Tom Miller

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

A single bird has just accomplished one of the most extraordinary feats in the animal kingdom — flying nearly one-third of the way around the Earth without stopping to eat, drink, or rest.

The record-breaker is a five-month-old Bar-tailed Godwit that flew nonstop from Alaska to Tasmania, Australia. Covering 8,425 miles in just over 11 days, it set a new record for the longest nonstop flight ever documented in any bird.

What makes this journey even more astonishing is that it was the young godwit’s very first migration. The entire route took place over the open Pacific Ocean, with no chance to land. Despite that, the bird navigated thousands of miles of featureless water with pinpoint accuracy.

This incredible endurance is made possible by remarkable physiological adaptations. Before takeoff, the godwit packs on enormous fat reserves — nearly half its body weight — to fuel the flight. At the same time, many of its internal organs, including parts of the digestive system, temporarily shrink to lighten the load and maximize energy efficiency.

Unlike many seabirds that depend heavily on gliding, this godwit flapped continuously for the entire journey, battling shifting winds and weather systems the whole way.

Researchers at the Pūkōroro Auckland Shorebird Centre say discoveries like this are transforming our understanding of migratory birds. Their astonishing endurance, navigation skills, and energy management demonstrate biological capabilities that can match — and in some ways surpass — even the most advanced human engineering.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian still standing...

[Cricket District @cricketdistrict]

Catch of the Season already?! 🤯

Ridiculous grab from Jacob Littlewood for Scholes CC 👏

via @Frogboxlive

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian I honestly can’t tell if this is a troll or not.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian Australia is struggling to adopt solar, let alone nuclear.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian I do remember marv (or Harry) stomping on a nail. Didn’t look pleasant.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian Nose bleed?

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@DavidSligar The MA is basically awarded for ‘good behaviour’ a couple of years after graduation. At first I thought it was crazy, but have seen over time why they do it here.

[Cricketopia @CricketopiaCom]

Act of Bravery!

45 year old Brian Close without helmet against a hostile spell from Michael Holding.

#ThrowbackThurday

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@MattCowgill Don’t forget to choose your parents wisely!

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@robelinda2 You have done so much good for the game - and spread love and joy to thousands of people.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@gopalisation Thanks gops. On behalf of the sunburnt country.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian Very common in Europe these days - people not so much with the binging like oz.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian No river surfing?

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@gopalisation Not uniquely exciting - you’re just paying attention 😊

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@gopalisation We’ll find out. Large most probably.

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@SHamiltonian Thanks for bringing this up Steve, and well done to @JosephNWalker - I had completely forgotten about the magenta graphs!

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@gopalisation Best research is primary research. Plane tickets @gopalisation

[Tom Miller @MilTrj]

@Brad_Hogg Longer prep, like playing a few practise matches in the conditions before the first test?