I'm ready for my post-match malt - and it's sweet tonight! Here's my summary of the #lufc demolition of Forest. It was a must-win; the pressure was on, but we delivered in spades. terrific performance. Have a read of the link, and what did you make of it? www.davidwatkinslufc.com/forest-home-...

What happens if Trump cancels the midterm elections? youtu.be/tplh345Y4s0?...

Here's my summary of a disappointing #lufc performance today. We mostly expected to lose, but we really didn't help ourselves did we? What did you make of it? Read my thoughts on the link. www.davidwatkinslufc.com/arsenal-home...

Left: Labour's Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, "Illegal migration is ‘tearing our country apart’" Right: PM of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, "Yes, my country has offered a path to regulate half a million undocumented migrants" "This is the path we choose. Dignity, community and justice"

The inclement weather has somewhat curtailed birding this week so it was good to get out onto the patch this morning. Sunny spells,no wind, Blue Rock Thrush,Golden Eagle,Blackcap,Redwing and more.👍

It has taken 4 months and 3 appointments at the National Police HQ in Almeria city to renew my TIE(tarjeta de identidad de extranjeros) so I thought it only right to have a small celebration. Alhambra Roja,a quality beer but be careful, 7.2%.

The mood of an unsettled morning captured perfectly by Miguel, a photographer who lives in the village.

Photos of the Rio Genil at Huétor Tajar, GR taken on the 22nd, 25th and 26th of January from the same spot, what a difference a few days and lots of rain can make. Search lojawildlife for my blog.

It's late again, you'll all be in bed by now, but here's my summary of the #lufc game tonight while I sup my bedtime malt. Another couple of points we've tossed away, I'd say - first half fantastic, 2nd half meh! Read on the link. What did you make of it? www.davidwatkinslufc.com/everton-away...

El Playazo de Rodalquilar, con el castillo de San Ramón. En el horizonte, la Rellana de San Pedro y Mesa Roldán. Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata - Níjar, Almería.

Foto estupenda.

A bit late but one of the finest Xmas songs ever imho.

Ojalá hablara yo suficiente español para ayudar. Debe haber alguien en bluesky.

Morning, and happy Friday! If you're spending time in the National Park this weekend, please: 🌧 Be weather prepared 🚮 Take all your litter home 🤝 Respect the land. Respect the community. Respect each other 🙂 And have a great weekend 📸 Ingleborough summit by Wendy McDonnell | #YorkshireDales

Many a month since I went to my birding spot near Fiñana so great to get back there on a sunny morn. Not heaving with birds but there was quality in the form of my first Hawfinch and Cirl Buntings of the year plus a flock of 30+ Siskins,the largest I've ever seen in Spain .

Beverley, east Yorkshire, photo by Jennifer Cunningham.

On and on it goes.

We're delighted to announce our collaboration with the wonderful rural hotel, El Sueño de Andalucía. We'll be leading guided walks in some of Almería's most stunning landscapes, including coastal, desert and mountain areas, for their April Hiking Week. www.elsuenodeandalucia.es/page/hiking-...

A misty start near Benalup, Cádiz but what a morning. 200+ Common Cranes,Great, Little and Cattle Egrets, Gallinule, Buzzard,Red Kite,Bluethroat, Spanish Sparrow and more.

An excellent morning at La Janda, Cádiz. Sadly it rained non stop so I had to bird from the car but that didn't stop me from seeing some great birds; Black Winged Kite,Osprey,Common Crane,White Stork,Spoonbill, hundreds of Golden Plovers and Lapwings and more.

I spent Monday afternoon at Cabo salinas. Astounded not to find a single Trumpeter Finch after the numbers counted on Saturday. It was very quiet in general with high water levels meaning very few waders. Highlight at the end was a flyby from the wintering Pallid Harrier.

Here's my brief summary of the #lufc FAC R3 victory at Derby today on the link below. A rare foray into round 4! It took us a while to get going, but once we did, this scratch selection did a fine job. What did you make of it? www.davidwatkinslufc.com/derby-away-f...

Just WOW!! A total of 426 Trumpeter Finches counted. That's almost four times the last count a couple of years ago. Obviously the cold snap has pushed many birds down to the coast. Wonderful work by volunteers from Birding Almeria.

Wonderful morning taking part in a survey of Trumpeter Finches in Almeria between Retamar and north of San Jose. In my stretch of coast(Cabo village to Rambla Morales) I found 10 Trumpeters and 4 Dotterel. When the full results are in I'll post them here but it's looking like a record count.

