Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Miscellany => Where The Wild Things Are => Topic started by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 May, 2013, 01:32:44 pm

Title: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 May, 2013, 01:32:44 pm
On Friday evening last week I was leaving my second floor flat to go out when I nearly stood on/tripped over a black cat sitting on my doormat. (Actually, it's next door's doormat, but that flat was vacant for months on end so I nicked and although I told the eventual new tenants it was theirs, they haven't taken it back). Nobody in our stair has a cat so I enticed him downstairs and outside. I tried to have a look at his collar because it had an ID tag on it but as soon as I laid a hand on his collar he slipped his collar and scarpered under the nearest car, leaving me with just the collar. I rang the number on the collar and told them what had happened and as it turned out, they live a few doors down so they came to collect the collar and said Harry the cat would come home when he was ready. Apparently he's quite curious and likes to have a look around.

Last night as I left to go to the penguin lecture he was coming up the stairs between the first and second floor. As soon as he saw me he started meowing very loudly, but I enticed him down the stairs again. As soon as he realised I was going out though, he sat down on the ground floor neighbour's doormat and wouldn't budge.  ;D So I went to pick him up to put him out and as soon as I touched him, he legged it out of the door.

Bobb thinks I should just let him into my flat and keep him but I think that would be wrong. He does seem to like our stair though.  :D And he likes trying to kill me by getting under my feet on our way down the stairs.  ::-)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2013, 04:36:17 pm
Wouldn't be any harm in encouraging him to have a sniff around from time to time and give the meeces something to worry about, thobut...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2013, 06:22:34 pm
He can smell you've got a mouse problem and he's trying to tell you! ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 May, 2013, 06:27:05 pm
This is a street of tenements so it's possible my mice are his mice.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2013, 06:44:43 pm
OK, so he really fancies you and is trying to win you over by depositing the mice in your letterbox when you're not home ;)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 May, 2013, 08:52:44 pm
 :o
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 May, 2013, 04:46:44 pm
He's back! He was half way up the stairs when I came home. We had a little chat about the difference between my stair and his stair and he followed me part of the way back down but wouldn't come any further. He did let me stroke him though and he was purring, so I took the opportunity and picked him up. He was ok with that until he realised we were headed for the door, whereupon he fought me every step of the way.  ;D I got him out and shut the door behind him and he sat down firmly on the step and glowered.  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 May, 2013, 08:18:36 pm
He'll just think you're playing hard to get now ;)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 May, 2013, 12:46:22 pm
He's pretty persistent. I was out last night and got back in about half past ten and there was no sign of him. But when I left to go to work this morning, there he was, on our stairs.  ::-) I enticed him down to the ground floor but as soon as he realised I was opening the door, he sat down on a doormat and glared at me. I didn't have time to fanny about so I just left the main door open so he can make his own way home when he feels like it. I don't get why he's so determined to stay in our stair when his own house is 5 doors away! If he's still there when I get home I might let him in for a while so he can see there's nothing for him, and then kick him out again.

He's a very handsome cat. Black, with white front. They're my favourites.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: RJ on 17 May, 2013, 02:32:58 pm
If he's still there when I get home I might let him in for a while so he can see there's nothing for him, and then kick him out again.

Are you *sure* that's good cat psychology?  ;)

Letting him in at all is *progress*.  Although there'll be nothing this time, there might be next time. Or the time after that. Or the time after that.   Prrrrrrrrr.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 May, 2013, 02:41:49 pm
Yeah, but he might rub himself round my flat the way he does round the banister uprights and scare the mice away.

 :o I hope he's not a double agent, secretly working for the mice.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2013, 07:19:05 pm
We're *all* secretly working for the mice.

Except the dolphins.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Arch on 17 May, 2013, 08:55:43 pm
We're *all* secretly working for the mice.

Except the dolphins.

I think the dolphins are working for the mice, they are part of the whole organic matrix. They just know more than us...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2013, 10:26:27 pm
PenguinCam is back!

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/frozen-planet/games-and-more/penguin-cam.htm
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 May, 2013, 10:48:16 pm
I reckon Kirst's admirer kitteh is prolly pining for her while she's away at bobb's
There'll be a whole pile of dead meece on the doormat when she gets back... ;)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 May, 2013, 02:00:03 pm
I hadn't seen him for a few days before I left. I think he's forgotten me.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Biff on 29 July, 2013, 03:05:09 pm
This sheep avoided shearing for 6 years by hiding in a cave. It had enough fleece for 20 suits when finally sheared.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BP39ZofCAAEralW.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 01 August, 2013, 10:51:08 pm
Ufeasibly large shield bug just flew in through the open door into the kitchen. Fetched implement to remove same from house. On attempting to catch it, it then climbed inside the plug to the multi-plug extension lead that feeds the TV etc. Stupid bastard. So had to take the plug apart as I was a bit worried that he'd get fried. Bug then returned to garden, none the worse for wear.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 August, 2013, 06:44:27 am
This sheep avoided shearing for 6 years by hiding in a cave. It had enough fleece for 20 suits when finally sheared.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BP39ZofCAAEralW.jpg)
I don't think I ought to show Mrs. Wow that photo; she might get overexcited.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 August, 2013, 04:19:46 pm
A wasp just flew in through the open window, flew around the room, and then - get this - flew straight back out through the open window. It must be some new kind of superwasp.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: tiermat on 02 August, 2013, 04:32:40 pm
A wasp just flew in through the open window, flew around the room, and then - get this - flew straight back out through the open window. It must be some new kind of superwasp.

No, it's the village hive idiot, obviously doesn't understand the ruless, i.e. that you fly in then spend 1/2 hour banging against the window pane right nexct (or underneath) the open one, until someone either squashes you or pushes you out with a rolled up copy of the Sun.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 August, 2013, 08:03:04 pm
Got home from a ride today to find that when I'd shut the front door I'd flattened a bee between the door and the door jamb. I was this - sad :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruth on 09 September, 2013, 07:01:09 pm
18 floors.  20 apartments per floor.  And they are setting off the fire alarm in EVERY SINGLE APARTMENT.

Poor Milo hasn't come out from under the bed all day. 
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2013, 07:04:59 pm
18 floors.  20 apartments per floor.  And they are setting off the fire alarm in EVERY SINGLE APARTMENT.

Poor Milo hasn't come out from under the bed all day.

Just like being a student...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 September, 2013, 07:57:26 pm
The vet was excitedly telling me about Mojo being a medical enigma and getting them all CSI in the lab today.
He was diagnosed with renal failure a couple of years ago but apparently his kidney markers and phosphorus were all completely normal (i.e he appeared 'cured').
They did a T4 which was though the roof, so he has hyperthyroidism. This has had the side effect of increasing blood flow to the kidneys which is why they look normal, but they're not.

So, like Pippin, he's going on thyroid treatment, but not so much that it reduces the levels to normal or his kidneys will look shit again. And he's off all the kidney drugs from today.

Confused? You will be!

Added to that the pair of them are now on the same drug but at different dosages. They are the same size pill and almost exactly the same colour.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 15 September, 2013, 11:49:06 am
The quick brown fox just ran through my garden like it was being chased.

Foxes usually amble slowly around suburbia. This one ran but took a familiar path through the hole in the fence between the gardens.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 October, 2013, 02:23:44 pm
The pregnant panda at Edinburgh zoo has miscarried, and the new tiger cub at London zoo has drownded.  :'(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 October, 2013, 09:16:57 pm
The pregnant panda at Edinburgh zoo has miscarried, and the new tiger cub at London zoo has drownded.  :'(

Pattern for you, EG- http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/15/tian-tian-edinburgh-knit-your-own-panda-pattern
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 22 October, 2013, 01:02:18 am
Aww.  Don't you love it when kitteh does that prancing charge at you across the room, completly sideways?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 31 October, 2013, 01:18:41 pm
Well, ickle kitteh (who has been going under various names - Beryl, Susie, Myfanwi) went to the vet yesterday for her jabs.

We're going to need a new name for him.  :facepalm:

To be honest, I simply assumed the woman we got her off knew what she was talking about, so I never really checked.


Favourite for the new name so far is Dave.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruth on 01 November, 2013, 07:48:50 pm
I think you should call him 'Thingy'.  It came to me in a dream Basil.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 01 November, 2013, 10:41:08 pm
Thingy?  Hmm.
No, Ruthie.  That's a bit too close to it sounding like something that is Weird And Pissed OFF (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtgFKdWcKXY).

We've decided on Dafydd, to be known as Daf. 
(In case you're not sure of Welsh pronunciation, think "Dav".)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 November, 2013, 11:16:56 pm
This morning, whilst returning from the park, we were forced to stop for quite a long time while Morphy gazed at the carved pumpkins with smiley faces outside someone's door and wagged at them incessantly. I think he just though "happy face" and had to respond. I don't think he's ever seen a pumpkin before.

Why the pumpkins were still there on 8th November is a bit of a mystery though.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: peliroja on 09 November, 2013, 09:34:06 am
This morning, whilst returning from the park, we were forced to stop for quite a long time while Morphy gazed at the carved pumpkins with smiley faces outside someone's door and wagged at them incessantly. I think he just though "happy face" and had to respond. I don't think he's ever seen a pumpkin before.
Tilley wagged her tail outside the local pumpkin-adorned house, too, and did her I-want-to-play gesture, throwing her forelegs in the air. I think she liked the smell.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ferret on 09 November, 2013, 07:17:40 pm
my daughters tarantula has been behaving rather oddly for the last few weeks, today we had a text from said daughter saying she (the spider) was dead, half an hour later another text to say she was shedding. so she is now bigger and a fantastic pearlescent blue, she has to be left now until she decides the time is right to rejoin us, she's flat on her back at the moment with her legs in the air, pictures to follow.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 15 November, 2013, 05:52:46 pm
Has the shark cat not made an appearance here yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoiHAiDHgDs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoiHAiDHgDs
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 November, 2013, 01:17:11 pm
If he's still there when I get home I might let him in for a while so he can see there's nothing for him, and then kick him out again.

Are you *sure* that's good cat psychology?  ;)

Letting him in at all is *progress*.  Although there'll be nothing this time, there might be next time. Or the time after that. Or the time after that.   Prrrrrrrrr.
He was back today, for the first time in months. I let him in. He's remarkably nosey - he even jumped up on the tv table, and stood on his hind legs to peer behind the tv. He's had a good prowl round, and rubbed himself over every surface, including the bath  ???  and now he's looking out of the window. Now I have to persuade him to leave.  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wombat on 22 November, 2013, 01:46:54 pm
Just scoop him up and carry him outside, unless he's like our Baggins when he decides to be uncatchable, letting you get within a few millimetres of him before he runs off to repeat the exercise until you give up.  I think he's got himself a human....
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 November, 2013, 02:19:18 pm
I ushered him out of the flat but couldn't persuade him to leave the stair - he just sat on Beatrice's doormat and glowered again. I'm not keeping him. He has a home further down the street, and if I wanted a cat, I'd get one from the SSPCA rather than steal one from a neighbour! But if he wants to come in and rub mouse-repeller all over the flat every now and then, he's very welcome. He's quite a dude.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Peter on 22 November, 2013, 09:15:34 pm
I belive the Americans have an animal called a bob(b)cat?  Think it's a lynx, though.  I'm trying to work de-oderant into this but I'll just leave it there!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2013, 10:12:10 pm
There's a cat under my chair making walrus noises.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 December, 2013, 01:45:21 pm
I've just found two small tortoiseshell butterflies in my office. Well, one ex-butterfly and one wanting out through the window.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 December, 2013, 02:48:05 pm
I belive the Americans have an animal called a bob(b)cat?  Think it's a lynx, though.  I'm trying to work de-oderant into this but I'll just leave it there!

Is that something for keeping German rivers at bay?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 December, 2013, 10:20:53 pm
The man in the flat next door to me died and there are workmen renovating the flat before it's re-let, so the main door is open quite a lot through the day just now, which means Harry can get in. He followed me up the stairs on Monday, shot in as soon as I opened my own door, and ran into my bedroom and hid under the bed.  ;D He eventually came out, climbed onto the kitchen worktop, meowed his annoyance at not being able to jump up to the top of the wall units, jumped down, sat in the fireplace for a minute, then sat on the sofa and had a little snooze. He didn't much like it when I put him out. Haven't seen him since.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 December, 2013, 01:10:36 pm
I have a dilemma. I came home for lunch, Harry was in the stair, he shot into my flat when I opened the door, and now I have to decide whether to leave him here all afternoon, hoping he will destroy the mice, or whether I should put him out. NB putting him out will require waking him up as the cheeky bugger is fast asleep on a folder.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: tiermat on 17 December, 2013, 01:14:18 pm
I have a dilemma. I came home for lunch, Harry was in the stair, he shot into my flat when I opened the door, and now I have to decide whether to leave him here all afternoon, hoping he will destroy the mice, or whether I should put him out. NB putting him out will require waking him up as the cheeky bugger is fast asleep on a folder.

Leave him in.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 December, 2013, 04:08:13 pm
I did. I am hoping that he hasn't pissed anywhere, and that he has massacred the mice and tidied the bodies into the bin.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CrinklyLion on 26 December, 2013, 09:37:14 pm
I am neither a dog person nor a cat person, really, what with being massively allergic (in the streaming eyes, itchy skin, sneezing and runny nose sort of way) to either - although I generally quite like other people's moggies and mutts, so long as the latter aren't in the distinctly-not-my-favourite 'dogs below the knee' category.

I spent a fair bit of yesterday and today at my mam's place.  Where there is a resident somewhat bonkers labrador/jack russell cross who was brain damaged as a puppy and is, as a consequence, Really Quite High Maintenance but I kind of like her anyway.  My sister not otp to whom said bonkers dog belongs is definitely a Dog Person and is considered chief wolf by a rather large number of hounds of her acquaintance.  As a result she is the person who gets asked to look after all the tricky ones when people are away and that kind of thing.  They have two extras in residence for Christmas.  One is the lollop-y lab who is basically allergic to being a dog who has lived with them for extended periods before and who is quite pleasant despite the slobbering, the runny eyes and the smelling extraordinarily bad even by dog standards.  This time he has brought with him his doggy housemate, who I'd never met before.  She's a random black and tan muttley with a very foxy face, a ditinctly cunning and manipulative streak, and Complex Issues who was adopted and immigrated to the UK after her owners found her, as a feral puppy, in Italy.

I made my sister text said owners and tell 'em that they are very fortunate that I am extraordinarily allergic to their dog.  Because if not, I'd have stolen her!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 26 December, 2013, 09:49:21 pm
Megan, the young Border Terrier, has become very protective of Pearl, the old, blind Burmese.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Bloke_on_a_bike/1388094005_zps0a8e403f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bloke_on_a_bike/media/1388094005_zps0a8e403f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: woollypigs on 27 December, 2013, 11:19:08 am
This sheep avoided shearing for 6 years by hiding in a cave. It had enough fleece for 20 suits when finally sheared.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BP39ZofCAAEralW.jpg)
Just spotted this: That is Shrek the Sheep, very famous in New Zealand. At random places, cafe's and bars etc., you will find a bit framed and behind glass fleece proclaiming to be a bit of his. He was/is seen as hero and has entered the Kiwi folklore big time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrek_(sheep)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 27 December, 2013, 11:10:15 pm
Found a Vidalta in the food bowl. Don't know if it's Mojo or Pippin's. The joys of geriatric cats.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 December, 2013, 11:16:11 pm
Met a Newfoundland at the week end. That's one big dog. 11 stone. Sort of like a bear that barks.  Apparently they have webbed feet and do the breast stroke, rather than doggy paddle.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 30 December, 2013, 11:57:57 pm
I cut my finger quite badly last week.  It's more or less healed now, but I was left with an annoying flap of skin that kept catching on things.  I've just bitten it off.
As I psstt it out, the dog ate it.

OMG.  The dog now has a taste for human flesh.  Even worse, she has a taste for me.  :o
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 31 December, 2013, 06:41:51 pm
Harry followed me up the stair tonight and came in for an hour or so. He spent a long time staring at the cupboard where the mice like to shit, then sat on the sofa behind bobb for a while. Then when he realised he wasn't getting fed, he went home.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 09 January, 2014, 11:57:30 am
It appears that humans aren't the only species to have recreational chemical habits:

http://io9.com/watch-this-pod-of-dolphins-get-completely-stoned-on-puf-1497201966
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 January, 2014, 12:27:52 am
I am lying on my downmat in my daughter's spare bedroom. It is a bit like camping because the roof, or at least the party parapet wall does, leaks and, once that has been done, the room needs replastering. I have the window open a touch.

Every so often I hear a noise which reminds me of the noise a rabbit makes when it is being attacked by a stoat.that's improbable because I am in urban central Maidstone. I doubt that there are any rabbits and I am sure there are fewer stoats. I suppose it could be a rat having been caught by a rat, but I would expect a rat to make a much clearer squeaking noise rather than this throaty sound. I suppose it could be foxes because it is their mating season. All very interesting.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 January, 2014, 06:04:09 pm
I think Mojo needs his drugs upping. Keeping us awake half the night  :facepalm: and getting skinny again.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 January, 2014, 04:01:27 pm
I saw a raven fly over our garden being mobbed by crows. Made a change from the buzzard being mobbed. Impressive bird, the raven. Crows aren't small, but they were dwarfed by this specimen.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CrinklyLion on 26 January, 2014, 03:51:34 pm
I just got a text telling me that our elder sister not OTP haz puppy....
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruth on 27 January, 2014, 09:57:06 pm
A flock of Canada geese flying past my 12th floor bedroom window honking like mad in the driving snow. Wow.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 January, 2014, 04:07:37 pm
A flock of Canada geese flying past my 12th floor bedroom window honking like mad in the driving snow. Wow.

I can positively guarantee that I was not flying past your 12th floor bedroom window honking like mad.  O:-)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 January, 2014, 01:00:14 pm
Harry brought me a present this morning. I didn't actually want a dead bluetit, but he seemed very proud of himself.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 March, 2014, 12:40:20 am
Morphy occasionally likes to eat carrot peel. Sometimes he doesn't bother, and there's no real predicting what he's going to do.

While I was preparing the carrots for dinner this evening he came and stood beside me with that "Please give me carrot peel!" look in his eyes. I gave him some peel, which he accepted gratefully, and when I was transferring the carrot chunks to the saucepan I dropped one. He ate it, which is unusual: he normally only goes or the peel. I then offered him a whole carrot, certain that he would decline, but to my surprise he accepted it gratefully and then ate it, leaving just a few traces on the carpet.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wombat on 13 March, 2014, 08:20:08 am
Our collie Surya loves carrot peel, and seems to have "carrot radar" so if she is in the living room, and a carrot is taken out for peeling in the kitchen, a dog materialises in the kitchen, with ears up, and imploring look in her mismatched eyes.  She's game for either peelings, or carrot itself.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 20 March, 2014, 08:39:40 am
Apparently, teachers are no longer allowed to use the suffix "Tit" on the end of bird names, e.g. Bearded Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, but must use the suffix "Reedling". This is because "Tit" is a naughty offensive word, won't someone think of the children etc...

At least that's what one teacher thought who phoned up a local nature reserve yesterday....    ::-)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: graculus on 20 March, 2014, 05:40:32 pm
News to me. I have just got back from providing a session for a year 3 class to build bird boxes, and used 'Blue Tit' throughout without the class teacher being in the least bit worried.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 March, 2014, 11:13:37 am
Apparently, teachers are no longer allowed to use the suffix "Tit" on the end of bird names, e.g. Bearded Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, but must use the suffix "Reedling". This is because "Tit" is a naughty offensive word, won't someone think of the children etc...

At least that's what one teacher thought who phoned up a local nature reserve yesterday....    ::-)

How does a maths teacher cope with a number two?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 March, 2014, 08:44:40 pm
Works it out with a pencil?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 26 March, 2014, 09:15:32 pm
Mog has Hyperthyroidism and a sore tooth. Medicine started. Calling pet insurance added to the to-do list. Decision about pills forever or Iodine remains open.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 22 April, 2014, 04:11:26 pm
The bunny bath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_J0AMPPD34
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 May, 2014, 10:25:08 am
I'm watching Supervet and there's a dog which needs knee surgery because of knee problems caused by walking funny because it has enormous bollocks.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 May, 2014, 12:57:20 pm
Lol!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 June, 2014, 03:28:22 pm
Soddit. We have a wedding to go to in 3 weeks and I seem to have left it late to find someone to look after Morphy. My usual dog accommodator is fully booked.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 30 June, 2014, 01:56:18 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-27994010

Quote
The cocker spaniel can tell the difference between a red and a grey squirrel

The BBC picture editor can’t.

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2014, 07:58:33 pm
Soddit. We have a wedding to go to in 3 weeks and I seem to have left it late to find someone to look after Morphy. My usual dog accommodator is fully booked.
For the first time in his 10 years, Morphy is going into kennels tomorrow. I feel quite guilty about this.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: peliroja on 03 July, 2014, 09:51:32 pm
Oh, no! Poor Morphy. I hope it's a nice one and that they remember his his 4 o'clock chew.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruth on 04 July, 2014, 09:03:52 pm
One of my colleagues adopted a norphaned baby Djog a while ago.  It's thriving  :D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: nicknack on 13 July, 2014, 11:27:23 am
Lots of very high pitched squeaking yesterday. Wandered outside and found a very small wren sat just outside the door. Obviously a new one. When I bent down to have a closer look it flew off to next to our shed. So I thought, "It can fly so it'll be ok". I hadn't realised next door's cat was lurking behind the shed. I don't know why it bothered. It must have been a very small snack for it. Perhaps it was getting its own back on the avian kingdom for the magpies that constantly taunt it.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 July, 2014, 11:41:27 am
Oh, no! Poor Morphy. I hope it's a nice one and that they remember his his 4 o'clock chew.

He seemed fine when we went to get him. No idea what purgatory he had to put up with in the intervening period though.  :demon:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 05 August, 2014, 02:04:20 pm
We have a bit of a wildlife garden…. Partly by design but mostly due to the fact that we both hate gardening! Thus, it’s no surprise that we attract a load of squirrels into the garden and during the summer, a pair of hedgehogs. They are great at keeping the slug population down and are happy to eat the cat biscuits we leave out for the two stray cats we also feed.

Anyway, this year the hogs produced a hoglet which we have had great pleasure in watching grow. However, last evening we noticed the hoglet in the garden at 6pm: that’s really early as they don’t normally come out until sunset. We put some fresh food down for it but s/he didn’t seem to be interested.

Just before lunch today, I noted that the hoglet was in the garden again. S/he made it as far as the car where s/he just sat shaking. A quick google and a phone call to our local wildlife centre later, I was off with the hoglet to the Rescue Centre….catching every red light on the way!

The Rescue Centre said that he was of an okay weight, was reactive in the way they would expect but was dehydrated. With some feeding up s/he should recover. It seems that the hoglets don’t do well in the hot weather and that they have had a few in this week already.

I am glad there are people out there who help like this. I hate seeing animals suffer so was happy to leave a donation. If anyone else would like to do so, see*

http://thebwrc.com/?page_id=671



*Other rescue centres are available
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 05 August, 2014, 09:52:26 pm
Dead little thrush on the pavement. Adult flew away as I approached.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 23 August, 2014, 02:29:45 pm
Eeek!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-28884087 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-28884087)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 August, 2014, 02:47:36 pm
I have discovered a benefit of slugs.

Morphy crapped on what passes for a lawn the other day. When I was pottering down the garden I thought "Blimey! What's wrong with that dog's bowels?" but when I looked a little closer it was a couple of dozen slugs all tucking in. The following morning all the dogshit had gone.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 26 August, 2014, 10:08:14 pm
5,000 wasps found in St Cross bedroom (http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/11432216.5_000_wasps_found_in_Winchester_bedroom/?ref=var_0)  :o
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 26 August, 2014, 10:33:56 pm
I have discovered a benefit of slugs.

Morphy crapped on what passes for a lawn the other day. When I was pottering down the garden I thought "Blimey! What's wrong with that dog's bowels?" but when I looked a little closer it was a couple of dozen slugs all tucking in. The following morning all the dogshit had gone.

And the morning after that the dog ate all the slugs?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 August, 2014, 01:55:59 am
Sign beside I-70 just inside Utah this morning:

EAGLES ON HIGHWAY

Somehow I don't think they're referring to Don Henley, Joe Walsh et al.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 28 August, 2014, 10:35:57 pm
Free cat with every mortgage http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11062485/Bank-gives-free-cats-to-customers-who-take-mortgages.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11062485/Bank-gives-free-cats-to-customers-who-take-mortgages.html)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 29 August, 2014, 06:49:35 pm
Coo.  Heavy meckle birds in Brum!  There's one by here somewhere singing the rif to Kashmir.  In a much higher key obv.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2014, 01:50:35 am
Loose moose gets stuck in Siemens office in Dresden (http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/loose-moose-gets-stuck-in-siemens-office-in-dresden-1.2746161).

A Polish møøse, apparently.  This is what happens when you open up the EU to Johnny Eastern European (cont. UKIP's manifesto).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: bumper on 02 September, 2014, 06:49:54 pm
For the past 4-5 years, I've been busy cultivating a nettle patch in the back garden hoping to get some butterflies to lay on them. The nettle patch has caused much amusement to certain nobbers that have seen them, I'm constantly having my leg pulled about them 'not being garden flowers' blah, blah, blah!

I was going to get the weed killer on them a few weeks ago, they've not seen a single bloody caterpillar! My garden is always full of different butterflies visiting the flowers, the woodland across the way also encourages more unusual species.

Success!

I've had lots of black peacock caterpillars over the past couple of weeks, they've all vanished. I'm guessing they're pupating somewhere.

I've also had some Comma caterpillars too, they're currently in pupa form too. I can actually see these. They hang from the nettles like dead leaves :thumbsup:

The ridicule has been worth it, I'll be checking them everyday when I can. They'll be out in a couple of weeks. The nettle patch is staying :P
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruth on 02 September, 2014, 08:43:42 pm
Bumper, you are an absolute wildlife hero  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 September, 2014, 09:08:26 pm
^ wot she said
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: bumper on 02 September, 2014, 10:54:00 pm
I'll pretend you're both being sincere  :P

I've hardened to ridicule about my nettles anyway. I never would've thought people would find my nettle patch so hilarious, even my wife*

Just wish I'd still got my macro gear. The Comma chrysalis have little white spots on them, looks like mother of pearl on dead leaf. They even wiggle with the wind. Nature is ACE!

*shes been educated bored to death today, she's had a guided tour ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 14 September, 2014, 11:44:53 am
Not quite wildlife.

There's a war underway in & around our back garden. There was noisy violence in the night, & one of the protagonists appeared this morning looking around cautiously, which is a big change from the previous arrogance.

The participants are believed to be -
Alfie. Fairly hefty ginger lad. Lives next door but one with his mate Oscar. When they first started hanging around they were very timid & stuck together, but they've grown in confidence (& musculature) since then, especially Alfie, who's usually out alone nowadays.

Two others whose names I don't know, but who I think live in the next street.
1. Small but chunky, young & black. Has been seen sparring with Alfie, & has tried to sneak into our house a few times. Ran out of the back door once when I took him by surprise.
2. Shaggy old geezer. Used to stalk around as if he owned the place, & cowed the others with a look. I'm pretty sure one of the others has taken him down a peg (perhaps that's what we heard last night), judging by his demeanour this morning. Tried to get in our back door on Friday, which he'd never done before. Alfie was glaring at him & making threatening gestures at the time, but backed off when Mr Shaggy faced up to him.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 September, 2014, 09:36:26 pm
We have a touchingly loyal dog.

This morning I decided to join Jan and Morphy and make my first journey to the park since damaging my leg 4 weeks ago. I bit off more than I could chew. When we got to the park Jan took him on the usual longer route whereas I made straight to the car park and phoned Dez and asked him to come and pick me up.

