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Ian Denton

@iand777.bsky.social

2.7K followers 280 following 3.3K posts

I have Grandkids - so no longer use Airport Departure Lounges. Natural History has been the unbroken story of my life. Watching wildlife, mostly under Dorset skies. Wrens; Greenfinches; Little Owls; Raptors & Adders are a preoccupation.

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · May 30

"Sometimes a wild god comes to the table.
He is awkward and does not know the ways
Of porcelain, of fork and mustard and silver"
Tom Hirons

soundcloud.com/tomhirons/so...

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Reposted by Ian Denton

Dave Goulson @davegoulson.bsky.social · 3h

Crop yields in England 2nd lowest on record as climate chaos kicks in - exactly as scientists have been predicting for years
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...

England sees second worst harvest on record, analysis shows

Provisional Government data suggests a much worse harvest than experts had so far predicted.

www.independent.co.uk

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 4h

Shooting Times uses selective quote to shamelessly misrepresent my view on predator culls raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/12/s...

Shooting Times uses selective quote to shamelessly misrepresent my view on predator culls

A couple of weeks ago, on 24 September, the Shooting Times published a news item in which it was suggested that I support predator culls: The Shooting Times article was supposedly a précis of an ar…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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Reposted by Ian Denton

Paul Dolman @pauldolman.bsky.social · 2d

Astonishing active hunting and arial predation of small migrating birds! #ornithology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Greater noctule bats prey on and consume passerines in flight

Despite billions of passerines seasonally migrating during the night at high altitudes, only three bat species have been found to consistently tap into this rich prey resource. However, it remains unk...

www.science.org

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 5h

Endings & beginnings, the keynote of the oak.
#autumn #nature #trees

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 6h

As autumn progresses, Reed Buntings move out beyond the river valleys & begin to explore further afield.
I always give the House Sparrows a quick double-take, in case they are feeding amongst them.
Really delightful visitors to the garden but easily overlooked.
#ukbirds #nature 🌿🦉

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Reposted by Ian Denton

VenetiaJane’s Garden @venetiajane.bsky.social · 7h

The Cailleach, of Celtic myth, is winter’s Faerie Queen and ancient hag. At Samhain she strikes the earth with her blackthorn staff, withering fields and forests to sleep. Her breath brings frost; her touch, stillness. Until Imbolc, she rules with ice and shadow. #FolkloreSunday

Close-up of autumn leaves edged with white frost, their colours of green, yellow, orange and brown glowing against a blurred grey background.

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Reposted by Ian Denton

Helen Day @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · 7h

“Farm workers follow where the spinner has passed and collect the potatoes in shallow baskets.
Picking up potatoes is back-aching work”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe

On a misty day in autumn, a group of mainly women follow a tractor to gather potatoes. The figures are hunched over and you can almost feel the back pain.

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 17h

Rooks at sunset - from the kitchen window.
#corvids #rooks #sunset #nature🦉

Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 20h

Scots demand real land reform as research reveals overwhelming public support for change raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/11/s...

Scots demand real land reform as research reveals overwhelming public support for change

Press release from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform (11 Oct 2025) SCOTS DEMAND REAL LAND REFORM AS RESEARCH REVEALS OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CHANGE Largest ever public consultati…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 20h

You'll never find a fitter flitter

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 20h

Cute!?!
You describe how we're on everyone's menu and you call us cute????

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 21h

Yes, we all know a Scabby Alan....😀

Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 21h

The reports of my migration are greatly exaggerated.

Chiffchaffs in the apple tree just now in the setting sun, thinking the summer will never end.
Fruit flies galore...

#WorldMigratoryBirdDay #dorset #eastcoastkin 🦉

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 22h

A ripe grape chosen with care.
The grapes aren't quite ripe enough yet, otherwise the Blackbirds wouldn't have given the Robin a look in.
#beakfull #eastcoastkin 🦉

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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 1d

That's a nice selection...

Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, they are specialist ground feeders & usually the smaller the particles, the better.
The one time when you will notice a difference is when they are feeding nestlings. The young birds need plenty of protein & so they are fed insects.
If you see this, then there's a nest of hatched young nearby.

Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 1d

"SNP caves to shooting lobby" - reactions to Scottish Government's decision to delay muirburn licensing (again) raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/11/s...

“SNP caves to shooting lobby” – reactions to Scottish Government’s decision to delay muirburn licensing (again)

As expected, the Scottish Government’s announcement on Thursday that it has delayed the implementation of muirburn licensing (for the second time) has been met with anger. Scottish Greens MSP…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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Reposted by Ian Denton

ChrisGibsonWildlife @chrismothman.bsky.social · 1d

Cockaynes Reserve today. Dull, but absolutely still and very warm. Checked dozens of Oak leaves, and for only my second time ever, I found all three common Neuroterus spangle galls (common Spangle, Smooth Soangle and Silk Button) on the same leaf. In fact, three such leaves!