Ian Denton
@iand777.bsky.social
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.
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.
Pinned
Goldfinches feeding on Teasel heads at sunset.
You had admired the teasels with their heads of purple haze flowers in June & there they still are at the start of winter.
A larder of seeds for the charms.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#goldfinches #nature 🦉
You had admired the teasels with their heads of purple haze flowers in June & there they still are at the start of winter.
A larder of seeds for the charms.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#goldfinches #nature 🦉
Reposted by Ian Denton
Other work by the Ladybird artists.
Mallards over the Marshes
Artist: Roland Green
Mallards over the Marshes
Artist: Roland Green
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Other work by the Ladybird artists.
Mallards over the Marshes
Artist: Roland Green
Mallards over the Marshes
Artist: Roland Green
A Robin outside the kitchen window just now, in the gathering gloom.
He peers in and wonders at the way of humans, with their bright lights and warmth, as night falls.
He peers in and wonders at the way of humans, with their bright lights and warmth, as night falls.
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
A Robin outside the kitchen window just now, in the gathering gloom.
He peers in and wonders at the way of humans, with their bright lights and warmth, as night falls.
He peers in and wonders at the way of humans, with their bright lights and warmth, as night falls.
Hen Harrier found dead in Northumberland National Park with shotgun damage to satellite tag raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/24/h...
Hen Harrier found dead in Northumberland National Park with shotgun damage to satellite tag
This is a blog about one of those dead Hen Harriers for whom we’ve been waiting over a year for Natural England to confirm the cause of death. A Hen Harrier (photo by Pete Walkden) The young …
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Hen Harrier found dead in Northumberland National Park with shotgun damage to satellite tag raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/24/h...
Reposted by Ian Denton
I assume this was created & published in an attempt to humiliate me. The Nazi inference is clear & offensive, but I’m afraid the Thornton-Cleveleys bit is beyond my sphere of cultural references.
November 24, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I assume this was created & published in an attempt to humiliate me. The Nazi inference is clear & offensive, but I’m afraid the Thornton-Cleveleys bit is beyond my sphere of cultural references.
The theme for #BirdoftheDay is #warblers
Here's a Sedge Warbler passing through the garden in late August, on its way to cross the Sahara.
It stopped off here for 3 days, where it enjoyed regular baths in the dustbin lid, deep n the willow scrub.
I hope it returns in the spring.
🦉
Here's a Sedge Warbler passing through the garden in late August, on its way to cross the Sahara.
It stopped off here for 3 days, where it enjoyed regular baths in the dustbin lid, deep n the willow scrub.
I hope it returns in the spring.
🦉
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The theme for #BirdoftheDay is #warblers
Here's a Sedge Warbler passing through the garden in late August, on its way to cross the Sahara.
It stopped off here for 3 days, where it enjoyed regular baths in the dustbin lid, deep n the willow scrub.
I hope it returns in the spring.
🦉
Here's a Sedge Warbler passing through the garden in late August, on its way to cross the Sahara.
It stopped off here for 3 days, where it enjoyed regular baths in the dustbin lid, deep n the willow scrub.
I hope it returns in the spring.
🦉
Fieldfare's Delight
There was much talk of shrivelled berries back in the drought days of August but Mother Nature seems to have turned things around on the chalk of North Dorset.
The hedgerows are well-supplied with plump fruit at the moment.
🌿🌿
There was much talk of shrivelled berries back in the drought days of August but Mother Nature seems to have turned things around on the chalk of North Dorset.
The hedgerows are well-supplied with plump fruit at the moment.
🌿🌿
November 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Fieldfare's Delight
There was much talk of shrivelled berries back in the drought days of August but Mother Nature seems to have turned things around on the chalk of North Dorset.
The hedgerows are well-supplied with plump fruit at the moment.
🌿🌿
There was much talk of shrivelled berries back in the drought days of August but Mother Nature seems to have turned things around on the chalk of North Dorset.
The hedgerows are well-supplied with plump fruit at the moment.
🌿🌿
A walk through a Beech Hanger along a chalk ridge, is hard to beat on a cold winter day.
Today's walk had it all: bright low-angle sunlight hitting the tree trunks, twigs & remaining leaves; wonderful shadows on the woodland floor; & looking up to the edge of the escarpment, a fantastic rainbow.
Today's walk had it all: bright low-angle sunlight hitting the tree trunks, twigs & remaining leaves; wonderful shadows on the woodland floor; & looking up to the edge of the escarpment, a fantastic rainbow.
November 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
A walk through a Beech Hanger along a chalk ridge, is hard to beat on a cold winter day.
Today's walk had it all: bright low-angle sunlight hitting the tree trunks, twigs & remaining leaves; wonderful shadows on the woodland floor; & looking up to the edge of the escarpment, a fantastic rainbow.
