iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 10h

This morning I got abuse for being a cyclist, even though I was doing everything right. I felt shit for most of the day because of it. Later, I cycled again and got waves and smiles and nods and I felt like I was on top of the world. It doesn't take much to make people feel a bit happier.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A large chunk of the world's population of Sea Aster Bee, Colletes halophilus, is found on the east and south-east coast of England. It's on the upper saltmarsh of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve now. An autumn ace! #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #insects #bees @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A brown-ish bee with yellow-ish abdominal stripes feeds on a yellow Sea Aster flower.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This is brilliant. It should make all birders want to walk every inch and suck out all of the interest from our local landscapes. Inspirational.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

First Leaf-blower of the season. It's a winter visitor, invasive & a threat to resident species. It's found in parks & large gardens. It's call is a loud, monotonous roar. It feeds on some gardeners' obsession with pointless motorised tools. #UKwildlife #birds #gardening @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Animal & Plant Health Agency staff are using mini-transmitters to track invasive Asian Hornets to hidden nests near Rye. You can report sightings on an app www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/... or via iRecord. This Asian Hornet was next to a trap down our lane just now. #UKwildlife #insects #AsianHornets

An Asia Hornet. It is darker and slightly smaller than the native species and has bright yellow legs. Here one is on an Ivy leaf.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Small Coppers (pic this am), Gatekeepers & Painted Ladies were abundant in our Rye garden this year. There were more Clouded Yellows than ever. Small Tortoiseshells were all but absent. How did caterpillars fare in the drought😬? #butterflies @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

A beautiful bright orange, brown and white butterfly on the white flowers of Yarrow.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Hedge 20 28/9 I'll keep looking at The Hedge, but reduce the no. of posts. 52 species so far - list attached. Lacked nos of Spotted Flycatchers of previous years and no Redstart, but fledged Hobbies and Wryneck more than make up for that. #Sussexwildlife #UKwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A fallen, dead tree with a hedgerow and a rough paddock beyond. The sky is mostly blue.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I think we all need to stop farting around and do EVERYTHING in our power to stop Reform getting into power. If we don't, we'll regret it for the rest of our lives.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Combined total of 81 species at @sussexwildlife.bsky.social / Friends of RHNR 'Guide in a Hide' yesterday & Friends of RHNR walk today on just a part of the nature reserve. Includes 19 wader and 5 bird of prey species. And on a weekend when it felt 'pretty quiet' bird-wise. #UKwildlife #Sussexbirds

Sea-water rushing into the Flat Beach area of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve at high tide today. It's an area of saltmarsh, saline lagoons and shingle.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Bee-wolf on Marram Grass at Camber Sands this morning. Always special to see this spectacular solitary wasp. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #insects #wasps @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A black, yellow and reddish insect on a straw coloured grass-head.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Boom! My first European Paper Wasp, Polistes dominula. Very distinctive in flight, with back legs left dangling. Another very recent arrival set to spread fast. This was just outside the main entrance to Rye Harbour NR. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #insects #wasps @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

An attractive yellow, black and reddish wasp on a bright green Ivy leaf.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I saw 75 Wigeon, 45 Teal and half a dozen Pintail on a small part of Rye Harbour NR. Walking home, up the hill, Tawny Owls are very vocal; they have been for a while. I'm in shorts and T-shirt, a bit sweaty, and struggling to work out what bloody season we are in. #UKbirds #Sussexbirds

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'm not keen on the abbreviation of bird names. They have such evocative names like Yellowhammer, Whinchat, Fieldfare, Dotterel, Firecrest, Red Kite, Chough, Lapwing... Groppers, barwits, mippits and spawks just sound horrible 🤮 #UKbirds @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The Hedge 19 23/9 I was considering whether the hum of far-off industry was ruining my visit, when I realised it was in fact masses of Ivy Bees! Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler. What's the collective noun for loadsa Chiffchaffs? 52 bird sp. #Sussexwildlife #UKwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A line of trees, with leaves starting to turn to autumn colours, with rough grassland in front and a lovely sky, with interesting clouds behind.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Twist-winged Parasite Flies, Ectophasia crassipennis, were on the last flowering umbellifers by the River Rother, near Rye, this morning. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #insects #flies @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A striking yellow, orange, black, brown and red insect on white/pink flowers.