Morphy hadn't noticed my absence initially, but when he realised I wasn't with them he hung back, looked for me, and didn't want to carry on with Jan alone. Eventually he just sat down and refused to move, but fortunately he did so at a point from which Jan could see me. When she told him where I was he dragged her over to me. Even then, after he had seen me getting in the car, he was fairly reluctant to come home.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 September, 2014, 09:40:02 pm
You have a touchingly loyal dog. Jan doesn't.  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 September, 2014, 09:43:53 pm
You have a touchingly loyal dog. Jan doesn't.  ;D

Oh, he's just the same if ever we get split up on a walk. He always wants to wait for the one whom he perceives is lagging behind. Quite often we drop in our local shop for milk on the way back from the park. It's that close to home that there's no point in the one with the dog waiting, and I normally hold his lead because he's a really strong, big dog and he has never learned not to pull, so Jan usually goes in for the milk. He won't let me get far along the road before he's hanging back and looking over his shoulder for the missing pack member!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Biff on 22 September, 2014, 05:06:46 pm
Beware- carrot thieves at large!

(http://33.media.tumblr.com/b2d935a84bd68ac3caa52bcaf18b8205/tumblr_mx5dgytPI01qdlh1io1_400.gif)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 27 September, 2014, 01:49:34 am
http://io9.com/watch-this-leopard-dive-bomb-an-impala-from-an-impossib-1639527349

<Brian Blessed> DIVE!!! </Brian Blessed>
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2014, 05:55:56 pm
You have a touchingly loyal dog. Jan doesn't.  ;D

Oh, he's just the same if ever we get split up on a walk. He always wants to wait for the one whom he perceives is lagging behind. Quite often we drop in our local shop for milk on the way back from the park. It's that close to home that there's no point in the one with the dog waiting, and I normally hold his lead because he's a really strong, big dog and he has never learned not to pull, so Jan usually goes in for the milk. He won't let me get far along the road before he's hanging back and looking over his shoulder for the missing pack member!

Year ago outside a bank in Stuttgart I saw a Great Dane, lying with his chin and a paw on the step and gazing at a bloke inside.  It didn't move a millimetre until he came out, by which time a bunch of folk were standing in a ring marvelling.  When he did come out the dog got up and greeted him with a lick, and everyone clapped.

Never seen anything like that since.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: docsquid on 06 October, 2014, 09:09:08 am
Missing all the wildlife while I am in hospital. But Stephen has reported to me the first hedgehog in our garden for years, spotted as he put the car away after visiting me in hospital. Also two birds at our woodland widlife site spotted in one of our ponds. From the description it sounds like our Jack Snipe are back after three years of absence.

We've also had a great year for dragonflies at the woods, with 17 different species, and the first ever sighting of a silver washed fritillary butterfly, a target species for us. As well as breeding spotted flycatchers and a bumper year for grass snakes.

Then last week some very nerdy wildflower folk came and got excited about a rare bladderwort in one of our ponds. So it has been a good year. Sorry for rambling. I will try and be more coherent in future :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 November, 2014, 10:38:39 pm
The Mollycat is sulking.  She was outside when I got her dinner ready, so she didn't see/hear/smell me doing it.  So it wasn't done at all.  So as far as she's concerned the stuff in her bowl has been the since yesterday.  So poo ur gosh im not eating that.

Furry idiot.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 19 November, 2014, 05:51:50 pm
We're waiting for Cats Protection to come and assess us.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2014, 06:16:36 pm
We're waiting for Cats Protection to come and assess us.

I hope there won't be any maths questions in this assessment, I'm crap at those.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 19 November, 2014, 06:20:50 pm
We're waiting for Cats Protection to come and assess us.

I hope there won't be any maths questions in this assessment, I'm crap at those.

As I was walking to St Ives...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 November, 2014, 06:32:44 pm
Which one?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2014, 07:24:24 pm
We are passed fit to kitteh parent.





*waits*
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 19 November, 2014, 08:18:47 pm
Which one?

The nursery rhyme does not state...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 November, 2014, 09:43:58 pm
We are passed fit to kitteh parent.





*waits*

Woo hoo!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2014, 09:46:15 pm
Kittykittykittykittykittykitty
Touch it

Kittykittykittykittykittykitty
Touch it
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: woollypigs on 19 November, 2014, 10:50:42 pm
Just had to play it, Peli was not amused.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gus on 20 November, 2014, 12:43:02 pm
Just an attempt to make people smile and have a better day :
http://youtu.be/FarOkrG6aZE (http://youtu.be/FarOkrG6aZE)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2014, 07:18:14 pm
Just had to play it, Peli was not amused.

How no??? It's one of the most smile inducing songs :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: peliroja on 20 November, 2014, 10:27:03 pm
Just had to play it, Peli was not amused.

How no??? It's one of the most smile inducing songs :)
I was trying to sleep at the time. ;) Woolly cracked up when I involuntarily started singing it as I was about to drop off...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2014, 10:42:46 pm
<chortle>
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 20 November, 2014, 10:48:41 pm
Just had to play it, Peli was not amused.

How no??? It's one of the most smile inducing songs :)
I was trying to sleep at the time. ;) Woolly cracked up when I involuntarily started singing it as I was about to drop off...

Did you sing Woolly instead of Kitty at the pertinent point, then?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 25 November, 2014, 12:06:02 pm
Just heard that one of my Team Leaders is having to have a pet caused operation next week...... the cat was hungry and did the normal "wrapping myself around your feet until you feed me" routine, causing my Team Leader to trip and break her wrist.

Just off to make sure my six are happy and fully fed!



Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2014, 02:42:33 pm
Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) narrowly avoided a similar fate a few years back.  His eyesight is such that he was unable to see a Golden Retriever a-kip in the hall.  That was the last time he volunteered to look after Dr Larrington's dog.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: peliroja on 25 November, 2014, 06:24:42 pm
I found the purrrrfect job for a cat-loving retail expert wanting to work from home (ish)!

http://www.cats.org.uk/work-for-us/paid-vacancies?v=509
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 29 November, 2014, 10:36:56 am
Medicated the wrong kitten this morning  :-[
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 14 December, 2014, 06:46:32 pm
When I inspected the litter tray yesterday, there was a large hole dug in the litter in the front-left corner and a large poo on top of the litter in the rear-right corner  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 14 December, 2014, 08:51:28 pm
Yesterday I saw a Jay. Haven't seen one of them around town before. Indeed, there was a lot of singing and birds about.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 22 December, 2014, 01:27:01 pm
This chap's a little bit lost.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/watch-i-woke-up-found-8330927 (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/watch-i-woke-up-found-8330927)

Now in captivity & needing some treatment http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/seal-found-newton-le-willows-field-transferred-8336343 (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/seal-found-newton-le-willows-field-transferred-8336343)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 23 December, 2014, 03:22:27 pm
More sea life turning up in odd places. 

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/critically-endangered-turtle-washes-up-8338231 (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/critically-endangered-turtle-washes-up-8338231)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2014, 05:09:59 pm
2 runny poos on the bed  :sick: followed by a bloody poo today = a trip to the vet later for Pumpkin  :-\
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 January, 2015, 05:14:30 pm
The kittens went to the cattery today. When they went in their run they were both shaking like jellies.
How bad did I feel?  :'(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 January, 2015, 01:57:09 pm
They were shaking with excitement, I promise.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 19 January, 2015, 04:18:23 pm
This chap's a little bit lost.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/watch-i-woke-up-found-8330927 (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/watch-i-woke-up-found-8330927)

Now in captivity & needing some treatment http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/seal-found-newton-le-willows-field-transferred-8336343 (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/seal-found-newton-le-willows-field-transferred-8336343)

Poor little chap didn't make it.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/dumbledore-stranded-seal-died-8474949 (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/dumbledore-stranded-seal-died-8474949)

 :'( :'(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 19 January, 2015, 08:53:02 pm
I thought _I_ looked bad in lycra.......

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7thxHXCEAEE8bf.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Moleman76 on 22 January, 2015, 05:48:14 am
A MACIL, of course
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2015, 05:54:51 pm
I spent this morning doing a little dance round the litter tray because Pumpkin produced a poo of such quality rather than the brown puddles she was doing earlier this week. Since we got the cats in November the only time she's done any decent poos was the week she was living on boiled chicken.
I'm hoping we might have cracked it on food number 5 which is good cos I was getting quite worried about her....
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2015, 07:31:33 pm
And now she's looking all sorry for herself :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 31 January, 2015, 11:59:12 pm
And now she's perky again  ::-)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: runsoncake on 04 February, 2015, 11:24:31 pm
Just realised that now since our much loved dog has passed on the local hedgehogs are safe.

Somehow Ted had discovered the trick of unzipping the spiny ones before they "balled up", impressive but unpleasant and messy.  (Victory shake would only happen indoors, gory streaks everywhere)

Looking forward to Team Spiky taking on the  previously  untouchable molluscs in our garden.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: woollypigs on 05 February, 2015, 09:58:43 am
My granddad's dog weed on the hedgehogs. Very brave for wee mutt, cause they only had to stretch their legs and I would never have got my fourth dog.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 06 February, 2015, 11:35:39 am
The story behind

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ifQAUCcBPqI/VNSlJwUa24I/AAAAAAAAs4w/gZodX3bKtE4/s640/P1310181.JPG)

The tree is the Moroccan Argan tree http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argan_oil - unique to the area. The production of the oil is labour intensive and viewed as women's work, although in an enabling sense rather than a derogatory manner - a way that women are able to do work, frequently organised in cooperatives. Part of the responsibility of the visiting tourist is to watch them cracking the nuts

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dbrQd-Yl1NM/VNSmXMJ0uhI/AAAAAAAAs44/fAVgHwPrw0U/s640/P1310099.JPG)

then grinding and extracting oil

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Ku2lIJvZkA/VNSmbYcl6BI/AAAAAAAAs5A/toBb1_WgBL8/s640/P1310100.JPG)

then handing over money for the product.

And the animal connection? They get goats to eat the nuts first as that is apparently the easiest way to remove the outer coating. The goats appreciate their role.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: woollypigs on 06 February, 2015, 12:31:52 pm
Ok I need to go back to school, I was sure that goats didn't grow on trees ... :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: runsoncake on 07 February, 2015, 12:59:59 am
Ok I need to go back to school, I was sure that goats didn't grow on trees ... :)

Some parts do... http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelovelyplants.com%2Faruncus-dioicus-the-goats-beard-plant%2F&ei=OWPVVMPZEsfW7AbwlIDADQ&bvm=bv.85464276,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNFV_Tjgt-j6R1_nbutKwIyjkMHKpA&ust=1423357106842887

EDIT: Ooooh eckk! What a big link!!!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 February, 2015, 10:42:41 am
I spotted a wren in the back garden at the weekend, the first I've seen for many years. This prompted Mrs O to buy a bird feeder.

That's quite a surprise: the wren is the commonest British bird, although often quite hard to see because it grubs around in the undergrowth. However, at the right time of year the male wren's territorial song makes it one of the loudest creatures on a decibel-per-gram rating.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 02 March, 2015, 12:23:44 pm
Ninkasi fell off a windowsill and landed feet first on a piece of poo in the litter tray  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 06 March, 2015, 11:33:31 am
Last evening my considerably better half and I were discussing the fact that it will soon be the start of the “Killing Season”… the season when our pack of moggies kill anything with wings or four legs they can get their paws on. It’s mostly fledgling they take out of nests to play with….. not nice but they get bored after four or five months of mayhem.

Anyway, it seems that Pootle the mega tom was listening as he left me a present this morning…. A dead, fully grown pigeon! It’s the largest thing he has ever killed…poor thing is now buried in the garden as we do with all their kills… Let’s hope he isn’t starting large and getting larger as he couldn’t get the ex-pigeon through the cat flap but looking at the blood on it, he did try!

Oh… and there is currently a pigeon calling away on our roof. I wonder if it’s looking for its mate? Do they mate for life? Its quite sad really.

Pootle is now sleeping on the back of the sofa. To punish him...we have turned off his electric blanket.....
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 06 March, 2015, 01:15:45 pm
Last evening my considerably better half and I were discussing the fact that it will soon be the start of the “Killing Season”… the season when our pack of moggies kill anything with wings or four legs they can get their paws on. It’s mostly fledgling they take out of nests to play with….. not nice but they get bored after four or five months of mayhem.

Anyway, it seems that Pootle the mega tom was listening as he left me a present this morning…. A dead, fully grown pigeon! It’s the largest thing he has ever killed…poor thing is now buried in the garden as we do with all their kills… Let’s hope he isn’t starting large and getting larger as he couldn’t get the ex-pigeon through the cat flap but looking at the blood on it, he did try!

Oh… and there is currently a pigeon calling away on our roof. I wonder if it’s looking for its mate? Do they mate for life? Its quite sad really.

Pootle is now sleeping on the back of the sofa. To punish him...we have turned off his electric blanket.....

I took this picture of your back garden
(http://community.havahart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mole-hills-400x266.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jasmine on 06 March, 2015, 03:11:18 pm
Oh… and there is currently a pigeon calling away on our roof. I wonder if it’s looking for its mate? Do they mate for life? Its quite sad really.


I'm afraid so, yes.  When I was younger, one of our old cats caught a collared dove.  Its mate sat on the telegraph pole next to the house for 2 years after that.  The biggest thing the cat ever managed was an adult rabbit.  He used to eat them though - except the heads, which he would leave by the door. I can see why some people think cats are a bit evil.

We had another who only ever caught toads from the pond.  He'd carefully carry them around for about 20 minutes then put them back in the pond, totally unharmed.  Eventually I think he just caught the same toad over and over, who didn't seem too traumatised by it. Very odd.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2015, 09:19:06 am
Yep, pigeon = love dove.

Staying on birds, I vote robin!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wombat on 16 March, 2015, 03:34:42 pm
Mute swan!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 March, 2015, 06:37:18 pm
Penguin waddle put to the test (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31910427).

Pengs on treadmills!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 22 March, 2015, 10:44:01 pm
Unfortunately it was dark and I didn't have a video camera, however this evening I had the odd experience of a cat walking to heel.

To explain I have been feeding my sisters cats for the weekend, Harry is allowed outside but gets shut in each evening. He has a locating fob on his collar with a hand held tracker so that if he hasn't come in on time you can go and find him. He is now trained that if you go out with the locator in the evening it is time to come home for diner. Therefore he calmly walks back with you, some times getting between your feet, sometimes leading you by a meter, mainly just following to heel.  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 22 March, 2015, 11:45:36 pm
My first cat used to do that (along with other tricks like fetch, hide & seek and jumping on cue to grab things out of your hand).  She'd come when you called, and would regularly accompany me out the door on my way to school in the morning, stopping at the edge of her territory and mowling at me not to be so silly.  A couple of times I did what she wanted, and she lead me back to the house.  :)

Subsequent cats proved much less trainable, though the sound of a box of Iams being shaken usually had the desired effect.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ian on 23 March, 2015, 11:23:09 am
I've seen a cat that thinks it's a dog. It's quite odd. We were out walking one day and a cat darted past us, and stopped, and turned, the way dog's do when their owners aren't keeping up. Two other dogs caught up and they all stopped in a group, panting and wagging their tails. Apparently, the cat was an orphan and had been brought up with the puppies and for all intents and purposes thought it was a dog and behaved like one.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 25 March, 2015, 10:44:48 pm
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/westhampsteadferret#.VRM5yCiwd4I.twitter (http://www.camdennewjournal.com/westhampsteadferret#.VRM5yCiwd4I.twitter)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2015, 08:34:31 am
Noticed a male Black Redstart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_redstart) in the garden yestere'en.  Handsome wee bugger.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: tiermat on 07 April, 2015, 08:21:37 am
Came downstairs this morning to find that one of our boys had left us a "present" on the decking.

A whole nest of chicks, all dead, obv.

 :sick:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 April, 2015, 05:55:57 pm
A bird hit the kitchen window today, with enough force to shake the clock on the wall beside it off. (House made of ticky tacky, so not that hard, but still a hefty thud for a bird.) No bird on the floor below, so I hope it's still flapping about.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2015, 04:51:38 pm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/11537864/Giant-badger-the-size-of-a-pig-terrorises-pensioner.html

The Schweindachs is looking for cyclists to hit - not even recumbent trikes are safe!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 April, 2015, 05:53:16 pm
Bobb and I went out to Lothian Cat Rescue today to hand in some donations and spoffle cats. Louis let me stroke his tummy, and Jaffa leapt onto me and clung on like he never wanted to let me go. If Pete would tolerate other cats, I'd have taken them both.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 16 April, 2015, 09:18:55 pm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/11537864/Giant-badger-the-size-of-a-pig-terrorises-pensioner.html

The Schweindachs is looking for cyclists to hit - not even recumbent trikes are safe!

Sounds like a close shave
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 April, 2015, 08:30:41 pm
Last Wednesday I very gently handled a tit. Something seemed to have injured it and it was lying motionless on the ground, just pulsating gently as it breathed. I lifted it up and put it in the hedge. It protested when I lifted it.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 April, 2015, 09:55:42 am
It was planning on building a nest in your beard.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 21 April, 2015, 09:35:54 pm
Mrs P has obv. been inspired by Wobbly John:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7630/16596393143_5b337e6ab8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rhyRtn)
IMG_4979 (https://flic.kr/p/rhyRtn) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7692/16594413614_2cdfdfc02e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rhoH2y)
IMG_4980 (https://flic.kr/p/rhoH2y) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8766/17216290821_f2c695e995_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sekZsn)
IMG_4981 (https://flic.kr/p/sekZsn) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

In use (https://flic.kr/p/sct5N5)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 April, 2015, 02:56:03 pm
That's excellent! Teaching cats maths...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2015, 11:41:32 pm
Mrs P has obv. been inspired by Wobbly John:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7630/16596393143_5b337e6ab8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rhyRtn)
IMG_4979 (https://flic.kr/p/rhyRtn) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7692/16594413614_2cdfdfc02e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rhoH2y)
IMG_4980 (https://flic.kr/p/rhoH2y) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8766/17216290821_f2c695e995_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sekZsn)
IMG_4981 (https://flic.kr/p/sekZsn) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

In use (https://flic.kr/p/sct5N5)


'Ere cat! - chewing through the cardboard bits between the holes is cheating! Have you any idea how long that took me to make?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 26 April, 2015, 01:23:27 pm
The magpies seem to like harassing the pigeons.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7700/17088881299_9e9063b55b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/s35Z3t)
EK008987 (https://flic.kr/p/s35Z3t) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 09 May, 2015, 09:27:32 pm
Russia's 'imperial navy' seals given toy guns and hats (http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/may/09/russia-imperial-navy-seals-given-toy-guns-and-hats-video)  :o ???
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 May, 2015, 07:54:51 pm
Descartes eat your heart out!

https://www.facebook.com/kyleandjackieoshow/videos/984625398239035/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 13 May, 2015, 10:41:53 pm
Mrs P has obv. been inspired by Wobbly John:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7630/16596393143_5b337e6ab8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rhyRtn)
IMG_4979 (https://flic.kr/p/rhyRtn) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7692/16594413614_2cdfdfc02e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rhoH2y)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8766/17216290821_f2c695e995_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sekZsn)
IMG_4981 (https://flic.kr/p/sekZsn) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/people/36539950@N00/), on Flickr

In use (https://flic.kr/p/sct5N5)


'Ere cat! - chewing through the cardboard bits between the holes is cheating! Have you any idea how long that took me to make?

A few weeks later:

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7722/17613680615_d63f608c62_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sQsHAx)
IMG_2447 (https://flic.kr/p/sQsHAx) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

Still in use though:

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8713/16991118294_44d58568a0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rTrVvq)
IMG_2450 (https://flic.kr/p/rTrVvq) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: simonp on 14 May, 2015, 08:53:35 pm
Went to a talk at UWE by George Monbiot about Rewilding. Really interesting and inspiring stuff.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 May, 2015, 01:08:58 pm
I don't wish to cast nasturtiums but someone has disembowelled a mouse and left the remains all over the floor just inside the door to the back green.

My money's on Harry from along the road. Pete would have eaten it whole
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 16 May, 2015, 07:55:48 pm
There was a suspiciously pristine dead badger on today's ride.  Maybe it was just resting...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 18 May, 2015, 08:51:07 am
A sad tale of a tabby cat.

I visited my sister's new house for the first time yesterday. Being a fan of cats, she regaled me with the sad but true tale of a tabby cat.....

My sisters new home is a nice village some miles from Telford. It has a nice pub, a really pretty church and a village shop/post office. All very nice and indeed, if it wasn't for the fact my sister lived there, it would be a place I would move to; if we ever sell this place!

Anyway, one of the drawbacks to this village is the fact that it is quite close to Telford. Not normally seen as a draw back as the major town that Telford now is, is good for all your normal needs. However, it seems that some of the less nice people of Telford use the village to dump unwanted animals. So much so, the villagers have a round up once or twice a year to re-home the abandoned pets. This is how my sister met Tigger.

Tigger, as the name suggests, was a male tabby cat.; with all his bits on proud show, who decided to move into the hedge across the lane from my sisters house. He would not let you come too close but of course, wonder out with some left over chicken or some salmon, he was only to happy to accept them. Well, it would be rude to say no. Overtime he became a little more friendly and over the winter moved slowly into first the garage and then into the kitchen. He still wouldn't let you get too close but he was happy eating any left overs (although how Dreamies become left overs I'll never know).

Come the spring, Tigger had settled down to a semi domestic role of mouse ignorer and left over food removal operative. But then it happened, my sister and family decided to go away for a weeks holiday leaving Tigger in the hands of a neighbour who Tigger knew. It didn't turn out well and after four days my sister received a  frantic call informing her that Tigger had not come home for the last two nights and that a search of the village had brought no sightings. In a panic, the holiday was cut short.

Despite further searches in the surrounding areas upon their return, no sign of Tigger was found, so in a last attempt to find him, posters were put up, the local council and local vets phoned. It was during a call to a vets that the sad news was forthcoming that a intact tabby tom cat had been brought in to them dead. He had been found on the main A449 which, while five miles away, does intersect a direct line from the village to Telford.

In a flood of tears my sister identified Tigger by the small lump missing from his ears and his fur markings so took him home for burial under the tree in the garden he used to rest under. All very sad.

Three days later, the actual Tigger walked into the house as alive as he could be, if a little hungry. It seems that my sister in her grief had identified the wrong animal as Tigger so she now has someone lost kitty buried in her garden. She has told the vets in case someone wants the cat back...strangely no one has called.

Tigger has now been “doctored” and mircochipped so hopefully, this won't happen again.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 18 May, 2015, 01:31:27 pm
Allotment fox is not well. It was seen on Saturday, looking thin & scruffy & walking three-legged, keeping back right foot off the ground.

Mrs B has decreed that we'll keep it fed so that it has a chance to heal.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 26 May, 2015, 10:56:53 pm
A bird hit the kitchen window today, with enough force to shake the clock on the wall beside it off. (House made of ticky tacky, so not that hard, but still a hefty thud for a bird.) No bird on the floor below, so I hope it's still flapping about.

Yesterday a young sparrow hit one of our windows (not the kitchen, not even a particularly big window). It was on the floor when I got downstairs. Still alive, trying to flap but not quite getting anywhere. I assumed dazed and confused so popped it in the shelter of a nearby bush rather than on the drive and then had to do other stuff. It was still there today, dead.  :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 28 May, 2015, 06:35:07 pm
Allotment fox is looking better (livelier, coat less ragged-looking), but still mostly keeping that foot off the ground when walking.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 29 May, 2015, 12:26:11 pm
Not that wild, rather more relaxed, in fact....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dnYc2bvblI
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 June, 2015, 01:05:32 pm
Warm-blooded fish! (http://www.sciencemag.org/content/348/6236/786.short)
Quote
Endothermy (the metabolic production and retention of heat to warm body temperature above ambient) enhances physiological function, and whole-body endothermy generally sets mammals and birds apart from other animals. Here, we describe a whole-body form of endothermy in a fish, the opah (Lampris guttatus), that produces heat through the constant “flapping” of wing-like pectoral fins and minimizes heat loss through a series of counter-current heat exchangers within its gills. Unlike other fish, opah distribute warmed blood throughout the body, including to the heart, enhancing physiological performance and buffering internal organ function while foraging in the cold, nutrient-rich waters below the ocean thermocline.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opah#Only_Known_Endothermic_Fish
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 June, 2015, 10:57:59 pm
Teaching apes to speak.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32966907
Is chimpanzees' failure to learn human language any stranger than our failure to communicate in theirs?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 03 June, 2015, 02:44:07 pm
All the evidence is that there's a lot less of theirs to learn, & they don't have much to say.

They can learn to understand quite a lot of words of ours, but have failed to learn to communicate in any of our languages beyond a very basic level, despite great efforts to teach them.

Dozens of signs & gestures used by great apes for communication have been identified. Note that: dozens. Copying those isn't particularly difficult, as far as I can discover, but researchers don't find it very interesting, not like trying to teach 'em something more complicated.

With intensive & lengthy teaching, a few have learned to use a few hundred signs - but none of them have learned to use them as humans do, & they learn them very slowly indeed by human standards.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 03 June, 2015, 08:17:56 pm
With intensive & lengthy teaching, a few have learned to use a few hundred signs - but none of them have learned to use them as humans do, & they learn them very slowly indeed by human standards.

Have any of those studies been done with immersive exposure to *native* signers, though?  Without that, you'd expect them to have the same problems as signing children of hearing families (who are typically learning sign one step ahead from limited resources, which isn't fast enough for a developing child, and only use it to communicate directly with the child, so the child isn't exposed to natural adult use of language).  That apes tend to learn more slowly would surely compound that effect.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2015, 08:21:45 pm
Poor Pumpkin. She was sitting facing the telly while we were watching Springwatch. A barn owl was facing 'out' of the telly and when it leapt to fly out of the nest (effectively out of the telly) Pumpkin totally freaked out and ran behind the sofa. Poor wee toot!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 04 June, 2015, 12:07:47 am
With intensive & lengthy teaching, a few have learned to use a few hundred signs - but none of them have learned to use them as humans do, & they learn them very slowly indeed by human standards.

Have any of those studies been done with immersive exposure to *native* signers, though?  Without that, you'd expect them to have the same problems as signing children of hearing families (who are typically learning sign one step ahead from limited resources, which isn't fast enough for a developing child, and only use it to communicate directly with the child, so the child isn't exposed to natural adult use of language).  That apes tend to learn more slowly would surely compound that effect.
The evidence is that they learn to understand speech (with immersive exposure) faster than they learn to use anything, & learn to understand speech orders of magnitude slower than humans. There's a hell of a lot of controversy about how much they do learn, especially in their use of language, but even those making the greatest (& highly disputed) claims aren't claiming anything anywhere near what humans learn in similar circumstances.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2015, 04:14:29 pm
Still with the chimps, I read the other day that chimpanzees have learned to appreciate cooked food, prefer cooked to raw vegetables and would hoard raw veg until they had enough to hand over to their tame humans for cooking. Delayed gratification – obviously middle-class chimps!  ::-) I think I read this in the Graun – or maybe it was the Telegraph. Either way, I can't find it now.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2015, 06:43:35 pm
Never mind that, where's my Monkey Butler?

(http://amble.com/ambler/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/monkey-butler.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 04 June, 2015, 09:30:34 pm
Still with the chimps, I read the other day that chimpanzees have learned to appreciate cooked food, prefer cooked to raw vegetables and would hoard raw veg until they had enough to hand over to their tame humans for cooking. Delayed gratification – obviously middle-class chimps!  ::-) I think I read this in the Graun – or maybe it was the Telegraph. Either way, I can't find it now.

