Author Topic: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill  (Read 136099 times)

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #675 on: 14 October, 2022, 08:18:18 pm »
Actually let me guess: Obelix came running after it.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #676 on: 14 October, 2022, 08:49:06 pm »
Yeah, I've heard about the bison as well.
Pub quiz time.......
Konik is pony in Polish.

Ah, that’s good to know, thanks. I remember looking it up when I first saw them and getting confused about what they actually were. I eventually decided they were just “wild ponies” and maybe “Konik” might be where they’re from or something.

A large part of the woods has been enclosed for the bison (which means a number of good MTB trails are lost, alas, but all in a good cause). But there was another part of the woods that was already enclosed before, and I think that’s where the wild boar were supposed to be. You don’t hear much about them though. Certainly never seen one.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Auntie Helen

  • 6 Wheels in Germany
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #677 on: 15 October, 2022, 03:56:25 pm »
I met a wild boar in Tunbridge Wells once when out walking with my Weimaraner, a dog breed designed to hunt wild boar.
And... ?
The dog cornered the boar and it took me 10 minutes to get Lucy back on the lead (she kept skipping just out of reach of me).

The boar just stood there looking supremely uninterested.

I ended up getting within about 2 metres of it to catch Lucy. Once I finally got her we made a quick exit and I got in the local paper.

Lucy’s problem was once she had cornered it she didn’t know what to do next. Clearly her genes told her to corner it but she wasn’t sure of the next step. And she was on her own rather than in a pack of Weimaraners.
My blog on cycling in Germany and eating German cake – http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk


Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #678 on: 16 October, 2022, 10:53:21 am »
Hunting in packs is always easier.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #679 on: 16 October, 2022, 11:28:32 pm »
Lucy’s problem was once she had cornered it she didn’t know what to do next. Clearly her genes told her to corner it but she wasn’t sure of the next step. And she was on her own rather than in a pack of Weimaraners.
Killing the boar was usually the job of the huntsmen. Take a boar spear with you next time.

Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
  • Mrs Pingu's domestique
    • the Igloo
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #680 on: 16 October, 2022, 11:36:20 pm »
Apropos of nothing in particular - I've heard that there are wild boar in some of the woods between Widders and Canterbury.

I have heard wild boar mentioned before but I'm not sure if there actually are any. However, there are bison...

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/history-made-as-bison-released-into-kent-woodland-270348/
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/wilderblean

Also Konik ponies, which I've seen many times, but not lately - presumably they've been moved while the enclosures have been constructed for the bison.

That's me told  ;)

Well, I've got no idea, so either or neither of you could be right.

But it is a kestrel.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #681 on: 17 October, 2022, 07:47:51 am »
Wasps are the Good Guys, so we've not been bothered by the nest behind our neighbours sofit, despit it being in close proximity to our back bedroom-cum-office window.  Recently we've found the odd one crawling around in the house, probably coming in via the bathroom velux.  Then, one morning recently, there were maybe a dozen crawling up the back window, leaving some residue behind, but that only happened the once.

To this morning, I'm in the kitchen making tea about 6:30, and I hear the kind of "tick-tick" noise we get from our neighbours conservatory roof when it rains. This was unexpected so I glanced at the (half-glazed) back door, where there were maybe 100 wasps crawling on the glass, the ticking being them impacting it. I assume they were heading for the light, but it was a bit disconcerting! 
We are making a New World (Paul Nash, 1918)

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #682 on: 17 October, 2022, 12:15:38 pm »
But it is a kestrel.

You know, I've only got your word for that - should I trust some random dude on the internet?

 ;)


Srsly, thanks for the confirmation.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #684 on: 24 October, 2022, 10:16:32 am »
Acorns. Thousands of them. On the wane now but 2 or 3 weeks ago I was walking (sliding) over several layers' worth on some lanes. I had a chat with the local small-holder yesterday, and he had lost 3 lambs to acorn poisoning and a calf came close too, but pulled through. He doesn't have enough space to keep them inside, nor fields without oaks. His saddlebacks are as happy as pigs in clover, though.

Just this corner of SW Wales, or elsewhere?

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #685 on: 24 October, 2022, 10:24:57 am »
The derelict plot next to us has three mature oak trees, one of which overhangs our drive.

For the last two collections, our green bin has mostly been full of acorns swept off the drive.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #686 on: 26 October, 2022, 08:09:34 am »
Lots of 'em all over.

https://treecouncil.org.uk/acorns-abound-this-autumn/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=acorns-abound-this-autumn

Which contradicts what they said last year:

Quote
Why are there fewer acorns this year?

The quick answer is that last year was what is known as a ‘mast year’. A mast year occurs roughly once every 5-10 years, and is where a tree species such as oak drastically increase the number of acorns they produce.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #687 on: 27 October, 2022, 04:29:30 pm »
I think this year was definitely a MAST year for both beech and oak.  We have been walking on carpets of acorns over the last 6 weeks or so.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #688 on: 28 October, 2022, 11:28:05 am »
Acorns. Thousands of them. On the wane now but 2 or 3 weeks ago I was walking (sliding) over several layers' worth on some lanes. I had a chat with the local small-holder yesterday, and he had lost 3 lambs to acorn poisoning and a calf came close too, but pulled through. He doesn't have enough space to keep them inside, nor fields without oaks. His saddlebacks are as happy as pigs in clover, though.