A striking yellow, orange, black, brown and red insect on white/pink flowers. Its wings are 'twisted'.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Not long ago buses between Beckley & Rye were 1 per hr. Then they went to 1 per 2hr. Then yet more cuts & no Sunday service. So, today, when the 14.25 didn't turn up the next (& last) bus was 4 hrs later at 18.29. And they wonder why passenger nos fall when the 'service' is un-usable. #SaveOurBuses

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The Woodland Grasshopper, Omocestus rufipes, here at @sussexwildlife.bsky.social Flatropers Wood Nature Reserve, near Rye, is Nationally Scarce. This one is a classy charcoal-black and fiery-orange. 🖤🧡 #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #insects #orthoptera

A black and orange insect, with long antennae and legs, on a bright green bracken frond.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

1/2 ACE! The 'duck-bill' of the Snout Hoverfly protects an ENORMOUS proboscis, as long as its body. Here it is cleaned, before being folded away and tucked back into the 'beak'. This is in our Rye garden. #UKwildlife #insects #hoverflies @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I used to collect beer mats, so that I could hide them away in boxes to take up valuable space. I've since 're-homed' all but a few favourites. This one was pilfered from a boozer in Wells-next-the-Sea, in Norfolk, on 18 June 1996, during the Euros. Netherlands 1-4 England. #beermats #realale #footy

A beer mat branded Woodforde's Wherry Best Bitter, Norfolk, 3.8% vol. Good session beer 🍺

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The Hedge 18 20/9 I stood with the Sussex Red cattle watching Spotted Flycatchers and Chiffchaffs. We smelled the first wisps of autumn decay. Raucous Jays jarred against the mellow mood. 52 bird sp. #Sussexwildlife #UKwildlife #farming @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A very close red/brown cow with a yellow ear-tag stares benignly into the camera.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

These billionaires can't wait till it's just their piles of money and their consciences to keep themselves company. I think they are mad.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The Hedge 17 13-16/9 Daily visits have seen strong movement of Swallows, some movement of Wood Pigeons and an influx of Jays. Common warblers and the odd Spotted Flycatcher add interest. Sussex Red cattle have become friends. 52 bird sp. #Sussexwildlife #UKwildlife #birds @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A group of red/brown cattle in a pasture, looking into the camera.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I don't often see Toadflax around here, but there's a clump by the road to Camber. I imagine it goes largely unnoticed. Some call it 'butter and eggs', but not many, these days, I suspect... #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #wildflowers @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Bright yellow and orange wildflowers in a clump by a busy road.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A bit of rain has led to a bit of an increase in hoverfly numbers. I like this Migrant Aphideater, Eupeodes corallae. #UKwildlife ##Sussexwildlife #insects #hoverflies @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A black and yellow striped insect on a circular bright yellow 'flower'.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Rye to the sea along the Rother, with access for WeBS: 2 Greenshank, 73 Redshank, 4 Spoonbill, 16 Curlew, 43 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit & 74 Lapwing. Also 2 Whinchat, 100s of Swallows, 10+ Common & 1 Grey Seal. #UKwildlife #UKbirds #Sussexbirds @btobirds.bsky.social

A view overland dunes to a sandy beach - Camber Sands - and the sea beyond. It's a cloudy morning in early autumn.

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Dan Snow @thehistoryguy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I’m just a person on my fucking knees begging the government to use its absolutely massive majority to do something extremely fucking popular: save our democracy.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Tech-bro and crypto idiots aren't satisfied being billionaires. But they're happy to tear society apart in order to add pointless noughts to their feckless fortunes. Are they mad or evil? #politics

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The Hedge 16 12/9 Almost nothing happening - it was a Dead Hedge. BUT back at home 2 Spotted Flycatcher 'out back' were joined by a Pied Flycatcher! And then a party of 21 Mistle Thrush fed on the horse paddocks. Excellent! 51 bird sp. #Sussexwildlife #UKwildlife #birds @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Tall trees beside a rough paddock with a blue sky and benign sky above.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The Hedge 15 9 & 10/9 'He's stopped staring at the bushes, but now he's staring at a cowpat. It's not normal, Jim!' I was looking at this Twin-spot Centurion soldierfly. 51 bird sp. (Linnet new). #Sussexwildlife #UKwildlife #insects @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

