Recent wildlife sightings (Read 658292 times)

SA Chris · April 15, 2012, 10:55:40 pm

Jasper, were you out?

Nibile · April 16, 2012, 06:21:48 am

lagerstarfish · April 16, 2012, 06:32:44 am

It may have been just an actor who plays a vampire on TV

did you see what colour it was on the underside?

actual vampires are nocturnal, so it would be unusual to see one during the day

SA Chris · April 16, 2012, 08:17:03 am

Quote from: fried on April 15, 2012, 07:27:44 am

After a lot of research, it seems that swallows that migrate to the U.K come from South Africa, whereas swallows that migrate to Western Europe come from north of the equator in West Africa.

Was it gripping a coconut by the husk?

Sadly one does not a summer make, as the snow we got yesterday demonstrates.

Jaspersharpe · April 16, 2012, 09:29:13 am

Oldmanmatt · April 16, 2012, 09:37:43 am

Quote from: lagerstarfish on April 16, 2012, 06:32:44 am

It may have been just an actor who plays a vampire on TV

did you see what colour it was on the underside?

actual vampires are nocturnal, so it would be unusual to see one during the day

Aarrgghhh!! Day Walker! Don't panic! Don't panic!

Jaspersharpe · April 16, 2012, 11:36:59 am

Don't worry, it was just this guy:

He seems quite friendly.

Gritlad · May 04, 2012, 08:38:38 pm

5 deer in grindleford woods tonight, 2 stags and 3 females I think.
got fairly close too

blacky · May 04, 2012, 09:45:37 pm

Ring ouzel , Burbage Valley today.

underground · May 04, 2012, 11:45:26 pm

Pretty certain of a Swift tonight in S18...

slackline · May 05, 2012, 07:33:09 am

Forgot I saw what was almost definitely a red kite fly over us at Lawrencefield last week (mates identification, distinct forked tail and swept back wings).

SamT · May 05, 2012, 09:41:06 am

Interesting!

I was surprised and saddened to hear that kestrels were heavily in decline, on reason being muted that the recent explosion in Red Kite populations equals greater competition for food/habitat etc (and also bizarrely the fact that motorway verges are much more manicured and managed than they ever used to be, which where kestrels main hunting grounds).

Johnny Brown · May 05, 2012, 09:50:16 am

http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp

Red Kite, 28th April?

I saw one over Millstone a couple of years back, belaying, staring upwards. Not heard about a Kestrel decline, will do some reading. I guess for a long time they were the only raptor around in many areas, so perhaps numbers were inflated due to a lack of competition.

1st Swift on Weds at Burbage bridge. Heard a Cuckoo later on too, though very faint.

SA Chris · May 05, 2012, 11:00:40 am

Quote from: Johnny Brown on May 05, 2012, 09:50:16 am

I saw one over Millstone a couple of years back, belaying, staring upwards.

Bloody good trick for a bird! Had he just done Twikker?

Saw a seal when I was out bouldering in Wednesday night, and deer 5 mins from house last weekend.

slackline · May 05, 2012, 03:32:05 pm

Quote from: Johnny Brown on May 05, 2012, 09:50:16 am

http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp

Red Kite, 28th April?

Yep, that was when we were there, about the right time too, as we were on the first route of the day.

hongkongstuey · May 06, 2012, 01:41:08 pm

was out exploring some crags this weekend and stumbled upon this little fella (crags turned out to be a bit shite so this and some block trundling ended up being the highlights of the weekend...):

its a Bamboo Snake - won't quite kill you but its bite would be far from pleasant...

douglas · May 07, 2012, 11:48:27 am

I think I saw an osprey yesterday near Bristol. It was sat on a hedge near a lake. Is there a more common bird I may have been confusing it with?

Johnny Brown · May 07, 2012, 12:06:24 pm

Not much other than a Buzzard, though the Osprey's striped head is distinctive. Not out of the question though, they are doing well in the UK and migration take them across the whole country at the mo.

douglas · May 07, 2012, 12:48:14 pm

Thanks Johnny. It could been a very light Buzzard. I didn't spot the striped head but then I don't know if I would have done from the angle that I saw it...

Johnny Brown · May 07, 2012, 01:30:31 pm

Probably a Buzzard by the sounds then. I had a quick google and the only Osprey reports yesterday were from Cambridgeshire - most are further north by now.

douglas · May 07, 2012, 01:39:57 pm

Okay, thanks!

BB · May 08, 2012, 05:24:41 am

Bit of a special one this...

Fairy penguin spotted while out fishing in Sydney Harbour, just off Manly point. Very rare these days. Apparently only 1 breeding pair still nesting at Manly. It popped it's head up to check where it was and disappeared again while I was still fumbling with the camera.

SA Chris · May 09, 2012, 10:18:18 am

Pod of dolphins this morning. Was driving into work past Nigg Bay and just spotted them out the corner of my eye heading round Girdleness ( I was actually seeing how surf looked!). Luckily had camera and 400m lens in van and got some shots as they came round point. Hopefully got a good shot of one breaching but it was pretty overcast and light wasn't great. Will see later!

DaveC · May 10, 2012, 02:52:45 pm

The first two shots below are from a local sanctuary while the rest are taken in our back garden in the last few days.

Bustard!

Duck!

On a slightly different scale, one of several Praying Mantis' we have around the garden this year.

The 'Wattle Bird' is a super-sized honeyeater we get around here in droves. First up, here's one taking nectar from one of our Aloe plants.

...and another hunting bugs on a beautiful autumn evening earlier this week.

...and finally, one for SA Chris!

SA Chris · May 10, 2012, 04:13:51 pm

Flaming Gallahs mate!