Simon Tonkin

President of the Flyway Birding Association ( and director / partner at

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@toontoon999 @ChrisGPackham Dept for Transport’s own modeling showed that only about 4% of HS2 passengers will be people who otherwise would have driven (which is ambitious anyway!) that’s not really much of a saving. Spending a fraction of that locally instead could have revolutionised regional networks

[Inglorious Bustards @Otis_inglorius]

This week we’ve been enjoying several day tours with visiting guests witnessing the incredible early spring passage of soaring #Birds in full swing!

Black Kites continue to flow across The #Straits, now joined by squadrons of Short-toed #Eagles making their perilous journey despite some testing adverse weather.

Large groups of White Storks are being joined by the much rarer Black Storks as they successfully make the crossing, while Common Cranes continue their majestic patrol of the local rice fields.

Local icons, the splendrous Northern Bald Ibis, have now arrived at their nesting cliffs—though they never actually left the area, it's always a highlight to see them back on the rocks with their iridescent plumage and punk-rocker crests.

The magic of nature’s greatest commute is on, and there’s nothing quite like seeing these incredible nomads complete their journey against all odds!

#IngloriousBustards #BirdMigration #StraitOfGibraltar #ShortToedEagle #NorthernBaldIbis #BlackStork #BirdingSpain #SpringMigration #WildlifePhotography #Flyway #BirdWatching #Andalucia #VisitSpain #NatureLovers #Ornithology #RaptorMigration #WhiteStork #CommonCrane #Cadiz #BirdingTours #WildlifeConservation #MigrationSpectacle #EcoTourism #BirdingEurope #AvianMigration #NaturePhotography

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@Thejoker98hd @sanchezcastejon En serio ???? Qué repugnante utilizar el sufrimiento de las víctimas de violación y violencia de género para promover tu perversa agenda política y agenda racista. En Cataluña? Hombre!!!! Estás en Nevada, Estados Unidos no?

[Inglorious Bustards @Otis_inglorius]

On our recent #BirdingTwoContinents tour this adult female #Osprey flew over our boat in the middle of the fabled Merja Zerga lagoon in Morocco and we were able to read the colour ring.

Thanks to @timmackrill of the @RoyDennisWF
we now know that this Osprey was ringed by Roy Dennis at a nest near Loch Insh in northern #Scotland on 10/7/18. She was one of a brood of three chicks and this is the first time she has been recorded in over 7 years since her first migration!

#FlywayBirding - https://t.co/uGwFqz655v

[Inglorious Bustards @Otis_inglorius]

This ringed Caspian #Tern we encountered recently on our #BirdingTwoContinents #Tour on the fabled Merga Zerja lagoon in #Morocco was ringed as a chick on the Kvädö peninsula in Sweden! 3,101km away, 7 years and 118 days before our observation!

#FlywayBirding

[Inglorious Bustards @Otis_inglorius]

Our second zone on our #BirdingTwoContinents tour and deep into the ornithologically under-explored #Rif #Mountains of #Morocco

Mountain side cork #forests bustling with endemic wild Barbary #Macaques and Levaillant's #Woodpeckers.

River valleys with Maghreb #Owls and Black-crowned Tchagras and high mountain passes with gorgeous Moussier's #Redstarts!

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@McCallaPE @djlange @ChrisGPackham Yeah that’s gone well so far and before !

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@edbarkerAIC @CommonsEFRA @Minette_Batters @WillJAgri Reduction in intensive meat / dairy consumption policies?

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@sean_nixon Nice 😊 - None Scopoli’s?

[Inglorious Bustards @Otis_inglorius]

The ethos behind Inglorious Bustards´ #NatureTourism has always been to use #travel to bring positive outcomes for #biodiversity in the places we visit and beyond. Our latest #sustainability report for 2021 - 2023 is now published:

https://t.co/6Ap0EgABQo

[Inglorious Bustards @Otis_inglorius]

The flow of migratory soaring #Birds continues dominated, by the peak flow of Booted Eagles, joined by the continued passage of Short-toed #Eagles and Black #Kites bolstered by Montagu´s and Marsh Harriers, Egyptian Vultures and the air full of European Bee-eaters migrating north!

We got news of a dead cow and then also found a dead horse. Griffon Vultures in their hundreds also attracted this gorgeous adult Rüppell´s Vulture - a particular delight for our guests here.

#FlywayBirding

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@djlange @ChrisGPackham Also read the WWF reports and proposals for future proofed consumption

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@djlange @ChrisGPackham Reduce meat consumption, higher prices (tax) the most unsustainable processors and growers and implement incentives as well as regulations to reduce unsustainable meat production. This will give an advantage to smaller producers raising animals more extensively

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@shug2610 @helenlloyd222 @ChrisGPackham It’s not what you “need” - it’s more about what we collectively need to do to address all the land management/climate/bio-d issues or do you refute the peer reviewed science? How do I know your current consumption ? = You are here arguing why you want to keep it unsustainable

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@djlange @ChrisGPackham You can follow the peer reviewed science to determine for yourself how much of a disaster this is, it’s a huge issue that needs addressing ….not aimed at smaller farms it’s simply involves eating less meat…

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@djlange @ChrisGPackham Despite what some may think the UK isn’t isolated in this issue, impacts are global- imports of feed & produce from other countries leading to deforestation. +Depends on how you value living in a country in biodiversity collapse, clean water issues, soil degradation I could go on

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@shug2610 @helenlloyd222 @ChrisGPackham Reduce intensity of meat production and consumption leading to climate, soil, biodiversity and health benefits - but you didn’t read or value the references then? Nobody is telling YOU not to eat meat but you certainly don’t need it in the current consumption volumes

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@shug2610 @helenlloyd222 @ChrisGPackham It’s all very well not noticing the references in the screenshot either right?

[Simon Tonkin @simontonkin]

@djlange @ChrisGPackham CO2 is only one - nitrous oxide release from inorganic fertiliser use which is one of the most potent. Added to this soil degradation causing the release of carbon dioxide to grow for animal feed and the resulting deforestation in other countries for imported feed …

[Jon Burke 🌍 @jonburkeUK]

Rebuilding the area of Los Angeles destroyed by global warming-induced wildfires is expected to cost a minimum of $250 BILLION with costs rising due to the need to remove vast amounts of toxic waste.

If you think 'net zero costs too much', I have some terrible news for you.