Ben Secker
PhD researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University studying the Willow Tit.
- Mini twitch (of about 10 miles) to Scotman’s flash this afternoon for the Great Northern Diver. #UKBirding
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- Thankfully we were already close by after ringing this morning! Managed to catch some wonderful light.
- Back home for a few days over Christmas and managed to catch this Caspian Gull at RSPB Old Moor yesterday. Stayed for a while to attempt to read the ring but unfortunately too distant. #UKbirding
- Thankfully I am in the privileged position of taking such bad photos they could never be mistaken for Generative AI… #UKBirding
- Cold sweat time, my first thought on seeing these images is that they are the product of Generative AI on account of missing/deformed feet. Could this however just be manipulation of a real image of an extralimital Willow Tit? Never had to even consider these issues before.... #UKBirding
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- The details on the branch are unmatched to be fair 😆
- Interesting record of a Willow Tit in Northern Scotland (Loch of Blairs, near south shore of Moray Firth): birdsinmorayandnairn.org/bird-recordi....
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- Interesting! Very scary that things will only get worse as development of the software continues. Wildlife photographer of the year is going to get a lot more challenging to judge…
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- Heard from a former colleague who first sent me the record on the website. This is forwarded from a local recorder:
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- Same here. Feels quite obvious now I’ve looked in more detail - not seen a ‘z head’ screw before! Not sure what motivates people to do this kind of thing.
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- Yes, I think you might be right. The feeders look weird in the second and third photos as well. I guess this is the new world of bird recording we are entering…
- Any thoughts @richardkbroughton.bsky.social @alexanderlees.bsky.social?
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- Commercial breaks are the only thing that happens in my experience.
- Reform-led council refuses to engage with a prominent local newspaper after they had the temerity to expose a slight internal disagreement. A burning passion for protecting ‘free speech’ seems to go out the window when it makes you look bad…
- I’m so excited that my first paper is out! 💪🏼💥 #ornithology
- EARLY VIEW in IBIS Seasonal, environmental and individual determinants of double-brooding in the White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) | onlinelibrary.wiley.... Noelia D. Álvarez, Peter J. Mawby, Stuart P. Sharp | #ornithology 🪶
- Congrats Noe! Excellent stuff.
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- May be a different sequence but I remember this one clearly! Giant Trevally predating tern fledglings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4px....
- Life update klaxon: I’ve joined the Natural Sciences department at Manchester Met as a PhD researcher! Our team will be investigating the role of interspecific competition and community composition in the decline of the willow tit, focusing our efforts on post-industrial sites in the north west.
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- Thank you, that’s very kind of you to offer! I’ll send you a message at some point and explain what we are doing, and if you are still interested in helping in some capacity that would be much appreciated. I read your excellent blog on the subject a few months ago!
- area in the Dearne Valley in just a few short years (see above from 2021). Although the prospects for this species undoubtedly look rather bleak, I am hopeful that our project will help to improve conservation outcomes for willow tit in the UK.
- In more jovial news, I’ve already had chance to help out with fieldwork in the department, including a trip down to Rutland to see the lingering black tern, local celeb osprey pair, and hobby to name just a few! #ukbirding
- Current funding models generally focus on implementing habitat management measures, which have so far proven largely unsuccessful in halting local willow tit extinctions. We are looking to investigate how other species, particularly blue tits, interact with willow tits during the breeding season,
- and assess their impacts on willow tit ecology. Our main aim is to help develop targeted conservation measures which will help to improve the fortunes of this rapidly declining species and, crucially, won’t inadvertently harm existing populations. I’ve seen willow tits vanish from my local
- Garden warbler singing for a prolonged period at Boylin’s this morning before work. #ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
- Walk up the little don valley on Friday returned my first cuckoo of the year. Ring ouzel, redstart, and siskin the other highlights. #ukbirding
- Had a wonderful time at #BOU2025, so much cool research and awesome catching up with old and making new pals! Very nice to have received an award for highly commended ECR talk as well, a lovely confidence boost 🥰 #ornithology
- What a bloody legend! Congrats! #BOUsgottalent
- Arrived in Notts with @cateden91.bsky.social ahead of #BOU2025. Looking forward to it!
- My favourite ducks/geese. Good luck! 🦆
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- Hi Geoff, of course: bensecker14@gmail.com. Seems strange, did you get my reply to your email from before?
- Had a brilliant time out on the bike this morning, taking in the first signs of spring through the Dearne valley to RSPB Bolton ings, and back, via the trans pennine trail. First singing chiffchaff of the year and excellent views of Cetti’s the highlights. #ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
- Red-necked grebe at Sutton-on-sea after fieldwork today. #ukbirding
- 🚨Bedroom/office mega alert🚨 #ukbirding
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- You are crackers