It's been all over the media: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=chimps+prefer+cooked+food&tbm=nws

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/03/chimpanzees-can-cook-and-prefer-cooked-food-study-shows

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/11648482/Chimps-could-cook-if-we-gave-them-the-chance-says-research.html
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 04 June, 2015, 10:36:35 pm
Quote
chimps being unable to control fire was just one of the reasons they do not currently cook. The other, according to the study, is their lack of "social skills"

That really makes no sense, Gordon Ramsay can cook.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 June, 2015, 12:23:09 pm
One very lucky cat on the Isle of Man - nearly became a Manx cat in both senses after a near miss with Keith Amor's bike.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGr-8qrXIAElPje.jpg)

Only eight left.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 June, 2015, 07:00:51 pm
Recently I've seen a few people taking their cats for walks on leads, like dogs. This puzzles me. Then I read this about someone trapping cats in a cage and putting up 'warning' posters:
http://www.bristol247.com/channel/news-comment/daily/animals/posters-show-missing-cat-trapped-in-cage

I don't think there's any connection between the cat-walking and the trapping, because the trapping story only broke a day or two ago and is in a different part of town. Both are a bit odd.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 June, 2015, 08:17:02 pm
I had a message from my daughter this morning. She's on holiday in Singapore and/or Malaysia. During this trip she has witnessed turtles hatching on a beach and dashing down to the sea.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 June, 2015, 10:04:33 pm
Tonight I tickled a man's ferrets.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 23 June, 2015, 11:07:46 pm
Takes rather a long while about it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAkKSQXgZUA
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 26 June, 2015, 11:15:26 am
Apropos of this https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2177.msg1882068#msg1882068

There is a recent visitor to the gardens around Ham Hall, can anyone identify the bugger? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y2rwtEodi4 carries on and on and on and on and on like that
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruthie on 26 June, 2015, 11:51:21 am
It's a bird.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 26 June, 2015, 12:03:18 pm
It's a bird.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Clare on 26 June, 2015, 12:40:16 pm
It could be a plane...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 26 June, 2015, 06:39:12 pm
No, they are bloody sycamores ;)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 29 June, 2015, 07:57:38 pm
do you think you are any good at dog training? http://www.trainingwithomar.com/ovm-video.php

(Jumpy the dog & X-Pete if you have limited time)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 29 June, 2015, 08:04:10 pm
Crikey!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 June, 2015, 09:25:05 pm
I won't be frightened of Mr Larrington invoking TEH BEAR ever again

http://www.reshareworthy.com/bear-belly-flops-into-pool/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 09 July, 2015, 10:10:51 pm
I miss Wol.  :(   It's too quiet out there.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2015, 04:44:20 pm
Apropos of this https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2177.msg1882068#msg1882068

There is a recent visitor to the gardens around Ham Hall, can anyone identify the bugger? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y2rwtEodi4 carries on and on and on and on and on like that

I think it might be a great tit. They have quite a wide variety of very monotonous calls.

Here's another. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDLF2fxoWQ

And here are lots more! http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Parus-major
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2015, 04:52:35 pm
Dez has just been editing some footage taken with his quadcopter over Norsey Woods, Billericay. At one point lots of insects appear and he has identified them as drone honeybees. They seem to be attracted to the quadcopter and the propellors sliced some of them up. I wondered whether he had inadvertently flown it into a mating swarm, or whether drones spend a lot of their time zooming around above woodland If it is the former, I hope his efforts didn't kill the queen.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 13 July, 2015, 11:53:43 am
Apropos of this https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2177.msg1882068#msg1882068

There is a recent visitor to the gardens around Ham Hall, can anyone identify the bugger? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y2rwtEodi4 carries on and on and on and on and on like that

I think it might be a great tit. They have quite a wide variety of very monotonous calls.

Here's another. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDLF2fxoWQ

And here are lots more! http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Parus-major

Quite possibly, thanks. Might be just complaining about the removal of the catering facilities at Ham Hall (replaced a year ago with a cat)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 20 July, 2015, 06:32:25 pm
Following my camping trip with college Mountain Man Park Rangery Type Buddy at the weekend, I've got my wildlife watching fu back!

So I've bought myself a heterodyne bat detector (Magenta Bat51), along with a digital voice recorder (Sony ICD-PX4402)to record the calls from the detector! (90 squid for the detector from local rspb reserve, and 50 squid for the voice recorder from PC world   :o )  The aux output from the detector feeds into the mic / line on the recorder:

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/406/19863132635_0b4486cf58_z.jpg)

Initial tests settiing the bat detector at 40khz, it recorded ultrasonic noise when I rubbed my fingers together, and the recorder recorded this!   :D

Also, as another test to see how good the digital recorder is, I played some bat calls from a bat detector from youtube, and hooked the computer speaker line out to the recorder!  It worked jolly well!

When I was out camping last week on my own, I'm sure I saw bats flying over head.  Now at least when I go camping for a couple of days tomorrow, I'll be armed with my bat detector!   :)

1http://www.magenta2000.co.uk/acatalog/Bat_Detector_Bat5.html (http://www.magenta2000.co.uk/acatalog/Bat_Detector_Bat5.html)
2records at up to MP3 192kbps: 75 Hz - 20,000 H. So should be great if I get a directional microphone for recording bird call!   :D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 July, 2015, 06:40:47 pm
Nice. What does the readout on the BD tell you? We've got a Magenta but it's only got a twiddly knob with the Hz marked on it.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 20 July, 2015, 07:16:09 pm
Nice. What does the readout on the BD tell you? We've got a Magenta but it's only got a twiddly knob with the Hz marked on it.

It's a 4 digit backlit lcd display.  I used one of these a couple of years ago on one of the epic college field trip days.  Always thought about getting one, so I bought one!   :)   :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 23 July, 2015, 08:04:24 pm
Ooh, it appeared to detect bats, Mrs Pingu! And the sony voice recorder record!   :thumbsup:

Hopefully this youtube video will work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTnI20WlcaE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTnI20WlcaE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTnI20WlcaE)

Ooops, looks like the bat detector detected mobile phone turning on at 2:15 onwards....    :P

Still, a good first session!

-- eta -- Got a fair few recordings to go through, as I need to experiment about how best to do background noise removal and upload to youtube.

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 23 July, 2015, 10:48:18 pm
Good stuff BrianI  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 July, 2015, 06:15:35 pm
What bird makes a noise like someone tutting repeatedly?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 24 July, 2015, 06:38:22 pm
That secretary bird did in an office I once worked in.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2015, 08:39:41 pm
Blackbird?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: jsabine on 24 July, 2015, 10:23:10 pm
What bird makes a noise like someone tutting repeatedly?
That secretary bird did in an office I once worked in.
Blackbird?

Racist!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 05 September, 2015, 03:52:48 pm
What is it with all the wapsies today?  I've hardly seen any all year and now there's loads of them.  Kitchen, living room, shed, garden and they're really in bothering mood. 
I've been stacking wood all afternoon and twice I've had to rip my shirt off  cos one of the buggers has gone exploring.   >:(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: SteveC on 05 September, 2015, 04:13:30 pm
It's been a really good (or bad depending on your viewpoint) year for wasps.
They don't normally make themselves obvious until after the queens start to die, when there are no grubs to feed (they get fed meat). The workers then have nothing to do except spend the last few weeks of their lives gorging on anything sweet they can get their antennae on.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 05 September, 2015, 06:32:23 pm
Oooh.  Mushrooms.

That is all.   :demon:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 September, 2015, 08:35:18 pm
What is it with all the wapsies today?  I've hardly seen any all year and now there's loads of them.  Kitchen, living room, shed, garden and they're really in bothering mood. 
I've been stacking wood all afternoon and twice I've had to rip my shirt off  cos one of the buggers has gone exploring.   >:(

Think yourself lucky...http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/05/wasps-stung-me-in-the-testicles-but-i-love-them-anyway
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 September, 2015, 09:03:01 pm
What is it with all the wapsies today?  I've hardly seen any all year and now there's loads of them.  Kitchen, living room, shed, garden and they're really in bothering mood. 
I've been stacking wood all afternoon and twice I've had to rip my shirt off  cos one of the buggers has gone exploring.   >:(

Could your wood-stacking activities have disturbed their nest?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 September, 2015, 09:06:25 pm
We saw a number of foxes during last night's ride, the most memorable being one swimming in one of the docks. It seemed to sense how vulnerable it was when it was in the water and made for a concrete ledge in shallower water so that it could get out. I had never seen a fox swimming before.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 05 September, 2015, 11:14:14 pm
We saw a number of foxes during last night's ride, the most memorable being one swimming in one of the docks. It seemed to sense how vulnerable it was when it was in the water and made for a concrete ledge in shallower water so that it could get out. I had never seen a fox swimming before.

I wasn't sure whether it had got in there deliberately or not.  When I first spotted it, it was failing to climb out at the other end where the concrete wall was sheer with nothing to get hold of, but as we approached it swam away from us towards the shallower ledge.  When it reached that it appeared to know what it was doing, which was good, because I wasn't overwhelmed with ideas for how to rescue a water-treading fox...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 September, 2015, 09:43:38 am
I think its initial attempts to get out where it was impossible was panic induced by our proximity. Once it realised it couldn't get out where the wall was too high it made straight for the ledge where it did get out.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: cycleman on 06 September, 2015, 08:52:23 pm
Two deer, one with antler's and the other smaller with spot's  :) , near pinkeys green . oh and a buzzerd near white Waltham along ncn4  :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 13 September, 2015, 08:17:37 pm
Dragon flies are pretty rare in the gardens of urban Brum.  So when Daf just came in through the cat flap and presented me with one he'd just killed, it was difficult to be suitably grateful.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 September, 2015, 08:50:51 pm
Aw
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruthie on 25 September, 2015, 06:18:55 pm
When me and Crinklylion were standing on the grass at the side of the A1(M) last week (I forgot to feed the horses, okay?) we saw a queue of fully grown swans fly over us at very low altitude.  They were beautiful, and huge.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 26 September, 2015, 02:58:33 pm
Had a couple of men poking around in the hedges outside my flat yesterday, who told me they were Portuguese, and picking chestnuts. "We eat them, make them into pies"

"Not those you don't. They're conkers"

"We eat them"

"They're poisonous"

Exit Portuguese with bag of 'chestnuts'. I really hope they do some research before cooking.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 October, 2015, 04:15:53 pm
I am friends on FB with the chap who bought our house from us in 1983. He was (could still be) the curator at our local museum and is an entomologist. He posted this touching tribute:

Quote
Sad news yesterday. Clarissa, my Madagascan Hissing Cockroach hissed her last and is no more. She'd been with me for four or more years and always gave me a welcome hiss when I came into my office. When I picked her up, she affectionately used to grip my finger and she loved to be stroked. Like all her ancient kind, she was not loved by everyone, but she had a friend in me.
R.I.P. Clarissa

I can't say I'd ever heard of a Madagascan Hissing Cockroach before today, but here's some video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-pmD09JR38
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 11 October, 2015, 07:40:27 pm
The squirrels in Valentines Park, Redbridge, are rather ... friendly.  One of them actually came running over to me (guessing at least 30m) to see if I had any food.  It came right up to me - less than half a meter from my feet!

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/716/21471365994_f695ebcc74_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yHmn4q)
DSC_0400.NEF (https://flic.kr/p/yHmn4q) by Andrij (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bebchenko/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 13 October, 2015, 07:38:03 pm
Goats balancing on a flexible steel ribbon (https://youtu.be/58-atNakMWw)  :D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 October, 2015, 08:08:23 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 16 October, 2015, 09:23:27 am
Just watched for 10 minutes as three crows harassed a red squirrel in a big ash-tree down in the back meadow.  At one point there was a crow working up from the bottom as its two chums worked down from the top.  The squirrel had the measure of them, though, giving them the slip every time.  Eventually they got pissed off and retired to a neighbouring trio of fence-posts, whereupon the squirrel made a deliberate run under their noses and doubled back to its tree: a perfect "up yours".  Then it nipped round the far side of the trunk and sat up calm and straight at the root. The crows buggered off.

Got sore arms holding the binox.

Goats balancing on a flexible steel ribbon (https://youtu.be/58-atNakMWw)  :D

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 October, 2015, 06:34:05 am
Yesterday my s-i-l took his son for a stroll along the Medway tow-path. At one point the toddler stopped and dibbled his hands in the water. A large pike, between 2 and 3 feet long, appeared and took a keen interest in whatever toothsome morsel was causing the disturbance on the surface.

Fortunately my s-i-l was paying attention and whisked his son away pronto. "Dagnappit!" thought the pike, as it disappeared back into the depths.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 24 October, 2015, 04:04:49 pm
Lotsa tiny teeth. Ouchable.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 07 November, 2015, 04:37:45 pm
No, not wildlife, very civilised life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhg7Xm4FXAY
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2015, 12:41:14 pm
If I could be sure Pete wouldn't eat them, and if I was at home and able to socialise them, I would like a black and white kitten called Pickle and a ginger one called Cooper.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2015, 02:24:40 pm
It seems dog vs reindeer conflict is a seasonal 'bad news' story.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35015079 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35015079)
:(  :(

My Twitterfeed show a photo of a caged reindeer being eyed up by hostile-looking dogs in East Finchley.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2015, 10:29:47 pm
Surely, DNA tests would only tell if these seal pups were identical twins?
If they were born almost simultaneously to a single mother they must be twins anyway?

Is seal reproduction fundamentally different from human?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-35051015 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-35051015)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wombat on 10 December, 2015, 08:32:29 am
Aren't they a bit like cats in that they can have two babies by different fathers at once?   (or have I got that totally and utterly wrong?)

Must be tricky for such slippery animules to go about shagging anyway, definitely "slippery when wet".

I have developed a minor obsession with pangolins, where can I see one, apart from Sierra Leone?  I am actually going to SL, but not to the pangolin-likely area, and I only realised they had pangolins there when I was reading out a list of all their wildlife, and most of it was horrible and bitey (or in the case of the leopard, lovely and bitey) and then it said about pangolins, one variety of which apparently falls out of trees from time to time.  I just can't get that vision out of my head...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 10 December, 2015, 12:49:19 pm
Perhaps the births had not been witnessed. Maybe one mother disappeared shortly after giving birth and the second one ended up with two pups by mistook.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ElyDave on 10 December, 2015, 11:15:39 pm
Aren't they a bit like cats in that they can have two babies by different fathers at once?   (or have I got that totally and utterly wrong?)

Must be tricky for such slippery animules to go about shagging anyway, definitely "slippery when wet".

I have developed a minor obsession with pangolins, where can I see one, apart from Sierra Leone?  I am actually going to SL, but not to the pangolin-likely area, and I only realised they had pangolins there when I was reading out a list of all their wildlife, and most of it was horrible and bitey (or in the case of the leopard, lovely and bitey) and then it said about pangolins, one variety of which apparently falls out of trees from time to time.  I just can't get that vision out of my head...

Isn't that sloths that fall out of trees?

I thought a pangolin was a bit like a cross between an armadillo and an anteater?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2015, 08:52:51 am
First picture on the Wikinaccurate page is a pangolin climbing a tree.  One of the genera of pangolins is the wondefully-named smutsia; I think YACF should adopt one.

Slofs lack both the energy and motivation to fall out of trees.  Unlike, say, drop BEARS.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2015, 12:20:52 pm
First picture on the Wikinaccurate page is a pangolin climbing a tree.

Looks like a slow araf[1] to me...


[1] A distant relative of the drop-bear, native to Wales.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 January, 2016, 03:21:36 pm
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/08/montreal-traffic-camera-captures-stunning-images-of-snowy-owl-in-flight

Rather good!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 11 January, 2016, 08:12:47 pm
My sisters cat has reappeared after being missing since Wednesday. May have something to do with knocking on doors to ask for sheds and garages to be checked.  ::-)

Obviously she was very hungry.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 January, 2016, 08:43:12 pm
Glad she's turned up ok. We reckon Mojo had been shut in somewhere when he went missing.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wombat on 14 January, 2016, 08:50:20 am
First picture on the Wikinaccurate page is a pangolin climbing a tree.

Looks like a slow araf[1] to me...


[1] A distant relative of the drop-bear, native to Wales.

Those slow arafs suffer a terrible road mortality rate, judging from the number of them you see splattered about Welsh roads.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2016, 02:58:43 pm
First picture on the Wikinaccurate page is a pangolin climbing a tree.

Looks like a slow araf[1] to me...


[1] A distant relative of the drop-bear, native to Wales.

Those slow arafs suffer a terrible road mortality rate, judging from the number of them you see splattered about Welsh roads.

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 19 January, 2016, 09:41:53 pm
They are predated on by the upright arafwch
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: simonp on 07 February, 2016, 02:24:11 pm
https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/merl/2016/02/03/155-year-old-mouse-trap-claims-its-latest-victim/

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 February, 2016, 02:44:42 pm
Dead otter on A683, near River Lune, E of M6, last Sunday.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: menthel on 10 February, 2016, 11:52:45 am
Bleedin' goldcrest in the garden this morning in among a crowd of tits and other LBJs. A new recording for my little patch of suburban W London.

Wrong thread- will put this in seen today too!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 15 February, 2016, 10:58:19 pm
Mrs P has just found a dead male chaffinch under the bed  ::-)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mattc on 28 February, 2016, 04:53:40 pm
Quick poll  - who would know what this safety sign means?
(http://images.mysafetysign.com/img/md/I/do-not-freeze-iso-sign-is-1232.png)

(spoiler in the URL!)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 28 February, 2016, 06:20:42 pm
Quick poll  - who would know what this safety sign means?
(http://images.mysafetysign.com/img/md/I/do-not-freeze-iso-sign-is-1232.png)

(spoiler in the URL!)

It means you won't need your ex-NASA techno-pants (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=96157.msg1996085#msg1996085).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 28 February, 2016, 07:39:44 pm
Quick poll  - who would know what this safety sign means?
(http://images.mysafetysign.com/img/md/I/do-not-freeze-iso-sign-is-1232.png)

(spoiler in the URL!)

"No maîtres d'hôtel allowed."

Or "Please do not dress up the penguins."
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2016, 07:55:07 pm
Quick poll  - who would know what this safety sign means?
(http://images.mysafetysign.com/img/md/I/do-not-freeze-iso-sign-is-1232.png)

(spoiler in the URL!)

Is it a sign put up outside several pubs in Furry Boots Toon?

Having looked at URL.  I would never have got that!
*checks freezer contents*
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 28 February, 2016, 09:01:02 pm
Quick poll  - who would know what this safety sign means?
(http://images.mysafetysign.com/img/md/I/do-not-freeze-iso-sign-is-1232.png)

(spoiler in the URL!)

Don't spang the waiters?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mattc on 01 March, 2016, 07:29:13 pm
Having looked at URL.  I would never have got that!
*checks freezer contents*
Glad to be of service. :)

(You wont forget it though, will you?)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Dibdib on 02 March, 2016, 03:14:35 pm
I've applied to adopt a rescue dog. Got my eye on an adorable 3-year old greyhound called Blu. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the shelter, fingers crossed!

(edit: home visit booked for Monday, yay!)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2016, 04:36:01 pm
Bronze Age burial near Stonehenge discovered by badger (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-35523757) :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 April, 2016, 08:58:00 pm
I've been feeding a burgeoning population of greenfinches, goldfinches, blue and great tits, blackbirds, robins and the occasional starling over the winter. The greenfinches started off as a handful last autumn, but swelled to over a dozen by the bank holiday last week. I've gone through 50Kg+ of sunflower hearts and they were going through about 1Kg a day.

Anyway, last week I disappeared off to Edinburgh for a few days. I tried to fill the feeders as fully as I could on the Tuesday morning, but by the time I returned on Friday everything was empty and even the ground underneath the feeders, normally covered in dropped seed, was plucked bare. I filled up the feeders pronto, but since then the greenfinches seem to have done a bunk. I'm now down to about a third of the number of visitors and seed consumed. I'm quite sad, as the greenfinches were a feisty bunch. Do you think they have departed for pastures warmer now the spring is here?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 April, 2016, 12:01:36 am
Quick poll  - who would know what this safety sign means?
(http://images.mysafetysign.com/img/md/I/do-not-freeze-iso-sign-is-1232.png)

(spoiler in the URL!)

Couldn't find a URL.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 April, 2016, 12:54:57 pm
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/13/the-great-escape-inky-the-octopus-legs-it-to-freedom-from-new-zealand-aquarium

 ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Dibdib on 26 April, 2016, 04:03:36 pm
I've applied to adopt a rescue dog. Got my eye on an adorable 3-year old greyhound called Blu. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the shelter, fingers crossed!

(edit: home visit booked for Monday, yay!)

Well the (DNA test) results are in, and Blu... isn't a greyhound!

According to WisdomPanel, three grandparents were greyhounds and one grandparent was an American Staffs terrier/whippet cross.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 03 May, 2016, 10:25:53 am
Next door but one have a dummy long-eared owl on a stake stuck in their veg patch.  Makes a great perch for real birds.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 May, 2016, 09:12:15 am
Got up this morning to find Ninkasi nibbling on a mouse under our bed.

Which was nice.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 May, 2016, 12:12:21 pm
Next door but one have a dummy long-eared owl on a stake stuck in their veg patch.  Makes a great perch for real birds.

I went to a course at Cheltenham Ladies' College some years ago. On the roof of one of the buildings was a model of an eagle owl. The first time we noticed it, after a rather good dinner, a few of us thought it was real. It didn't move for the entire week, despite being dive-bombed by herring gulls. I think its purpose was to frighten those gulls away, but it didn't work.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 15 May, 2016, 11:50:23 am
Got up this morning to find Ninkasi nibbling on a mouse under our bed.

Which was nice.

Caught:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 May, 2016, 07:48:16 am
Looked out towards the feeder this morning to see parent starlings feeding six very hungry fledglings. That must have been one full nest!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 20 May, 2016, 03:05:12 pm
Hampstead Heath swans.
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/heath-dam-cygnets (http://www.camdennewjournal.com/heath-dam-cygnets)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 10 June, 2016, 12:40:11 am
Suburban vet finds fox cub in dishwasher.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36492373 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36492373)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 10 June, 2016, 09:27:49 am
I like the idea of someone surviving the Battles of Wimbledon Common and the like, thank you Helly  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 June, 2016, 02:20:50 pm
Finally, after all week spent cycling in vain through likely Belgian woods, this morning we get three red sqrls Anna green wooderypeckery :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rogerzilla on 11 June, 2016, 11:15:26 am
There are bits of a magpie on the front lawn, presumably left there by a cat which ate the meaty parts*.  When I got up this morning another magpie was tucking into the remains.

*my former cats Sassy and Josh once killed a pigeon in the back garden, dragged it through the catflap and ate the whole lot (save a few feathers and a large bloodstain) on the living room carpet while I was upstairs.  They didn't even take their scolding properly as they were both too stuffed to move - just sprawled there in their own crapulence like a lion does after it's eaten a whole antelope.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 26 July, 2016, 08:22:00 am
A bat flew into our house last night, probably through the kitchen window. It buzzed the missus in the lounge, did a few turns before trying the old dining room, then back through the lounge, into the hall & up the stairs, doing a few turns on the landing then settling in a corner against the ceiling, then off again downstairs and out the front door, which we'd opened in the meantime.

Birds we've had in before and they're easy to steer, given that this is a dim house: all we have to do is turn off lights, open a couple of windows and approach them, so that they fly away.  Bats? No idea. It seemed to be indifferent to light or darkness. I clapped my hands a couple of times but that had no visible effect either.  In the end I think it was just luck that it found the door.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 26 July, 2016, 03:13:05 pm
There are bits of a magpie on the front lawn, presumably left there by a cat which ate the meaty parts*.  When I got up this morning another magpie was tucking into the remains.

*my former cats Sassy and Josh once killed a pigeon in the back garden, dragged it through the catflap and ate the whole lot (save a few feathers and a large bloodstain) on the living room carpet while I was upstairs.  They didn't even take their scolding properly as they were both too stuffed to move - just sprawled there in their own crapulence like a lion does after it's eaten a whole antelope.

Skansen zoo in Stockholm. European animals such as rescued brown bears with containers of food in them, being raided by magpies. All except one, where the resident wolverine was chewing something covered in black and white feathers.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 29 July, 2016, 07:00:35 pm
 ;D

Recent roadkill included a surprisingly undamaged young fox (glancing blow or farmer?) & a shrew on a bike path. Mangled head - bike, or predator which rejected it as tasting horrible?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 31 July, 2016, 03:27:29 pm
I noticed a large piece of foil on the lawn earlier today.
It's now on the birdbath.
I blame the magpies!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 August, 2016, 12:05:41 pm
On my way to a client, walking through Guardwell Glen along Burdiehouse Burn, a man was walking a border collie. The dog bounded up in front of me and dropped a slobbery tennis ball at my feet. I threw it. The man encouraged the dog to bring the ball back to him and his magic throwing thing. The dog brought the ball back to me. This continued for some minutes until the dog eventually returned the ball to the man and we went our separate ways.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Peter on 03 August, 2016, 07:05:19 pm
My feminist marxist dialectic brings all the boys(and dogs) to the yard?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy on 29 August, 2016, 04:54:24 pm
Deer collides with competitor at Dublin city triathlon (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37213884)

Quote
It is understood the deer has also recovered.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 September, 2016, 12:18:19 am
This is a public service announcement

http://www.iizcat.com/post/3795/Naked-man-bends-over-to-fix-sink-and-playful-kitten-decides-to-ruin-his-life
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: jsabine on 13 September, 2016, 01:30:37 am
This is a public service announcement

http://www.iizcat.com/post/3795/Naked-man-bends-over-to-fix-sink-and-playful-kitten-decides-to-ruin-his-life

Snopes (http://www.snopes.com/critters/farce/hindlick.asp), almost inevitably, suggests that variants on this shaggyspiky dogcat story have been around since at least 1964 (and quotes ones from '74 and '98 as well).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Dibdib on 16 September, 2016, 02:24:33 pm
"Dog" by Bottle Rockets.

So good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1vfWjRxo1Y
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2016, 04:56:20 pm
Spare Rib...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-37439155 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-37439155)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 06 November, 2016, 02:00:43 pm
A Facebook friend has just posted the sad demise of his sister's alpacas from a 'mystery illness'.
Abode was in Leighton Buzzard.

I am totally without Clue in these matters but thought maybe somebody here might know something...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ruthie on 06 November, 2016, 08:34:07 pm
Oh, that's sad.  Alpacas are lovely.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 15 November, 2016, 10:36:02 am
Bin man finds python on streets of Highgate.
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/snake-highgate (http://www.camdennewjournal.com/snake-highgate)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jakob on 17 November, 2016, 12:49:42 am
In Canada, even the polar bears are polite:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/arctic-churchill-polar-bears-dogs-cuddle-1.3850535
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 November, 2016, 12:34:16 pm
Today I walked past a tabby & white cat which was sitting on a bin shouting at passers-by. I stopped for a chat and we became quite friendly. An hour later, going back the other way, she was still there and we had a lovely cuddle and conversation.

In the hour in between, I was with a client who has just got a 17 week Old English Bulldog puppy. He's gorgeous. He's just learned to give a paw and is so excited by his new trick that he kept doing it, even when he was lying on his back on the sofa.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 04 December, 2016, 09:10:47 pm
From today Lidl are doing small spotter scopes for £24.99. Basic stuff, but more than adequate and a bargain for the price. I have one already.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 December, 2016, 10:32:21 pm
Aw feck, I was just in there today.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 05 December, 2016, 12:23:03 am
http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=39680
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 December, 2016, 08:24:45 pm
Recently I signed up to catinaflat.com and tonight I went to meet my first potential booking. I will be doing two visits a day for Ralph, who is a beautiful creamy-with-goldy-stripes British shorthair sentient cushion.  Over new year and the first week of January, £100 for me, kerching.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 December, 2016, 03:54:21 pm
Sad news for those of us who loved The Bear

http://www.tom-cox.com/2016/12/goodbye-kind-friend-rip-bear-1995-2016.html
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 December, 2016, 05:22:43 pm
Aw :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: tiermat on 30 December, 2016, 11:56:36 am
Went to meet friends, yesterday, for a post-Xmas walk and lunch.

One of said friends has a Catalan Sheepdog, called Monty.

Monty is the coolest, cutest dog I have ever met, he let me walk him for about 6 miles and I loved every minute of it.

Today is being spent checking out where we might be able to adopt a Catalan sheepdog.

FWIW Monty looks like this, only a little patchier in his hair as he had to have a complete haircut, after being rescued:

(http://www.vetsure.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Catalan-Sheepdog.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mattc on 15 January, 2017, 08:13:58 am
Sorry, I don't know my way around this board - but I had to post this somewhere! From the BBC not-news section:


http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/0A7A/production/_93328620_0101snowturkeygetty.jpg
A shepherdess herds a goat flock during snowy conditions in Mus, Turkey, on 1 January.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2017, 02:50:56 pm
Noticed a fleck of birdshit on a new cordless drill I left on a bench in the workshop. I haven't had a bird fly in there for years, but after poking round a bit I found a complete nest in the cut-off end of an old stovepipe that goes out through the back wall.  I'll put a bit of fine-mesh wire netting over it and convert it to a nesting-box.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 February, 2017, 02:05:29 pm
Cat webcam http://nutiminn.is/kattarshians/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 21 February, 2017, 03:09:10 pm
A friend across the pond has managed to snap a decent picture of a bald eagle, which he says regularly perches outside his office window.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 25 February, 2017, 10:18:28 pm
Cat webcam http://nutiminn.is/kattarshians/

Kitten Academy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPv9yKC76hE
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 07 March, 2017, 03:33:13 pm
Just heard on the radio that malefactors have poached a rhino for its horn in a zoo at Toiry, in the Paris area.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2017, 11:32:37 am
Frogs in Finchley!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-39214332 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-39214332)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 11 March, 2017, 01:21:16 pm
My landlord is a beekeeper with 16 hives.

