Ian Carter

@iancarter67.bsky.social

Galloway-based naturalist and author: Rhythms of Nature | Human, Nature | The Red Kite | The Red Kite’s Year | The Hen Harrier’s Year | Wild Galloway https://pelagicpublishing.com/collections/ian-carter https://www.whittlespublishing.com/Wild_Galloway

I’m reading these two at the same time. Polar opposites in their approach to nature, both approaches having considerable merit as is so well argued in the respective books. I think I’m more JC than GL in outlook but both are brilliant, thought-provoking books.

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After two years working on Wild Galloway (a solo project) it has been a real pleasure to join forces with Karen for our new book (coming soon). Her magical prints capture the varied landscapes of Galloway so perfectly. Writing about the wildlife these places support has been a year very well spent.

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After two years working on Wild Galloway (a solo project) it has been a real pleasure to join forces with Karen for our new book (coming soon). Her magical prints capture the varied landscapes of Galloway so perfectly. Writing about the wildlife these places support has been a year very well spent.

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Another one for the extensive collection @ruthtingay.bsky.social. A brace of shot Pheasants, tied at the neck and given to a shooter. Only to be wrapped in plastic and hurled into the nearest river before washing up here on a remote Solway beach. They are bred as living targets rather than as food.

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Little clusters of 11-spot Ladybirds all along this exposed metal fence in Oxfordshire. Seems an odd place to overwinter with so little shelter. Attracting the attention of walkers on the footpath as the cars roared by.

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Well, this is quite extraordinary! Lovely Ian being so kind & generous about my book, but also, what a connection! Reunited with the memory of a dear, much-loved pony, in the galloped woods above Reading…

Ian Carter@iancarter67.bsky.social · 8mo ago

@nicolawriting.bsky.social has written a wonderful, stirring book, weaving together her knowledge of the landscape with those who have come before - the ghosts that haunt her local walks. I met a ghost too. My sister’s old horse Padjo gets an unexpected mention! Here he is over 40 years ago.

The usual assortment of litter on the tideline and, ironically enough, an intact plastic litter bin washed up by the recent high tides. (Lucozade the most common plastic bottle on the beach, as it almost always is -- why is that?)

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For a handful of nature writers, I want to read all that they write. The common traits? Knowledge, understanding, clarity of thought, and a knack for transferring it all to the page with humour and enthusiasm. Mark is one of them. And his co-author is very good too. @markavery.bsky.social

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For a handful of nature writers, I want to read all that they write. The common traits? Knowledge, understanding, clarity of thought, and a knack for transferring it all to the page with humour and enthusiasm. Mark is one of them. And his co-author is very good too. @markavery.bsky.social

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The noisy early morning commute between the Solway and the fields where they feed. As I soon discovered, there were two wildfowlers hidden away directly below the flight line. Had these been Pink-feet rather than (non-shootable) Barnacle Geese, the spectacle would have been rudely interrupted.

Badger paths run across all the different layers of habitat in the glen. Across the fields, through gaps in the stone dykes then up and away into the hills where they make useful routes through the Bracken - narrow but just about walkable lines for humans through otherwise impenetrable vegetation.

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I can’t help but pick up these fishing lures whenever I find them. These are mostly from the Solway strandline, at the edge of our Galloway glen. Our cocker spaniel once found, and almost swallowed, a baited hook, and the sorry story…

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