David Bentley's Avatar

David Bentley

@sussextangerine

Birds, wildlife & words, E. Sussex. Almost always on🚢🚴 or 🚌 All photos are phone photos ☎️ Green πŸ’š

408
Followers
254
Following
498
Posts
21.12.2023
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by David Bentley @sussextangerine

I understand and concur. And if I didn't already, I might well be swayed by such an eloquent piece of writing.πŸ™πŸΌ

07.03.2026 19:20 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
The art of living vicariously Vicarious: experiencing something indirectly through the actions, feelings, or experiences of another person, rather than doing it yourself ...

A bit of early evening musing…

northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-...

07.03.2026 19:00 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0
A view from a Rye Harbour bird hide of saltmarsh and saline pool habitats just after high tide today. The skies are cloudy.

A view from a Rye Harbour bird hide of saltmarsh and saline pool habitats just after high tide today. The skies are cloudy.

Gooders Hide, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, perhaps best just after high-tide, is a good place to compare Rock Pipits and 'Scandinavian' Rock Pipits in summer plumage right now. It was good to show both to 'Guide in the Hide' visitors today.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social

07.03.2026 18:05 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A view over reedbeds and a waterbody, under bright blue skies.

A view over reedbeds and a waterbody, under bright blue skies.

80 bird species in warm sun at Rye Harbour NR today including 22+ Sandwich Tern, c100 Avocet, Spotted Redshank, c450 Golden Plover, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red Kite, lots of singing Chiffchaff and loads more.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
#UKwildlife
#UKbirds

05.03.2026 16:14 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I like BBC South East News anchor Ian Palmer. He's a wonderful, calm antithesis to many other posturing, gurning newsreaders. He looks and sounds like he's ready for bed when he reads the late news.
#bbc
#news

04.03.2026 22:53 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I have no doubt that a Blackbird's song is the best song.
I can take or leave a Song Thrush's song.
I know other people who would argue the exact opposite.
I find that fascinating and wonderful.
Even though the other people are wrong.
#UKbirds
#UKwildlife
#birdsong

28.02.2026 21:52 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

'We need to fill in the potholes.'
Clap clap clap.
'We need to freeze the Council Tax.'
Clap clap clap.
#bbcqt
#QuestionTime

26.02.2026 23:30 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
A brown, grey and black House Sparrow with its chunky body and beak. Photograph by Alan Martin.

A brown, grey and black House Sparrow with its chunky body and beak. Photograph by Alan Martin.

Rye News article about House Sparrows, accompanied by excellent photography.
www.ryenews.org.uk/nature-and-e...

#UKwildlife
#UKbirds
#Sussexbirds
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social

26.02.2026 18:22 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Two large white and yellow star-shaped flowers and green lobed leaves.

Two large white and yellow star-shaped flowers and green lobed leaves.

The Wood Anemones down the lane are flowering a fortnight earlier than last year. Feels too soon and too fast. Still, better enjoy it 🀍.
#UKwildlife
#Sussexwildlife
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social

26.02.2026 17:06 πŸ‘ 45 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I saw a knights templar flag (black, white, red cross) drooping over a house in a village near here. Chilling. It's used by the far-right as an anti-Muslim and racist emblem. We're one step away from seeing nazi flags flying in the UK.
Reject this crap, peacefully ✊🏼
#UKpolitics

25.02.2026 22:54 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Two black, yellow and brown bees on the yellowish flowers of Alexanders.

Two black, yellow and brown bees on the yellowish flowers of Alexanders.

Arrived back in East Sussex to find that Spring had beaten me. Brimstones & Peacocks, bumble bees etc... all-comer insects whetting the appetite for months to come. Field guides say these Yellow-legged Mining Bees emerge from 'late March.'
#Sussexwildlife
#insects
#bees
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social

25.02.2026 17:39 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
A 'rosette' of very large, shiny green leaves

A 'rosette' of very large, shiny green leaves

The leaves of this Lizard Orchid near Rye, East Sussex, already hold blemishes. They'll be tatty, discoloured and almost withered away by the time it flowers in June.
#UKorchids
#UKwildlife
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social

20.02.2026 15:31 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A flat, arable landscape with pylons under a gloomy cloudy sky.

A flat, arable landscape with pylons under a gloomy cloudy sky.

Hard work, but fun, between Scots Float & Newington Bridge on edge of the marsh: 130 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, Woodcock, Great White Egret, 12 Yellowhammer, 5 Stonechat, 70 Redwing, 120 Fieldfare, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier. NO Corn Buntings here this winter.
#UKwildlife
#Sussexwildlife
#Kentwildlife

19.02.2026 16:39 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Male Blackbirds squaring up in the garden.
Buttercup beaks and sharp yellow eyerings.
Set against licorice bodies.
I'm ringside πŸ–€
#UKbirds
#UKwildlife

18.02.2026 22:31 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
A pool backed by attractive, skeletal trees, with a bright blue sky above.

A pool backed by attractive, skeletal trees, with a bright blue sky above.

Biked to Camber.
Saw Mediterranean Gulls back 'mewing' in the fields.
Didn't see Little Grebes back 'whinneying' in the reeds.
Two Spoonbills said nothing at all.
#UKwildlife
#UKbirds
#Sussexwildlife

17.02.2026 22:28 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Rosettes of tapered, hairy leaves with the tiny white flowers of Common Whitlowgrass along with moss species growing on Camber Castle in East Sussex.

Rosettes of tapered, hairy leaves with the tiny white flowers of Common Whitlowgrass along with moss species growing on Camber Castle in East Sussex.

