Ian Parsons
@ianparsons.bsky.social
Author, Writer and Naturalist. Books: A Vulture Landscape; Seasonality; Of the Trees and The Birds; Great Misconceptions - Rewilding Myths & Misunderstandings. NEW BOOK - Tarka Revisited, 100 Years of Rivers and Wildlife. Out June 2026.
Pinned
Very excited to share this! My new book, published by @pelagic.bsky.social is out June 2026 pelagicpublishing.com/products/tar...
Tarka Revisited - 100 Years of Rivers & Wildlife
@irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social
Tarka Revisited - 100 Years of Rivers & Wildlife
@irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social
Very happy to have contributed a small article to @westcountryvoices.bsky.social on one of my favourite subjects, our unique endemic tree species, with a particular focus on those from #Devon
westcountryvoices.co.uk/time-to-cele...
@thekentacorn.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social 🌳
westcountryvoices.co.uk/time-to-cele...
@thekentacorn.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social 🌳
Time to celebrate unique tree species!
The south-west of England is a hotbed of newly evolved tree species. There’s a sentence you probably thought you would never read, but it is true. In Britain, we have numerous tree species that are en...
westcountryvoices.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Very happy to have contributed a small article to @westcountryvoices.bsky.social on one of my favourite subjects, our unique endemic tree species, with a particular focus on those from #Devon
westcountryvoices.co.uk/time-to-cele...
@thekentacorn.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social 🌳
westcountryvoices.co.uk/time-to-cele...
@thekentacorn.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social 🌳
Reposted by Ian Parsons
The #birdoftheday theme for today is Thrushes.
Here are 4 members of the thrush family at the #weedypond
The first 3 are all winter migrant visitors - notice the totally black Blackbird - both beak & eye-ring.
Fieldfare; Redwing; Blackbird; Song Thrush.
#thrushes
@ianparsons.bsky.social
Here are 4 members of the thrush family at the #weedypond
The first 3 are all winter migrant visitors - notice the totally black Blackbird - both beak & eye-ring.
Fieldfare; Redwing; Blackbird; Song Thrush.
#thrushes
@ianparsons.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The #birdoftheday theme for today is Thrushes.
Here are 4 members of the thrush family at the #weedypond
The first 3 are all winter migrant visitors - notice the totally black Blackbird - both beak & eye-ring.
Fieldfare; Redwing; Blackbird; Song Thrush.
#thrushes
@ianparsons.bsky.social
Here are 4 members of the thrush family at the #weedypond
The first 3 are all winter migrant visitors - notice the totally black Blackbird - both beak & eye-ring.
Fieldfare; Redwing; Blackbird; Song Thrush.
#thrushes
@ianparsons.bsky.social
The #birdoftheday theme for today is Thrushes, beautiful #birds
I've gone for one of my favourites, a Fieldfare. I love hearing their chuckling call at this time of year. 🪶
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
I've gone for one of my favourites, a Fieldfare. I love hearing their chuckling call at this time of year. 🪶
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The #birdoftheday theme for today is Thrushes, beautiful #birds
I've gone for one of my favourites, a Fieldfare. I love hearing their chuckling call at this time of year. 🪶
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
I've gone for one of my favourites, a Fieldfare. I love hearing their chuckling call at this time of year. 🪶
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
The alternative #birdoftheday theme today is #sparrows
Great #birds so let's go Spanish Sparrow
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social 🪶
Great #birds so let's go Spanish Sparrow
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social 🪶
November 19, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The alternative #birdoftheday theme today is #sparrows
Great #birds so let's go Spanish Sparrow
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social 🪶
Great #birds so let's go Spanish Sparrow
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social 🪶
Today's #birdoftheday theme is round with an alternative of #sparrows
Will go round first with this rather impressive looking Dunnock!
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
Will go round first with this rather impressive looking Dunnock!
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Today's #birdoftheday theme is round with an alternative of #sparrows
Will go round first with this rather impressive looking Dunnock!
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
Will go round first with this rather impressive looking Dunnock!
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
The #birdoftheday alternative theme is blurry, #birds in motion. My second and final offering is of a Kingfisher dropping from its nest hole after backing out of it, happens so fast. @alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 8:48 AM
The #birdoftheday alternative theme is blurry, #birds in motion. My second and final offering is of a Kingfisher dropping from its nest hole after backing out of it, happens so fast. @alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
Today's #birdoftheday is about #birds with different coloured spots, but as that sounds like a colour blind test which I'd fail, going to go for the alternative, blurry - birds in motion. A female Gos having a go at me on a licensed nest check.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social 🪶
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social 🪶
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Today's #birdoftheday is about #birds with different coloured spots, but as that sounds like a colour blind test which I'd fail, going to go for the alternative, blurry - birds in motion. A female Gos having a go at me on a licensed nest check.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social 🪶
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social 🪶
Great birds
Lovely views of Crossbills on Bullbarrow Hill today, in the crisp morning light.
