I think it’s a Blue Tit as well. Here’s some samples from xeno-canto which sound similar to your clip:

• https://xeno-canto.org/881639
• https://xeno-canto.org/879930

The red squirrels we have in the UK (Sciurus vulgaris) are a completely different species to the red squirrels I think you’re referring to (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

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An hour of water is an hour that a valve/tap/whatever which allows untreated sewage to be dumped into our waterways is left open.

There are multiple of these valves/taps around Yorkshire which all together make up the half a million hours.

This is a ridiculous way of measuring water volume. Though from what I understand even this level of monitoring is a relatively new thing.

Officials caution that comparisons over the years are difficult as an increasing number of storm overflows have been fitted with monitors over time, and all now have the technology to record spills.

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I’m struggling to find information as to why we measure sewage discharge in hours rather than something we can easily understand (like litres).

As it stands it’s really difficult to imagine just how much sewage is being discharged into our waterways. After all, I imagine that sewage is discharged at different rates across different sewage treatment facilities (i.e. one facilities hour of discharge could be a greater volume than another facility).

There’s just no way for the public to know for certain, it seems.

I’m sure many people can guess this without having to read the article but, yes, the E coli is present due to faeces being discharged into the river:

River Action said the testing locations suggested the source of pollution is from Thames Water discharging sewage directly into the river and its tributaries. It said this was based on publicly available data which showed that the water company had discharged sewage into the Greater London area of the River Thames for 1,914 hours from the start of 2024 up to 26 March.

I use Merlin as well. It’s very accurate at identifying birds by sound but by pictures it’s very hit and miss.

I use the BirdTrack app to record my bird sightings. The data is used by and helps the BTO (British Trust of Ornithology). As someone who used to play Pokemon GO it gives me a similar kind of enjoyment.

Merlin also allows you to record bird sightings but that data goes to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in America instead. I tend to record my sightings in both, but only when I’m independently confident of my identification (i.e. not just plugging in what Merlin is telling me I’m hearing).

I think the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has some plant ID apps which I’m tempted to try out since I want to learn more about native plants/trees for my future gardening endeavours.

Some great suggestions here. Would definitely second the recommendations for RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Hardcastle Crags.

For personal recommendations which aren’t in the original article I’d add:

• Spurn Point: Especially amazing during Spring/Autumn during migration season.
• RSPB St Aidan’s & RSPB Fairburn Ings. Both are very close to one another where there is a long line of lakes & wetlands along the River Aire.

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