Although the bees have been sleeping since I bought Millie the white Velomobile, now they are awake they are attracted to her and peeing on her in the garage. I have all these tiny yellow dots which are bee urine. They seem not to come off with water.

Anyone know how to remove bee wee from a white painted carbon velomobile without dissolving the velomobile?

(First world problem, clearly!)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2017, 01:53:12 pm
Maybe you could compare notes with nikki's kayak (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=102125.0)...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2017, 06:13:38 pm
Our lunch and its preparation were interrupted by the appearance of an escaped white rabbit bounding into our garden.

We don't know who the owners are or where they might live.

Rabbit was darting all over the place but did take some of the lettuce we offered before bounding off.

I don't think we can/could do anything...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2017, 08:20:28 pm
Bunny rabbit came back but hopped off by the time I'd put out more lettuce.
What should we do if it returns when David is home?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 31 March, 2017, 08:30:07 pm
Carrots, onions, simmer on a low heat for 90 mins.   Hmm, rabbit stew.  :P
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2017, 08:35:40 pm
First, catch your rabbit...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 April, 2017, 09:19:58 pm
I can't stop laughing

https://youtu.be/CEQuDyuQFKE
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: tiermat on 21 April, 2017, 12:10:16 pm
I got home, last night, and needed to rush to get showered, changed into my bike gear, get the bike int he car then drive 10 miles to meet up with a group of cyclists to go out to tackle some hills.

Imagine my surprise to find that one of the cats (we suspect it is Oreo) had been sleeping on top of my cycling gear, then had decided to use it as a toilet!  Just what I needed!

The worrying bit was that the urine looked like it had some blood in it :(

We haven't seen him all of yesterday, nor today...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 02 May, 2017, 09:52:34 pm
Seen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ferrisjabr/status/859441404551942144


Imagine these crawling all over your tent... :jurek:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrew_s on 11 May, 2017, 03:31:14 pm
Apropos of the recent BBC article about counting albatrosses by satellite (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39797373), I've discovered that you can also count emperor penguins on Google Earth

https://plus.codes/29PJFH59+4C   (switch to satellite view using the top centre menu bars)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/-75.5408171,-27.4237657//@-75.5419789,-27.4248455,461m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 May, 2017, 10:17:12 am
I was mugged this morning by Olive, our local Irish deerhound. She's lovely, but very big and her not-very-big female owner has trouble keeping her under control when she's excitable. She knows I have a tendency to keep treats in my pocket and she puts her nose in my pocket at every available opportunity. Her owner describes her as being "like Emu", which is pretty accurate I think.

One thing leads to another, as it does, and said owner and I have a date for Friday morning for at tandem ride.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: pcolbeck on 21 May, 2017, 09:55:34 pm
WoW I think you mean either an Irish Wolfhound or a Scottish Deerhound. Both are great big shaggy galumphing but friendly creatures (unless you are a wolf or a deer of course).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 22 May, 2017, 08:45:04 am
Don't mess with sea lions.
https://youtu.be/pMDtibc13fc
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: David Martin on 22 May, 2017, 04:25:59 pm
Impressively fast reactions there.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 22 June, 2017, 12:54:15 pm
Seen in West Hampstead:

(https://scontent.flhr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19399224_1338548179527266_5642077907224440940_n.jpg?oh=af95310ea8ba5a245d30ef4fafa1f09a&oe=59CB6831)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ElyDave on 22 June, 2017, 09:11:02 pm
Carrots, onions, simmer on a low heat for 90 mins.   Hmm, rabbit stew.  :P

saw a wild one out at noon today down the lane, rather unusual
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen on 25 June, 2017, 11:13:37 am
We've had three dead rabbits in our garden this week. All young and ostensibly healthy looking (aside from the being dead thing) and with no obvious signs of having been attacked (eg by a fox), nor any signs of myxomatosis or any other obvious disease.

So I'm left wondering what it was that did for them.

Could be the heat, perhaps - I know rabbits are prone to heat stroke. One of them was under the garden shed - it was the dog that found it - so probably taking shelter from the blazing sun we had earlier in the week. The other possibility is that the neighbours are poisoning them, which makes me reluctant to let the dog have them, or to eat them myself.

I just launched them over the hedge into the field next door, much to the dog's disappointment and confusion. I've had to reinforce the dog-proofing to stop him burrowing through the hedge to get to the bodies.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen on 27 June, 2017, 07:22:50 am
Make that four dead rabbits.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: David Martin on 01 July, 2017, 05:55:15 pm
Two new zealand flatworms
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Quisling on 03 July, 2017, 05:06:15 pm
We have a shrew that visits our lounge periodically. We've named it Franz Shrewburt.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2017, 05:11:42 pm
We have a shrew that visits our lounge periodically. We've named it Franz Shrewburt.

Does he turn up on the hour every hour and announce "I'm prompt Shrew!" ?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2017, 10:05:36 pm
We have a shrew that visits our lounge periodically. We've named it Franz Shrewburt.

Does he turn up on the hour every hour and announce "I'm prompt Shrew!" ?

In G Flat?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2017, 11:08:47 pm
We have a shrew that visits our lounge periodically. We've named it Franz Shrewburt.

Does he turn up on the hour every hour and announce "I'm prompt Shrew!" ?

In G Flat?

Do they live in d flat?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 14 July, 2017, 01:09:25 am
http://camdennewjournal.com/article/double-tortoise-breakout-in-west-hampstead (http://camdennewjournal.com/article/double-tortoise-breakout-in-west-hampstead)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 July, 2017, 10:10:50 pm
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Gaebul.jpg)

I almost put this elsewhere...

You learn something every day.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 14 July, 2017, 10:53:24 pm
Actually, what are they?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 July, 2017, 11:26:48 pm
A type of aquatic worm also known as the Korean penis fish. Edible, apparently. They look even better on a video.

https://www.facebook.com/Food4inspiration/videos/535890453202075/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 12 September, 2017, 04:18:33 pm
David is building an extension for his observatory. He popped in to the house for a couple of minutes to complain about some screws that have broken.
When he returned to his construction site, several cats, kittens and mice scurried away.

Mother cat has a collar and small tag but David has not approached her.
He suspects kittens (at least 4) are sheltering under observatory floorboards.

I don't really like the idea of feral cats on my patch but can't do very much. Should I contact Cat Protection?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 September, 2017, 07:54:44 pm
Yes, they may have a trap/neuter/release program.

Having said that if mother has a collar she doesn't sound very feral.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2017, 07:57:27 pm
If the kittens are at the scurrying stage, there isn't going to be much time before they're too old to be properly socialised with humans, so they need to be caught sooner rather than later if they're to be given a home.  Even if they're too old, they'll need neutering, and they're only going to get harder to catch.

Probably a good idea to involve mum's owner.  Mum may cooperate and allow them to handle the kittens without additional fuss.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 12 September, 2017, 08:06:25 pm
Yes, they may have a trap/neuter/release program.

Having said that if mother has a collar she doesn't sound very feral.

Suspect mother not feral but owners are unaware of progeny.

I don't think cats nesting under David's observatory is a desirable or desired situation, though it may help control the rodents!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 12 September, 2017, 08:40:45 pm
A type of aquatic worm also known as the Korean penis fish. Edible, apparently. They look even better on a video.

https://www.facebook.com/Food4inspiration/videos/535890453202075/
I thought you meant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candiru
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: menthel on 15 September, 2017, 11:08:57 am
Buzzed by a bat walking home from the local shops. A bat! In New Malden! Whatever next???
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 22 September, 2017, 01:03:58 pm
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn, and all that...

https://qz.com/1077632/octlantis-is-a-just-discovered-underwater-city-engineered-by-octopuses/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2017, 03:26:10 pm
Helped a slowworm across the road this afternoon - its squiggle was getting it nowhere. First time I've touched a lizard in over 50 years.

Sounds like "seeing the elephant" - "arr, watch it, boy - oi've touched the lizard, oi 'ave".
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 06 November, 2017, 08:13:33 pm
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4499/38110855086_bef2742ec4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/214J6so)
IMG_9950_01 (https://flic.kr/p/214J6so) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 08 November, 2017, 04:17:00 pm
None of 'our' resident cats have shown up today.
Hope they are OK!
Croydon's cat killer has struck locally not long ago.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 10 November, 2017, 02:17:31 pm
Cats returned at 2am Thursday.
HUGE cat helps itself to cat food around 3am.

Big Black Crow seems to like cat food...
...Magpie seems to take it too.
Sparrow has now helped itself.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 15 November, 2017, 08:51:41 pm
We're going to try to find out where Pumpkin has been finding extracurricular noms.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4544/38408204142_d0f1893d49_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21w15Yf)
IMG_0061_01 (https://flic.kr/p/21w15Yf) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 22 November, 2017, 11:00:14 pm
Attempt to rehome kitten with a friend has not been a total success. Kitten disappeared up chimney, dislodging stopping material and has not been positively sighted since.

New owners have put out cat food, which is being eaten but they are unsure as to consumer's identity.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 23 November, 2017, 07:13:17 pm
Tagged

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/24731925088_c82a60e31d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DFtzFw)
IMG_0076_01 (https://flic.kr/p/DFtzFw) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

We're going to try to find out where Pumpkin has been finding extracurricular noms.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4544/38408204142_d0f1893d49_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21w15Yf)
IMG_0061_01 (https://flic.kr/p/21w15Yf) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Feanor on 23 November, 2017, 09:39:26 pm
<Gazes in crystal ball>

The mists are clearing...
I see the cat re-appearing in a few days, belly full, minus the expensive GPS tracker...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 26 November, 2017, 11:48:52 pm
<Gazes in crystal ball>

The mists are clearing...
I see the cat re-appearing in a few days, belly full, minus the expensive GPS tracker...

Can you see the numbers for next week's lottery?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 30 November, 2017, 03:24:09 pm
Red, red robin has just flown off with a chunk of adult cat food.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2017, 06:18:55 pm
A massive swarm of shitehawks was sighted over Silly Oak earlier.  I'm not entirely sure why.  *nervous*
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 30 November, 2017, 06:31:24 pm
A massive swarm of shitehawks was sighted over Silly Oak earlier.  I'm not entirely sure why.  *nervous*

Are your bin men still on strike? Have the city council provided the students[1] with wheelie bins yet?


[1] The whole time I was a student 2000-2007 the guild was constantly campaigning to get Selly Oak changed over from black bags to wheelie bins but the council just wouldn't do it.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2017, 07:28:53 pm
A massive swarm of shitehawks was sighted over Silly Oak earlier.  I'm not entirely sure why.  *nervous*

Are your bin men still on strike?

Weirdly not.  Although they're back to refusing to collect anything that's not in the...

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2017, 09:04:49 pm
Bloody pre-recorded junk call awoke kitten sleeping peacefully on warm patch on my kitchen floor.
Shouldn't be allowed!
(Unavailable number. Am registered with TPS and have 1572 enabled.)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2017, 09:51:02 pm
Bloody pre-recorded junk call awoke kitten sleeping peacefully on warm patch on my kitchen floor.
Shouldn't be allowed!
(Unavailable number. Am registered with TPS and have 1572 enabled.)

Tech the cat to answer the phone.   ;D

(Never do this.  My aunt's cat worked out how to do it back in the 80s, and they were regularly incommunicado for hours or even days until the handset was discovered off-hook.)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2017, 10:25:59 pm
Our kitchen door is made of clear glass.
Sometimes there is cat food on the mat by the door.
Hungry cats knock at door...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 09 December, 2017, 10:35:12 pm
Our kitchen door is made of clear glass.
Sometimes there is cat food on the mat by the door.
Hungry cats knock at door...

We do not have a cat flap. Our pair knock on the door when they want to come in.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: PaulF on 11 December, 2017, 03:55:16 pm
There's a flock of fieldfares feasting on the fruit from fallen the tree in my garden
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2017, 04:08:33 pm
Being new to this pet lark (and I'm not sure the hordes of cats we feed are 'ours') I've been reading up about which foods are harmful to our four-legged friends.
The cats we feed get only Sainsbury's cheapest tins, the odd salmon skin and some dry kibble they eschew unless desperate.

It seems most Christmas goodies are Really Bad for cats and dogs.

More for us!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2017, 06:01:59 pm
Basically, don't give them human food.... (though an occasional treat of boiled white fish or chicken will make you BFF)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2017, 08:24:51 pm
We don't give them human food.
I just realised just how unsuitable Christmas treats are.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2017, 03:39:58 pm
If dairy products are unsuitable for cats because the lack lactase, is lacto-free harmful or harmless?
Just speculating...
Our chompions only get Sainsbury's Cheapest cat foods.

They appear happy1 and healthy to this untrained observer.

1) Family frictions excepted
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 06 January, 2018, 10:23:26 pm
I don't think Big Tom is related to the kittens who live here. He bears no resemblance to any of them.
I don't know if he is a tom or entire but is an excellent surrogate parent, making sure the kits get fed and calming them in the presence of their ever-more-hostile mother.

Big Tom is HUGE, gentle and has long, thick mottled brown fur,
Mother cat is tortoiseshell.
Kittens were one short-haired tabby, two black & white & three short-haired ginger.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 06 January, 2018, 10:27:25 pm
Yup, cat genetics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_genetics
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 January, 2018, 10:52:56 pm
'Big Tom' could be father to all, some or none of the kittens.
Also, are you sure it's a male? Could also be a half sibling from a previous litter. I'm not aware that males usually hang around for kitten rearing duties.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 06 January, 2018, 11:03:11 pm
'Big Tom' could be father to all, some or none of the kittens.
Also, are you sure it's a male? Could also be a half sibling from a previous litter. I'm not aware that males usually hang around for kitten rearing duties.

I said I didn't know anything about sex or integrity of 'Big Tom'.
Facial features appear 'masculine', making the eyes seem small in a big, hairy face, though I appreciate this is not diagnostic. Two of the ginger kittens appear to be male, from what I've seen.

I would estimate Big Tom's volume/mass to be at least twice that of the queen, with the kittens now around 70-80% of her size.

David is very fond of them all...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 07 January, 2018, 09:31:39 pm
Most gingers are male. (not quite 100% afaik, but close to, I believe)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2018, 09:39:24 pm
I think David did some reading and around 1 in 4 gingers are apparently female.
Anyway, Mama Cat now HATES her kits and won't eat in their presence. Kits scram when she snarls at them but reappear once she's gone.
Though kits can beg effectively for their own food, Big Cat sometimes leads as has louder call and More Presence. Biggie seems to be a kind and gentle giant.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 January, 2018, 06:18:24 pm
I met a cat called Megatron.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2018, 10:06:41 am
Since Cat Protection visited Last Wednesday, we are left with only Blackie and Big Tom.
We were never sure of Blackie's sex and CP thought Blackie might be female.

David was SHOCKED, I tell you, SHOCKED to see Big Tom humping Blackie this morning. He tried to stop this naughtiness. I told him this isn't possible.
CP should be back tomorrow...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2018, 09:18:38 am
The tragic life of Nigel the Gannet

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/nigel-lonely-new-zealand-gannet-dies-concrete-replica-birds
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: David Martin on 15 February, 2018, 03:45:05 pm
That was my banana
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4699/40195762011_2a49fd78da_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24eXMDv)Maylaysia (https://flic.kr/p/24eXMDv) by David Martin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 April, 2018, 12:15:30 pm
You don't wanna mess with an angry badger, right enough.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-43808574
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2018, 02:27:02 pm
You don't wanna mess with an angry badger, right enough.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-43808574

Shoddy BBC journalism.  No mention of whether jam sandwiches were used to entice it out...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 19 April, 2018, 09:10:32 am
I've been enjoying watching a wren carrying nesting stuff into a previously unused bird box in our garden.
So I was saddened to find it fallen to the ground yesterday morning.  It was a very old box but I got a ladder out and managed to attach it back in place with a couple of nails.
Overjoyed this morning to see the wren popping in and out again as if nothing had happened.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 27 April, 2018, 11:32:43 pm
I had to remove a cat claw sheath from Pumpkin's nose this evening  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 30 April, 2018, 08:09:56 am
We're hoping that our bats will reappear before tiger mosquitoes arrive.  They're already back in NI and it's a lot warmer here. Maybe the neonicotinoids have got them - after driving back from the Rhine last week there were only half a dozen insect splats on the windscreen.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2018, 07:41:42 am
They're back.  Last night when I took the dogs out I stood in the garden with a torch pointing straight up.  A moth flew through the light, and as I followed it with the beam a bat zoomed in and took it. I kept the beam pointing up and the bat kept orbiting, taking the bugs it attracted.

Start of a beautiful friendship?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: David Martin on 10 May, 2018, 11:13:48 pm
Moths? What sort of bat? Brown Long Eared for moths in UK.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 11 May, 2018, 09:54:07 am
No idea. Moth might not have been a moth but was maybe 1" across and flight was typical.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 17 May, 2018, 10:35:52 am
My Parents cat, rescued from an aunt*, has now gained enough confidence in himself to want to explore outside.  :thumbsup:  Unfortunately his preference is the front door to the road rather than the back door to the garden. :facepalm: It's only taken over a year.


*Two cats in a small flat and very much indoor cats with no outside access. The poor mog was getting highly stressed due to bullying from the other cat, had lost a lot of weight and fur etc. He has now gained a lot of condition and confidence. He will demand attention, face rubs head scratches belly rubs etc., but he is yet to become a lap cat and do not attempt to pick him up else he will become a wriggling ball of claws.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 17 May, 2018, 10:46:48 am
When I was in the workshop yesterday a swallow flew in, had a look round and flew out again.  A couple of minutes later a good half-dozen in succession did exactly the same thing.

I shall have to lay in some bugs. Never know when someone's going to drop in.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Russell on 17 May, 2018, 07:06:17 pm
We had a starling 'eating' our mint today.  Saw it yesterday as well but persuaded myself that it was random pecking but, nope today it was definitely having our mint away.  Not to eat surely, maybe to line the nest?  Aromatics to keep bugs down, perhaps?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 June, 2018, 12:45:31 pm
My upstairs neighbours have gone to Bulgaria for a couple of weeks and I am popping in twice a day to see to their three cats. Momo, ginger and white, tim-nice-but-dim, loves to roll on the floor for a bellyrub. Rappa, one year old tabby girl, loves to chase the laser pointer. Iroh, elderly black and white gentleman with kidney disease, has a miaow like a peevish elderly crow and stands on my lap for headboops.

One of them had diarrhoea last night. I don't know which.  :sick:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 15 June, 2018, 07:33:52 am
Out in the garden with the dogs last night around 10:30. Lots of fireflies, so many that I called the missus out to see them. We watched them for 15 minutes or so, with hardly 10 seconds going by without one and sometimes half a dozen at once.

First I've seen for a couple of years at least, and I've never seen them in such profusion, even down in the Aveyron. Quite memorable.

Last year a friend in California took a time-exposure of a field full of them, by the hundred. If they're out again tonight I'll maybe have a go at that.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 22 June, 2018, 09:16:20 am
Not really wildlife but we have been feeding the local stray cats for many years including Eric who, we believe is the sister of our cat Elma. Elma came to us 8 years ago as a pregnant Queen and promptly provided us with five further bundles of joy.

We also feed "His Lordship" an old beaten up intact tom and "Whingy the Ginger", again an intact tom.  Albert, a very old and almost blind tom also comes around for some left overs and catnip..... give intact toms catnip and enjoy their reaction!  ;D

Anyway, over the last few days I noticed a very young, small white cat coming into the house via the cat flap.... our Vet warned us against them as they attract everyone cat.... looking for food. Elma was not happy with this and there were several fights in the house: Elma is a considerable size and made quite a mess of the white cat (named, for the time being: "Snowflake" until we can agree on something more appropriate...."Glynis" is a favourite at the moment.

Given how hungry Snowflake was to take on Elma at her own food bowl, I provided a pouch of food and then another pouch and then...yes another. Wondering, I also checked the gender of the moggy.... a Queen.

So, I am now worried that given how hungry Snowflake is and how young she is, whether she is with kitten....given the large number of intact toms around here and Elma's reaction to her, I would not rule it out.

Sigh...while I love cats and would happily have more, I really don't want to take on a Queen and her kittens again.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 June, 2018, 10:04:01 pm
If you're feeding intact Toms and they are not owned you should really be getting them neutered. They may not be 'yours' but by feeding them you've effectively taken them on so why not prevent the offspring at source?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 29 June, 2018, 01:02:49 am
David has rather good hearing.
He heard noises by our CD carousel, investigated and found a mouse, that has now run away, we know not where.
We don't know if the cats brought the mouse...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 26 July, 2018, 07:18:17 pm
Silly Season Special #2 (1st in NSFW)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-44968509 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-44968509)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 03 August, 2018, 07:58:17 am
We don't seem to have much luck with Hedgehogs  :(

Over the last few months we have been feeding two hogs: Noisy and Small....Small we guess was quite young given their size, while Noisy got their name from the fact that they never learnt to eat quietly.... Great at names eh!

Anyway, last week during the very hot weather, one of the hogs: Small was out in the day looking for water which we provided. They did this twice but always came back later in the evening for some food. We hoped that it was just a short term thing but knew if they did it again, they would need to go to the local Hog Centre (we took a hog there two years ago who was likewise suffering in the heat. Another hog the year before did not make it).

However, last evening CBH came in as she had seen Small not moving in the flower beds. I went out to check and sadly it looked like they had died. We put it in a safe place just to be sure but it hasn't moved and is cold so sadly, that one fewer hogs out there.

We will give it a funeral later as we do with all dead animals on our land. I suppose we are just a bit silly but hey ho.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2018, 01:14:05 pm
Out with the dogs last night. Lots of bugs flying into the torch-beam so I pointed it straight up and a couple of bats began orbiting to pick them off. Quite entertaining.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 31 August, 2018, 07:38:21 am
From the Monroe County sheriff's facebook page

(https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/3872bff20b7e943f_8-2143/home-design.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 15 September, 2018, 09:07:56 pm
I went for a walk and encountered two ladies harvesting berries. As I'm tall, and have gibbon-like arms, I offered to be their Giraffe, and reach some higher branches.

I asked what they were going to do with the berries. 'We're going to make wine, these are Elderberries', was their reply. It's a good thing I came along, as they were Dogwood, (Cornus sanguinea.) I left them consulting  their mobile for confirmation.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 15 September, 2018, 10:52:24 pm
A swan and her four large signets on.the Tiefi in the village today.  Hope they stay.  We've never had swans here before.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 20 September, 2018, 12:06:37 pm
Croydon cat killers unmasked!
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/croydon-cat-killer-unmasked-police-reveal-culprits-after-three-year-investigation-and-500-deaths-a3940956.html (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/croydon-cat-killer-unmasked-police-reveal-culprits-after-three-year-investigation-and-500-deaths-a3940956.html)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 September, 2018, 12:26:45 pm
From the Monroe County sheriff's facebook page

(https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/3872bff20b7e943f_8-2143/home-design.jpg)
Have any Mid-Essex Audaxers been visiting Monroe County?  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 20 September, 2018, 07:39:29 pm
Croydon cat killers unmasked!
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/croydon-cat-killer-unmasked-police-reveal-culprits-after-three-year-investigation-and-500-deaths-a3940956.html (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/croydon-cat-killer-unmasked-police-reveal-culprits-after-three-year-investigation-and-500-deaths-a3940956.html)

Although it's the motorists doing the actual killing bit, unless Croydon foxes have taken up joyriding, which is entirely possible.

Makes me wonder how frequently cats (and other animals, though I suppose cats are fairly unique in that they're pets that are allowed to roam free) are killed by vehicles and *not* suspiciously mutilated by scavengers.   :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2018, 07:01:56 pm
Driving standards in Croydon would improve if foxes were doing the driving.

It was never even vaguely plausible that someone was running around the UK mutilating that many cats. Anyone with a cat knows they firmly hold to the myth of having nine lives. Dead cats by the roadside are going to be rapidly and messily scavenged by foxes and rats. Anything has got to be better than discarded KFC.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2018, 05:35:16 pm
True but discarded KFC makes pijjins much more deliciouser!

I'm sure discarded KFC is fattening local pigeons and squirrels for Reynard's added delectation...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: David Martin on 14 October, 2018, 06:17:21 pm
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1937/43396309480_4df5e074fc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/297MqUq)IMAG0294 (https://flic.kr/p/297MqUq) by David Martin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/), on Flickr

Otter
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 24 October, 2018, 09:40:42 am
Yesterday, whislt crossing Walthamstow Marshes on my way home, I spotted someone exercising his two dogs.
Both dogs had harnesses - as opposed to collars - attached to one of the dogs harnesses were a couple of (small) panniers.
I thought that was rather cool.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 24 October, 2018, 03:08:53 pm
I saw a dog with panniers on Snowdon once.  Not a working dog, but just loping along with its family.  Probably carrying the kids' lunch, or something.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 24 October, 2018, 09:34:00 pm
Well I saw a horseist in full horsing gear walking along the Pershore road earlier.  I carefully didn't ask if they'd forgotten something.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: pcolbeck on 25 October, 2018, 10:25:26 am
Yesterday, whislt crossing Walthamstow Marshes on my way home, I spotted someone exercising his two dogs.
Both dogs had harnesses - as opposed to collars - attached to one of the dogs harnesses were a couple of (small) panniers.
I thought that was rather cool.

I keep considering getting our Tilly some panniers. She already has the harness that you can fix them to. Then she can carry her own water and snacks when we go walking.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 25 October, 2018, 03:09:09 pm
American goat hunters - Aunty Janey is goane get ye. ALong wi Big Wolf Big Teeth
https://twitter.com/JaneyGodley/status/1055188742460399616
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 October, 2018, 03:46:56 pm
Yesterday, whislt crossing Walthamstow Marshes on my way home, I spotted someone exercising his two dogs.
Both dogs had harnesses - as opposed to collars - attached to one of the dogs harnesses were a couple of (small) panniers.
I thought that was rather cool.

I keep considering getting our Tilly some panniers. She already has the harness that you can fix them to. Then she can carry her own water and snacks when we go walking.
Next you can teach her to open her own bottles!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 11 November, 2018, 07:12:38 pm
It's wildlife, and it's random... very random.

Quote
Raccoons are riding wild hogs into battle against the possums. I guarantee you the media will be completely silent about it.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrheBBvU4AAEfk7.jpg
https://twitter.com/michaelkeyes/status/1060701578473152512
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 28 November, 2018, 03:32:36 pm
Absolute unit.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/agriculture/big-knickers-a-standout-on-myalup-farm-ng-b881032899z
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 07 December, 2018, 09:00:22 am
https://twitter.com/centerforbiodiv/status/1070451281033093122?s=21 (https://twitter.com/centerforbiodiv/status/1070451281033093122?s=21)


I don’t think I’d like this chap sitting on my knee  :jurek:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 12 December, 2018, 01:24:31 pm
Okay, may get some stick for this but.... I have just taken a grey squirrel down to our local rescue centre as we think it has had a stroke and has gone blind; it was not able to walk in a straight line, climb trees and/or avoid walls etc.

Given we have 11 cats on the property currently: four of them in kitten form who haven't learnt yet not to chase squirrels as to do so tends to ends with them being bitten etc, I thought it best to take it to someone who could look after it until it dies, rather than something killing it.

Yes, yes, I know grey squirrels are considered to be pests but I for one cannot stand seeing animals in distress, hence my action. I am going to phone back on Friday to see how it is getting on.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2018, 07:02:10 pm
I don't think they're allowed to release greys back into the wild once captive...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: essexian on 13 December, 2018, 07:10:39 am
I don't think they're allowed to release greys back into the wild once captive...

I think you are right but frankly, given how poorly the squirrel was, I doubt it would ever manage in the wild again. I would not be surprised if the rescue centre did not give it a day and then decide to put the poor thing out of its misery. If it had stayed in our garden with all the cats we have and with me having to hand feed it, I doubt it would have lasted much longer anyway.