We saw 2 small flocks but there were more calling, deeper into the conifers.
What a year it's been for them here in Dorset.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @ianparsons.bsky.social
#ukbirds #Dorset #crossbills 🦉🌿
We saw 2 small flocks but there were more calling, deeper into the conifers.
What a year it's been for them here in Dorset.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @ianparsons.bsky.social
#ukbirds #Dorset #crossbills 🦉🌿
November 18, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Great birds
Reposted by Ian Parsons
Looking forward to reading this. #naturewriting
Very excited to share this! My new book, published by @pelagic.bsky.social is out June 2026 pelagicpublishing.com/products/tar...
Tarka Revisited - 100 Years of Rivers & Wildlife
@irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social
Tarka Revisited - 100 Years of Rivers & Wildlife
@irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Looking forward to reading this. #naturewriting
And finally a 4th offering (I could go on & on!) for the #birdoftheday alternative theme of #birds on posts, why settle for just 1 bird! Azure-winged Magpies (or the rather prosaic Iberian Magpies if you wish) piling in on a post.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 12:17 PM
And finally a 4th offering (I could go on & on!) for the #birdoftheday alternative theme of #birds on posts, why settle for just 1 bird! Azure-winged Magpies (or the rather prosaic Iberian Magpies if you wish) piling in on a post.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social
So, third up in my #birdoftheday #birds on posts theme I offer a Bee-eater in the mist.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 11:22 AM
So, third up in my #birdoftheday #birds on posts theme I offer a Bee-eater in the mist.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social
And on it goes...
Hen Harrier 'Susie', whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Hen Harrier ‘Susie’, whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries
If ever there was an example demonstrating the high level of persecution faced by Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors, the lack of consequences for the offenders, and the lack of justice for the victim…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:37 AM
And on it goes...
Reposted by Ian Parsons
Like the sound of this book!
Very excited to share this! My new book, published by @pelagic.bsky.social is out June 2026 pelagicpublishing.com/products/tar...
Tarka Revisited - 100 Years of Rivers & Wildlife
@iancarter67.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social @drtonygillie.bsky.social @nicwilson.bsky.social
Tarka Revisited - 100 Years of Rivers & Wildlife
@iancarter67.bsky.social @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social @drtonygillie.bsky.social @nicwilson.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Like the sound of this book!
Second offering for the #birdoftheday alternative theme of #birds on posts. Little Owl.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social 🪶
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social 🪶
November 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Second offering for the #birdoftheday alternative theme of #birds on posts. Little Owl.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social 🪶
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social 🪶
Reposted by Ian Parsons
English Whitebeam, Sorbus anglica, on top, with those wide, rounded, lobed leaves.
Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Sorbus porrigentiformis, on the bottom with those pinched, swept-forward leaves.
English Whitebeam is a British and Irish endemic, Grey-leaved is a British endemic.
Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Sorbus porrigentiformis, on the bottom with those pinched, swept-forward leaves.
English Whitebeam is a British and Irish endemic, Grey-leaved is a British endemic.
November 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
English Whitebeam, Sorbus anglica, on top, with those wide, rounded, lobed leaves.
Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Sorbus porrigentiformis, on the bottom with those pinched, swept-forward leaves.
English Whitebeam is a British and Irish endemic, Grey-leaved is a British endemic.
Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Sorbus porrigentiformis, on the bottom with those pinched, swept-forward leaves.
English Whitebeam is a British and Irish endemic, Grey-leaved is a British endemic.
Today's #birdoftheday theme is swans with an alternative of #birds on posts. Definitely going for the alternative, might be a series of them depicting birds from my patch in #Extremadura
First up, Hoopoe.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
First up, Hoopoe.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Today's #birdoftheday theme is swans with an alternative of #birds on posts. Definitely going for the alternative, might be a series of them depicting birds from my patch in #Extremadura
First up, Hoopoe.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
First up, Hoopoe.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
Going through files & found a brief video of some willow scrub. Couldn't understand why I had filmed scrub... Then I played it with the sound on. Such a common sound where scrub's allowed to abound.
@iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
@iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Going through files & found a brief video of some willow scrub. Couldn't understand why I had filmed scrub... Then I played it with the sound on. Such a common sound where scrub's allowed to abound.
@iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
@iand777.bsky.social @iancarter67.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Parsons
I know it is another Common Starling photo but look at those amazing colours. Very underrated birds. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025 #Alicante #canonphotography
November 13, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I know it is another Common Starling photo but look at those amazing colours. Very underrated birds. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025 #Alicante #canonphotography
The #birdoftheday is 'ducks out of water' so let's go left field & take the phrase's meaning - something in an unfamiliar & uncomfortable situation. A newly fledged Griffon Vulture stranded on a busy road bridge, too weak to get sufficient lift. Bird recovered, fed & released🪶 @alan678.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The #birdoftheday is 'ducks out of water' so let's go left field & take the phrase's meaning - something in an unfamiliar & uncomfortable situation. A newly fledged Griffon Vulture stranded on a busy road bridge, too weak to get sufficient lift. Bird recovered, fed & released🪶 @alan678.bsky.social
Today's #birdoftheday theme is ducks out of water. One of the most beautiful ducks, Teal, having a nap.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
November 13, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Today's #birdoftheday theme is ducks out of water. One of the most beautiful ducks, Teal, having a nap.
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
@alan678.bsky.social @robcrank68.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social 🪶
Surely if it doesn't have the capacity to 'manage' this land then this is an obvious candidate for rewilding? Allowing the land to develop without human interference could transform this landscape...
@irishrainforest.bsky.social
@irishrainforest.bsky.social
Good news, but does NPWS have the capability to manage all this land?
Its current (excellent) rewilding initiative is only a small fraction of the existing National Park
www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and...
Its current (excellent) rewilding initiative is only a small fraction of the existing National Park
www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and...
Area of Donegal the size of Monaco purchased as Glenveagh National Park expands
An area of Donegal the equivalent of the size of Monaco has been purchased by the National Parks and Wildlife Service at Glenveagh.
www.derryjournal.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Surely if it doesn't have the capacity to 'manage' this land then this is an obvious candidate for rewilding? Allowing the land to develop without human interference could transform this landscape...
@irishrainforest.bsky.social
@irishrainforest.bsky.social
I do enjoy #birdoftheday thanks to @robcrank68.bsky.social & @alan678.bsky.social for coming up with topics. Today's is paddling #birds
Here's another with wet feet, a Night Heron.
Here's another with wet feet, a Night Heron.
November 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I do enjoy #birdoftheday thanks to @robcrank68.bsky.social & @alan678.bsky.social for coming up with topics. Today's is paddling #birds
Here's another with wet feet, a Night Heron.
Here's another with wet feet, a Night Heron.
Reposted by Ian Parsons
Slightly different view of a Common Starling. Check out the inside of the beak by zooming in - looks like something out of Alien!! #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025 #Alicante #canonphotography
November 12, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Slightly different view of a Common Starling. Check out the inside of the beak by zooming in - looks like something out of Alien!! #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025 #Alicante #canonphotography
Not my usual #wildlife fare, but I do also enjoy dabbling in #antiques Nice pair of Victorian hand painted uranium glass vases gently glowing under UV light. Scary? Actually less radiation than a granite kitchen worktop
@markavery.bsky.social @deepfrieddna.bsky.social @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
@markavery.bsky.social @deepfrieddna.bsky.social @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Not my usual #wildlife fare, but I do also enjoy dabbling in #antiques Nice pair of Victorian hand painted uranium glass vases gently glowing under UV light. Scary? Actually less radiation than a granite kitchen worktop
@markavery.bsky.social @deepfrieddna.bsky.social @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
@markavery.bsky.social @deepfrieddna.bsky.social @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Parsons
Rivers are such interesting places - here glimpses of life on the Grwyne Fawr, in Wales.
Lovely to see the Otter moving upstream and the great variety of bats which were present.
Looking forward to reading 'Tarka Revisited' by Ian Parsons. He always writes with such great insight & intelligence.
Lovely to see the Otter moving upstream and the great variety of bats which were present.
Looking forward to reading 'Tarka Revisited' by Ian Parsons. He always writes with such great insight & intelligence.
November 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Rivers are such interesting places - here glimpses of life on the Grwyne Fawr, in Wales.
Lovely to see the Otter moving upstream and the great variety of bats which were present.
Looking forward to reading 'Tarka Revisited' by Ian Parsons. He always writes with such great insight & intelligence.
Lovely to see the Otter moving upstream and the great variety of bats which were present.
Looking forward to reading 'Tarka Revisited' by Ian Parsons. He always writes with such great insight & intelligence.