Author Topic: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009  (Read 1946 times)

Rig of Jarkness

  • An Englishman abroad
Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« on: 15 December, 2009, 10:44:04 am »
My best spot of the year came in late August, out on a short morning spin south of Edinburgh.  Passing by Gladhouse Reservoir, I spot a large bird surveying the water.  An osprey ?  I stopped for a better look.  Couldn't make out the markings but its behaviour and silhouette was convincing me it was, then it dived.  Indeed it was !  Fortunately for me  it emerged fishless so I had the pleasure of watching it for a good 5-10 minutes further as it sought its lunch. I watched it dive twice more, alas still without result, before it disappeared from view.
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Mrs Pingu

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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #1 on: 15 December, 2009, 10:58:33 am »
Red sqrls near (ish) Kirkmichael on consecutive days during the Kirriemuir audax weekend  :thumbsup:
<waits to stand corrected on the geography front by Pingu>
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.

Arno

  • Arno
Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #2 on: 15 December, 2009, 11:22:06 am »
Herons in Mile End, east London.

Really Ancien

Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #3 on: 15 December, 2009, 11:24:59 am »
We had a great view of an Osprey while having lunch at the sailing centre in Loch Insh on a relaxed ride the day after the Dulsie Dipper. Heather saw a Pine Marten the day before.

Damon.

Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #4 on: 15 December, 2009, 12:25:00 pm »
Red sqrls near (ish) Kirkmichael on consecutive days during the Kirriemuir audax weekend  :thumbsup:
<waits to stand corrected on the geography front by Pingu>

Blacklunans

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #5 on: 15 December, 2009, 04:36:59 pm »
A bit spoilt for choice round here because a sea front / sea wall ride will almost always show a load of wading birds which non-mud dwellers would very rarely spot.

We had a lovely view of siskins whilst having a cream tea at Holne, Dartmoor, but as this wasn't actually from the bike but during the 11ses stop, is it allowed on this thread?


The same week we witnessed tadpoles feasting on horse shit, but that was on a walk and not a bike ride.


I suppose pride of place would have to go to the badger that knocked me off during the Solstice WARTY.
Quote from: Dez
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #6 on: 15 December, 2009, 04:41:27 pm »

The same day we witnessed tadpoles feasting on horse shit, but that was on a walk and not a bike ride.




They may actually be collectively trying to push the turd from out of the water. Environmentally aware, if you like.  ;D
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clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #7 on: 15 December, 2009, 04:45:43 pm »
I suppose pride of place would have to go to the badger that knocked me off during the Solstice WARTY.

His mates still buy him a pint & badger him to tell the tale...
Getting there...

Wowbagger

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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #8 on: 15 December, 2009, 05:01:39 pm »
I suppose pride of place would have to go to the badger that knocked me off during the Solstice WARTY.

His mates still buy him a pint & badger him to tell the tale...

Well he's a lucky git because no-one has bought me a pint on the back of that! ;)
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #9 on: 15 December, 2009, 05:05:12 pm »
Not even a Badger ale?  That's not fair.
Getting there...

Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #10 on: 15 December, 2009, 05:09:41 pm »
Maybe he's a little brock and can't afford to?
Quote from: Marbeaux
Have given this a great deal of thought and decided not to contribute to any further Threads for the time being.
POTD. (decade) :thumbsup:

Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #11 on: 15 December, 2009, 06:28:30 pm »
First sight of black grouse on one of the days Mrs P referred to above  :thumbsup:

Zoidburg

Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #12 on: 15 December, 2009, 08:02:01 pm »
Kingfisher living on the canal side nearby.

I won't say exactly where online to keep the egg collecting ghouls at bay.

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #13 on: 17 December, 2009, 03:37:22 pm »
The best has to be the barn owl that followed me for a short distance while riding between Haunton & Clifton campville one evening.  I have seen 3 owls while doing my 17 mile round trip from the train station after work this year, 2 barn owls in the above area & a tawny owl in alvecote meadows :thumbsup:  Still yet to see a badger that is alive  :(
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RJ

  • Droll rat
Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #14 on: 17 December, 2009, 09:06:27 pm »
Waxwings.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #15 on: 18 December, 2009, 07:42:05 am »
I forgot about the marsh harrier we saw in March.

Yesterday we had a very fine view of a fallow deer buck, with a full set of antlers, who crossed the road in front of us and then leaped most elegantly up the bank.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #16 on: 18 December, 2009, 12:49:39 pm »
Back in May I watched a heron,on a small island in the river that runs thru' Hawick, looking for it's evening meal as I ate mine sat at a window seat in a river-side pizza restaurant.
The cycling connection is that this was during my John O Groats to Lands End ride.

Tourist Tony

  • Supermassive mobile flesh-toned black hole
Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #17 on: 18 December, 2009, 11:54:12 pm »
Hmmmm.....
The badger I nearly rode into snuffling along the footpath on the way home from a late shift.
And, on this summer's tour.....
LOTS of black storks
Two saker falcons
Lesser grey shrike
Lotsa bee eaters
A stork eating a very large slow worm
Lots more.....one benefit of cycle touring in forn parts

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
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Re: Best From The Bike Wildlife Spot of 2009
« Reply #18 on: 26 December, 2009, 03:10:04 pm »
A snow goose - in central Essex!
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.