Much better IMHO to go into the next world quickly and painlessly. I know people hate greys, but to me they are just another animal who needed help, something I am hard wired to provide.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andytheflyer on 16 December, 2018, 08:32:18 am
How come I've hardly seen a goldfinch, a greenfinch, a long tailed tit, etc etc all summer, but within a day of putting out my winter bird feeders, they are all queueing up in the bushes for their turn on selecting which seeds they like best in my feeders and chucking the rest away? Where do they all go all summer and how do they know that I've put the feeders out?  Is there some sort of LAN or bush telegraph?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2018, 11:20:31 am
If you're not feeding them the rest of the year that's probably why you're not seeing them - they're in someome else's garden that feeds them.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 16 December, 2018, 11:45:44 am
You might be better having a couple of feeders with single seed varieties rather than mixed feed. Less will be discarded and wasted.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andytheflyer on 16 December, 2018, 11:49:06 am
If you're not feeding them the rest of the year that's probably why you're not seeing them - they're in someome else's garden that feeds them.

Mercenary lot, aren't they?  No loyalty.  I keep them fat all winter and then they go off and gorge on someone else's feeders.  Just when there's loads to eat in my garden anyway, and evolution has well prepared them for that.

But I reckon that they must oscillate between gardens in the winter - there were dozens here a few minutes ago, now nothing.  Give them half an hour and they'll all be back again.  Contrary lot.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 16 December, 2018, 11:49:35 am
We only have single seed feeders due to the discard problem.
Because rats.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andytheflyer on 16 December, 2018, 11:59:19 am
You might be better having a couple of feeders with single seed varieties rather than mixed feed. Less will be discarded and wasted.

I'd thought about that, but was wary of buying a single feed that they either don't like, or only attracts a limited number of species.

The feeders (mixed and a peanut feeder), hang in a rose arch outside my conservatory window - so when I'm at the computer or practicing my sax, I can watch 'my' birds. I have another peanut feeder and a flat block elsewhere in the garden. The first year I did it the 'discarded' seed fell on the lawn underneath and the ground-feeding birds (blackbirds, doves, pigeons, robins) paddled the grass to death.  Last year I put a large board across the arch, a couple of feet underneath the feeders, and now the ground feeders patrol the board and clean up - with minimal spillage onto the grass, which now survives the winter.

As I sit here, there's a male sparrow chucking seeds out of the feeder as fast as he can, and a male blackbird underneath with discarded seed bouncing off him as fast as he can pick it up.

May have to introduce a registration system though, to encourage loyalty amongst my visitors..... We are on the edge of open farmland though with loads of hedges and trees for them to scavenge in anyway.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2018, 12:06:26 pm
How high is the platform under your feeders? We have the same problem with the grass. I wouldn't mind if it was just blackbirds etc but it's mostly fat toonser (trans: Aberdeen speak for a city dweller) pigeons, they get in so fast the blackbirds don't get much of a look in).

We used to have a feeder with sunflower hearts and a feeder with niger for the finches, which they seem to have gone off and now everything is just eating the sunflower hearts.

Also, our cats will sometimes eat the seeds lying on the ground  ???
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andytheflyer on 16 December, 2018, 01:23:24 pm
About 4' - 1200mm above the ground and about 2' below the feeders.  The board is about 30" by 18" and is 1/2 ply, suitably weatherproofed.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 06 January, 2019, 02:54:24 pm
LIDL are offering their spotter scopes again, for around £25. Handy little device with a tripod, and not bad optics.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 06 January, 2019, 04:37:25 pm
https://www.offerscheck.co.uk/auriol-spotting-scope/lidl/2014/kw-49/221738
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 06 January, 2019, 04:53:06 pm
https://www.offerscheck.co.uk/auriol-spotting-scope/lidl/2014/kw-49/221738

That says the offer was in 2014  ???
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 06 January, 2019, 05:39:01 pm
https://www.offerscheck.co.uk/auriol-spotting-scope/lidl/2014/kw-49/221738

That says the offer was in 2014  ???
It is a review site; they have had them before. The scopes are stacked up in the Horley branch today, but no advertising I can see.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 January, 2019, 05:40:53 pm
I couldn't see owt on the website.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 07 January, 2019, 05:50:01 pm
I mentioned it to a bird forum, and they checked other Lidl shops. Looks like it might just be my local shop getting rid of some old stock.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ben T on 05 February, 2019, 11:11:32 pm
Domestic cats would be extinct if they didn't bury their own shit. It's an evolutionary trait that makes humans choose them instead of dogs. Which they need, really, because they're aloof. Dogs don't need it, because people put up with their shitting because they're friendly, but I bet in another few generations they will evolve the ability to do it, as it will cause whatever breed comes up with it it to be more popular and thus survive more/be more prevalent.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 01 April, 2019, 11:15:29 pm
A small black & white cat keeps coming to our kitchen door but walks away before I can open it and seems unable to use the cat flap, which our cats use.

This cat resembles one of the ferals that appeared in our hedge 20 months ago and we had rehomed. I don't know if White Nose is 'our' White Nose, who has somehow come 'home' or a different feline.

David thinks White Nose was rehomed too far away to have returned.

Blackie and White Nose were nose to nose through the glass door earlier.

Blackie and 'our' White Nose were litter mates.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Legs on 03 April, 2019, 11:12:35 am
We lost one of our three Embden geese just before Christmas, so we're hoping to bring up some goslings this year.  We're left with a gander (Clarence) and a goose (Geri), who I think are father and daughter.  With hopes of diversifying the gene pool, I've been given three (hopefully fertilised) Brecon Buff eggs by a neighbour, which I slipped into Geri's nest this morning.  In order to get her to go broody, I've left her own eggs in there, but I don't want them to hatch.  Should I
a) get some of these (https://www.theincubatorshop.co.uk/products/details/ceramic-goose-egg.html),
b) buy some eggs from the butcher, which should be unfertilised, or
c) hard-boil her own eggs and pop them back into the nest?

I'm thinking that, since we'd rather keep a female rather than male gosling, I'd take a punt on which one to keep at 16 weeks based on the colour of the down and the pitch of the call (I don't feel qualified to try vent-sexing!).  I've got a friend who'll happily accept juveniles to his flock.  (Of course, there's a 1-in-8 chance of them all being male, and it's not a foregone conclusion that they'll hatch out.  I'm wary of premature poultry enumeration ;D)

Any thoughts or words of wisdom/experience?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 18 April, 2019, 06:47:26 am
If you're anatidaephobic do not click this link: https://www.facebook.com/uniladmag/videos/2331812880172281/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 27 April, 2019, 05:11:19 pm
The magnetic catch on our cat flap has failed. I don't know if the magnet has disappeared or just weakened.

I'm sitting in a draught that is strong enough to drive the feline to rest elsewhere.

PetSafe sell replacement magnets, as part of a hardware kit for their cat flaps. There are 24 pieces in this kit, priced at a seemingly reasonable £4.99
+ £3.99 postage.

So I have just spent £9 on a small magnet and two dozen bits of excess hardware as David demanded.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 28 April, 2019, 11:58:49 am
At least Petsafe do sell replacement bits - I don't think a lot of ours is original by now,
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 28 April, 2019, 02:48:07 pm
Looks like the (non PetSafe) magnet is holding the flap. Kit is still pending delivery.

Well, we have two cat flaps so spares may be needed in future.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Legs on 01 May, 2019, 11:06:54 am
We lost one of our three Embden geese just before Christmas, so we're hoping to bring up some goslings this year.  We're left with a gander (Clarence) and a goose (Geri), who I think are father and daughter.  With hopes of diversifying the gene pool, I've been given three (hopefully fertilised) Brecon Buff eggs by a neighbour, which I slipped into Geri's nest this morning.  In order to get her to go broody, I've left her own eggs in there, but I don't want them to hatch.  Should I
a) get some of these (https://www.theincubatorshop.co.uk/products/details/ceramic-goose-egg.html),
b) buy some eggs from the butcher, which should be unfertilised, or
c) hard-boil her own eggs and pop them back into the nest?

I'm thinking that, since we'd rather keep a female rather than male gosling, I'd take a punt on which one to keep at 16 weeks based on the colour of the down and the pitch of the call (I don't feel qualified to try vent-sexing!).  I've got a friend who'll happily accept juveniles to his flock.  (Of course, there's a 1-in-8 chance of them all being male, and it's not a foregone conclusion that they'll hatch out.  I'm wary of premature poultry enumeration ;D)

Any thoughts or words of wisdom/experience?

So I went for the hard-boiling option.  Today's the 28th day she's been sitting so we're (perhaps) expecting the arrivals imminently.  Strangely, the gander has also been sitting on the nest, which is rather spread-out so that they sit side-by-side.  Getting them both off the nest at the same time has been difficult, so I haven't had the opportunity to candle the eggs, or to pick them out in the past few days to listen for peeping.  I've left a seed tray of water outside the shed for them, and will pick up some starter feed for them in case they make an appearance.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 07 May, 2019, 02:19:16 pm
The smokers have been informed not to use the ash tray in the smoking shelter at work.

There's a clutch of 11 eggs been laid in it!

The comment has been made about passive smoking.  :demon:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Legs on 14 May, 2019, 02:09:20 pm
BTW, the goslings didn't show up, otherwise they'd have been making an appearance on the "squee" thread  :'(  Threw the dud eggs over the hedge.  No embryos inside, just yucky month-old yolks.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 20 May, 2019, 03:46:23 pm
20°C outside but the bees that have come into our house, three or four of them today, are all groggy or dying. Either farmers are making the most of the last neonic/glyphosate years or some neighbour is ignoring the outright ban on garden insecticides.  I've seen a couple of bluebottles in a similar state, too.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2019, 01:20:47 pm
It's no wonder insect populations are declining; I wiped out a couple of hundred on yesterday evening's ride. With my eyelids. Time to wear glasses whenever out of the house.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 21 May, 2019, 01:44:04 pm
It's no wonder insect populations are declining; I wiped out a couple of hundred on yesterday evening's ride. With my eyelids. Time to wear glasses whenever out of the house.

I had to stop and expend a non-trivial amount of my remaining water on washing the smeared remains of something insectoid (suspect a partially-emerged pupa) from my glasses, after impacting it at speeds in excess of R17.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 25 July, 2019, 03:11:00 am
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49096417
SEVEN species of gull found in the UK?
Herring
Lesser BB
Greater BB
Common
Kittiwake
Black-headed
Mediterranean (abundant in the South)
Little (several in Surrey at the moment)
Yellow-legged (regular in some SW areas.

Add in rarer ones like Glaucous (one was in Redhill for ages this year) and that 'seven' looks a bit ill-researched.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: jsabine on 27 July, 2019, 10:55:40 am
Google suggests that the RSPB says there are seven species of gull that breed in the UK (and the British Trust for Ornithology says six), so given that the article you quote includes a statement from the RSPB I reckon that's probably the source, coupled with omitting the breeding detail.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 04 August, 2019, 02:13:29 pm
Another bird in my bedroom this morning.  Last one was a very noisy juvenile jackdaw which was quite easy to encourage back out of the window.  This morning's was very small and unidentified, but still very noisy.  Possibly a very young sparrow or perhaps a wren.  I couldn't get close enough to see as it panicked and squashed itself into a corner under the back of a chest of drawers. Hopefully it will find its own way out.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 05 August, 2019, 07:54:55 am
Another bird in my bedroom this morning.  Last one was a very noisy juvenile jackdaw which was quite easy to encourage back out of the window.  This morning's was very small and unidentified, but still very noisy.  Possibly a very young sparrow or perhaps a wren.  I couldn't get close enough to see as it panicked and squashed itself into a corner under the back of a chest of drawers. Hopefully it will find its own way out.

I have just spent an hour trying to catch the bloody stupid sparrow that is still in my room.
I assumed last night that it had found its own way out through the open window, but no. Woken up at 5:30 by loud persistent tweeting. Every time I move it hunkers down under furniture where I can't reach it.
This is driving me mad!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 05 August, 2019, 11:21:48 am
I'll probably get in trouble for suggesting this but don't you have a cat? In which case it is not doing it's job.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 05 August, 2019, 11:40:06 am
I'll probably get in trouble for suggesting this but don't you have a cat? In which case it is not doing it's job.
No. No cat here.  I did think one would be useful in this situation though. It could flush the little bugger out of its many hiding places so I could throw a towel over it. (Which is what I've been trying to do)
There is a large sash window which is fully open, but it just never goes near it.
At this rate it will starve to death.   :'(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 05 August, 2019, 05:10:54 pm
Wow!
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/04/sea-eagles-to-take-flight-on-isle-of-wight-for-first-time-since-1780?fbclid=IwAR0rZG1D0OI5K9EVhgsZebfekinhj63AVWpVOtCaRGDSXxHcrjvRxSHw_T4
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 08 August, 2019, 08:57:06 am
We had loads of swifts this year. I loved hearing them screaming around the house every morning, watching them pretending to dive bomb the bedroom window.  Then suddenly they were gone.  I've not seen one since the end of July.
I thought that this was a little early, and that perhaps they knew something we didn't.  (Armageddon outa here), but no, end July early August it is, according to the interwebs.
 :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 08 August, 2019, 02:09:16 pm
We've had very few swifts in Furryboottoon this year, but they are still here.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 09 August, 2019, 02:20:43 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/09/chase-bank-cancels-all-credit-card-debt-for-canadian-customers

Now that's some CLEVER dogs

Quote
Turner used his Amazon.ca Rewards Visa to buy electronics and supplies for his six dogs.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Clare on 26 August, 2019, 05:38:14 pm
Wow!
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/04/sea-eagles-to-take-flight-on-isle-of-wight-for-first-time-since-1780?fbclid=IwAR0rZG1D0OI5K9EVhgsZebfekinhj63AVWpVOtCaRGDSXxHcrjvRxSHw_T4

They were released last week.

 :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Clare on 26 August, 2019, 05:41:59 pm
In other news, what better way to spend a bank holiday Monday than in a queue of traffic on the Manhood Peninsula with a stinky winged rat in a box in the car. Wonky the pigeon is now in the hands of Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital.

It really is amazing how much shit can come out of a bird that size.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 26 August, 2019, 05:46:15 pm
A pair of herons. It struck me that, although herons are fairly common, I've only seen solitary individuals, never a pair before.
Also, I reported upthread that our swifts disappeared suddenly in the last week of July.  They've not been seen since, but this morning there were four flying about.  Are these Pingu's swifts taking a break mid migration?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Clare on 02 September, 2019, 12:18:39 pm
Wow!
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/04/sea-eagles-to-take-flight-on-isle-of-wight-for-first-time-since-1780?fbclid=IwAR0rZG1D0OI5K9EVhgsZebfekinhj63AVWpVOtCaRGDSXxHcrjvRxSHw_T4

They were released last week.

 :)

One of them has gone for a bit of a bimble:

http://www.roydennis.org/2019/09/01/amazing-flight-essex/

It's Audax Eagle.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 03 September, 2019, 06:32:43 pm
A pair of herons. It struck me that, although herons are fairly common, I've only seen solitary individuals, never a pair before.
Also, I reported upthread that our swifts disappeared suddenly in the last week of July.  They've not been seen since, but this morning there were four flying about.  Are these Pingu's swifts taking a break mid migration?

Ours seemed to disappear sometime before we went on holiday, not long after my previous post.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 24 September, 2019, 01:02:38 pm
Noticed that the neighbours' chickens were all wondrously quiet for a change*. OTOH I could hear a buzzard mewing.

A strategy suggests itself...

* for the benefit of townies, cocks do not only crow at daybreak.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: benborp on 26 September, 2019, 12:24:58 am
Yesterday autumn fell with a thunk. All the beasts are working out where they would prefer to be.

A hedgehog has just wandered in and made its way under the dresser. He passed a toad that was on its way out.

I just hope I'm not on my way to a dwarf infestation.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: benborp on 27 September, 2019, 11:49:26 am
Any tips for the location and removal of hedgehogs? No sight or sound of the beast itself but it has left signs.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Andrij on 01 October, 2019, 03:53:34 pm
Fat Bear Week (http://www.bbcamerica.com/bearcam)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 07 October, 2019, 07:35:20 pm
I've got hedgehogs in my urban back garden!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 08 October, 2019, 12:26:36 pm
Oh excellent. It's been years since I saw one. Get a wildlife camera up!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 10 October, 2019, 08:20:19 pm
Oh excellent. It's been years since I saw one. Get a wildlife camera up!

That's just what I've done this evening. An early Birthday present from mum & sister, a Crenova trail camera with 20mp stills, and 1080p video with night vision  :thumbsup:. Seemed to be the best of the bunch on Amazon for my budget.  Fingers crossed I've set it up properly, as the instructions are a bit Engrish in translation...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 11 October, 2019, 12:50:14 pm
I look forward to seeing what you come up with Brian!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: BrianI on 11 October, 2019, 05:51:47 pm
First test video.  I think I need to experiment with the camera settings & placement.

But you can just about see Mr Hog at the top left of the video, nosying around the feeding station, then making his way through the entrance to have a good feed!

https://youtu.be/eYMwde0LGgM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48881259741_8b098f1d52_o.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48880728813_a9f730e5e9_o.jpg)

Currently I've got the camera set to take 6 pictures, then a 90 second video. I think I may set it to take just 1 picture, then a 90 sec video. 

I might also see about raising the camera off the ground a little more, to stop blowing out the foreground exposure.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 11 October, 2019, 07:04:43 pm
That's reminded me of our hedgepig video from a few years ago  :)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/8309/29811864201_b0e69bb3e6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MqnAAD)
hedgepigs_01 (https://flic.kr/p/MqnAAD) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Hot Flatus on 11 October, 2019, 08:56:43 pm
Bit of an oblique reference to wildlife, but I just found this in twatter:

You don’t know what fun is until you’ve witnessed a drunk on the Edinburgh to Glasgow train screaming “A fucking hate hedgehogs, come at me ya jabby wee cunt” while angrily circling a hairbrush that’s been dropped on the floor...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jakob on 23 October, 2019, 06:35:49 am
Not mine, but....:D

(https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/74456395_2503936172987862_9004627131971403776_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&_nc_oc=AQkTUh_da9c-uWBv1O2MEw_rd93pp3RxDeFBf6PSvvEcB5CP5hZmSoszWfYYo4nG8fc&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=f45bf19fa52156efaaa6321585cba519&oe=5E1966C0)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jakob on 23 October, 2019, 07:15:18 am
On a similar note, we had this fella visiting a few weeks back
https://youtu.be/tGmuPRzk7hA
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Salvatore on 25 October, 2019, 03:56:22 pm
I've got hedgehogs in my urban back garden!  :thumbsup:

Same here. When a neighbour told me he'd seen a hedgehog in my back garden, I bought the cheapest wildlife camera I could find (about £40). My neighbours (and siblings and cousins) are absolutely thrilled when I send them edited highlights of the night's activity (see the 'seen today' thread for a couple).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy on 25 October, 2019, 07:36:07 pm
Migrating Russian eagles run up huge data roaming charges (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50180781)

Quote
Russian scientists tracking migrating eagles ran out of money after some of the birds flew to Iran and Pakistan and their SMS transmitters drew huge data roaming charges.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 25 October, 2019, 08:01:07 pm
Migrating Russian eagles run up huge data roaming charges (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50180781)

Quote
Russian scientists tracking migrating eagles ran out of money after some of the birds flew to Iran and Pakistan and their SMS transmitters drew huge data roaming charges.

 ;D

On a more serious note, on the local news this morning - one of six sea eagles released on the Isle of Wight in the summer has been found dead, and another is missing after being tracked flying to Essex and back.  :(

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-50164859
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 26 October, 2019, 12:41:05 am
I've just learned via twitter that foxes will chase a laser pointer like cats do.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 30 October, 2019, 09:33:53 pm
I, for one, welcome our new raccoon overlords.

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/oct/29/multiple-raccoons-take-over-library-arkansas-state/?latest
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 08 December, 2019, 10:00:07 pm
(https://randysrandom.com/wp-content/uploads/petco-job-interview.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 14 December, 2019, 09:22:21 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwdxo32NelY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR16RQHOFkq1lIuqdvFVlFQOnKOFyuY3CCyq9G8mHeLVgDPR4Durtn7Oyvw&app=desktop
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 22 December, 2019, 01:53:25 pm
Just on my way back from my local Polski Sklep, having procured four jars of pickled dill cucumbers, when I saw a rat chasing a cat.
It's supposed to be the other way round, isn't it?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 22 December, 2019, 02:17:47 pm
So I thought but I understand there are some BIG rats around nowadays!

[OT] Living in a Jewish area, Sainsbury's supply a good range of (English) Elswood pickled cucumbers; these range from very sweet to not at all, are fairly cheap and might be worth a try if you can get them. The 'Haimishe' variety might suit you.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 22 December, 2019, 02:42:40 pm
Thanks Helly, I think I've probably tried most, if not all, of the variants there are of dill cucumbers.
The ones which work best for me are those on my avatar.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 22 December, 2019, 05:20:47 pm
We had a lot of Krakus when we were kids, and Nova from Praha...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 30 December, 2019, 01:22:32 pm
Total random Wiki moment: I didn't know that we do not have grass snakes in the UK. We have the barred grass snake, speciated in 2017.

So, to rip off Bill Bryson, we have seven species of terrestrial reptile in the UK, being the slow worm, common lizard, sand lizard, adder, smooth snake, barred grass snake, and Michael Portillo.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2020, 02:11:17 am
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-51070543 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-51070543)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 13 January, 2020, 09:10:07 am
Not actually wildlife, more like civilized life

https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/dog-buys-treats-using-leaf
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Edd on 17 January, 2020, 11:51:23 am
Horse on a bus (and associated puns)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51146051
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 January, 2020, 11:56:19 am
Was it a (Grand) National bus?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 24 January, 2020, 11:14:27 am
I heard the first dawn chorus of the year today  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: cycleman on 24 January, 2020, 06:13:54 pm
A flock of starlings flew over the garden at dusk this evening  :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 April, 2020, 08:10:24 am
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/apr/02/mice-have-a-range-of-facial-expressions-researchers-find?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Including “Oh bugger! The Vogons have destroyed our planet!”
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2020, 09:29:16 am
Gertrude is a great bustard and she has Stonehenge all to herself.
https://blog.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/2020/04/13/monumental-lockdown-a-period-of-rejuvenation-for-stonehenge/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 19 April, 2020, 11:19:05 am
WHAT THE FF?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/17/falconers-to-be-allowed-to-take-wild-peregrine-chicks-from-nests?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19XZWVrZW5kLTIwMDQxOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUK_email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 26 April, 2020, 05:58:43 pm
Bloody hell! How did that get approved?

Back to what I came here for: urban foxes. I'm wondering how they're doing, with some of their major food sources closed down. I know that foxes round here scavenge behind fast food places & restaurants, & there've been no discarded scraps in those places for them for weeks. Has anyone noticed hungry foxes?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Russell on 26 April, 2020, 06:20:24 pm
Was in our local shopping centre the other day and heard an odd sound like a squeeky pedal kind of skreetch.  Looked up and and spied a pigeon sized bird on a ledge about 8 stories up.  Then saw another nearby.  When they flew there was definitely crescent shaped wings.  Got home and listened to bird calls and I'm pretty sure they were peregines.

If this works top of that brick building.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.292162,-0.7555549,3a,75y,106.13h,97.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZm9EfUoKOsF_U3_eccc_iw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-GB&authuser=0 (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.292162,-0.7555549,3a,75y,106.13h,97.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZm9EfUoKOsF_U3_eccc_iw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-GB&authuser=0)

Is there a reporting procedure?

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 26 April, 2020, 06:50:27 pm
I’d suggest the BTO as a starting point.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 April, 2020, 07:10:30 pm
WHAT THE FF?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/17/falconers-to-be-allowed-to-take-wild-peregrine-chicks-from-nests?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19XZWVrZW5kLTIwMDQxOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUK_email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK
>:(

Bloody hell! How did that get approved?

Back to what I came here for: urban foxes. I'm wondering how they're doing, with some of their major food sources closed down. I know that foxes round here scavenge behind fast food places & restaurants, & there've been no discarded scraps in those places for them for weeks. Has anyone noticed hungry foxes?
Haven't seen any local foxes since lockdown.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 01 May, 2020, 11:12:28 pm
WHAT THE FF?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/17/falconers-to-be-allowed-to-take-wild-peregrine-chicks-from-nests?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19XZWVrZW5kLTIwMDQxOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUK_email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK

Another WTF moment courtesy of Natural England  >:(

Simply cannot be justified.

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 03 May, 2020, 05:06:43 pm
Opened up the nest box today, as we haven’t seen the bluetits recently. A fully formed nest, but no sign of eggs having been laid. Cleaned it out and repositioned slightly so the entrance is more easterly.  Perhaps another pair will use it for a late brood. Hopefully, as we’ve had nests in there for the last 5 or 6 years without fail.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 04 May, 2020, 04:29:44 pm
I had a big fox in my garden a few weeks back. Meant I had to build a secure run for my chickens but suspect its down to the school field behind me being quieter. There's a sports centre in the other side that's normally fairly noisy in evenings. I think the chickens have been ignored now in favour of the rabbits of which there must be over a hundred on the field. The fox may as suggested up thread be having to supplement its usual scavenged diet.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ginger Cat on 17 May, 2020, 03:13:34 pm
I have a bumblebee nest in one of my raised beds at the allotment. Little tunnel into the ground, bees going in and out.

A pea seeding is growing next to it but I didn't water as I didn't want to drown the bees.

Am best not going too close as they fly guard outside if I do.

GC
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Snakehips on 17 May, 2020, 03:49:58 pm
Ground dwelling bees have taken up residence in my shed which is rather inconvenient. They seem to resent my presence.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 23 May, 2020, 05:43:04 pm
A REALLY great Northern diver
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52779727
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 03 June, 2020, 03:59:30 pm
Whilst on a work skype call, I was vaguely aware of what my mother might have termed "a bit of a commotion" from downstairs.  Turns out a juvenile blackbird had wandered into our kitchen, helped itself to a piece of dry cat food from the bowl on the floor (this latter being found by me some 4m from said bowl, in the living room), been disturbed by my wife, and performed several circuits of said living room, flapping at windows and crapping vigorously, until it spotted the open kitchen door and once more exited our abode.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2020, 02:14:11 pm
Snake eels? We should take off and nuke them from orbit.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/04/snake-eels-burst-through-the-stomach-of-predators-in-bid-to-escape-being-eaten-alive
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 06 June, 2020, 06:05:17 pm
You know those pigeon deterrent spikes?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49977003693_264e8ab827_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2j9id2t)
IMG_6146_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9id2t) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 June, 2020, 08:36:08 pm
Mrs CET saw three magpies in the garden, one smaller than the other two, which would suggest that the nest in our Norway Maple has been productive.  Which is better than not, given said magpies have evicted the wood pigeons from their favourite tree
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: graculus on 07 June, 2020, 07:48:41 am
(Yesterday)
Couple of bluetit fledglings exited the bird box on the side of our garage. One made it to the bushes in the border, the other made a powered glide onto the middle of the lawn. Where it stayed for a while , then moved closer to the flower bed where at least there is a bit of cover. Parents kept visiting to encourage it to move, then a blackbird came across to say hello. The chick went for the blackbird and saw it off. Presumably programmed that if something large and unrecognised approaches you have nothing to lose by attacking.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 14 June, 2020, 08:37:57 pm
A boar ate my homework...
https://www.israel21c.org/boar-eats-israeli-boys-homework-giving-him-best-excuse-ever/?fbclid=IwAR2ctjHZXEKIA_21NROvfnUnkMwxNoxTMJKSmVbzyzZVnpv6P_bdaZgMMkU (https://www.israel21c.org/boar-eats-israeli-boys-homework-giving-him-best-excuse-ever/?fbclid=IwAR2ctjHZXEKIA_21NROvfnUnkMwxNoxTMJKSmVbzyzZVnpv6P_bdaZgMMkU)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 25 June, 2020, 08:44:47 pm
We always have swifts, but this year there appear to be many, many more. The sky over our garden is full of them this evening, the screaming almost deafening.
Has anyone else noted an increase, or is it just local to me?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 25 June, 2020, 09:10:38 pm
We seem to have quite a lot, but whether that's unusual I don't know. I read somewhere that the early summer visitors (swallows and martins) were badly affected by a series of storms over the Pyrennees an far fewer made it than usual.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 June, 2020, 11:22:20 am
Life imitates art.

