David Smith
@davidsmithartist.bsky.social
Visual artist with an interest in wildlife (especially solitary bees), ecology and growing food. Based in beautiful West Dorset, near the Jurassic Coast.
A Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, patrolled the garden regularly today visiting every Lungwort in flower, drinking deep and long, gathering masses of pollen. #WildlifeFriendlyGarden
February 14, 2026 at 5:29 PM
A Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, patrolled the garden regularly today visiting every Lungwort in flower, drinking deep and long, gathering masses of pollen. #WildlifeFriendlyGarden
Reposted by David Smith
Quite so.....we need to do the right thing now or we will be home a mere blip on the fossil record...actually, that is the norm....
When we trawled data on excess nitrate & phosphate pollution (key drivers of algal blooms) we found agriculture was the primary source in rural areas, sewage in urban areas. As Chowns says, to save our rivers, we need to tackle both.
share.google/bLY8yWL1AeIQ...
share.google/bLY8yWL1AeIQ...
February 11, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Quite so.....we need to do the right thing now or we will be home a mere blip on the fossil record...actually, that is the norm....
Reposted by David Smith
When the evidence is this blatant and it’s still not enough, trail hunting has to end.
Support Northants Hunt Sabs.
Support Northants Hunt Sabs.
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
When the evidence is this blatant and it’s still not enough, trail hunting has to end.
Support Northants Hunt Sabs.
Support Northants Hunt Sabs.
Buds are bursting
January 31, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Buds are bursting
The last two apples from our crop. They kept well considering all ripened so early. We almost got through to February without having to buy any, and we still have frozen and dehydrated to use. I'm so grateful we have space to grow organic fruit. #GrowYourOwnFruit #RealFood
January 29, 2026 at 1:04 PM
The last two apples from our crop. They kept well considering all ripened so early. We almost got through to February without having to buy any, and we still have frozen and dehydrated to use. I'm so grateful we have space to grow organic fruit. #GrowYourOwnFruit #RealFood
But the Government won't act on any of this:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:13 PM
But the Government won't act on any of this:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by David Smith
Zuhrah is in a critical condition, now on day 50 of her hunger strike she could die aged only 20. In 1981, Irish republican Martin Hurson died on day 46. The government has refused to engage & reverse the decision
to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
The treatment of the hunger strikers by the British state is truly barbarous
they've been convicted of no crime, are being held w/o trial, & have been on remand for over twice the remand custody limit
they've been subject to degrading & humiliating treatment, & are now in a critical state
they've been convicted of no crime, are being held w/o trial, & have been on remand for over twice the remand custody limit
they've been subject to degrading & humiliating treatment, & are now in a critical state
‘The British state will let them rot in a prison and die’: The Palestine Action supporters on hunger strike
Five people being held on remand are in a critical state, after protesting prison conditions. The government has chosen not to engage
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Zuhrah is in a critical condition, now on day 50 of her hunger strike she could die aged only 20. In 1981, Irish republican Martin Hurson died on day 46. The government has refused to engage & reverse the decision
to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Reposted by David Smith
At this very moment, foxes are being hunted, exhausted, and ripped apart by hounds all under the guise of "tradition."
Boxing Day is the biggest event for the hunting community, even though it’s illegal.
Share to raise awareness and help end this cruelty for good. 🦊
Boxing Day is the biggest event for the hunting community, even though it’s illegal.
Share to raise awareness and help end this cruelty for good. 🦊
December 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
At this very moment, foxes are being hunted, exhausted, and ripped apart by hounds all under the guise of "tradition."
Boxing Day is the biggest event for the hunting community, even though it’s illegal.
Share to raise awareness and help end this cruelty for good. 🦊
Boxing Day is the biggest event for the hunting community, even though it’s illegal.
Share to raise awareness and help end this cruelty for good. 🦊
Reposted by David Smith
A little thread of ideas for your Boxing Day Walk (Trespass)
December 26, 2025 at 11:27 AM
A little thread of ideas for your Boxing Day Walk (Trespass)
Reposted by David Smith
The Countryside Alliance are once again talking out of their (top) hat.
80% of the public, rural & urban, think fox hunting should remain illegal.
The ‘rural culture war’ is a myth, as @jon-moses.bsky.social shows here: national.thelead.uk/p/the-rural-...
bsky.app/profile/theg...
80% of the public, rural & urban, think fox hunting should remain illegal.
The ‘rural culture war’ is a myth, as @jon-moses.bsky.social shows here: national.thelead.uk/p/the-rural-...
bsky.app/profile/theg...
Labour ‘alienating rural people’ with plan to ban trail hunting, says Countryside Alliance
Labour ‘alienating rural people’ with plan to ban trail hunting, says Countryside Alliance
Poll released by group as people gather for traditional Boxing Day hunts finds 76% of voters believe Labour prioritises urban issues over rural ones
Keir Starmer’s government has been told it has “alienated rural people” as traditional Boxing Day hunts gathered across the UK ahead of plans to ban trail hunting.
The warning came from the Countryside Alliance pressure group, which released a poll suggesting 65% of voters think the Labour administration unfairly neglects country communities. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The Countryside Alliance are once again talking out of their (top) hat.
80% of the public, rural & urban, think fox hunting should remain illegal.
The ‘rural culture war’ is a myth, as @jon-moses.bsky.social shows here: national.thelead.uk/p/the-rural-...
bsky.app/profile/theg...
80% of the public, rural & urban, think fox hunting should remain illegal.
The ‘rural culture war’ is a myth, as @jon-moses.bsky.social shows here: national.thelead.uk/p/the-rural-...
bsky.app/profile/theg...