An attractive blue, green and orange insect on a cowpat.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Walking north of Rye the hedgerows are full of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat, plus a few Willow Warbler. Also my first Redstart of the autumn (at last!), Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and 3 Spotted Flycatcher. Less hirundines than last few days. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds

A pleasant view of trees and a hedgerow, with a benign blue sky above.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Rare football post - the bottom of the Championship has been fashioned by a Blackpool supporting deity! #BlackpoolFC #Seasiders #UTMP

A football league table with Preston bottom, Burnley second bottom and Bolton third bottom.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I spend hours watching Spotted Flycatchers in the autumn. Erect, on guard, beady-eyed, long and slim, pale and interesting. Then they gracefully twist and swoop to feed, before standing to attention again, with tail and wing flicked salutes. 🩶 #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you would like to add your voice to tens of thousands of people thanking RNLI volunteers for their work, 38 Degrees have organised this open letter to express public support (at a time when a hateful fringe have been intimidating & abusing RNLI volunteers) act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...

act.38degrees.org.uk

An open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLI

This is a disgrace. Brave RNLI volunteers being called scum for risking their lives to save others at sea is just plain wrong. So I've signed an open letter of thanks for the RNLI letting them know th...

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The Hedge 14 8/9 Like all patches The Hedge has hotspots. Places where I've seen good birds that draw my attention more than other places. So I see more birds at the hotspots and their hotspot status grows. I've seen Pied & Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart at this hotspot. 50sp. #UKbirds #UKwildlife

A line of living and dead trees next to a wire fence. There is some fallen timber on the ground.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Join Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve & become part of a brilliant group who support a brilliant nature reserve. Benefit from talks, events etc. PLEASE pass it on! See snippets from our latest newsletter... ryeharbourfriends.net/join-us @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The Hedge 13 5 - 7/9 Nothing new, but still plenty to see. 5 Spotted Flycatcher, Cattle Egret and Hobby the best. 49sp. #UKbirds #UKwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

The trunk of a tall Ash tree growing in a hedge, with blue sky beyond.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Octogenarians kneeling in silence, praying for the end of genocide are terrorists thrown into police vans. Frightening thugs in dark uniforms and cowardly masks are left to get on with their own nefarious devices. This is England.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I cycle down country lanes every day. I see cars passing each other at 18 inches slow to pedestrian pace. I feel cars passing me at 18 inches... at 30, 40+ mph. They know I can't damage them. But they can damage me. Two more cyclists were killed in nearby Kent today. #cycling #roadsafety

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I don't know why we're not shouting and screaming. A scandal - yet another - that would've sunk any other party leader is already forgotten by the BBC. This is their website's lead Reform story. We can sit still and get what USA has got or we can shout and scream. Does anyone care? #lastchance

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The Hedge 12 4/9 A strong wind helped in a way, as birds sheltered at the valley end of the hedge. 6 Spotted Flycatchers (highest count this year) were feeding in and around a stag-head Oak. Ghostly sentinels of bare branches. 49sp. (Grey Heron new) #UKbirds #UKwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A standing dead stump of a tree, with scrub behind, more dead branches, then the land rises behind.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Hundreds of Ivy Bees have emerged in our neighbour's garden. Maybe my favourite bee, with vibrant, warm colours, like embers in an autumn fireplace.💛🧡🖤 #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #bees #insects @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A black, amber and buff bee on a green leaf

Several black, amber and buff bees on bare soil.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The Hedge 11 3/9 ...but The Hedge has qualities: *wide range of tree species *lots of standing & fallen dead wood *next to organic & lightly farmed land *'catches' birds moving along old cliff line, up a valley & coming in off the marsh 47sp. (Marsh Harrier new) #UKbirds #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife

A dead fallen tree, bramble and hawthorn scrub and a hedgerow next to rough grassland.

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David Bentley @sussextangerine.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Why does Russia bother with expensive disinformation campaigns, dodgy-donations and cyber attacks? They only need to post about food-waste collections on Nextdoor to make us hate each other and divide us.

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