Today's walk had it all: bright low-angle sunlight hitting the tree trunks, twigs & remaining leaves; wonderful shadows on the woodland floor; & looking up to the edge of the escarpment, a fantastic rainbow.
Herald of Spring on a November Day
Lovely to see the male catkins of the Hazel in the bright sunshine of this November afternoon.
Of course, the clusters of male flowers on the catkins won't begin to shed pollen until the late winter/early spring.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
Lovely to see the male catkins of the Hazel in the bright sunshine of this November afternoon.
Of course, the clusters of male flowers on the catkins won't begin to shed pollen until the late winter/early spring.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Herald of Spring on a November Day
Lovely to see the male catkins of the Hazel in the bright sunshine of this November afternoon.
Of course, the clusters of male flowers on the catkins won't begin to shed pollen until the late winter/early spring.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
Lovely to see the male catkins of the Hazel in the bright sunshine of this November afternoon.
Of course, the clusters of male flowers on the catkins won't begin to shed pollen until the late winter/early spring.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
While some of the Goldfinches feed on the teasels below, the greater part of the charm sit in the Ash trees above & preen in the warm glow of the low winter sunlight.
Very large numbers now collecting down by the #weedypond in the late afternoon here.
#Goldfinches #ukbirds 🦉
Very large numbers now collecting down by the #weedypond in the late afternoon here.
#Goldfinches #ukbirds 🦉
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
While some of the Goldfinches feed on the teasels below, the greater part of the charm sit in the Ash trees above & preen in the warm glow of the low winter sunlight.
Very large numbers now collecting down by the #weedypond in the late afternoon here.
#Goldfinches #ukbirds 🦉
Very large numbers now collecting down by the #weedypond in the late afternoon here.
#Goldfinches #ukbirds 🦉
Goldfinches feeding on Teasel heads at sunset.
You had admired the teasels with their heads of purple haze flowers in June & there they still are at the start of winter.
A larder of seeds for the charms.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#goldfinches #nature 🦉
You had admired the teasels with their heads of purple haze flowers in June & there they still are at the start of winter.
A larder of seeds for the charms.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#goldfinches #nature 🦉
November 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Goldfinches feeding on Teasel heads at sunset.
You had admired the teasels with their heads of purple haze flowers in June & there they still are at the start of winter.
A larder of seeds for the charms.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#goldfinches #nature 🦉
You had admired the teasels with their heads of purple haze flowers in June & there they still are at the start of winter.
A larder of seeds for the charms.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#goldfinches #nature 🦉
Reposted by Ian Denton
“Across this cloud-dappled sky skeins of wild geese are flying”
(What to Look for in Autumn, 1960)
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
(What to Look for in Autumn, 1960)
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
November 23, 2025 at 8:47 AM
“Across this cloud-dappled sky skeins of wild geese are flying”
(What to Look for in Autumn, 1960)
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
(What to Look for in Autumn, 1960)
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Reposted by Ian Denton
An excellent rainy day birding, listen. Recordings that augment experience in the field.
And how else am I likely to hear all those (or any) Tengmalms? Bliss
And how else am I likely to hear all those (or any) Tengmalms? Bliss
open.spotify.com/episode/1dlD...
Uncovering the migration patterns of Tengmalm’s Owl in Northern Sweden.
Wild Bird Acoustics brings you the penultimate episode of season 2.
Now Live!
Uncovering the migration patterns of Tengmalm’s Owl in Northern Sweden.
Wild Bird Acoustics brings you the penultimate episode of season 2.
Now Live!
The Long Black Veil; Uncovering the Secret World of Tengmalm's Owl
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
An excellent rainy day birding, listen. Recordings that augment experience in the field.
And how else am I likely to hear all those (or any) Tengmalms? Bliss
And how else am I likely to hear all those (or any) Tengmalms? Bliss
The North wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
The crepuscular Robin was at the pond in the pitch dark & Ye Gods it was cold for bathing!
By the morning, the pond was frozen over & there was no water there to be had.
I provide other sources...
🦉
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
The crepuscular Robin was at the pond in the pitch dark & Ye Gods it was cold for bathing!
By the morning, the pond was frozen over & there was no water there to be had.
I provide other sources...
🦉
November 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The North wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
The crepuscular Robin was at the pond in the pitch dark & Ye Gods it was cold for bathing!
By the morning, the pond was frozen over & there was no water there to be had.
I provide other sources...
🦉
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
The crepuscular Robin was at the pond in the pitch dark & Ye Gods it was cold for bathing!
By the morning, the pond was frozen over & there was no water there to be had.
I provide other sources...
🦉
Pity the poor Woodpecker...
The Green Woodpecker was here from very first light, (it woke me this am with a brief laugh) to last light of day, searching deep down for ants.
