MartinW

Sceptical mix of libertarianism and small c conservatism. Music - mostly classical. Language teaching and learning. Electric transport advocate.

[MartinW @middxguy]

. @chikondibug Here’s an illustration of the problems that you get with natural nests. This pair hasn’t returned as it’s been so dry and there’s no mud for repairs.

[MartinW @middxguy]

Build up of House Martin activity this morning. One in-tact nest has been active for a few weeks though no sign of hatching. Now a new pair have arrived. Second photo: discussion about repairing a broken nest .
Clip in next tweet @sferguk @ukhousemartins @SurreyBirdNews

[MartinW @middxguy]

@chikondibug Lovely. And the timing is interesting. I have had House Martins ever since I arrived in Kew 20+ years ago and have noticed that not all birds start breeding immediately on arrival and also sometimes there are latecomers to the party.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@MarkSJordan I’ve been very lucky this year. A pair of Song Thrushes since the end of February. I’ve only seen one juvenile however. What’s new is the male has been singing every day since February and much as I love their song, sometimes he seems relentless 😅

[MartinW @middxguy]

@snarkmawchuk @alanthefisher @GarethDennis I wonder whether Solaris will be willing to supply? They seem to be planning battery bus manufacture in the USA but they are supplying trolleybuses for Canada directly from their Polish factory.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@hugh_canning @jepaco I read it for A level.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@vetter_denis @Prunelli2a67 So the Alsatians gained regional autonomy, already enjoyed the best social security system in the world, and their regional tongue flourished. Yet according to the jacobins, they were all desperate to return to French rule. Somehow it doesn’t make sense to an outside observer.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@markjen71577424 @Mockbeggar16 @_paullay Very logical 😂😂

[MartinW @middxguy]

@Mockbeggar16 @_paullay The county of Nottingham has both Nottingham Forest (primarily for the city, I assume) and Notts County with a wider remit. Adjacent is Derbyshire, which has Derby County, but there isn't a team for the city itself.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@Mockbeggar16 @_paullay Going in the opposite direction, there are some teams that cover wider areas than just a town/city, for example Notts County.

[MartinW @middxguy]

2/2 Clip taken at same time as photos in post above.

[MartinW @middxguy]

Build up of House Martin activity this morning. One in-tact nest has been active for a few weeks though no sign of hatching. Now a new pair have arrived. Second photo: discussion about repairing a broken nest .
Clip in next tweet @sferguk @ukhousemartins @SurreyBirdNews

[MartinW @middxguy]

@sferguk Totally understand. I get a similar boost from my House Martin nests. Sometimes there's more interest at home than tramping round Richmond Park

[MartinW @middxguy]

@NparsonsNick @OrioleBirding Wow. “Showy” and Corncrake don’t normally go together!

[MartinW @middxguy]

@fulhamopera @amwilson_opera @NoisyMV @ClassicalExplo1 Leoncavallo’s Musette (sic) is such a luscious role for a mezzo.

[MartinW @middxguy]

Here's a rarity for verismo lovers: a full production of Leoncavallo's Boheme in a major opera house. There are 6 performances in Oct-Nov 2026. Ironically, at Teatro Regio,Turin, birthplace of Puccini's opera. @amwilson_opera @NoisyMV @ClassicalExplo1 https://t.co/6rPaK7t368

[MartinW @middxguy]

@hugh_canning @amwilson_opera @NoisyMV @ClassicalExplo1 @wexfordopera I’d like to claim that I was taken to the Camden performance in a push chair.😂😂😂 But it’s not very convincing, is it?

[MartinW @middxguy]

@hugh_canning @amwilson_opera @NoisyMV @ClassicalExplo1 @wexfordopera Well, I attended the UK premiere at the Camden Festival in 1970!
I’ve seen it since: ENO Italian season in 2000,Theater and der Wien in 2002

[MaestrosMusings @fulhamopera]

@middxguy @amwilson_opera @NoisyMV @ClassicalExplo1 I rather fancy this will be a revelation! Leoncavallo's Bohème at the Regio: that melodic effusion & inverted voice types make it essential. Goryachova will be sensational.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@FerretKingRT @amwilson_opera @NoisyMV @ClassicalExplo1 Why not hop on a plane? It will be a proper production in a major opera house, so I am hoping it will really showcase the unappreciated delights of this opera.

[MartinW @middxguy]

@NoisyMV I don't know what the latest academic research claims, but I'll always be convinced that Puccini got the idea from Leoncavallo. Look at the way he responded to the issue of "whose idea was it?" by switching the subject to "let's compete". Should have been a politician.