[galpinos]

That's one for Magpie, Slackers!

[SA Chris]

Ya big softy!

Crap pic, but proof of otter spotting. It was almost dark, ISO 6400.

[Johnny Brown]

Any wild otter shot is worth celebrating. Props.

[mini]

Nothing as special as an otter, and no picture to share either, but spied my first ever water vole along the Derwent the other weekend. Probably quite easy to spot down there for the patient types, but still pleased with my spy.

Slightly more impressive was a very close encounter in the local woods the following day - a tawny owl chowing down on a wee rodent. What made it special was the proximity, maybe seven feet in front of me nestled in some bluebells! It turned to look at me doing that freaky owl thing with its neck then took flight, powering through the branches with meal in toe. Certainly one of my better wildlife spottings

[lagerstarfish]

ISO 6400.

With ISO numbers like this I feel like I'm living in the 21st Century that I was promised when I was a kid...

...where's Barbarella?

[BB]

Having just relocated to Sydney, I can now proudly say I've see a cockatoo. Fnarrrrr! parp parp!

[SA Chris]

ISO 6400.

With ISO numbers like this I feel like I'm living in the 21st Century that I was promised when I was a kid...

Most admit, I'd never ventured that far before up the ISOs before and was surprised when the numbers got higher and higher. Not that much noise either.

Where's my Jetpack?

[SA Chris]

Having just relocated to Sydney, I can now proudly say I've see a cockatoo. Fnarrrrr! parp parp!

Still one of my most special memories; arriving from a grey dank Bristol into the glorious sunshine of Sydney, jumping on the train and getting off in the leafy suburbs of Lindfield and seeing flocks of cockatoos in the bluegums.

[andy popp]

For the third night this week my cat has brought a live bat in to my room in the middle of the night and then gone beserk chasing it. I've managed to rescue and release it each time. I don't know what species (brown, body an inch or two, wingspan of a few inches). Apart from the fact I'm completely knackered from the broken sleep I'm intriqued; she's never done it before in five years, anyone else heard of cats catching bats. Much as I know its not a good thing I'm quite impressed by her skills.

[SA Chris]

Maybe they are nesting somewhere near your house? Have you looked in the eaves, garage roof etc late in the evening. Pretty good skills though. At least they are escaping alive.

In South Africa our cat usied to bring in mauled lizards on an almost daily basis and a selection of half chewed birds, including the occasional beautiful sunbird and bee eaters. Most were half dead and quite traumatic having to put them down. Worst was when it proudly bought in a medium sized chameleon, that was in a terrible chewed up state.

[tomtom]

For the third night this week my cat has brought a live bat in to my room in the middle of the night and then gone beserk chasing it. I've managed to rescue and release it each time. I don't know what species (brown, body an inch or two, wingspan of a few inches). Apart from the fact I'm completely knackered from the broken sleep I'm intriqued; she's never done it before in five years, anyone else heard of cats catching bats. Much as I know its not a good thing I'm quite impressed by her skills.

I recon your cat has nabbed it while it was sleeping/resting etc.. to get one on the move would be something else... though possible I guess.. Bats can be a pain to get out of the room though...

[slackline]

Does your cat have stealth fur to avoid detection by the bats echo-location?

[andy popp]

For the third night this week my cat has brought a live bat in to my room in the middle of the night and then gone beserk chasing it. I've managed to rescue and release it each time. I don't know what species (brown, body an inch or two, wingspan of a few inches). Apart from the fact I'm completely knackered from the broken sleep I'm intriqued; she's never done it before in five years, anyone else heard of cats catching bats. Much as I know its not a good thing I'm quite impressed by her skills.

I recon your cat has nabbed it while it was sleeping/resting etc.. to get one on the move would be something else... though possible I guess.. Bats can be a pain to get out of the room though...

I'm sure you're right. We live next to a large and ancient churchyard with a number of yews and other trees and they always head off in the right direction when I release them but I guess its worth checking under the eaves etc at dusk. Don't know what I'd do if they are nesting on the house. It might worth dropping the Bat Conservation people a line.

But as Slackers hints, they have pretty impressive sensory skills so even if they're resting I'm surprised they're not detecting her.

[lagerstarfish]

from http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.co.uk/documents/advice_bats.pdf

Some cats can catch and kill bats. If a cat discovers a bat roost it can return night after night to catch the
bats emerging

[lagerstarfish]

. It might worth dropping the Bat Conservation people a line.

I think not doing this might make you an accomplice to killing a protected species.

[andy popp]

Cheers, I thought there could well be implications like that. I'm going to keep her in tonight anyway, not least so I don't get bloody woken up again.

[lagerstarfish]

phew

I was worried that, as part of the same internet gang as you, I might be done for bat murder under the Joint Enterprise Law

[Brolly]

A first for me this morning, 4 kingfishers sat together;


4 kingfishers on a stick by Brolly99, on Flickr

I was well made up!

I'm still not climbing, having ankle operated on a week on Wed, so no climbing for a while!

[Will Hunt]

 
Unbelievable! If you keep being such a lucky arse then we may have to instigate a Rich Simpson-esq inquiry into your claims.

[Johnny Brown]

Wow, amazing! Have spent a lot of time chasing wildlife with a camera the last few weekends, without much to show. How much is a 500mm lens nowadays?

[Jim]

FUCK-ALL

[Brolly]

FUCK-ALL

I wish it was fuck all!

[SA Chris]

I think it's rubbish. The second one should be looking right! Can they not follow direction?

You make me want to give up tbh.

[Will Hunt]

I trust this is reproduced with permission? Well done for being featured, Olly!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bradford-west-yorkshire-13462001

[SA Chris]

Hope you got a wad of cash for your efforts too.