those photographs I have.

2025-10-26 18:28:53 GMT

I took advantage of the brief sunshine yesterday to do what are likely to be my last cyanotypes of the year. Those six bookmarks, on (basically) expired paper, were done in a rush and yet are some of my favourites so far.
I have lots of ideas for what I can try next once the sun returns!
#cyanotype #AlternativePhotography
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/441/831/111/353/051/original/80cdbde0934296d4.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/441/831/169/850/272/original/59782800679c6399.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/441/831/124/495/520/original/aa167a13aff7dc31.jpg

2025-10-24 19:09:41 GMT

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it's great isn't it! They do use slightly larger pots for larger birds. I think the greenfinch was weighed in a fish food pot, for example.
I also learned that a goldcrest is so small that you have to put your hand over the film canister in case it tries to fly out.

2025-10-24 13:59:46 GMT

Bird ringing.
I was recently able to watch a bird ringing demo. I've previously spotted the little metal rings and reported them to find out more about the bird, but this was the first time I'd watched it being done.
Birds are caught in a mist net, examined, ringed and weighted. They're quickly released unharmed. See alt text for more info.
WWT Martin Mere, UK. Oct, 2025.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/429/455/593/390/338/original/b360b32363eab338.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/429/455/598/520/180/original/6e923580f523287a.jpg
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2025-10-17 08:46:14 GMT

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Finally, for #FungiFriday, here are a few of the many mushrooms I found on the Isle of Man.
It's a good year for mushrooms, but even so, I was surprised by the number and variety that I found.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/388/614/487/354/348/original/08cf6f2f1ce5c6c8.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/388/614/412/061/841/original/65164c6caa44e0c9.jpg
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https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/388/614/528/130/832/original/b850741628885ff4.jpg

2025-10-12 19:47:48 GMT

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Some more photos from the Isle of Man.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/903/635/116/242/original/ddca0290f2a9260c.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/903/647/683/859/original/ee9bdbe6e37a81c3.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/903/661/790/594/original/8fe8942b22fc5640.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/903/677/617/781/original/4fc726112960f93c.jpg

2025-10-12 19:42:15 GMT

Isle of Man.
Apparently, I can't spend every holiday photographing birds, so here are some non-bird phone snaps of our recent trip.
I found the Isle of Man to be a slightly strange place. It's another country but feels extremely English. It felt insular in a way that, the far more remote, Shetland didn't. The landscape was great though and we went on some great walks. I'd happily go back for some bird watching too.
#BirdPhotography #IsleOfMan
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/864/204/729/240/original/928325d6562c6642.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/864/250/514/446/original/6b724e20c2228c6b.jpg
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/362/864/362/471/907/original/6d4b0fd88306d44f.jpg

2025-10-07 16:24:04 GMT

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they're only looking at direct costs to the NHS for acute care, long COVID isn't included in the evaluation. I don't know why this is, although I believe under the previous government a number of vaccine "skeptics" got into JCVI. It's frustrating! I'm also not sure why the cost benefit has changed this year compared to previous ones, given that COVID hasn't meaningfully changed. It's disappointing there hasn't been more of an outcry about it.

2025-10-06 09:38:20 GMT

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Me either! It sounded a bit like the island you visited, although I suspect anywhere in Denmark is going to be much better.
Oh, thank you. That's something I'd not considered before. I'll let you know if I try it. I'll definitely check out some of the YouTube examples though.

2025-10-04 19:39:35 GMT

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thank you! 😊
They're lovely birds to watch, but challenging to photograph. I really like your pictures of them too 😍

2025-10-04 19:27:51 GMT

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😍

2025-10-04 19:27:04 GMT

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I'm heading off to the Isle of Man on Monday, where I'm hoping to relearn the art of enjoying doing nothing after some busy months. Your posts have been useful inspiration.
Really glad that you're enjoying the evening. That does sound fun 😊

2025-10-04 19:13:31 GMT

Bearded tits.
It's that time of year again, when the bearded tits (or reedlings) come out of the reeds and head to the grit trays. Autumn means a change in diet for these birds and an opportunity for photographers. As the weather cools, the birds switch to eating seeds and use the grit to help digest them.
There are only 700 pairs in the UK, but they are quite widespread.
Sept 2025. Leighton Moss.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/317/447/094/069/858/original/9d629b1417b04267.jpg
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2025-10-04 17:33:20 GMT

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thanks!
I hope you've been able to find something pleasant to do. The photos from Google maps make it look like a lovely island, although they were all taken in good weather.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your holiday!