Common Whitlowgrass is flowering on Camber Castle, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.πŸ’š
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
#UKwildlife
#wildflowerhour
#Sussexwildlife
#flowers

16.02.2026 17:47 πŸ‘ 41 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A very full waterbody, with just little bits of emergent vegetation, under a partially blue sky, with dead reeds piled up in the foreground.

A very full waterbody, with just little bits of emergent vegetation, under a partially blue sky, with dead reeds piled up in the foreground.

So good to be back counting birds at Castle Water, Rye Harbour NR! 8 Cattle Egret, 1 Great White Egret, 134 Shoveler, 165 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 62 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 800 Lapwing, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Raven, 54 species.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
#UKbirds
#UKwildlife
#Sussexwildlife

16.02.2026 16:03 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

In early Winter, as usual, Redwings fed on Hawthorn berries in local hedgerows. Then, as expected, they moved on to the Ivy berries. Now they're back on the horse paddocks by our house and nature's calendar points us towards Spring.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
#UKbirds

15.02.2026 22:58 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Racist words from Jim Rat saying the country has been colonised by immigrants. It was on Sky News.

Racist words from Jim Rat saying the country has been colonised by immigrants. It was on Sky News.

This sort of rubbish is subtly - or overtly - supported by the UK press every single day. We must SHOUT about it or we are complicit.

We must SHOUT about it or we are complicit!

This rat's tax residency is Monaco. He thinks he is a 'True patriot'.

He offers nothing to this country.

11.02.2026 23:23 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

✊🏻 Sending a big message of support, hoping it helps a little bit. Nothing lasts forever. When I'd more or less given up, I somehow pulled through, more or less. ✊🏻

08.02.2026 22:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The UK press response to the Epstein files has become a political sideshow targeted at a single nasty rat-of-a-man.
They're ignoring that this is about disgusting sex crimes by super-powerful men against girls.
How is that possible?

08.02.2026 17:52 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I've not heard back from iRecord as to whether this is Hedychrum rutilans, seen at Camber on 5/8/25. Where else might a beginner go to pass on the info and hopefully determine ID? Any help much appreciated.
#bugsky
#insects
#CuckooWasps
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@graemelyons.bsky.social
#wasps

07.02.2026 22:40 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

There are upwards of 200 Redwing along the lane, feeding exclusively on berries on the Ivy that some people want removing for the benefit of wildlife.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
#UKwildlife
#UKbirds

07.02.2026 15:50 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
A view through Oak and Field Maple trees to the rising sun behind distant trees, with a burnt-orange glow in the sky.

A view through Oak and Field Maple trees to the rising sun behind distant trees, with a burnt-orange glow in the sky.

Morning, lovely morning.
#sunrise
#Sussex

07.02.2026 07:38 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
A mock-up of a road sign, pointing left towards 'Yeah Yeah Industrial Estate'

A mock-up of a road sign, pointing left towards 'Yeah Yeah Industrial Estate'

Yeah Yeah
Industrial Estate
#FallFriday

06.02.2026 08:09 πŸ‘ 33 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Violet flowers and 'heart'- shaped leaves, all growing out of the same, central point.

Violet flowers and 'heart'- shaped leaves, all growing out of the same, central point.

Sweet Violet flowers are out at Castle Water. Cut through the rain and gloom and there are bright things. πŸ’œ
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
#UKwildlife
#Sussexwildlife

05.02.2026 23:12 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Bright yellow flowers, like closed-up buttercups, and whorls of shiny green leaves, covered in raindrops. There are dead, brown tree leaves covering the ground beneath.

Bright yellow flowers, like closed-up buttercups, and whorls of shiny green leaves, covered in raindrops. There are dead, brown tree leaves covering the ground beneath.

It never got light.
It never stopped raining.
Yet, somehow, the bright yellow flowers and shiny green 'ruffs' of Winter Aconite shone bright and cut through the gloom.
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
#WildflowerHour
#UKwildlife
#flowers

03.02.2026 15:32 πŸ‘ 31 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
A flooded valley, with public footpath under water, stretching out into the middle distance, with higher ground beyond. The skies are grey with heavy cloud-cover.

A flooded valley, with public footpath under water, stretching out into the middle distance, with higher ground beyond. The skies are grey with heavy cloud-cover.

Rother/Wet Levels on E. Sussex/Kent border is flooded and very good: 30 Pintail, 8 Goosander, 500 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 35 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 4 Great White Egret, 1,400 Lapwing, 6 Raven, 4 Red Kite (+8 more towards Small Hythe).
#UKwildlife
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social
@kentishplover.bsky.social

02.02.2026 16:26 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The River Rother in the foreground, with flooded, low-lying land beyond and an industrial estate in the background.

The River Rother in the foreground, with flooded, low-lying land beyond and an industrial estate in the background.

Two Spoonbill today at the new intertidal habitat - that will develop into saltmarsh - by the River Rother in Rye. It's so far held Great White Egret, Greenshank, Curlew, Avocet, Redshank, Dunlin, Lapwing, Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal & more.
#UKwildlife
#UKbirds
@sussexornitholo.bsky.social

31.01.2026 14:58 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Front page of Daily Express with headline that reads, 'NOW YOU MUST GIVE BRITAIN A PROPER BREXIT', with Farage, Badenoch and Johnson said to back the paper's 'campaign'.

Front page of Daily Express with headline that reads, 'NOW YOU MUST GIVE BRITAIN A PROPER BREXIT', with Farage, Badenoch and Johnson said to back the paper's 'campaign'.

Oh, grow up! You lied to get what you wanted. It's been a disaster, just as anyone with a head knew it would be. How dare you flip the facts and try to blame those who were right. It was Johnson who signed the f***ing 'fantastic' withdrawal agreement! Desist! You useless articles.
#UKpolitics

30.01.2026 23:27 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0