Ian Denton

First Holly Blue of the year in the garden today 🩵 North Herefordshire

A response to Jacob Rees-Mogg YouTube video by Mendip Hunt Saboteurs

Jacob Rees Mogg asks why hunt sabateurs need to cover their faces - a must watch...

youtu.be/HtSKOHa7Xak?...

What’s happened to the police investigation in to the poisoned Hen Harrier found dead on the edge of a grouse moor in North Yorkshire? In December 2025, I blogged about a Hen Harrier that had been found poisoned on a grouse moor somewhere in North Yorkshire, 11 months earlier in January 2025. Hen Harrier (photo by Pete Walkden) Th…

What's happened to the police investigation in to the poisoned Hen Harrier found dead on the edge of a grouse moor in North Yorkshire? raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/03/10/w...

They always make beautiful silhouettes at a winter roost.

Bombing of Iran’s oil infrastructure to have major environmental fallout, experts warn Monitors admit they are struggling to keep track of the environmental disasters arising from widening war

Bombing of Iran’s oil infrastructure to have major environmental fallout, experts warn

With every passing day, the decision of Starmer and his cabinet a) not to join the Iranian war b) to delay access to bases looks wiser and wiser. Trump’s press conference last night shows he has no real idea what the objectives are and its duration is arbitrary.

'Extinct' butterfly spotted across England A butterfly classed as extinct in the UK for more than 30 years has been seen at sites across southern England.Eagle-eyed nature lovers have captured photographs of Large Tortoiseshells in Kent, Hamps...

Large Tortoiseshell has been recorded at six counties in the south of England in the last few weeks.
Its been recorded on a handful of UKBMS transects in the south east in the last few years. Will we see it expand and consolidate its foothold this year..?

butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...

Help a toad across the road – and five more ways to save these endangered amphibians Britain’s toads have begun their spring migration, putting them at even greater risk than usual. Here’s how – and why – we should look after them

Help a toad across the road – and five more ways to save these endangered amphibians

Female Common Earwigs Forficula auricularia are very good mothers. After spending the winter guarding her batch of eggs she cares for the nymphs for several weeks and regurgitates food for them. The nymphs will disperse when they are large enough to fend for themselves. Dartmoor, Devon

Indeed, Alison.

My husband rescued over 100 #toads this morning...

Stuck in just a few inches of water, at the bottom of a deep-sided pit with a grate on top. He'd walked over the grate a few times before he noticed movement beneath it and realised what it was. Thank goodness he was able to reach them !

A Sparrowhawk perches on a branch showing its barred underparts and yellow eye. Wording below reads: Can you help monitor raptors in Wales?

1/ We need you to help us monitor raptors in Wales! 🦅 You choose your survey patch, like the route you enjoy walking each week, and the raptors you want to record. It’s as easy as that! Find out more and take part ➡️ bit.ly/CudyllCymru #BirdingWales

Very close encounter with Crossbills at Affpuddle the other day. They flew down for a drink within 3 to 5 metres of me. So close I daren't move. (2nd male seems to have the 'scaly leg' issue).

Today’s Raven News: Chips was very friendly today coming to visit me 4 times as I walked. Each time he had a chat, ate and stashed some food and also flew off with some (with mainly the suet) probably for Gravy on the nest. I think the 1st part of the video shows just how beautiful he is!

Natural England confirms tighter restrictions on gamebird releases on/near to Special Protection Areas in England Further to this morning’s blog (here), Natural England has now formally confirmed its tighter restrictions on the release of non-native Pheasants and Partridges on, or within 500m, of Special…

Natural England confirms tighter restrictions on gamebird releases on/near to Special Protection Areas in England raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/03/09/n...

Hard Day's Night...
After a long day nest-building, the Robin takes an evening crepuscular bath in the #Weedypond
#Robins #Ponds #Nature

Alleged breaches of mandatory bird flu biosecurity regulations on Guy Ritchie’s Pheasant & Partridge shoot in Wiltshire An investigation has been launched into alleged breaches of mandatory bird flu biosecurity regulations at Guy Ritchie’s Pheasant and Partridge shoot at Ashcombe Estate in Wiltshire, according…

Mmm - very local to me, sometime home of Madonna.
David Beckham rocks up to shoot game birds on the estate. The modern day Landed Gentry.

Alleged breaches of mandatory bird flu biosecurity regulations on Guy Ritchie's Pheasant & Partridge shoot in Wiltshire raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/03/09/a...

More restrictions expected for gamebird releases this year on/near Special Protected Areas in England More restrictions are expected to be announced for the release of gamebirds on/near Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in England in 2026. Regular blog readers will recall that in March last year, Def…

More restrictions expected for gamebird releases this year on/near Special Protected Areas in England raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/03/09/m...

A superb morning photographing Mountain hares ⛰️🐇⛰️ here in @peakdistrict.bsky.social The only population of these beautiful mammals found outside of Scotland. Much easier to spot in their white winter coats #DERBYSHIRE #mammals @derbyswildlife.bsky.social #Wildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Buglife News: Love Your Pet, Not Pesticides: New Report Warns of Flea and Tick Treatment Threat to Rivers Read more of our latest news related to invertebrates, insects and bugs.

A new report from wildlife charity Buglife reveals that pesticides from common flea and tick treatments are now widespread in rivers across Britain and may be contributing to major declines in freshwater invertebrates bit.ly/4b1Pu50

It's an old fat ball dispenser

Spring is in the air, Peregrine Falcons yesterday, Isle of Man

“Violet and coltsfoot are among the first Spring flowers. Growing among the roots of the trees are violets and lesser celandine”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe

2/2 So many opportunities for hole-nesting birds here - Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers frequent these woods but alas, none seen today.

1/2 In this ancient deciduous woodland on the Dorset/Wilts border, Wild Garlic & Bluebells have carved up the woodland floor into separate turfs of dominance.
The Badgers were obviously not short of food sources & there were Song & Mistle Thrushes singing & Marsh Tits calling, as were Nuthatches.

Like the 'Baddy' in a horror cartoon...
Trump's America is way off the dystopian scale.

But good to know that sheep production is in overall decline.

I would have thought that would be fine Carla, if as you say, it's pesticide free.
If you are providing a resource, such as the jute, that is going to draw in a lot of species, then it's important to cut it into short lengths to prevent ensnaring of legs, beaks & wings.
Pet fur is an absolute no no.

Garden Organic | The Organic Gardening Podcast Garden Organic's popular podcast - The Organic Gardening Podcast - gives you monthly tips, inspiration and advice on how to grow, the organic way.

If you fancy listening to me talking about butterflies, moths and how to help them in your garden, there’s a new podcast from the fabulous folk at Garden Organic www.gardenorganic.org.uk/our-views/th...

2/2 The Wren is often first on the scene.
Natural, undyed, jute twine, cut into 1 inch lengths & then pulsed in the food processor for a minute or so, is always the most popular item to fly off the shelves.
Chiffchaffs will quickly find feathers.
Great for kids to watch, look & learn about nature.