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/106127572_2616863945299465_6071346397487224262_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_eui2=AeF0Yye57J_FY0N4b0PWF7ks-4JvjLqfNDT7gm-Mup80NI5WLxtTmaE6UPPd1qNViYxKgTZTZbPvDUo0insocMZY&_nc_ohc=r7tSrYZGj48AX8wh9o5&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=dd4e2e0390c8da2ca59430e3ef91dc92&oe=5F1DBD56)

(https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/106509047_2616864501966076_2491744909509626101_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_eui2=AeGDhSk2M6D9kIB89wWDA1ITMY8tgrhFkDQxjy2CuEWQNLDZ6OCyPAI4C5oE7vfgnDtOdOHBU0jbcPUC8OZQvkGl&_nc_ohc=kxQ9GkJNXQUAX9P_Bje&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&oh=3f2957cb777586db3dc14dfd8f890cb6&oe=5F1D7037)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 June, 2020, 01:14:31 pm
Arising from the above... a hef-hef-heffalump?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-53226526/family-rescue-bear-cub-swimming-with-a-jar-stuck-on-its-head
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2020, 01:37:48 pm
Snippet on radio this morning said that 96% by weight of mammals are now either human or domesticated for our use. Pity the poor 4%.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 July, 2020, 10:18:10 am
I spoke to my brother last night. He told me that a vulpine intrusion had accounted for two of his hens.

It seems that these hens, which he had only a couple of months, flatly refuse to go into the hen house to roost at night. They go in during the day to lay their eggs. Brother David said that their pen is entirely enclosed in wire netting but Mr. Fox found a weak point and forced his way in. He killed two (half the flock) and carried one of those two away.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ElyDave on 24 July, 2020, 12:35:12 pm
Just about to get onto a conf call with coleagues yesterday when a sparrow decided to fly into my office through the open back door. Instead of flying straight out again it decided to fly behind me into the far corner and sit on an empty demijohn.  I managed to shoo it out quickly enough.

With what seems like 5 or 6 sets of nesting sparrows in the back i guess it was intevitable. 
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 25 July, 2020, 12:17:05 am
At least it wasn't a squirrel...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ElyDave on 25 July, 2020, 06:18:37 am
or our friend Roland.

Not many squirrels round here
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 25 July, 2020, 06:59:00 am
They're mostly to be found in South East London.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 August, 2020, 04:29:41 pm
A pig with an Apple in its mouth?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/german-nudist-chases-wild-boar-that-stole-laptop-berlin-teufelssee
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 07 August, 2020, 05:25:55 pm
Poor bargain, when you're expecting PIZZA!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: pcolbeck on 10 August, 2020, 09:45:46 am
We have a terracotta dish about 18 inches across that was for under a big pot that broke. I put it in the middle of the lawn with a couple of small flat rocks in in and filled it with water, its been there all summer. I thought the birds would use it and they do a bit but the bees are mad for it. I can watch a continuous stream of them flying to it and when I move it to the path whilst I mow the lawn they get very confused and cross. They keep flying to the place it was. 30 seconds after I put it back its got bees on it again.
I wonder if its the rough texture of the unglazed terracota and the rocks they like? Maybe they find it easier to grip and drink without falling in.
Try it its fascinating to watch them. Took them a a couple of days to find it initially but they have been using it all summer now.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 August, 2020, 09:28:40 am
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/13/large-blue-butterfly-flutters-in-cotswolds-for-first-time-in-150-years

That's a brilliant piece of work - and how about that? A butterfly preying on ants? Makes a change from the ichneumon.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 13 August, 2020, 06:37:15 pm
There was a small wasp in my kitchen today.  Either a small species,  or just small. Definitely a wasp.
Anyway, I realised that was the first I've seen this year.  Anyone else noticed this?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 August, 2020, 07:20:49 pm
You know those pigeon deterrent spikes?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49977003693_264e8ab827_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2j9id2t)
IMG_6146_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9id2t) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Most excellent photo. As for the spikes, those are soft southern woossy spikes, no match for an Aberdonian pigeon.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 29 September, 2020, 07:58:31 pm
It appears that the squirrels of Kenilworth have adopted drop-bear tactics.  Had a near miss with one earlier this afternoon.

:jurek:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: fuzzy on 04 October, 2020, 02:58:06 pm
We may have been adopted by the towns population of Goldfinch.
We have 5 feeders on our feeding station. Two are sunflower hearts, one is Niger, one is mixed seed and the other is suet balls. The sunflower hearts have six perches between them, the niger two and the other feeders have at least four perches. Just now, each of the sunflower and niger perches were occupied with birds feeding. The other perches were all occupied by Goldfinch social distancing and waiting. There were also Goldfinch on the top of the hangars. I counted at least fifteen Goldfinch perched or fluttering and hovering as well as Blue, Great and Coal tits swooping in to a gap, grabbing a beak full and disappearing.
  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 October, 2020, 09:11:52 pm
Over 1,000km a day. These birds would make wonderful randonneurs...
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/13/jet-fighter-godwit-breaks-world-record-for-non-stop-bird-flight
Quote
A bird said to have the aerodynamic build of a “jet fighter” has been tracked flying more than 12,000km (7,500 miles) from Alaska to New Zealand, setting a new world record for avian non-stop flight.

The bar-tailed godwit set off from south-west Alaska on 16 September and arrived in a bay near Auckland 11 days later, having flown at speeds of up to 55mph.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 October, 2020, 11:15:20 pm
I was having a good natter with my pal Penny this afternoon and she told me that in her youth her family had a cat who was a result of his mother being impregnated by his older brother. Of course, I asked whether they called him Oedi-puss, but apparently not. He was called "Tom".
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 01 November, 2020, 01:45:42 am
 Pet cat goes missing for three days, returns home incurring debt! (https://www.google.com/amp/s/indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/pet-cat-goes-missing-for-three-days-returns-with-dish-debt-notice-6911407/lite/)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2020, 02:04:05 pm
There's a stink bug orbiting the fluorescent light in my office, right over my head.  It's when the motor cuts out and they drop straight down that you start praying.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 11 December, 2020, 07:35:43 pm
https://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/saved-by-creed-norwegian-boy-fends-off-wolf-pack-with-heavy-metal-a-740680.html (https://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/saved-by-creed-norwegian-boy-fends-off-wolf-pack-with-heavy-metal-a-740680.html)

Schoolboy encountering wolves deters them with his choice of heavy metal music.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 03 January, 2021, 05:20:19 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/03/a-wing-and-a-prayer-how-birds-are-coping-with-the-climate-crisis?utm_term=950fd8caf9caaf39c146efbd4d1a3bca&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUK_email
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: tiermat on 09 January, 2021, 08:42:13 am
Good news: Twix the cat's bowels are perfectly normal and healthy.

Bad news: I discovered this by having to clean his shit up from the front door mat! Not a brilliant start to Saturday but he hates going out for toilet trips in the snow.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 January, 2021, 01:01:37 pm
Ah well, at least it was a solid one!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 10 January, 2021, 09:07:20 pm
Not a fan of urban foxes, or foxes in general. This little fox has been sleeping/napping on a law in the cold weather.  Now I don't like the idea of an animal suffering.

Now I think that these foxes should be controlled by humans being culled as we are a great food source. 

Now why does seeing this fox napping upset me so?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2021, 04:50:33 pm
Big. Tom has learnt to Miaow. Big Tom only started visiting us as an adult, when he was very gentlemanly to the litter we'd found and were looking after. He never miaowed at the time though the kittens did.
I don't think I've heard him miaow in the three years we've had him but Blackie does, when she wants/food/Dreamies/attention.
Seems an old cat (vets estimated he was 5 when neutered 3 years ago) has learned new tricks...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 12 January, 2021, 08:20:42 pm
Re Big Tom
As he has recently started miaowing - just check he isn't going deaf!
Our previous cat had never been completely silent, but over quite a short period the miaowing got more frequent, and louder.  I realised she could not monitor the volume, like my husband, and worked out she was going deaf, also like my husband.
Vet confimed no other underlying illness, just old age. She adapted OK - when we wanted her in at dusk instead of shouting we put the outdoor lights on and she usually pottered in. Lived to 24......
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2021, 09:48:35 pm
Thanks! I don't think he is deaf and has been quite vocal when seeing of other toms.

He seemed to be demanding food and didn't miaow after being fed. He has previously clawed my bum when demanding food.

I'll watch his response to sound.

He spends most of his time indoors in the cold weather.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2021, 01:03:30 am
Also watch your response to sound...

Meowing is a instinctive juvenile cat behaviour to demand attention from their mother; adult cats rarely use it for communication amongst themselves other than when being sexual or territorial.  Responding to mowling noises is an instinctive human reaction to distress of their offspring, and humans are hardwired to learn language.  Put the two together and the cat learns that meowing is an effective strategy for persuading humans to provide food, scritches, door opening services etc, and the human learns the arbitrary[1] meanings of a handful of differently-modulated meows.

I don't know much about deaf cats[2], but cats of deaf humans learn that meowing is largely pointless, and develop alternative communication strategies based on head-nudging, Getting In The Way, pawing, repeatedly jumping against the window, etc, etc.


[1] IIRC the SCIENCE shows that the vocalisations are specific to the individual cat, but their own humans can consistently determine their meaning.
[2] Other than that it's surprisingly hard to perform a distraction hearing test on a cat, because they frequently can't be arsed.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 January, 2021, 12:29:04 pm
Agree. Our 5 ish yr old mogs defo miaow a lot more now than they did when they were younger. They're just wrapping us round their little finger...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: fuzzy on 13 January, 2021, 03:53:45 pm
They just need time to work out what their equivalent of the Summoning Of The Staff Bell is.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 13 January, 2021, 06:38:48 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/13/wildlife-rangers-in-uk-jobs-offer-no-bison-experience-required


Career opportunity.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2021, 07:36:11 pm
Bison ranger would be a very cool job title, and it's great to have this reintroduction.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2021, 09:26:40 pm
They just need time to work out what their equivalent of the Summoning Of The Staff Bell is.

I think this is what he's twigged!

I posted upthread I didn't think he was deaf.

If he hears anything like movement/opening cat food sachets he's up like a shot, sometimes from another room. Suggest's hearing's fine to me!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 20 January, 2021, 08:11:39 pm
Cycling to work today in the dark a very light-coloured and large owl flew across the road a few metres in front of me.

Klaus says they don’t have snowy owls in this bit of Germany but it seemed very light colour for a barn owl. I think it was probably a tawny owl, having looked at a website of Eulen in Deutschland.

Side note, the German for Eagle Owl is ‘Uhu’, pronounced oo-hoo.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2021, 09:08:28 am
Barn owls look almost white in headlights.

Side note, the German for Eagle Owl is ‘Uhu’, pronounced oo-hoo.
I did know this but what puzzles me is the glue. Owl glue???
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy on 21 January, 2021, 09:14:26 am
From https://www.uhu.com/en/more/about-uhu:

Quote
UHU COMPANY HISTORY
In 1905, pharmacist August Fischer acquired the small Ludwig Hoerth chemicals plant (founded 1884) in Bühl. At the time he did not yet know that he would soon make a discovery that would result in his company becoming one of the most famous adhesive manufacturers in the world.
In 1932 came the crucial innovation, when August Fischer developed the world's first ready-to-use, transparent artificial resin adhesive. It reliably bonded all materials known at the time, even the first plastics such as Bakelit®. As was common in the paper, office supplies and stationery industry, he chose the name of a bird for his new product: "UHU The All Purpose Adhesive".
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 27 January, 2021, 09:54:07 am
Having not learned the first time, i set out a bird feeder.  Over the decking so we can sit and watch from our living room.
Only 10 days later I looked out this morning and there were two large rats on the decking gleaning the spill.
Bugger.  This time I'll not just clean the feeders and store them in the shed, I'll get rid of them completely to ensure I don't do it again.   :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 January, 2021, 12:46:19 pm
On Winterwatch last night they featured a bloke who had learned to embrace his rats. He reckoned he was getting more rat interested visitors such as weasles and tawny owls since they arrived.
Alternatively as has been said elsewhere, what are you feeding them? Less stuff gets thrown on the ground if you just feed straight sunflower hearts. We just get tons on pigeons instead..
(Meanwhile our cats have been known to eat this stuff under the feeders..)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 27 January, 2021, 12:59:24 pm
The main problem is the large number of jackdaws around here.  Like sqiggles, they've learned to perch on the feeders and shake them about, to dispense goodies.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 February, 2021, 10:32:21 am
In response to a side-issue on another thread (whether crows steal bright shiny things), I had a crow steal a very bright, shiny tyre lever once. I was working on my velocipede in the garden and during a period when a particularly tame crow was visiting us regularly. The bloody thing nicked the lever, which had a gold finish, and flew up onto next door's roof and dropped it in the guttering.

I recall having some concerns about that crow: the children were quite small, well under 10, and I had worries that it might injure them in some way. A crow's beak is quite a formidable weapon.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 February, 2021, 06:31:01 pm
Somebody local to us is putting what I assume are giant seed & fat balls out where a cat can get at them. Pumpkin came home and deposited probably about a tennis ball sized pile of deconstructed fat ball on the porch rug so god knows how much she actually demolished, the wee terror.
*burp*
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 08 February, 2021, 04:07:27 pm
Not a fan of urban foxes, or foxes in general. This little fox has been sleeping/napping on a law in the cold weather.  Now I don't like the idea of an animal suffering.

Now I think that these foxes should be controlled by humans being culled as we are a great food source. 

Now why does seeing this fox napping upset me so?

Here is the fox, asleep while it snows.  Find it upseting and want to give it a box to aleast get cover

(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p960x960/147313677_10159712060908488_3896352987164346232_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=y2VAhm13CAwAX8hnNjY&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr4-2.fna&tp=6&oh=14b9b7acedb023e3ab160b26e1ab0f0a&oe=6047E0B3)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 February, 2021, 04:40:16 pm
I'm sure the fox could find itself some deep undergrowth somewhere to shelter & sleep in if it wanted to.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 08 February, 2021, 06:18:43 pm
You are right, no idea why I find it so upsetting.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 February, 2021, 06:33:40 pm
Some sort of nurturing instinct I expect :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 08 February, 2021, 10:11:05 pm
I don't like foxes, believe they are vermin. Then again I don't like that urban life is so waste full that urban foxes can thrive.  Foxes can kill cats, have seen two local foxes surround a cat, that was hiding under a car wailing.  Scared the foxes off.

Went and put some cat food that the cats don't like, well didn't like till I stuck the food in a gu pud ramekin, and put the food where the fox sleeps.  A fox came back and ate the food.

WTF is wrong with me.

MODIFY: Am from a farming background in another country, so seen what foxes do.  Am very anti fox hunting, no animal should come to such a horrific end, and I went on a hunt in the UK once.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ian on 09 February, 2021, 10:29:42 am
Foxes are cool, we have a couple under the summer house. At least some wildlife benefits in urban environments. They're not vermin, the population size is regulated by food availability and vehicular predation. They mostly don't bother cats, they're not competing for territory or food, so unless either party feels threatened or the foxes are really, really hungry, there's not much point in fighting, they both risk serious injury. Foxes would rather eat smaller stuff with fewer claws and teeth. Cats would rather eat stuff from the supermarket.

They don't need extra food or shelter, they're wild animals. I wouldn't worry about them. Foxes and squirrels in other parts of the world have to put up with far colder temperatures.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 February, 2021, 02:03:26 pm
Bison online in Bialowieza national park: https://youtu.be/ZTZ9iyw-z1Q
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 09 February, 2021, 06:13:02 pm
Bison online in Bialowieza national park: https://youtu.be/ZTZ9iyw-z1Q

Live feed too.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 09 February, 2021, 06:15:43 pm
Foxes are cool, we have a couple under the summer house. At least some wildlife benefits in urban environments. They're not vermin, the population size is regulated by food availability and vehicular predation. They mostly don't bother cats, they're not competing for territory or food, so unless either party feels threatened or the foxes are really, really hungry, there's not much point in fighting, they both risk serious injury. Foxes would rather eat smaller stuff with fewer claws and teeth. Cats would rather eat stuff from the supermarket.

They don't need extra food or shelter, they're wild animals. I wouldn't worry about them. Foxes and squirrels in other parts of the world have to put up with far colder temperatures.

Saw foxy again today, went back to the food bowl to check.  Watched fox play with plastic bag.  To quick for me to get the camera out and on a tripod to photograph with 100-300 minolta lens I got the other day on my sony A200.


Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Beardy on 11 February, 2021, 01:43:37 pm
We’ve got a pair of Redwings feeding in one of the holly bushes in our front garden and I’m trying to get a decent picture of them. Between a too short lens, their tooing and frowing and people walking or driving past it’s proving a bit of a challenge.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 11 February, 2021, 04:33:36 pm
Redwing you say?  :)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50929245693_f513aa27e1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kArGoZ)
IMG_0268_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2kArGoZ) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

There's loads in town with loadsa fieldfares just now. They've come into the city because the countryside is covered in snow.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Beardy on 11 February, 2021, 06:47:50 pm
That’s a lot better than I managed Pingu, please tell me you used a very expensive camera and a huge lens. There was a second pair in the holly bush later this afternoon as well.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 February, 2021, 07:08:50 pm
That’s a lot better than I managed Pingu, please tell me you used a very expensive camera and a huge lens. There was a second pair in the holly bush later this afternoon as well.

If you click on the link under the photie to go to the Flickr site and then click on the 'i' for information it will tell you all sorts: camera model, lens length (but not model), aperture,  speed etc :)

ETA actually if you click the link and it opens it in a web browser then the info is just under the photo somewhere, no need to click on any 'i'
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 February, 2021, 07:17:49 pm
Good photo Pingu.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Beardy on 12 February, 2021, 11:24:03 am
The redwings are back and they’re currently teasing me with a wonderful pose of all 4 looking towards where the camera would be. I really wish I had a longer lens.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: pcolbeck on 12 February, 2021, 11:58:32 am
One (at least) of the blackbirds that frequent out garden has learned to operate the sprung loaded seed feeder.
It's one of those feeders that has a weight perch so if a large bird lands on it it slides down and covers the feeding hole.
The blackbird either flutters or bounces on the perch to get the seed out.
We do put food out for blackbirds on the bird table but this one seems proud of its new skill.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jaded on 12 February, 2021, 12:30:52 pm
Bison ranger would be a very cool job title, and it's great to have this reintroduction.

Sounds like an enhanced job title for a Toilet Cleaner in the West Midlands.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2021, 04:17:07 pm
Woves v bison video here: https://youtu.be/yfSjkDH78Ug
And a daylight one here: https://youtu.be/LXIBVVAoLEI which shows the bison herding the wolves away. It's a bit like crowd control police tactics...
I have a feeling it will be a very long time, if ever, till we get to see this in Britain!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2021, 06:28:12 pm
D heard a thud in his shed, went outside and found a very small bird on the ground.
Brought it into the house, immobile but breathing.
Worked hard to keep Big Tom away.
Decided to feed it sugar water, then took it back to the shed.
D says bird then started flapping so he let it fly away.

Might be a blue tit. Tiny about 7cm but fully-fledged.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 22 February, 2021, 11:32:08 am
Tossers. Are they all cabbies?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/beavers-rewilding-shoot-anglers-fishing-b1805101.html
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 February, 2021, 05:22:37 pm
We associate red kites with the Chilterns and Wales, but they used to swoop around London, cleaning up carcasses and taking food from people's hands. As I can say the black ones still do in Indian cities!
https://theconversation.com/red-kites-and-ravens-swooped-through-elizabethan-london-and-helped-keep-the-city-clean-155768
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 26 February, 2021, 07:57:02 pm
We associate red kites with the Chilterns and Wales,

There are more around my mum's place in Reading than there are around Llandysul.   And there are loads around Llandysul.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 February, 2021, 08:05:09 pm
Actually in Reading? That's interesting. Makes sense though, as they clearly don't fear humans and we do provide a ready source of meals via takeaways and squashed pigeons (occasionally but only rarely distinguishable one from the other).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 26 February, 2021, 08:10:55 pm
Don't know about the whole of Reading.  Might be just Earley, but there really are loads of them.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 26 February, 2021, 10:49:55 pm
Given that Reading's an easy bike ride from Red Kite Central (ie. Watlington) and birds don't need to use granny rings it's not surprising that they might pop over for a bit of urban shitehawkery from time to time.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 26 February, 2021, 11:29:11 pm
The Earley birds catch the worms... IGMC
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: fuzzy on 27 February, 2021, 11:03:37 am
I live in Marlow which is only a few miles east of reading and I can sit in my lounge and sometimes watch 15+ Red Kite riding the thermals over the town.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: matthew on 27 February, 2021, 02:27:49 pm
I get the same view from the water treatment works at Bray, though less so in Bracknell.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2021, 08:42:12 pm
Finally managed to get a photo of a long tailed tit. Wee buggers never sit still!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51003858442_7e170f7492.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kH37aG)IMG_1146_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2kH37aG) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: salar55 on 06 March, 2021, 09:44:30 pm
Some birds don't need the bird feeders , did not want to disturb it, pic thro window with phone. (https://i.imgur.com/1kAvghb.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: slowfen on 07 March, 2021, 12:30:39 pm
We’ve had sparrow hawks take birds of the feeders, it life
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: fuzzy on 08 March, 2021, 12:39:28 pm
Had two firsts for us yesterday- our first Redwing whilst doing a recce to the Covid jab location and a femal Blackcap on our bird bath
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mzjo on 08 March, 2021, 07:02:11 pm
"Les grues ont passé" This afternoon I saw two big groups (flights?) pass over Limoges heading up north. That is usually the sign that the wintry weather is finished. (For us commoners grue is a generic term for any group of birds flying at altitude in V formation - the actual bird type might not be a grue!.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: The French Tandem on 09 March, 2021, 10:51:55 am
"Les grues ont passé" This afternoon I saw two big groups (flights?) pass over Limoges heading up north. That is usually the sign that the wintry weather is finished. (For us commoners grue is a generic term for any group of birds flying at altitude in V formation - the actual bird type might not be a grue!.

Over here in Nevers, it's rather "Les oies". Both groups of birds probably belong to the same specie, although no one really knows whether they are geese or cranes!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mzjo on 09 March, 2021, 01:49:18 pm
"Les grues ont passé" This afternoon I saw two big groups (flights?) pass over Limoges heading up north. That is usually the sign that the wintry weather is finished. (For us commoners grue is a generic term for any group of birds flying at altitude in V formation - the actual bird type might not be a grue!.

Over here in Nevers, it's rather "Les oies". Both groups of birds probably belong to the same specie, although no one really knows whether they are geese or cranes!

I think we have both in two separate waves but everyone refers to them as "les grues" regardless. Going out in autumn there are several weeks between the two. Spring seems to be a little less obvious. We are quite definitely on a flight path in Limoges - they may be using the lakes of the Brenne as a refuelling stop!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 March, 2021, 07:34:13 pm
RIP Freddie the seal (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56489147) :'(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 March, 2021, 08:11:13 pm
RIP Freddie the seal (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56489147) :'(

Just saw that, very upsetting. Wish more dog owners were more considerate.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 26 March, 2021, 10:28:09 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-56535979 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-56535979)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 April, 2021, 11:59:35 am
Does anyone know what these tubular items are, attached to the branches?

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/8ztoy2i9p0zayv7/2021-04-01%2017.11.12.jpg?dl=0)



Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 02 April, 2021, 12:51:31 pm
Grey squirrel traps?
Don't look if easily upset....
https://www.greysquirrelcontrol.co.uk/spring-traps.php
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 April, 2021, 01:20:16 pm
I think you might be right.

It’s the only tree in the place (Marble Hill Park, SW London) that has them. They are restoring the park at the moment, planting huge numbers of trees and shrubs, including 2 orchards, and that tree stands in one of those.

Presumably they are concerned about tree damage. To be fair the park is awash with greys.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 02 April, 2021, 01:32:13 pm
I know control of greys is used in areas up here that still have red squirrels. But I think the preferred method is live trap and despatch to make sure it's only the target species that is removed.  Not likely to be any reds in London, so as you say almost certainly they are kill traps to reduce damage to new trees.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2021, 06:37:45 pm
Does anyone know what these tubular items are, attached to the branches?

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/8ztoy2i9p0zayv7/2021-04-01%2017.11.12.jpg?dl=0)

I was contemplating a rectangular item of similar size and position that has appeared on today's ride.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 02 April, 2021, 10:19:15 pm
I asked via their twitter and they tell me these are owl boxes. I don’t think so. Perhaps they have read my tweet but haven’t looked at my photo.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 03 April, 2021, 08:25:31 am
Not surprised that they will not admit on twitter that they are killing "cuddly furry mammals."
Lots of town folks will be feeding greys in gardens - regard them as pets.
Council can't pretend those are live traps and the animals will be released elsewhere as that is illegal.
Disclaimer: I know nothing about London.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 03 April, 2021, 08:43:32 am
They confirmed they are owl boxes when I expressed some doubt. I don't want to press the matter too hard as it may well be the case that they want to avoid controversy, so I jus thanked them for their reply. But they don’t look like any of the many other owl boxes I’ve seen in that park, and I doubt if you would have 3 owl boxes so close together on the same tree.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 03 April, 2021, 08:53:41 am
On the other hand:

https://gardenature.co.uk/product/little-owl-box-no-20

(https://gardenature.co.uk/portal/web/195/content/images/Schwegler/Little_Owl_No_20.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: PeteB99 on 06 April, 2021, 01:18:08 pm
Ever wondered where your cat is?

https://twitter.com/generoom/status/1376084811421454337/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/generoom/status/1376084811421454337/photo/1)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 18 April, 2021, 08:20:42 pm
Reunited a lamb with its family. It was stuck in a small field beside its flock's field. I negotiated the barbed wire into the small field, grabbed the lamb and chucked over more barbed wire into its home field.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: pcolbeck on 21 April, 2021, 08:23:17 am
Think we might be getting visits from badgers. Holes have appeared in the lawn:

(https://user.fm/files/v2-27f2651c38736cde0c856b3a87d78dfc/badger.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 21 April, 2021, 01:15:52 pm
Think we might be getting visits from badgers. Holes have appeared in the lawn:


Are you sure it's not your dog?  Our lawn has similar holes where our Border Terrier seems to dig and then eat the soil, or insects, or grass roots, or something.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: pcolbeck on 21 April, 2021, 01:34:35 pm
Think we might be getting visits from badgers. Holes have appeared in the lawn:


Are you sure it's not your dog?  Our lawn has similar holes where our Border Terrier seems to dig and then eat the soil, or insects, or grass roots, or something.

I'm going to setup a wildlife cam to check but I don't think its Tilly. She isn't a digger. We have had her nearly six years and this is a first. We had similar holes years ago during one hot summer and we didn't have a dog then. I know at least six badger sets with quarter of  a mile of here and we front onto a single track lane with fields on the other side of it so badgers wouldn't be a shock.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 April, 2021, 04:07:24 pm
When we moved in, about 3 months ago, there was a 20l bin full of birdseed, left by the previous owners (along with a note requesting that we feed the birds).

There is a feeding station/table thing opposite the kitchen window.

The bin is nearly empty. 20l in about 3 months.

We get sparrows, chaffinches, Redwings, starlings, blackbirds, greenfinches, goldfinches and coaltits (that I've identified so far). A few lazy pigeons as well.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 29 April, 2021, 07:15:46 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jaded on 02 May, 2021, 02:14:07 pm
Following on from the Sgt Pluck identify a thing photo, here's another one

(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/May%2001%202021%20P5010054.jpg)

Seen in a curated but fairly wild wood, that apparently used to have a lot of dormice, but squirrels.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: L CC on 02 May, 2021, 04:56:43 pm
Albino pheasant.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/29/birds-of-a-white-feather-flock-together
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 16 May, 2021, 11:27:41 pm
We found this on a roadside. Anyone do nest ID?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51184066385_5309bdec57_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kYXHHc)
IMG_8148_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2kYXHHc) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2021, 01:48:19 pm
This story https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57156565 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57156565) has cat family being found in bird's nest up a tree, which I admit is unusual. Cat Protection are reported to state tom cats don't usually hang about family.
I do wonder if that's the case if cats go feral/semi-feral.