2025-10-04 10:35:02 GMT

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mine's a coffee, thanks for asking :)
Looks like a lovely coffee shop. It's a bit too wet and windy here to venture anywhere today. I did cycle to one of my favourite cafes yesterday before the weather turned though.

2025-09-28 13:17:15 GMT

I'm a week late in posting this, but I had a great time at #PyConUK last weekend.
All of the talks are now online and worth checking out. In particular, my amazingly talented colleague, Katie, gave a talk about doing hard things as a junior engineer and how other engineers can provide support.
https://youtu.be/7yfGMMei0b8?si=KKnkPhrotMHO1yZQ

2025-09-27 19:54:15 GMT

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really glad that you like it ☺️
I rediscovered it earlier and it made me smile too. It also reminded me that I need to get back out on my bike!

2025-09-27 19:12:29 GMT

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Understandable!
Here's a sleepy wood mouse from one of my favourite cafés (Riverbank, next to the river Mersey).
The wood mouse was sleepy because they'd eaten too many cake crumbs (not my fault).
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/277/834/994/122/228/original/5aa6596ed4074a4b.jpg

2025-09-27 09:23:18 GMT

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Juvenile grey heron.
He's trying hard to be a great hunter, but is sticking with smaller prey just for now and isn't too bothered by humans.
I love that you see the small differences with the adult above in this photo. The youngsters always seem slightly messier.
September 2025. Stockport UK.
#birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
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2025-09-24 12:03:56 GMT

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oh, actually the first one I mentioned is available under a CC license! I'd forgotten that, because I decided I'd rather have a paper copy. It's also available in python apparently.
https://www.statlearning.com/

2025-09-24 09:52:09 GMT

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cool. Have a look at An Introduction to Statistical Learning with Applications in R, published by Springer. I only got 25% of the way through, but enjoyed what I did read. It gets a bit heavy later on.
There's also Introductory Statistics with R, 2nd ed, also published by Springer, which looks much less heavy. It's on my bookshelf but it belongs to Jon.

2025-09-24 09:23:19 GMT

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Doing Data Science by Cathy O'Neil and Rachel Schutt was really helpful a few years ago when I started getting into data science.
How much maths do you want verses practical programming?
I would definitely consider looking at R+tidy verse, although the options in python have improved in recent years.

2025-09-20 07:45:38 GMT

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will be good to catch up with you again!

2025-09-17 21:11:45 GMT

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oh, I'm sorry, I thought it warned about that earlier on. Unfortunately, Google makes it very easy to create these kinds of maps and for organisations with limited time and expertise it's very appealing.

2025-09-17 19:48:56 GMT

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please do!
I'm so sorry your mum had that problem, but not surprised. I've seen people with wheelchairs and buggies walk along the middle of the road outside of my house because there's not enough space on the pavement (we don't have a car, fwiw) and it always worries me. I can't convince people that it's an issue though because I'm able to squeeze past (which doesn't really make sense as an argument, but I've heard it from several people now).

2025-09-17 17:40:45 GMT

Help end pavement parking in England.
Living Streets are running a campaign to end pavement parking in England and are asking for help. They're looking for people to contribute examples of particularly problematic pavement parking in their local area. The map will be open until 22nd Nov.
#ActiveTravel #FuckCars #PavementParking
https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/end-pavement-parking-in-england/

2025-09-17 15:48:56 GMT

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yep, it's a cormorant. Looks quite young, less than two years old, due to having a pale front. They only become dark all over after two years of age.
Also, they swim, but don't have waterproof feathers, so you'll see them with their wings stretched out to dry quite often.

2025-09-14 17:05:40 GMT

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I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. I know you're making a real difference with the work you're doing, but i can only imagine how hard that must be.

2025-09-12 19:04:49 GMT

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we have this Besta unit and I'm sure it's not heavy. It was put together by one person too.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/besta-tv-bench-with-drawers-white-stained-oak-effect-lappviken-stubbarp-white-stained-oak-effect-s49399183/#content
Their Lack units will be even lighter, I expect though.

2025-09-12 18:59:58 GMT

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it's absolutely not heavy, at least not if you buy their cheaper options! They're excellent at providing storage solutions for small spaces, so I'd be very surprised if you can't find something that fits. Some of their stuff does require two people to assemble, but I'm sure you can find someone willing to help.