We are so lucky to have access to good quality, nutrient-dense, fresh food. We can just pop out to the garden to pick a wide range of salad leaves and herbs, put it on a plate with this morning's sourdough bake and some goodies from the fridge.
December 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
We are so lucky to have access to good quality, nutrient-dense, fresh food. We can just pop out to the garden to pick a wide range of salad leaves and herbs, put it on a plate with this morning's sourdough bake and some goodies from the fridge.
Reposted by David Smith
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
Reposted by David Smith
First published as a 'digital pamphlet' in 2023, and briefly available as a print edition in 2024, here's the free, downloadable PDF of our 'Winter Songs' mini-anthology, with poems apt for the year's end, and the year to come.
longbarrowpress.com/wp-content/u...
longbarrowpress.com/wp-content/u...
November 30, 2025 at 11:26 AM
First published as a 'digital pamphlet' in 2023, and briefly available as a print edition in 2024, here's the free, downloadable PDF of our 'Winter Songs' mini-anthology, with poems apt for the year's end, and the year to come.
longbarrowpress.com/wp-content/u...
longbarrowpress.com/wp-content/u...
Well of course: but there's a huge fight to tackle the problem of all the other chemicals being thrown on the soil and our food. One small step.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
France’s birds start to show signs of recovery after bee-harming pesticide ban
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Well of course: but there's a huge fight to tackle the problem of all the other chemicals being thrown on the soil and our food. One small step.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I was a little concerned for this Tern I saw down at West Bay this afternoon. It seems to have damage near its right leg, which it kept preening around. Sadly, there's not much I could do except hope. It seemed exhausted and only flew short distances. I fear the gulls will get it.
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I was a little concerned for this Tern I saw down at West Bay this afternoon. It seems to have damage near its right leg, which it kept preening around. Sadly, there's not much I could do except hope. It seemed exhausted and only flew short distances. I fear the gulls will get it.
I've been really enjoying the Savoy and red cabbage sauerkraut I made at the beginning of September, so I thought I'd try 3 cabbage kraut: red, Savoy and January King. I'll let you know what it's like in a month or two. #SlowFood #FermentedFood #OldManMakesFood #FoodPreservation #HealthyGut
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I've been really enjoying the Savoy and red cabbage sauerkraut I made at the beginning of September, so I thought I'd try 3 cabbage kraut: red, Savoy and January King. I'll let you know what it's like in a month or two. #SlowFood #FermentedFood #OldManMakesFood #FoodPreservation #HealthyGut
Swapped our usual Jurassic Coast for a few windy days in Cornwall. Nice view from our room.
October 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Swapped our usual Jurassic Coast for a few windy days in Cornwall. Nice view from our room.
And another step closer to oblivion
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
Scientists call for renewed global effort to curb fossil fuels as seven of nine planetary boundaries now transgressed
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
And another step closer to oblivion
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by David Smith
Wild bird numbers continue to fall in UK with some species in ‘dramatic freefall’
Wild bird numbers continue to fall in UK with some species in ‘dramatic freefall’
Species index fell by 4% between 2019 and 2024 – although government data shows woodland populations beginning to stabilise
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Wild bird numbers continue to fall in UK with some species in ‘dramatic freefall’
The borlotti beans have dried beautifully, and beautiful they are.
#GrowYourOwnFood #NoDig #organic #RealFood #NoPesticides
#GrowYourOwnFood #NoDig #organic #RealFood #NoPesticides
September 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The borlotti beans have dried beautifully, and beautiful they are.
#GrowYourOwnFood #NoDig #organic #RealFood #NoPesticides
#GrowYourOwnFood #NoDig #organic #RealFood #NoPesticides
This is partly why we moved away from the "dark side" (as I call it) and stopped keeping bees
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Why saving the honeybee could be bad news for other bees
In this week’s newsletter: a conservation success story has a sting in its tail as wild pollinators pay the price
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 8:29 AM
This is partly why we moved away from the "dark side" (as I call it) and stopped keeping bees
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
WTF! Nuclear is not the solution. It's an expensive and dangerous distraction. Along with bonkers ideas about carbon capture and storage, Starmer's New Tory Zionist Party has really lost the plot.
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
UK and US unveil nuclear energy deal ahead of Trump visit - BBC News
Key among the plans is a proposal to build up to 12 advanced modular nuclear reactors in Hartlepool.
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org
September 15, 2025 at 11:27 AM
WTF! Nuclear is not the solution. It's an expensive and dangerous distraction. Along with bonkers ideas about carbon capture and storage, Starmer's New Tory Zionist Party has really lost the plot.
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
Well, it's a start. It's time to restore access to the land stolen from the people by the Enclosures and other lands grabs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Right to swim and wild camp in England should be enshrined in law, Labour MPs say
Report from group of MPs calls for broader access to rivers, woodlands and fields to improve connection with nature
www.theguardian.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Well, it's a start. It's time to restore access to the land stolen from the people by the Enclosures and other lands grabs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Our borlotti beans are drying nicely. They're not quite as big or bountiful as two years ago, but they are certainly as beautiful. I love the Dutch name of this variety, Stokkievitsboon, which means pole lapwing beans, named for the similarity of the patterns on the beans to lapwing eggs.
September 13, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Our borlotti beans are drying nicely. They're not quite as big or bountiful as two years ago, but they are certainly as beautiful. I love the Dutch name of this variety, Stokkievitsboon, which means pole lapwing beans, named for the similarity of the patterns on the beans to lapwing eggs.
Somewhat concerning!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Alarm as WHO accepts increasing amount of dark money from corporate donors
Experts say millions in corporate funding and concealment of donors’ identities raises key conflict-of-interest concerns
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Somewhat concerning!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...