Here it is, about 10 ft away, outside the window.
It noticed me so I slowly backed away, so as not to disturb it.
#ukbirds 🦉
The Green Woodpecker was here from very first light, (it woke me this am with a brief laugh) to last light of day, searching deep down for ants.
Here it is, about 10 ft away, outside the window.
It noticed me so I slowly backed away, so as not to disturb it.
#ukbirds 🦉
November 22, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Pity the poor Woodpecker...
The Green Woodpecker was here from very first light, (it woke me this am with a brief laugh) to last light of day, searching deep down for ants.
Here it is, about 10 ft away, outside the window.
It noticed me so I slowly backed away, so as not to disturb it.
#ukbirds 🦉
The Green Woodpecker was here from very first light, (it woke me this am with a brief laugh) to last light of day, searching deep down for ants.
Here it is, about 10 ft away, outside the window.
It noticed me so I slowly backed away, so as not to disturb it.
#ukbirds 🦉
Man arrested after five Red Kites found poisoned in Essex raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/22/m...
Man arrested after five Red Kites found poisoned in Essex
Statement from Essex Police posted on social media, 21 November 2025: An Aveley man has been arrested after five red kites were found dead in a field in Orsett. Our Rural Engagement Team is investi…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Man arrested after five Red Kites found poisoned in Essex raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/22/m...
Reposted by Ian Denton
Even consummate migrants like Corncrakes can end up being ship-assisted, although presumably being adopted by a family and fed prawns is a rarer occurrence.... #UKBirding #Ornithology
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/2563328...
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/2563328...
November 22, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Even consummate migrants like Corncrakes can end up being ship-assisted, although presumably being adopted by a family and fed prawns is a rarer occurrence.... #UKBirding #Ornithology
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/2563328...
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/2563328...
Reposted by Ian Denton
Country diary: A precious moment with a robin and its soft autumn song | Claire Stares
Country diary: A precious moment with a robin and its soft autumn song | Claire Stares
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey: This song is not the same as the full-throated spring version, and it’s impossible not to reply to
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Country diary: A precious moment with a robin and its soft autumn song | Claire Stares
New report on gamebird releases in Cairngorms National Park doesn't tell even half the story raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/21/n...
New report on gamebird releases in Cairngorms National Park doesn’t tell even half the story
In spring 2025, news emerged that the GWCT (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust) was going to be conducting a pilot study to look at the number of non-native gamebirds (Pheasants & Red-legge…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 AM
New report on gamebird releases in Cairngorms National Park doesn't tell even half the story raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/21/n...
As if aware that the temperature was about to seriously plunge, this charm of Goldfinches sat atop the Ash tree by the #weedypond & soaked-up the last of the rays of the sun.
#ukbirds 🦉 #nature
#ukbirds 🦉 #nature
November 20, 2025 at 6:52 PM
As if aware that the temperature was about to seriously plunge, this charm of Goldfinches sat atop the Ash tree by the #weedypond & soaked-up the last of the rays of the sun.
#ukbirds 🦉 #nature
#ukbirds 🦉 #nature
Reposted by Ian Denton
Angry William
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Angry William
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
Another reason the Greenfinches do well here, are the Field Maples in the hedgerows.
These finches love both the winged seeds & the buds.
They switch from eating the seeds to the buds, depending on what looks most attractive in the moment.
The vigour of the tree isn't affected by the bud pruning.
🦉
These finches love both the winged seeds & the buds.
They switch from eating the seeds to the buds, depending on what looks most attractive in the moment.
The vigour of the tree isn't affected by the bud pruning.
🦉
November 20, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Another reason the Greenfinches do well here, are the Field Maples in the hedgerows.
These finches love both the winged seeds & the buds.
They switch from eating the seeds to the buds, depending on what looks most attractive in the moment.
The vigour of the tree isn't affected by the bud pruning.
🦉
These finches love both the winged seeds & the buds.
They switch from eating the seeds to the buds, depending on what looks most attractive in the moment.
The vigour of the tree isn't affected by the bud pruning.
🦉
Reposted by Ian Denton
A very exciting opportunity for an environmental investigative journalist to join our team at the Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru.
If you're a journalist who wants to help us save Wildlife in Wales, then this is the role for you. More info can be found on our website www.natureconservation.wales/job-opportun...
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A very exciting opportunity for an environmental investigative journalist to join our team at the Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru.
Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier 'Circe' disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...
Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier ‘Circe’ disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland
Press release from Hen Harrier Action (20th November 2025) HEN HARRIER ACTION APPEALS FOR INFORMATION AS ANOTHER RARE HEN HARRIER SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY KILLED IN SCOTLAND A satellite tag…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier 'Circe' disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...