2025-09-12 17:49:31 GMT

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I thought that's what IKEA is for? They do home delivery for most furniture now too.

2025-09-10 12:37:36 GMT

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I would be fine if it didn't fully offset the loss of fare revenue, given all of the wider benefits it would bring (whether they're something we can assign a value to or not). It seems like a good thing to spend taxes on. After all, we currently subsidise private car usage through taxes and that doesn't bring nearly the same benefits.

2025-09-10 12:30:34 GMT

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this is particularly important for women who are more likely to do trip chaining. i.e have multiple stops to visit relatives, pick up children, sort out healthcare, do the shopping etc. The ticketing system for public transport doesn't really take that into account, even with the Bee Network changes in Manchester it's only partially addressed it.

2025-09-07 15:13:55 GMT

Grey heron.
A great hunter, who's not afraid of causing upset. Makes a sound that leaves no doubt of being descended from dinosaurs. Tendency to stand very still, making them popular with photographers.
August 2025. Stockport, UK.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
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2025-09-05 12:42:31 GMT

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Meanwhile, I'm thinking that staying in Tameside isn't a good plan for the longer term.

2025-09-05 12:41:49 GMT

The Guardian are running two stories about tax avoidance today and I'm reminded of this Terry Pratchett quote:
"Privilege just means 'private law'".
#politics
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2025-08-27 16:55:19 GMT

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I'm definitely looking forward to this!

2025-08-17 20:38:15 GMT

Rock pipit (aka "rocket").
This is a fairly common bird that lives around our rocky shores. It looks similar to a meadow pipit, but is slightly stockier and with slightly greyer colouring. When I looked up whether the population is increasing or decreasing, I found that it's not really been studied. It's a bird that's not common enough to feature in regular surveys and not rare enough for the rare bird surveys.
June 2025. Shetland, UK
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Wildlife #nature #UKWildlife
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2025-08-16 13:59:47 GMT

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oh, that's frustrating. I'm sorry. ebooks.com sounds like one to avoid!

2025-08-16 13:24:01 GMT

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if it helps, I've mistakenly bought a DRM'd ebook in the past and managed to get a refund. I think that was from Kobo though, but you could email and ask them.

2025-08-07 17:04:19 GMT

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I've never been to Huddersfield, yet I still got that email. I can't remember the last time I took a train through that station.
You know what is a key part of almost all of my journeys though? Stockport station. I didn't get an email about that *grump*

2025-08-06 12:14:26 GMT

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I've noticed this too in Greater Manchester. My usual morning walk is so, so much nicer and the roads feel almost deserted.
From memory, I think it only needs a small number of cars off the road to massively improve congestion and I'm sure the lack of school traffic is really helping to remove a lot of cars. I really don't understand why so many children are driven to school, given that the catchment areas haven't changed. I really wish authorities would take it more seriously.

2025-08-02 09:02:38 GMT

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yep, I understand, I'm still getting around to it and our trip was in June! Really glad to hear that you enjoyed it though.

2025-08-02 08:54:03 GMT

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oh, that's interesting! A lot of the Shetland moorland looked similar to parts of the Peaks, although I don't visit enough to notice the smaller details.
I'd be interested to know more about your trip, please do post some photos. I hope you both had a good time?

2025-08-01 14:39:05 GMT

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Shetland plants.
I'm not much of a plant person, but our tour guide pointed out several rare/interesting species while we were out looking for wildlife.
In no particular order:
1. Oyster plant, on a beach.
2. Lesser twayblade, on a peaty moor.
3. Northern marsh orchid.
4. Sundew, probably round-leaved.
#shetland #shetlandflowers
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2025-07-24 14:01:11 GMT

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yikes. I've been meaning to set this up, but only for cycle trips where one of us is going out alone (or hiking up a mountain alone). I can see how it would be easy to extend that to other journeys and then just to leave it on, but that seems really toxic. Why do we always have to take a useful technology and then use it for terrible things? 😔

2025-07-22 19:44:23 GMT

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oh cool! How are you finding it? I definitely want to return, it was amazing. I would have liked the trip to Hermaness to have been less windy, but otherwise we managed to work around it - I guess you have to expect some bad weather.
Otherwise, we didn't have a car, so that posed some challenges and I found the simmerdim surprisingly difficult too. The people, wildlife and scenery were great though.

2025-07-22 18:49:59 GMT

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it's quite possible that as tourists we were completely oblivious to any such goings-on.
I should actually get around to watching that series though. I think I've done it the wrong way around to most people.