Our story is that Big Tom alway made sure kittens had food before he ate, after their pregnant mother turned against them. I suspect toms are protective and acquisitive when food & shelter are scarce but indifferent/independent otherwise.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 May, 2021, 02:12:41 pm
I’ve just seen one of the local mogs eating from the ground level bird food I’ve put out. ::-)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 22 May, 2021, 02:31:01 pm
Ours will eat fat balls and dried mealworms  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 June, 2021, 07:06:48 pm
Well it's been all the excitement at Pingu Towers this evening. There's been a pair of common gulls  nesting on a chimney can on the flat across the road, and tonight I spotted a commotion where they were trying to fend off some $bigger gulls (Pingu will be along in a bit to confirm and with pics after he's made tea I expect), which is not unusual except then I saw them flying onto the dormer snd peering down the roof behind it.
Then toddling precariously up the slate roof a little tiny spotted pom-pom appears. A chick has fallen from the nest!
And then over the next 10 mins of commotion another 2 fling themselves out too!
Now one of them is on the ground, soon to be either cat (ours are in thankfully) or herring gull food I imagine.... can't see how they are going to survive...
Scenes of wildlife peril.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 11 June, 2021, 09:19:26 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51240667996_8e5c9f926f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPp3)
IMG_3043_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPp3) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51240668026_405a82a2b6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPpy)
IMG_3050_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPpy) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241721550_276efdb520_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dzL)
IMG_3064_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dzL) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51239957752_780acf4b88_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubgs)
IMG_3066_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubgs) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241721625_85bf536ffc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dB4)
IMG_3069_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dB4) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51239957692_4e67c634d3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubfq)
IMG_3076_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubfq) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: perpetual dan on 11 June, 2021, 09:36:41 pm
Eek.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 11 June, 2021, 09:36:41 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51240667996_8e5c9f926f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPp3)
IMG_3043_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPp3) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51240668026_405a82a2b6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPpy)
IMG_3050_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4XPpy) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241721550_276efdb520_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dzL)
IMG_3064_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dzL) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51239957752_780acf4b88_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubgs)
IMG_3066_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubgs) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241721625_85bf536ffc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dB4)
IMG_3069_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m54dB4) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51239957692_4e67c634d3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubfq)
IMG_3076_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2m4Ubfq) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Are they babies?
Or on the menu?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 June, 2021, 09:52:41 pm
They are babies of the adults in the shot.
On the menu for anything else.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rogerzilla on 16 June, 2021, 12:52:48 pm
My starlings flew yesterday.  They've been nesting under the roof tiles and making a right racket from dawn to dusk, with the adults popping in every two minutes with grubs.

Suddenly, yesterday morning, all was quiet.  I found one chap (brown, but the size of an adult) on the patio trying to work out how to use his wings.  Luckily Dumpy Cat, who was lounging a few yards away, is not in the least interested in hunting (Tigs will grab and eat every scrap of a bird in 2 minutes flat, given the chance, but he was out somewhere).  It hid in the pile of pallets behind the shed but had gone later.

At 7.30 yesterday, the whole family was sat on the TV aerial  :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 June, 2021, 11:35:13 am
We have a lot of small birds in the garden. Sparrows (at risk now, not so common), goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches, blackbirds, collared doves. I'm sure I've missed a few. Oh, and migrating redwings, for a week.

They have eaten 35l of birdseed since January. Good thing the local farmer's supply shop sells in bulk.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 29 June, 2021, 08:17:10 am
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/21/tasmanian-devils-wipe-out-thousands-of-penguins-maria-island-australia


You'd think after their experiences with rabbits, cane toads etc that the Aussies would have some semblance of clue about introducing a new species to an island.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 29 June, 2021, 01:08:50 pm
a 20l bin full of birdseed

That's almost as much as you'd find in the boot of Mrs-barakta's-mum's car.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Peter on 29 June, 2021, 01:39:15 pm
@ Mrs Pingu

Just seen your amazing pictures of the gull chicks.  That one of the baby hurling itself off the chimney is heart-stopping.  Gulls seem to get full-size feet as soon as they are out of the egg - a bit like a labrador, which seems to be born with full-size skin!

It's tough being a baby bird - I've buried two failed blackbird chicks from the back yard, this year.  The mother survived a road collision, though.  I found it motionless on the pavement and I moved it to a secluded space (to bury when I got back from the shop), when I got back it had gone, with no sign of predation.  It hopped over to the seed as usual a little later!

Keep them coming, your stuff is always interesting!

Peter
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: nicknack on 02 July, 2021, 11:01:48 am
Whilst idly scrolling through yacf I heard a commotion behind the tele in the corner. Bloody wood pigeon. It must have strolled in through the back door since that was the only one open. It plainly hadn't grasped the concept of transparent stuff that you can't fly through and spent a while battering itself against the window before I finally managed to shoo it out.
Amazingly, it doesn't appear to have crapped anywhere.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 July, 2021, 02:00:58 pm
I saw a hedgehog this morning on my walk, which was quite a surprise. I haven't seen a live one in person in Furrtbootoon for decades. The last one I saw IRL was on the way home from the pub in the middle of Bruges a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrewc on 08 July, 2021, 02:20:52 pm
My parents found 3 small hedgehogs in their suburban Liverpool garden last week.  One has since died.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: toontra on 08 July, 2021, 05:04:58 pm
Very few swallows at our place on the Angus coast this year. Usually many nesting pairs, and I can watch their ariel feeding for hours.
This year only a single pair
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: delthebike on 08 July, 2021, 05:23:44 pm
Helped a mother duck and ducklings, seven or eight of 'em, cross the road in Wickford by using myself as a human shield and stopping the motor traffic. Meanwhile John Random bicycle rider ushered said fowl to the side of the road and three ladies walking joined in the ushering.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 July, 2021, 05:29:32 pm
Top job  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 11 July, 2021, 12:42:11 pm

Thousands of fish dropped from plane to restock Utah lakes
This gives a new meaning to flying fish life, the universe and everything - wildlife authorities in Utah are restocking lakes with fish by dropping them out of a plane. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-57793082)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 September, 2021, 10:55:40 pm
Craneflies. Never seen so many of the things in one place!
And they're huge!

Also, we still have bats in the new patch, which is good as I'd wondered if the houses might not be old and draughty enough to support them.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2021, 05:47:05 pm
Dear cats, will you please stop shitting on the lawn? Plenty of shrubs in the garden you could make your deposits under.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 17 November, 2021, 10:18:19 pm
Excellent use of the old Australian Safety Boots™ there: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-australia-59324637
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 November, 2021, 09:19:56 pm
(https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/257208820_1821932017998171_4959650238081981244_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_eui2=AeGJtmxH0EcFOzmBqXbhB4IToz4kiOTxppCjPiSI5PGmkOjxqrm2bprnyC7ksiCJblLXdg1ZeylVW7qLfzLFu3fM&_nc_ohc=Zf99QuTeGO4AX9vBlhf&tn=lx_9VnbXWY8Z_X6l&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&oh=d5ad5a5218e6c573e7e5d50f1244cec0&oe=619CDA79)

That won an award of some sort in 2016. Amazing photo.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2021, 11:14:57 pm
Yes it is but they've ruined it with such a lot of touching up, IMO.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 November, 2021, 10:15:27 am
Yes it is but they've ruined it with such a lot of touching up, IMO.

I thought the same, but I don't have the photography expertise to be able to put a finger on what has been done.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2021, 10:24:58 am
Me three.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2021, 05:15:20 pm
Yes it is but they've ruined it with such a lot of touching up, IMO.
I thought the same, but I don't have the photography expertise to be able to put a finger on what has been done.

The trail coming off the tail of the bird. You don't get 'blur' in one place with the rest of the bird being pin sharp.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: ElyDave on 18 December, 2021, 02:48:09 pm
Some fucking little git has eaten the last half dozen beetroot I had in the garden, I'm assuming either a wascally wabbit or a deer.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 16 January, 2022, 05:15:15 pm
There are falcons (or some similar bird of prey) nesting in the spire of the church located between my place and Forest Hill station.
Falcons in the church, woodpeckers in Mayow Park.
Cool.  8)


Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 January, 2022, 06:16:28 pm
Cool, could well be peregrines.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 January, 2022, 04:46:11 pm
Built it. But will they come?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51838236363_7215e2b483.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mYLvDV)2022-01-23_03-35-11 (https://flic.kr/p/2mYLvDV) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 January, 2022, 07:27:12 pm
Pingu is watching bird feeder pr0n on the internet cos he's not getting enough at home.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2022, 12:34:18 pm
Some cool photos of polar bears in abandoned buildings here for anyone who likes that sort of thing.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/31/polar-bears-move-into-abandoned-arctic-weather-station-photo-essay
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2022, 12:35:30 pm
Built it. But will they come?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51838236363_7215e2b483.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mYLvDV)2022-01-23_03-35-11 (https://flic.kr/p/2mYLvDV) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

Think all of these got blown away by Storm Malik. Next time I need to put a stone in the plant pot along with the cones etc.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: graculus on 31 January, 2022, 04:28:01 pm
Wrap up well all you iguanas:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60090861 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60090861)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 02 February, 2022, 07:57:11 am
The title says "Seagull", but I know better, I think this could be the Common Shag.  Worth a click, anyhow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SYEpE95f7c
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 February, 2022, 01:00:52 pm
(https://scontent.fsou1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/273555924_10161715403896754_7649339456529194415_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=n_WFHKMSZ6UAX_FBS8i&tn=hW2Vx4u9opvm1DH2&_nc_ht=scontent.fsou1-1.fna&oh=00_AT8o9_M0IckLADwy-26BWYuOqUfeY0ZJb64_0dVf9XYk6Q&oe=620AE3DE)

Cormorant with perch. I didn't take this photo - it turned up in the SE Essex RSPB group's website. It was taken two or three days ago at Lake Meadows, Billericay.

I'm pretty sure the perch, which must weigh over a pound I reckon, was already dead. They lose their green colouring and dark stripes quite quickly after they have died.

I have read that constricting snakes can dislocate their jaws in order to swallow large prey. That looks as though cormorants can as well.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 February, 2022, 05:04:49 pm
There's been a blue tit investigating one of our nest boxes!  :D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: T42 on 02 March, 2022, 04:31:43 pm
Vote now for Mollusc of the Year!

https://tbg.senckenberg.de/molluscoftheyear-2022/

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 10 March, 2022, 01:55:14 pm
Don't be an Auslan interpreter...  https://limpingchicken.com/2022/03/10/watch-owl-poos-on-australian-sign-language-interpreter-man-carries-on-regardless/

Same guy who interpreted the spider incident (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDMfC95Y8IM) with cool professionalism.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 March, 2022, 08:21:47 am
Looking forward to seeing the Auslan for "a drop bear has stolen the premier's honey sandwiches".
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 April, 2022, 11:05:26 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/09/hidden-camera-gets-first-live-uk-footage-of-wild-white-tailed-eagle-hatching

That's rather good.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 04 May, 2022, 04:27:03 pm
I discovered a robin's nest in my allotment shed, complete with quite a few very small chicks.   :thumbsup:

Our allotment robin had been going in & out of the shed door when we were there, I assumed it was feeding on the enormous number of huge spiders, but it must have been nest building.
I've seen the robins feeding each other which is apparently common among pairs when nest building.
Every day's a school day
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 May, 2022, 10:01:37 pm
I am watching a bat flying about outside from the comfort of my Poang.  :smug:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 09 May, 2022, 12:02:50 pm
The sparrows that nest behind next door's barge boards are back again, probably for the 10th year in sucession. Not the same ones, natch.  And another blue tit is looking over the nest box, maybe he'll find a mate.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Gattopardo on 13 May, 2022, 10:36:36 pm
Have a bird of some sort, nesting in a rose bush.

Will get put up photos in a bit.

Was trimming the roses back but have stopped when i found the nest hope that I haven't done anything to upset the bird
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 20 June, 2022, 09:07:05 pm
Sainsbury's price for 40 Whiskas pouches has gone up from £11.75 to £13.70 overnight.
I am Not Pleased.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 23 June, 2022, 12:04:41 am
I'm in the living room with the windows shut and I can hear a wol shouting outside  :)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Ham on 28 June, 2022, 10:49:31 am
(https://www.mariascrivan.com/uploads/3/0/5/5/30554481/hf150804_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 June, 2022, 11:09:19 am
Surprised by some wildlife recently; I think the persistent bad weather is driving them down out of the hills.
Seen since Sun
Young stag, just off the road to our house.
Two red kites
hedgehog
3 species of finch, 1 species of thrush, 2 of sparrow. No partridge in a pear tree though.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JennyB on 01 July, 2022, 08:51:30 am
Surprised by some wildlife recently; I think the persistent bad weather is driving them down out of the hills.
Seen since Sun
Young stag, just off the road to our house.
Two red kites
hedgehog
3 species of finch, 1 species of thrush, 2 of sparrow. No partridge in a pear tree though.




Quarter of a mile from home, a red kite being chased by the local crows and magpies. In Fermanagh. Thought it was a buzzard at first, but the forked tail was unmistakeable.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 10 July, 2022, 02:24:47 pm
Surprised by some wildlife recently; I think the persistent bad weather is driving them down out of the hills.
Seen since Sun
Young stag, just off the road to our house.
Two red kites
hedgehog
3 species of finch, 1 species of thrush, 2 of sparrow. No partridge in a pear tree though.

Whaere are you? "Two species of sparrow"---which ones?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 11 July, 2022, 02:24:37 pm
Surprised by some wildlife recently; I think the persistent bad weather is driving them down out of the hills.
Seen since Sun
Young stag, just off the road to our house.
Two red kites
hedgehog
3 species of finch, 1 species of thrush, 2 of sparrow. No partridge in a pear tree though.

Whaere are you? "Two species of sparrow"---which ones?

I’d suspect House and Hedge. And maybe Dunnock. We get all those here in Bucks.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 11 July, 2022, 02:51:00 pm
Hedge sparrow = dunnock (not a sparrow).
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 16 July, 2022, 02:26:19 pm
Zero gravity dog
https://twitter.com/violetpilot1/status/1548239768009555968
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 16 July, 2022, 03:03:21 pm
Hedge sparrow = dunnock (not a sparrow).

House and Tree of course. Plus Dunnock which isn’t a Sparrow.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 July, 2022, 10:21:58 am
Hedge sparrow = dunnock (not a sparrow).

House and Tree of course. Plus Dunnock which isn’t a Sparrow.

Yes, this. I didn't even realise there was such a thing as a Tree Sparrow until I looked out and thought "There's two sparrows out there, look identical but they are completely different sizes."

They aren't quite identical, but close.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 25 July, 2022, 10:13:11 am
We’ve been enjoying seeing the remains of the snails being consumed by a Song Thrush, a rare visitor to our garden. This morning we went out and found what we think may well be the remains of a bird of prey’s meal (we have seen Sparrowhawks occasionally and we regularly get Kestrels.  I don’t think a Kite would be in our small narrow garden, and we don’t think it’s the cat as there are no remains other than feathers. ).

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52240227995_3a5c9913ea_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nAhPL8)Thrush? (https://flic.kr/p/2nAhPL8) by Richard Fletcher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156993878@N08/), on Flickr

We’ll have to see if we find any more snail shells tomorrow  :-\. My wife’s hoping, and may well be right, that it’s a juvenile blackbird.


ETA. Whilst we were sat outside our back door having a cuppa, we heard a plaintive single note ‘cheep”. And then, right in front of us, a juvenile Thrush landed! I went and got my phone and followed as it hopped down the garden until I managed, right at the end to get this..


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52240474169_dab8869845_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nAj5Wv)Thrush 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2nAj5Wv) by Richard Fletcher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156993878@N08/), on Flickr

And whilst I was there I heard another. So supposition is 2 out of 3 nestlings survived, but we don’t know where the parents are.

ETAA And we’re just back from a walk, and I had to rescue one from the greenhouse. They’re hiding down in the nettle and bramble patch. Not hopeful for their survival tbh.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: nicknack on 26 July, 2022, 05:55:06 pm
Whilst sat here by the window I could hear a moggy making moany cat noises, so I peered out and there was our no.1 local wildlife killer (small black cat) sat on the grass next to something small and brown. After driving said mog away I could see the small brown object was a very still dunnock. Fortunately, I gave it a little stroke and away it flew. Yay!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 26 July, 2022, 06:05:04 pm
That's quite unusual behaviour for a caramel wafer.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 August, 2022, 11:15:00 pm
We've been listening to the tawny wols again. I like hearing their calls. (I was listening to her calling him a twit and his response at 0350 this morning...)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 18 August, 2022, 11:01:47 pm
A Twitter/Facebook medic friend has posted a video of her puppy shagging one of her cats...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: PeteB99 on 04 September, 2022, 10:58:48 am
Good news

A female sparrowhawk has adopted my garden as part of her territory

The annoying Collared doves have suddenly decided to take a holiday somewhere else

Bad news

So have all the rest of the small birds

I've hsd to shovel up the remains of two of her meals and chuck them over the fence.

My neignbour in that direction is Network rail who have an adequate supply of feral cats and foxes who will appreciate the left overs
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrew_s on 04 September, 2022, 11:24:36 pm
We’ve been enjoying seeing the remains of the snails being consumed by a Song Thrush, a rare visitor to our garden. This morning we went out and found what we think may well be the remains of a bird of prey’s meal (we have seen Sparrowhawks occasionally and we regularly get Kestrels.  I don’t think a Kite would be in our small narrow garden, and we don’t think it’s the cat as there are no remains other than feathers. ).
The feathers are those of a song thrush, probably one of the adults as thrush 2 is too young to have fully developed tail feathers, as seen in the pile.
I'd guess a sparrowhawk.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 September, 2022, 10:04:21 pm
Rescued our first froggy at the new Pingu Towers from the tender ministrations of Pumpkin.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 October, 2022, 12:20:03 pm
It seems that orcas eat great white sharks.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/05/drone-footage-orcas-killing-white-shark-south-africa
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 13 October, 2022, 05:11:10 pm
Oi!
Fruit flies.
It's mid October.
Isn't it about time you fucked off?
There's no fruit here anyway.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen on 14 October, 2022, 05:04:18 pm
Pic my wife just took from the bedroom window:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52427234046_2aa55bebb6.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSPh9o)
Bird (https://flic.kr/p/2nSPh9o) by citoyen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/103760266@N08/), on Flickr

Kestrel?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 14 October, 2022, 05:08:38 pm
Looks a bit big - could be peregrine falcon.
Apropos of nothing in particular - I've heard that there are wild boar in some of the woods between Widders and Canterbury.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 14 October, 2022, 05:20:48 pm
Pic my wife just took from the bedroom window:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52427234046_2aa55bebb6.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSPh9o)
Bird (https://flic.kr/p/2nSPh9o) by citoyen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/103760266@N08/), on Flickr

Kestrel?

Yup.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 14 October, 2022, 05:28:44 pm
That's me told  ;)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen on 14 October, 2022, 05:31:09 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 14 October, 2022, 05:37:49 pm
Yeah, I've heard about the bison as well.
Pub quiz time.......
Konik is pony in Polish.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 14 October, 2022, 07:47:34 pm
I met a wild boar in Tunbridge Wells once when out walking with my Weimaraner, a dog breed designed to hunt wild boar.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 October, 2022, 08:17:55 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... ?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 October, 2022, 08:18:18 pm
Actually let me guess: Obelix came running after it.
Title: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 October, 2022, 10:53:21 am
Hunting in packs is always easier.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: andrew_s 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 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boar_spear) with you next time.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher 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! 
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 October, 2022, 08:49:23 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/21/first-wild-bison-born-in-uk-for-millennia-after-surprise-pregnancy

Pudding bison?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Nuncio 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?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: citoyen 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Nuncio 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 (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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: chrisbainbridge 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: L CC 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

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim 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?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger 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.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: SteveC 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=xldE2UX5vjc)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDpnRUPg4iE&t=3s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDpnRUPg4iE&t=3s)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy 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.


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52461003526_80114ea599_c.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec 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!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph 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..."

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu 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
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52481684023_52b7306d0f.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nXCme6)2022-11-06_03-28-47 (https://flic.kr/p/2nXCme6) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: geraldc on 07 November, 2022, 07:10:23 pm
I got chased by a dog on an audax once. This guy in the Netherlands got chased by a wolf.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/yoop6x/cyclist_surprised_by_wolf_in_the_netherlands/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington 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:
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 November, 2022, 04:13:02 am
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/21/angler-lands-giant-goldfish-in-french-lake?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

So not, in fact, a goldfish.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: PaulR on 27 November, 2022, 12:47:53 pm
A otter on Friday, rather far away (near Oxford)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FbZjFeSPEDRd4MGr8
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy on 06 December, 2022, 08:40:43 pm
I never knew that earwigs have wings: https://twitter.com/DrAdrianSmith/status/1598862569531658242

Explains a lot!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 06 December, 2022, 09:57:23 pm
I never knew that earwigs have wings: https://twitter.com/DrAdrianSmith/status/1598862569531658242

Explains a lot!

Wow!  I never knew that.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 06 December, 2022, 10:54:41 pm
Found this on the bird table, but I didn't see the event itself:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52544408726_8d25aea53b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o4aQ6u)
IMG_0824_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2o4aQ6u) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 11 December, 2022, 08:53:26 am
Only a mouse in the bird feeder.
I can't see how it got in, but I think it'd been in there a while. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221211/d91991c288a047c3767c80c8ad4eef6a.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 06:49:23 pm
After not a lot of action for the last couple of month, this week the snow has brought all the birds to the yard.
We've been putting multiple heaps of mealworms out for the last couple of days and the starlings have appeared and been demolishing them in about 15 mins.
At one point today we had over 22 starlings, a blackbird, a robin, a chaffinch, couple of sparrows (unusual) a blue tit, a dunnock and Ms Blackcap.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 16 December, 2022, 08:17:06 am
Our feeders have been out for around a month. We don't put any ground feeding stuff out as the squirrels demolish it (literally) in short order. Yesteday we got some long tailed tits and a blackcap, as sure sign it's properly cold.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 16 December, 2022, 09:31:35 am
Today, a fieldfare and a female blackcap nomming on a napple on the ground.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52567388403_571c3ff501_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o6cB9P)
IMG_3017_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2o6cB9P) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 21 December, 2022, 02:09:29 pm
Really mundane in the grand scheme of things - but I was cycling along the towpath at the side of the River Soar near the canal  lock where I volunteer in the summer - and I saw a Kingfisher
It's the first kingfisher I've ever seen in the UK
Normally when I'm walking the towpath as a volunteer I'm looking for litter, not at the wildlife.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 December, 2022, 07:01:00 pm
There is nothing mundane about a kingfisher. Beautiful birds and not that easy to spot.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy on 21 December, 2022, 07:24:04 pm
I was cycling along the River Soar just north of Leicester a couple of months ago with a friend when she spotted a kingfisher.  I was gutted that I missed it.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 December, 2022, 09:41:26 pm
https://twitter.com/DrAdrianSmith/status/1598862569531658242

Just for Kim: a rather beautiful video of an earwig taking flight.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Peter on 21 December, 2022, 10:04:49 pm
I was cycling along the River Soar just north of Leicester a couple of months ago with a friend when she spotted a kingfisher.  I was gutted that I missed it.

Relax, she was just winding you up.  Nobody has ever seen a kingfisher.

Wow, be glad that you have never knowingly seen one: their call goes, "Last Christmas, I....".  This is followed by the Wham! that makes them so rare.  (Other readers may need to refer to Whamageddon, elsewhere on the forum.)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 21 December, 2022, 10:32:27 pm
Walking along the Water of Leith in Embra one day, Mrs Pingu saw a several of kingfishers in quick succession and I missed all of them  :(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 December, 2022, 11:24:47 am
I was cycling along the River Soar just north of Leicester a couple of months ago with a friend when she spotted a kingfisher.  I was gutted that I missed it.

Relax, she was just winding you up.  Nobody has ever seen a kingfisher.

Wow, be glad that you have never knowingly seen one: their call goes, "Last Christmas, I....".  This is followed by the Wham! that makes them so rare.  (Other readers may need to refer to Whamageddon, elsewhere on the forum.)

I think it was the autumn of 2019 I was navigating the Shropshire Union Canal on a 15 tonne narrowboat. One afternoon, for about half an hour, a kingfisher persistently flitted ahead of us, perching on a post every so often. I tried to photograph it whilst steering the boat, and only occasionally crashed it into the bank.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3fii7WI04MN7VvG9WyxrWDKuZrnoLQL6dOA9Lo9zGJM2hVMUf-XzVD1DiT3Uyati-D6hhQGN1EZH-eIqQxQcXo93wBWnVcypSzwCPQf3QG0jXrLodlUh82dsZ8HET6BPqMFNGS3_KVk=w2400)

There's one of the not-up-to-much photos.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 December, 2022, 11:40:21 am
It's a much better photo of a kingfisher than I've ever taken, that's for sure.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 24 December, 2022, 07:25:50 pm
We heard some waxwings flying overhead this afternoon, but we didn't find them.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 December, 2022, 05:50:27 pm
Æxcellent starling action over the M40 near Otmoor the afternoon.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 31 December, 2022, 06:08:17 pm
Æxcellent starling action over the M40 near Otmoor the afternoon.
They're pretty impressive in the car park of my Sainos when the rear rim of my Pompino decides to explode as the braking surface has worn so thin.
Added bonus is that all of the kids in the car park start crying.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 31 December, 2022, 08:21:36 pm
A friend sent me a Xmas card produced by the Woodland Trust.
The picture is titled "Bullfinches and Berries"
But they are not Bullfinches, they are Redwings.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 31 December, 2022, 08:32:04 pm
I just checked their website. It seems that they are aware of their mistake.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 31 December, 2022, 10:36:39 pm
Only just found that on their website - I wonder how many folks noticed?
Or was it all over facebook a month ago...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 January, 2023, 12:01:16 pm
Apparently Scarborough Council cancelled last night's planned fireworks display because there was a walrus having a kip on the beach. That, I think, is demonstrating civic duty.

https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/scarborough-new-year-fireworks-cancelled/
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 05 January, 2023, 02:43:16 pm
The two-legged fox that's made the news looks healthy to me.
Seems well-grown, well-nourished, clean & undistressed.
I wonder if it would have survived in the wild, without a diet of fast food...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 12 January, 2023, 11:47:37 am
WTAFF?
https://www.ferberpainting.co.uk/products/hedgehog-killer-500-baits

Company says their website has been hacked.

NOT funny.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 12 January, 2023, 11:55:34 am
WTAFF?
https://www.ferberpainting.co.uk/products/hedgehog-killer-500-baits

Company says their website has been hacked.

NOT funny.

 :demon:

It seems that hedgehogs are (supposed to be) protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 6
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 12 January, 2023, 07:59:30 pm
WTAFF?
https://www.ferberpainting.co.uk/products/hedgehog-killer-500-baits

Company says their website has been hacked.

NOT funny.

Looking under the “Pest Control” section I’d say they’re telling the truth about that.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 January, 2023, 07:07:35 pm
More random pets than wildlife, and I'm not even a dog person, but is anyone else hooked on Rory Cellan Jones' updates about #sophiefromromania?
https://twitter.com/ruskin147?t=hCwhez0li_6QC_xDp2QN9A&s=09
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 January, 2023, 08:01:05 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw4m0GILhl8&ab_channel=Storyful

That's rather fun!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 January, 2023, 06:55:59 pm
Seal pup goes for a kebab
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/21/stranded-seal-pup-rescued-after-being-spotted-outside-kebab-shop-in-norfolk
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 29 January, 2023, 05:03:24 pm
It seems Whiskas cat food pouches have shrunk from 100g to 85g, whilst the price at Sainsbury's remains unaltered.
Seems like too much plastic waste for our very hungry cats.

They won't eat tinned.

I feel guilty about buying Nestlé Felix.

Oh dear!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 March, 2023, 07:16:49 am
https://twitter.com/wiwildlife/status/1631192907582504960?s=61&t=HfuIckdQiuRpNK1Zz9_qlQ

Fed up with fish. A recent photo on Twitter of a South Uist otter with a rabbit she had caught for her young.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2023, 12:56:16 pm
It seems Whiskas cat food pouches have shrunk from 100g to 85g, whilst the price at Sainsbury's remains unaltered.
Seems like too much plastic waste for our very hungry cats.