Almeria rare bird news......4 Dotterel between Cabo village and Rambla Morales from the beach track opposite the big black greenhouse.

My next course starts at the end of March, only a couple of places left! A brilliant way to learn more about #birds #birdwatching #birding . Book via @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social Please share @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @bbclooknorth.bsky.social

Back on the fields just to the North of Huétor Tajar, GR. Whilst looking for the European Golden Plovers for a friend who was coming over to see them, I photographed this stunning male Bluethroat (one of 3 seen) along one of the Irrigation channels. More on the blog, search lojawildlife

Read my summary of the big #lufc game at Toon last night on the link below. Another three points given up too easily I reckon. We played really well but, as so often, a few little details scuppered us. What did you think of it? www.davidwatkinslufc.com/newcastle-aw...

Well that was a surprising morning at Rambla Morales. A Barnacle Goose on the sea then flew into the lagoon and Gt Northern Diver on the sea. Add in a few waders and passerines and you've got a good birding session.

Almeria rare bird news......Pallid Harrier seen at Cabo salinas roost again on Tuesday 6th. Barnacle Goose and Gt Northern Diver at Rambla Morales on Thursday 8th.

Beautiful morning at Punta Entinas. Nice to get first Golden Plovers and Turnstones of the year plus several Reed Buntings again and a Dartford Warbler. Water levels high due to heavy rain on Sunday but still a few waders on the muddy edges,best Little Stint.

Plastic grass is one of the worst things you can put in your garden. Instead, let patches of grass grow long, and give wildflowers a chance – boosting biodiversity, benefitting pollinators, and filling your patch with colour and life. More: bit.ly/3liIFWv

Thinking about a bit of winter sun and warmth, and yearning for some healthy exercise in stunning surroundings? We're now taking bookings for our Small-Group Walking Week in February (7th-14th) in Cabo de Gata, where average daytime highs are 17°C! Please see: www.almeriatrips.com/join-us-for-...

Spain shows leadership in the face of Trump's trampling of international law, a concept not even on Starmer's radar. Mind you, Starmer's clamped so tight to Trump's buttocks, he can't see anything at all. Even Farage admitted the USA's actions broke international law. www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...

My musings on #lufc v Man U today on the below - brief as I'm still in Leeds tonight, then heading off to Newcastle! (It's a tough life!). Another good point from a scrappy game and another point closer to the target! Seen from East Stand for a change! www.davidwatkinslufc.com/man-united-h...

Venezuela and freedom from fear www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/01...

That's better. A really enjoyable morning at Punta Entinas with mate Rai. Penduline Tit,Bluethroat, Reed Bunting (a winter rarity here),9 wader species and more.

New year, shiny new notebook and extremely quiet morning on the patch. Not to worry. Hoping for better tomorrow at Punta Entinas.

Here's my (only very brief tonight) summary of another fantastic #lufc performance tonight at Anfield. We really do currently look like we belong at this level and can hold our own. Have a read and post your thoughts as always. Another big one on Sunday! www.davidwatkinslufc.com/liverpool-aw...

Cannot let the year pass without recalling a fantastic birding holiday in Rumania and of course finding a Stilt Sandpiper, a national first and a lifer for me.

Very brief summary of 2025. Andalucia 237 species. Top 3 birds..1.Black faced Bunting ,La Janda,Cadiz Feb. 2. Lesser Spotted Eagle, Vela Blanca,Almeria, Sept. 3. House Bunting, Cabo de Gata,Almeria,March. First birding of 2026 tomorrow. Bring it on!!

Almeria rare bird news......Red breasted Merganser, Punta Entinas on 31st December.

Another one for the extensive collection @ruthtingay.bsky.social. A brace of shot Pheasants, tied at the neck and given to a shooter. Only to be wrapped in plastic and hurled into the nearest river before washing up here on a remote Solway beach. They are bred as living targets rather than as food.

Que recuperes pronto.

Bielsaball is alive and well.

Here's my summary of another fine #lufc display, albeit we gave up another preventable goal. It's a good point away again & we remain on track, playing well. Bring on Liverpool while we are in the mood! Read my bit on the link and post your thoughts on it. www.davidwatkinslufc.com/sunderland-a...

Almeria rare bird news.....Moustached Warbler, Punta Entinas Sabinar, 26th Dec. (Quite often get a single bird overwinter here).

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