Just this corner of SW Wales, or elsewhere?
I thought acorns were edible just not that tasty?

https://www.webmd.com/diet/are-acorns-safe-to-eat

but apparently livestock are stupid and will eat them even though they taste like over-brewed tea.

https://www.forfarmers.co.uk/sheep/news-knowledge-and-advice/watch-out-for-acorn-poisoning-this-autumn.aspx


Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #689 on: 28 October, 2022, 12:16:35 pm »
but apparently livestock are stupid and will eat them even though they taste like over-brewed tea.

https://www.forfarmers.co.uk/sheep/news-knowledge-and-advice/watch-out-for-acorn-poisoning-this-autumn.aspx

But presumably not pigs, which are deliberately released to hoover up acorns in the New Forest?

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #690 on: 28 October, 2022, 08:36:15 pm »
https://earthsky.org/earth/longest-nonstop-bird-flight-world-record-bar-tailed-godwit-2022/?fbclid=IwAR0JNIAZa4Rd1TdKRGpLqqMGuOkBrU9kJ8y7W4a-wtUa-tT7qC_zbwCtJoA

Now that scientists are putting trackers on godwits, we are beginning to understand how far these incredible creatures fly. Alaska to Tasmania in one hop, or, more exactly, 11 days of non-stop flapping - over 1200 kilometres per day. This is the third consecutive year that the record has been broken. In 2020 and 2021, it was the same bird both times. This new one is one of spring 2022's fledglings.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #691 on: 28 October, 2022, 08:39:39 pm »
Acorns. Thousands of them. On the wane now but 2 or 3 weeks ago I was walking (sliding) over several layers' worth on some lanes. I had a chat with the local small-holder yesterday, and he had lost 3 lambs to acorn poisoning and a calf came close too, but pulled through. He doesn't have enough space to keep them inside, nor fields without oaks. His saddlebacks are as happy as pigs in clover, though.

Just this corner of SW Wales, or elsewhere?
I thought acorns were edible just not that tasty?

https://www.webmd.com/diet/are-acorns-safe-to-eat

but apparently livestock are stupid and will eat them even though they taste like over-brewed tea.

https://www.forfarmers.co.uk/sheep/news-knowledge-and-advice/watch-out-for-acorn-poisoning-this-autumn.aspx
It's the tannin which makes them unpleasant. It is possible to get over this by soaking them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xldE2UX5vjc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDpnRUPg4iE&t=3s
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #692 on: 28 October, 2022, 08:47:31 pm »
Spotted this fellow and a bunch of his mates tucking into the plentiful acorns in Bradgate Park this afternoon.  Hopefully they have the constitution of a pig.



Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #693 on: 28 October, 2022, 10:24:08 pm »
https://earthsky.org/earth/longest-nonstop-bird-flight-world-record-bar-tailed-godwit-2022/?fbclid=IwAR0JNIAZa4Rd1TdKRGpLqqMGuOkBrU9kJ8y7W4a-wtUa-tT7qC_zbwCtJoA

Now that scientists are putting trackers on godwits, we are beginning to understand how far these incredible creatures fly. Alaska to Tasmania in one hop, or, more exactly, 11 days of non-stop flapping - over 1200 kilometres per day. This is the third consecutive year that the record has been broken. In 2020 and 2021, it was the same bird both times. This new one is one of spring 2022's fledglings.
Audaxers beware!
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Steph

  • Fast. Fast and bulbous. But fluffy.
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #694 on: 02 November, 2022, 06:17:14 pm »
https://earthsky.org/earth/longest-nonstop-bird-flight-world-record-bar-tailed-godwit-2022/?fbclid=IwAR0JNIAZa4Rd1TdKRGpLqqMGuOkBrU9kJ8y7W4a-wtUa-tT7qC_zbwCtJoA

Now that scientists are putting trackers on godwits, we are beginning to understand how far these incredible creatures fly. Alaska to Tasmania in one hop, or, more exactly, 11 days of non-stop flapping - over 1200 kilometres per day. This is the third consecutive year that the record has been broken. In 2020 and 2021, it was the same bird both times. This new one is one of spring 2022's fledglings.

When I was in Walpole during my Western Oz tour, I went on a 'wildlife cruise' led by Gary, a local ecologist. Lots of fascinating info, and then he spoke about barwit migration.

"They should be arriving around now", he said.

"There are two over there" I said.

"Thanks, mate! As our friend with the sharp eyes says, look over to the right of the boat and..."

Mae angen arnaf i byw, a fe fydda'i

Mrs Pingu

  • Who ate all the pies? Me
    • Twitter
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #695 on: 06 November, 2022, 03:58:57 pm »
Pingu dismembered my pile of sticks under the pieris and made it into something a bit poncier
2022-11-06_03-28-47 by The Pingus, on Flickr
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.


Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
  • Custard Wallah
    • Mr Larrington's Automatic Diary
Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #697 on: 14 November, 2022, 12:05:17 pm »
My grate frend Arnold posted some pics on Farcebok of a stroll in the “garden” of their acquired-during-lockdown house in the middle of those Netherlands, that they have now.  “Looking for wolves, eh?” asked Mr Larrington, not entirely seriously, albeit that Dutch wildlife types have recently posited shooting their small wolf population with paintball gnus to make them more wary of people.  To which his wife Marieke replied:

“Mr Larrington yes! That was a conversation I had not expected I’d ever have with a neighbour but we were indeed asked if we were off to look for “the wolf”.. 🫢😬”

:jurek:
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
« Reply #699 on: 27 November, 2022, 12:47:53 pm »
A otter on Friday, rather far away (near Oxford)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FbZjFeSPEDRd4MGr8