They won't eat tinned.

I feel guilty about buying Nestlé Felix.

Oh dear!

There is no ethical consumption under catipalism...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2023, 06:36:56 pm
Ms Vixen Fox paid another visit to our patio today.
Ambled off quite soon.
Suspect our large cat flap could accommodate her and she could make an indoor visit..
Skinny sneaky scavenger Simon cat burglar has just entered.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wobbly John on 04 March, 2023, 06:46:09 pm
The barn owl I had often seen hunting along side the road I commute on, in the mornings, was hit by a car and killed on Thursday morning. I stopped and moved the body out of the road, before traffic mashed it to a pulp of guts and white feathers.  :'(
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 04 March, 2023, 08:58:41 pm
That is so sad, especially when it is a bird you have become used to seeing.

On a practical note, did you think to check if it was ringed?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wobbly John on 04 March, 2023, 09:25:31 pm
No. There were no rings on the legs.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 March, 2023, 12:36:25 pm
It seems Whiskas cat food pouches have shrunk from 100g to 85g, whilst the price at Sainsbury's remains unaltered.
Seems like too much plastic waste for our very hungry cats.

They won't eat tinned.

I feel guilty about buying Nestlé Felix.

Oh dear!

There is no ethical consumption under catipalism...
Let them eat catapillars!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 April, 2023, 08:34:03 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-65092730

Where's that photo when you need it?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 05 April, 2023, 12:47:41 am
That story's going to appear in every thread, isn't it?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 April, 2023, 03:53:43 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/12/first-wild-beaver-in-wales-in-400-years-caught-felling-trees-in-garden

Welsh beaver.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2023, 10:31:52 am
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/beaver-spotted-bedminster-bridge/
Bristol beaver.

It must be beaver season.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 14 April, 2023, 02:25:34 pm
Two beavers are better than one, as they say.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 May, 2023, 04:36:32 pm
My good pal Penelope has just reported that a magpie has killed a slow worm in her garden, despite her efforts to effect a rescue.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 May, 2023, 11:45:42 am
Message from Brother David:

Quote
Tit in our cam box definitely a lone parent. Feeds few caterpillars, but quite a bit of fat ball and suet slab from our feeders. Seems to be keeping them warm in this cold Spring rather than feeding them. So they're starving. Hen just removed a little corpse. 6 out of 9 still alive
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 17 May, 2023, 09:18:47 pm
It is 21:17.
It is dark outside.
Magpie roosting in the tree outside my bedroom window.
Just shut the f*ck up!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2023, 09:04:11 pm
Local fox is not nocturnal.
Fox and cats seem to co-exist chez nous.
(https://scontent.flhr4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/347115871_102468302856880_5346944589541762006_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=DyEHNuHiKTUAX-hrOhW&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr4-3.fna&oh=00_AfAJ7ikdfZIle07d65fkyC3Eq1cMdIoY0lTmkYy-EIU1Ug&oe=646BA264)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 June, 2023, 07:42:17 pm
Brother David has a large collection of skulls, most of which have been obtained as a result of road kill over the past >50 years.

Today he sent me a photograph of the head of a rather decomposed pike that he had spotted adjacent to Hanningfield Reservoir. He has placed a plastic ruler beside it: the head measures 23cm from gill cover to snout. He estimates that it weighed in excess of 30lb at one time. It's comparable in size to a pike's skull that he already has in a display cabinet in his dining room. That was an Abberton pike, obtained when he was still a water company chemist with duties that took him around the place taking samples, and zoological specimens, on a regular basis.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 June, 2023, 07:30:23 pm
A question has arisen for the panel.

I have always referred to such things as "greater spotted woodpeckers" but the Merlin app refers to them as "great spotted woodpecker". Having checked, the RSPB's website and their book published 2004 say "great". Those sources refer to the other one as "lesser spotted woodpecker".

What is the consensus, if any, on here? Greater or great?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 14 June, 2023, 07:46:37 pm
Great.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jurek on 14 June, 2023, 08:42:38 pm
Greater.
As in Greater London.
Look at Great Britain and what happened to that.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 14 June, 2023, 08:51:04 pm
Great
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 June, 2023, 04:38:08 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/21/orca-rams-yacht-off-shetland-first-such-incident-northern-waters

You're goin' to need...

That's really interesting that the Portuguese population of orcas seems to have been telling the Orcadian orcas what to do.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 July, 2023, 11:55:40 am
Schloß Von Brandenburg has a new fence in its back garden.  Complete with a new hole.  In it.  Said hole being the work of hangry badgers.

I may have laughed, just a little.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Bledlow on 22 July, 2023, 10:04:35 pm
Badgers are good at that.  ;D
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 23 July, 2023, 07:49:06 pm
Saw an adder and a marmot today.

I then discovered that adder/viper is Kreuzotter in German. I thought a Kreuzotter was a sweet whiskers mammal that eats fish and lives in streams. No, that’s a Fischotter.

Very cool to see a Kreuzotter and a Murmeltier though.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Rod Marton on 23 July, 2023, 09:45:18 pm
Saw an adder and a marmot today.

I then discovered that adder/viper is Kreuzotter in German. I thought a Kreuzotter was a sweet whiskers mammal that eats fish and lives in streams. No, that’s a Fischotter.

Very cool to see a Kreuzotter and a Murmeltier though.

Always thought it was Natter. But a quick Google has shown me that Kreuzotter is a synonym. Every day is a school day.

Indeed it is very cool to see both in a day. Though I've seen both individually, never together, and I would have thought their preferred habitats were rather different.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 July, 2023, 12:41:30 pm
This was up a mountain - 1280 metres for the marmot, the viper was at under 1000 metres. Lush forests with streams for the viper, open grassland for the marmot.

Pics or it didn't happen:

(https://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/adder.jpg)

(https://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_7820.jpeg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 30 July, 2023, 08:57:51 am
Last week the (20 acre?) field behind our cottage was finally cut. It usually goes for silage but this year the yield for that was so good it was left for hay. Every day since the cat has brought in 1 or 2 mice.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 August, 2023, 11:50:11 am
I think I have a homing slug.

Starting at some point during July, whenever I emptied the rain gauge after a wet day, there was a slug in there. Never before, in many years of emptying the rain gauge, has a slug ever been in there. But since the July wet spell, it has. I'm pretty sure it's the same one - greyish and medium-sized, as slugs go - and it was there again this morning. Each time it's been in there, I shake the rain gauge's inner cylinder quite hard, and the slug flies ten or fifteen feet across the garden.

Perhaps I should start regular checks throughout the day to see when it turns up again. I can't think of a way of fitting a miniature tracker to a slug...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2023, 07:20:42 pm
Killer cats!
Quote
Once a nation of cat-lovers, attacks on other animals and recovery in local fauna is reshaping attitudes toward felines

Tess McClure
Tess McClure in Auckland
@tessairini
Fri 18 Aug 2023 21.00 BST
Out in the bush beyond his house, John McConnell walks with his gun, looking for the glint of eyes in the darkness.

McConnell, 67, lives outside Auckland and spends much of his time planting native trees on this block of land, trying to restore parts of it to their original state to draw back the chorus of native birds. At night, he heads out to hunt the predators that threaten them: possums, rats, and these days, any un-collared feline unlucky enough to end up in his sights.

“I shoot them,” says McConnell. “Seriously. If it’s a cat and I know whose it is, I’ll leave it. But if it’s a stray cat – it’s a gonner,” he says. “Even if it’s domestic and it’s out at night, I’m getting to the point where I’d shoot those as well, because they shouldn’t be out.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/19/bird-killing-machines-new-zealand-cools-on-cats-to-protect-native-wildlife
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2023, 07:22:18 pm
I read some time ago that (in the UK, but presumably it would be the same worldwide) well fed pet cats kill more wildlife than ferals, because they're in better hunting condition.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Jaded on 22 August, 2023, 07:39:10 pm
(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/IMG_1609.jpg)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 August, 2023, 08:31:52 pm
I read some time ago that cats are most likely taking the weak ones that may not survive anyway.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 September, 2023, 10:47:45 am
I read this morning that hoopoes have bred in Leicestershire.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2023, 12:51:31 am
Encountered a pheasant on today's ride.  Regular readers will recall that my preferred bicycle is hors de combat, so I was on the Red Baron, which is notable for its ability to reach R17 without any significant effort if it's even vaguely downhill, which in this case it was, and its low tolerance for surface imperfections and (in as much as I've tested it) head-on impacts with mentally deficient wildlife.  As such, I delivered a torrent of harsh language.  True to form, the pheasant reacted in the stupidest way possible, which meant that instead of the usual running from side to side, it decided to sit in the middle of the road until belatedly deciding that a vertical takeoff was in order.

As I remarked to barakta earlier, pheasants don't have a lot of thrust...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 September, 2023, 12:01:25 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/28/they-kill-their-own-parents-children-and-neighbours-now-life-is-even-worse-for-the-vicious-alpine-marmot-aoe

I never realised what nasty sods they were...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 October, 2023, 01:26:41 pm
I have just read that a sparrowhawk has just been released after spending four days roosting in the rafters of Chelmsford Hobbycraft.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 08 October, 2023, 09:21:50 pm


Chicago: 1,000 birds die in one night after smashing into conference hall windows
This isn't just a problem in Chicago. In 2014, research suggested anywhere between 365 million and 988 million birds die in window strikes every year across the US.

 (https://news.sky.com/story/amp/chicago-1-000-birds-die-in-one-night-after-smashing-into-conference-hall-windows-12979409)

Do not place your pot plants on the window sill for starters.  Oh, and I bet cats get a lot of the blame, unjustly.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 October, 2023, 02:30:00 pm
26-year-old red kite put down.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/red-kite-bird-llanybydder-carmarthenshire-wales-b2427289.html
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 13 October, 2023, 04:08:41 pm
We have a “bug hotel”. It had some closed cells - until the bluetits found it and pecked them all open.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Basil on 23 October, 2023, 11:59:11 am
Friday and all weekend a bee has been buzzing around our living room.  A very noisy buzz it was, too, which eventually became quite irritating.
No amount of guidance towards open windows with wafting newspapers would encourage it out.
Well, this morning as I sat with the remnants of the week-end papers with my coffee, it dawned on me that the incessant droning had ceased.
Good, it's found it's way out at last.  Then,
Oh there it is. Trussed up and hanging from the top of the window frame. A spider's packed lunch.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 05 November, 2023, 08:26:56 am


Britain’s ‘loneliest sheep’ rescued after two years at foot of cliff

 (https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/04/britains-loneliest-sheep-rescued-after-two-years-at-foot-of-cliff)

Quote

The sheep, called Fiona and wearing a huge fleece, had been stranded at the foot of cliffs on the Cromarty Firth for at least two years, with an animal welfare charity having deemed rescue attempts “incredibly complex”.

The rescue mission was organised by Cammy Wilson, a sheep shearer from Ayrshire and a presenter on the BBC’s Landward programme, after seeing media coverage of Fiona’s plight.


Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 November, 2023, 03:44:25 pm
Went to a bonfire and fireworks last night (with samosas and mulled cider) and discovered that foxes are really not bothered by humongous gert fires.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 05 November, 2023, 06:56:42 pm


https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-67326713.amp

Britain's loneliest sheep in hiding after rehoming row

 (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-67326713.amp)

Must admit I know nothing about what’s best for a lonely sheep. Instaram?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 05 November, 2023, 07:05:11 pm
Ewetube?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2023, 10:06:51 pm
TikFlok
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 November, 2023, 09:00:20 pm
Fleecebook?

In other news, why have I reached nearly 70 years of age without knowing about this?

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/water-beetle-frog-eaten-alive-escape-death-butt-excretion
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 November, 2023, 08:41:05 pm
I have read today that waxwings re visiting the UK in larger numbers than for several years.

It's a long time since I saw any, but (probably) about 15 years ago there was a large flock which spent a few days consuming cotoneaster berries from some bushes near a Morrison's super in the vicinity of Southend airport.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 14 November, 2023, 09:13:38 pm
I have read today that waxwings re visiting the UK in larger numbers than for several years.

It's a long time since I saw any, but (probably) about 15 years ago there was a large flock which spent a few days consuming cotoneaster berries from some bushes near a Morrison's super in the vicinity of Southend airport.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=128.msg2854404#msg2854404
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 19 November, 2023, 10:47:26 am
I have read today that waxwings re visiting the UK in larger numbers than for several years.

It's a long time since I saw any, but (probably) about 15 years ago there was a large flock which spent a few days consuming cotoneaster berries from some bushes near a Morrison's super in the vicinity of Southend airport.

In pictures: Waxwing irruption flies into Scotland (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67415207)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 November, 2023, 07:28:51 pm
In other news, I read today, admittedly from a very unreliable source, that there is currently a dearth of earwigs in the UK.

However, whilst trying to establish the veracity of this claim, which I couldn't, I did find out that there is also a smaller species called the lesser earwig, with the Latin name labia minor.

This is the sort of thing that I wish I'd known many years ago.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2023, 10:55:12 pm
No penetrative sex in church! (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/nov/20/caught-not-quite-in-the-act-church-cameras-reveal-bat-sex-ritual)
Quote
bat porn box

Yes it is safe for work. No it's not about superheroes.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 November, 2023, 06:01:58 pm
I would quite like to go somewhere where I stand a good chance of seeing white-tailed eagles in the wild. I know 60 birds were released some time ago on the Isle of Wight, and I understand that a pair nested somewhere in Sussex this year, and apparently raised one chick.

Specimens have been seen at Amberley Wild Brooks, near Pulborough, recently.

Does the panel know if they are a regular feature there, or did they just drop in? Given that it's about a 190 mile round trip for me from Southend, I'd prefer to avoid a wild goose (!) chase.

Or are there any other SE England locations where there's a fair chance of seeing them? I saw some from a considerable distance on the Isle of Mull quite a few years back, but they were just Big Birds Quite A Long Way Away, soI could see little detail.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 23 November, 2023, 01:19:36 pm
I have read today that waxwings re visiting the UK in larger numbers than for several years.

It's a long time since I saw any, but (probably) about 15 years ago there was a large flock which spent a few days consuming cotoneaster berries from some bushes near a Morrison's super in the vicinity of Southend airport.

Just remembered @waxwingsuk on Xitter for sightings.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 November, 2023, 09:28:25 pm
The furthest south I found on that was Norfolk.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 24 November, 2023, 07:10:11 pm
Do not click on this if you have WaPo access


(click to show/hide)

If you have, try this

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2023/bird-names-racism-audobon-satire/




Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 27 November, 2023, 09:31:49 am
Our resident Song Thrush has started policing his territory already, we had 15 minutes of glorious singing this morning.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 27 November, 2023, 08:52:25 pm
Blackcock in the garden this morning, proving the cold weather has arrived
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 November, 2023, 09:10:26 pm
A what now? I'm frightened to Google that.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 28 November, 2023, 09:52:42 am
Fear not, Mrs Pingu
Black Grouse - think smaller capercaille.
Males are called Blackcock, Females are Greyhens.
And they are quite correct - it's just started snowing.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 November, 2023, 05:32:58 pm
I had a successful trip to Wol-I-See Island.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd20fLwng60sXi1Mcr25xUE2d8zMf5_e3ByVfnef7a_hvpyrTOHKBdOGokWAwzhAMUxGNHvlEv7ekweXT4YWFHs2C1HXeDc6Ea1f6NuHAXYa65xKZRN=w1200)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdD3xK1e6FhLkSJ6cx4GDj-BCd4ejdntZ3QEiHIB60YX0nlZe2-gRlPD68QxC4CseJwDh44YhQFQNho0f5Btn6lkI0EFaQA4Eoo0RBzdn7lqk9_Vnuy=w2400)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfamkez3Yl3088MoSDbCC5-cMlcuris-DMuF_3K1HVkHZCx656PQE5ON3KmnwpFjUNoc3dgFVFvOqzUa1MrLOyxxoGTEOSYe1svFhVnDV3Cplw16rPP=w2400)

A BloodyCyclist came along and disturbed my quarry.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2023, 06:09:19 pm
Fear not, Mrs Pingu
Black Grouse - think smaller capercaille.
Males are called Blackcock, Females are Greyhens.
And they are quite correct - it's just started snowing.
Ta :)

Also, @Wow, nice wols.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 28 November, 2023, 06:14:47 pm
The pictures are enormous so I can’t see them on the iPad. Can they be resized to a more normal size?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 November, 2023, 06:24:05 pm
The pictures are enormous so I can’t see them on the iPad. Can they be resized to a more normal size?

How do you do that?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: SteveC on 28 November, 2023, 06:32:11 pm
I had a successful trip to Wol-I-See Island.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd20fLwng60sXi1Mcr25xUE2d8zMf5_e3ByVfnef7a_hvpyrTOHKBdOGokWAwzhAMUxGNHvlEv7ekweXT4YWFHs2C1HXeDc6Ea1f6NuHAXYa65xKZRN=w1200)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdD3xK1e6FhLkSJ6cx4GDj-BCd4ejdntZ3QEiHIB60YX0nlZe2-gRlPD68QxC4CseJwDh44YhQFQNho0f5Btn6lkI0EFaQA4Eoo0RBzdn7lqk9_Vnuy=w2400)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfamkez3Yl3088MoSDbCC5-cMlcuris-DMuF_3K1HVkHZCx656PQE5ON3KmnwpFjUNoc3dgFVFvOqzUa1MrLOyxxoGTEOSYe1svFhVnDV3Cplw16rPP=w2400)

A BloodyCyclist came along and disturbed my quarry.
That any better?

S
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 28 November, 2023, 06:52:05 pm
The pictures are enormous so I can’t see them on the iPad. Can they be resized to a more normal size?

How do you do that?

SteveC has specified a width in the img tags, like this:

Code: [Select]
[img width=600]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd20fLwng60sXi1Mcr25xUE2d8zMf5_e3ByVfnef7a_hvpyrTOHKBdOGokWAwzhAMUxGNHvlEv7ekweXT4YWFHs2C1HXeDc6Ea1f6NuHAXYa65xKZRN=w1200[/img]
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: SteveC on 28 November, 2023, 06:57:31 pm
Correct, Pingu

I think it's better to shrink the originals, to save bandwidth, but my bodge will do well enough.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: lissotriton on 28 November, 2023, 07:13:38 pm
Fear not, Mrs Pingu
Black Grouse - think smaller capercaille.
Males are called Blackcock, Females are Greyhens.
And they are quite correct - it's just started snowing.
Chris Packham likes blackcock in the morning.
https://youtu.be/2PPgdQoT5e0
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Feanor on 28 November, 2023, 07:47:21 pm
The pictures are enormous so I can’t see them on the iPad. Can they be resized to a more normal size?

How do you do that?

SteveC has specified a width in the img tags, like this:

Code: [Select]
[img width=600]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd20fLwng60sXi1Mcr25xUE2d8zMf5_e3ByVfnef7a_hvpyrTOHKBdOGokWAwzhAMUxGNHvlEv7ekweXT4YWFHs2C1HXeDc6Ea1f6NuHAXYa65xKZRN=w1200[/img]

But but but....

Does the forum not do that automagically anyway?
Wow's original images are re-sized to what seems to be a reasonable 640-ish wide for me.
They are no different to what Steve posted, on Chrome onna PC.

Or is that browser-dependent?
<shrug>

I've always made my image links from flickr as the 'medium' size to avoid big downloads and re-sizing downstream, but I've not really investigated where the scaling takes place.

Nice WOLs either whatever!

Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: JonBuoy on 28 November, 2023, 07:56:42 pm
Chrome on Win10 here and Wow's images are chuffing enormous!
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Feanor on 28 November, 2023, 08:01:39 pm
Chrome on Win10 here and Wow's images are chuffing enormous!

OK, I'll let someone else figure out where the automagic scaling happens or not, I CBA...
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2023, 08:05:09 pm
They scale fine on my Samsung tablet, either in portrait or landscape orientation.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 02 December, 2023, 07:23:13 pm
Under our bird feeders today, a male pheasant, two rooks, two squirrels, a couple of wood pigeons, a rock pigeon, a few robins and chaffinches and a single starling. Not all at the same time obvs. And on them, along with the usual dozen goldfinches and sundry blue- and great-tits, a pair of greenfinches which is quite unusual.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 02 December, 2023, 10:46:29 pm
Point of order - pheasants are not wildlife.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 03 December, 2023, 11:20:38 am
Quote
Point of order - pheasants are not wildlife.

So true - captive bred birds released into the countryside for people to shoot for fun.
Lead shot in the game meat sold for human consumption - wash your mouth out.
Bird Flu - who cares?
Displacing native wildlife - yeah, more opportunity for "sport".

In better news, a male black grouse saw off a male pheasant in the garden yesterday morning, with encouragement and a round of applause from the blackbirds, robins and assorted others, including me.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2023, 01:25:52 pm
Quote
Point of order - pheasants are not wildlife.

So true - captive bred birds released into the countryside for people to shoot for fun.
Lead shot in the game meat sold for human consumption - wash your mouth out.
Bird Flu - who cares?
Displacing native wildlife - yeah, more opportunity for "sport".
I'm just reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (yeah, I know it was published 61 years ago, but just for the aged hippie points aka lols) and the effect of pesticides on opportunities for "sportsmen" is one of her big points.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 03 December, 2023, 01:40:25 pm
Point of order - pheasants are not wildlife.

Well it’s not native certainly, but around here they breed in the wild, although not in great numbers. We usually see a couple of cocks and maybe half a dozen hens each year in the field behind the terrace. The nearest driven shoot I could find is around 8 miles away (at £1400 a gun  :o) so unlikely to be escapees.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 03 December, 2023, 04:25:14 pm
Quote
but around here they breed in the wild

Oh they certainly do that - with far too much success.
Aided by the gamekeepers who put out food and kill predators to increase the numbers of grouse.
But up here there is little interest in shooting pheasants, just red grouse, black grouse, grey partridge, woodcock plus anything with a hooked beak....

Quote
I'm just reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring
It's depressing how little we have progressed in the last 60 years, amongst other projects.
Wild Justice have been working for a few years to find out about lead in game sold in the shops
https://wildjustice.org.uk/blog
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2023, 05:07:26 pm
TBF many of the specific poisons she writes about, like dieldrin, are banned or no longer used. But what might be called the Sheriff John Brown principle of "kill it before it grows old"* and hang the consequences is still there.

*As in "I shot the sheriff"
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2023, 05:56:59 pm
We finally saw the kingfisher at the pond a couple of mins walk from our house, not an urban myth after all.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 16 December, 2023, 10:49:55 pm
Managed to track down the hedgehog that has been seen on camera at the feeder most nights. Only 365gm - too small to survive hibernation, so it's gone straight into rehab. Going to get antibiotics and see what it's like in the morning.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 17 December, 2023, 11:05:02 am
Unusually, a (male) Chaffinch actually on the feeder, usually they feed on the ground below them.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 December, 2023, 11:56:06 am
A greater spotted woodpecker wandering around next door’s back lawn.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: rafletcher on 31 December, 2023, 11:05:43 am
Went to collect the 6 pack of crisps from the shed, and thought it a bit light, maybe underfilled. Got it into the kitchen to notice the small hole in one corner. On opening it 5 of the 6 packets also showed evidence of nibbling, and were completely empty, including of the blue salt sachets. Bloody mice! 
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 January, 2024, 02:52:55 pm
Point of order - pheasants are not wildlife.

Genuinely curious about the point at which something does become native wildlife. 

For example ring-necked parakeets are breeding in significant numbers in SW London and the Home Counties - they are not a native bird but are breeding in the wild.   Then there are the egrets (little, cattle, and great) all of which are expanding their breeding range north into the southern parts of England, but were traditionally though of as non-native.  Then pheasants as introduced game birds - where a wild population is supplemented by breeding programmes of birds released into the wild (which interestingly enough is also the case for the Osprey, Bustard and White-tailed Sea Eagle as once-native birds having attempts to reintroduce them)

I'm guessing a lot of it depends on viewpoint.  I remember working on a project to clear young sycamore trees out of a fragment of ancient woodland near Bracknell, as they were considered an invasive species (introduced to the UK after 1500), but the removal of a landmark specimen of a sycamore tree from Hadrian's Wall was a top 10 news story and a trigger for national mourning.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 02 January, 2024, 03:10:36 pm
Pheasants are more like livestock.

You can add collared doves to your list of recent arrivals.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 January, 2024, 03:27:55 pm
Pheasants are more like livestock.
.

As, in my locale, are red-legged Partridges, which I find hard to distinguish with the native partridge.

Have never been part of the hunting/fishing/shooting communities and, if my lack of darts is a guide to other forms of projectile, that is probably a good thing, I've always been touched by the irony of the male pheasant, when disturbed, flying in a straight line with a noisy wingbeat emitting loud squawks
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2024, 03:40:27 pm
Pheasants are more like livestock.
.

As, in my locale, are red-legged Partridges, which I find hard to distinguish with the native partridge.

Have never been part of the hunting/fishing/shooting communities and, if my lack of darts is a guide to other forms of projectile, that is probably a good thing, I've always been touched by the irony of the male pheasant, when disturbed, flying in a straight line with a noisy wingbeat emitting loud squawks
I think the last point is one of the reasons why they're a "game bird".

As to when things become native – I don't know. I don't think we use the term "naturalised" for humans anymore (ie not born a citizen but has become one) but it seems a relevant concept to transfer to egrets etc. The point at which livestock or cultivated plants become wild is tricker. Did that sheep which escaped the field and lived alone for two years become wild? What if a whole flock escaped and bred with no human intervention? The sycamores you mention would, to my mind, seem more "natural", whatever that means (oh, that's what we're trying to define... ) than a plantation of Scots pine, despite the sycamore being an introduction and the pine native.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: spesh on 07 January, 2024, 11:01:25 pm
BBC: Mouse filmed tidying up man's shed every night

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67902966
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Steph on 14 January, 2024, 08:02:16 pm
Under our bird feeders today, a male pheasant, two rooks, two squirrels, a couple of wood pigeons, a rock pigeon, a few robins and chaffinches and a single starling. Not all at the same time obvs. And on them, along with the usual dozen goldfinches and sundry blue- and great-tits, a pair of greenfinches which is quite unusual.

"Rock pigeon"?
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 21 February, 2024, 08:06:48 am


Oldest platypus found in the wild is ‘beyond all our expectations’, say researchers

 (https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/15/worlds-oldest-platypus-found-in-the-wild-age-melbourne-water)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 March, 2024, 06:48:41 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92sY7oPhvz4&ab_channel=SabeelAbbasi

A remarkable video of a wood pigeon walking into a peregrine falcon's nest whilst the peregrine was sitting on eggs. As one bright spark observed, "Delivercoo!"
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 March, 2024, 02:59:18 pm
I've just made a dead hedge, no i haven't killed my hedge was clearing the bottom of garden as moving chickens back there and had left a load of willow cuttings I'd previously used for growing beans up. They'd gone dry and brittle. I remembered sering a program I think called my wild garden by an Irish camera man and he built a dead hedge from old sticks etc so constructed one. Hopefully will be good for wildlife as near our wildlife pond and our stream. The chicken fence will stop them getting at it
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 March, 2024, 03:49:21 pm
Nice one, this unit approves, etc.
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 March, 2024, 08:51:15 pm
Nice one, this unit approves, etc.

Thanks, I may direct the Mrs Family Cyclist to this as obviously the random round posts and metal stakes I had knocking round the garden came in handy
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Pingu on 21 March, 2024, 11:18:44 pm
Scottish grouse moors to be licensed in attempt to protect birds of prey
MSPs vote for controls as it emerges another hen harrier has vanished in area ‘notorious’ for persecution (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/21/scottish-grouse-moors-licensed-msps-vote)
Title: Re: A random thread for the wildlife stuff - you know the drill
Post by: Flite on 22 March, 2024, 08:04:12 am
Good News/Bad News.
The shooting estates have had decades of warning to clean up their industry with little effect.
The sooner the law is enforced and estates start fearing for their licenses the better.
Faint hope of it happening in England.

What is never mentioned about heather burning is the devastation it causes to overwintering reptiles - all on the protected list.
It is illegal to disturb an adder's hibernaculum, but apparently not to incinerate them.