Author Topic: Seen today (Read 1027552 times)

Basil · « **Reply #6726 on:** 02 May, 2024, 10:27:13 am »

A large emperor moth, sitting on the pavement in the drizzle, trying to shake its wings dry.

JonBuoy · « **Reply #6727 on:** 02 May, 2024, 11:11:03 am »

On yesterday evening's pootle along the towpath there was more action than usual at the swan's nest. Seven cygnets that I was told had hatched the previous day. Two very proud and protective parents.

Flite · « **Reply #6728 on:** 02 May, 2024, 02:30:17 pm »

While I was riding up the long hill, a short-eared owl was hunting over the fell. Possibly the male of a pair I saw a while ago. I watched till it went over a fold in the hill, then as I rode on it was sitting on a fence post near the road waiting for me!
Going down the other side, I was unaware of a rider behind me as I jinked and stopped to make sure a red squirrel sitting on the verge didn't decide to cross the road. I doubt the other rider even saw it.
After coffee and scone at the Hemmel (highly recommended), I set off back up the hill and saw 3 reds chasing each other about. And a second viewing of the SEO.
Most of the Upland Assemblage present and abundant.
And the sand martins are back!

Arminius · « **Reply #6729 on:** 02 May, 2024, 07:29:22 pm »

Yesterday, but 4 goldfinches just outside our back garden. We're also seeing a wren quite regularly pottering around amongst the plant pots on our decking, plus loads more blue tits than we ever saw when we lived down in York.

PaulR · « **Reply #6730 on:** 03 May, 2024, 05:49:09 pm »

Popped down to the river after work on Wednesday

22f204cbb0bf41278f4189ae080ccd75 by PaulRide, on Flickr

Basil · « **Reply #6731 on:** 06 May, 2024, 08:26:18 pm »

The swifts are back.

JefO · « **Reply #6732 on:** 06 May, 2024, 08:28:44 pm »

Quote from: Basil on 06 May, 2024, 08:26:18 pm

The swifts are back.

So are the Hobbies.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #6733 on:** 06 May, 2024, 09:40:10 pm »

I have yet to see a swift over my garden this year, but I'm told they are around and about.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #6734 on:** 10 May, 2024, 10:32:41 pm »

Some photos from Two Tree Island this morning. The last is of an avocet seeing off a corvid.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #6735 on:** 11 May, 2024, 11:59:27 am »

Good photos Wow. I like the middle one - has it spotted its reflection?

Salvatore · « **Reply #6736 on:** 12 May, 2024, 04:49:56 pm »

I came across this character on the canal towpath this afternoon. I'm guessing its puddle has dried up and it was making for the canal. Anyway that's where it hopped after I'd snapped it to my satisfaction.

rafletcher · « **Reply #6737 on:** 14 May, 2024, 05:18:30 pm »

This morning, as I drove out of the village, a Roe Deer running up the road ahead of me, before diverting into the yard of one of the farms.

JonBuoy · « **Reply #6738 on:** 14 May, 2024, 05:29:58 pm »

Yesterday evening I spotted two birds that I am pretty sure were Oystercatchers in a field in Leicestershire. No sign of any Oysters.

SteveC · « **Reply #6739 on:** 14 May, 2024, 06:20:38 pm »

Quote from: JonBuoy on 14 May, 2024, 05:29:58 pm

Yesterday evening I spotted two birds that I am pretty sure were Oystercatchers in a field in Leicestershire. No sign of any Oysters.

They don't eat oysters even when they can find them.

They eat mussels mostly when on the coast. No idea what they do inland.

Pingu · « **Reply #6740 on:** 14 May, 2024, 06:26:52 pm »

A first for me today, a whitethroat

Common whitethroat (Curruca communis) by The Pingus, on Flickr

Wowbagger · « **Reply #6741 on:** 14 May, 2024, 06:28:06 pm »

Do they not normally venture as far north as your good self? Very common down here in summer on scrubby land.

Pingu · « **Reply #6742 on:** 14 May, 2024, 06:30:31 pm »

I've seen pics on NE Scotland Wildlife Facebook group, but I've never knowingly seen one IRL before today.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #6743 on:** 14 May, 2024, 06:31:43 pm »

Good spot. They aren't that easy to photograph because they are always on the move.

Perhaps I'll potter down to Two Tree Island on Friday morning and try to photograph one. I do tend to spend most of my time there in the bird hide which was where the avocets and oystercatchers were viewed. The whitethroats tend to be diving in and out of low scrub beside the path, with their rasping, sandpapery song. The do occasionally settle, as yours did, in quite a visible spot, but they don't often stay there long.

Pingu · « **Reply #6744 on:** 14 May, 2024, 06:38:59 pm »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 14 May, 2024, 06:31:43 pm

Good spot. They aren't that easy to photograph because they are always on the move.

Yeah, I noticed that. I only managed to get 2 shots of it and was lucky that one was half decent.

cycleman · « **Reply #6745 on:** 15 May, 2024, 10:19:13 am »

On my way back from twitys tipis on Monday I spotted my first skylark singing merrily as it ascended

Pingu · « **Reply #6746 on:** 15 May, 2024, 07:32:51 pm »

Bonking brown hares.

Pingu · « **Reply #6747 on:** 16 May, 2024, 09:57:15 pm »

First sighting of a hedgepig in our garden

European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) by The Pingus, on Flickr

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #6748 on:** 16 May, 2024, 10:53:06 pm »

It's back, and I got to see it this time

European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) by The Pingus, on Flickr

JefO · « **Reply #6749 on:** **Yesterday** at 05:53:15 pm »

Two herds of Deer - the first was a magnificent sight. In excess of 350 animals. The second herd was a mere 130 strong! to the west of Chelmsford.