[Durbs]

Didn't know they'd spread that far... we've had them round our way for ages.

Quite pretty, but very loud.

[JackAus]

Think there's a bandicoot digging up my yard... Haven't seen him yet though..

Couple of pairs of King Parrots always hanging around too. Really inquisitive, come right up to you.

[fatneck]

A photo of one of the parakeets in Greenbank Park, next to where I saw the flock...

[fatneck]

A week on Anglesey produced two choughs (first time in years), loads of Manx Shearwaters (first), a Whimbrel (first), gannets, porpoise and a pod of large as yet unidentified cetations!

First thoughts were Pilot Whales but this has been discounted by an expert, next best guesses are Risso's dolphins but waiting on some expert confirmations...

Also, on the return from Newstones yesterday, I'm almost certain I saw a Goshawk. First for me and was very excited... Buzzard sized but Sparrowhawk colouration and did the Peregrine type stoop which I believe is typical of the Goshawks hunting style!

[andy_e]

Effort beast, some good ticks there!

[Johnny Brown]

First thoughts were Pilot Whales but this has been discounted by an expert, next best guesses are Risso's dolphins but waiting on some expert confirmations...

Good tick! Risso's get reported fairly regularly in the area - Bardsey bird observatory is worth a follow on twitter. More info on Risso's in the area here: http://file.scirp.org/Html/7-1470085_33681.htm

Also, on the return from Newstones yesterday, I'm almost certain I saw a Goshawk. First for me and was very excited... Buzzard sized but Sparrowhawk colouration and did the Peregrine type stoop which I believe is typical of the Goshawks hunting style!

Good tick - fairly unmistakeable when you see them!

[Baron]

Two full on stags in the woods alongside Hathersage Road cycling out of Sheffield (below entrance to Blackamoor).

[SamT]

No doubt be these two then...amazing aren't they.

Bit of a crap phone shot but two massive 'monarch of the Glen' stags perfectly silhouetted against a lovely sky on stoney ridge last month.  They really weren't very far away.  Incredible.  Not be long before they're up into the burbage valley I guess.

[JackAus]

Saw a Broad-headed snake today. 1.5m long, nearly ran it over, stopped and shooed it into the bush.
Not seen one before.

Like this:

[Durbs]

Not so recent, but came back from Mexico with some lovely bird ticks (though not-so-great photos) and a mega-encounter with abotu 200 whale sharks, and a LOT of manta rays.

Mind blowing stuff.

[Eddies]

I plucked these lil beauties out of a local River last friday after work. Nom nom:

[fatneck]

Bardsey bird observatory is worth a follow on twitter

+1 They pretty much just confirmed Risso's for me.. And ta for the link!

I plucked these lil beauties out of a local River last friday after work

And how were they? Good to see you making an impact on the invasive species!

[wintermute]

I plucked these lil beauties out of a local River last friday after work. Nom nom:

Nice! Any chance you could PM me where they were (assuming they're around Sheffield?)?

I studied their distribution/expansion a few years ago so would be interested to see if they have spread to somewhere I had negative results from.

Ta

[Eddies]

They where great cheers, need a few to make it worth while. That lot took me about an hour I'd say... Mini caught a whopper!

[SpanishJuan]

Just in case Eddies: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/119096.aspx

[Eddies]

Thanks, but I dont use a trap (yet)

[Yoof]

Trip to Orpierre t'uther week. Saw a couple of Golden Eagles, a Hen Harrier, and on the way back up the M1, two Red Kites. RaptorLOVE.

[Durbs]

Harborough Rocks on Sunday - Mrs had nipped back to the car and whilst waiting for her to return a buzzard (I think) came and perched about 15m away, preening and rousing.

Typically as I slowly leaned over to get the camera out, he took off, continued to circle below me until I'd removed the lens-cap and wacked it into Av and then dissapeared as I bought the camear to eye-level.

Just to check, I zoomed in to 105mm on the rock he'd been standing and it pretty much filled the frame... Mutter mutter mutter.

[JackAus]

3 rock wallabies and 2 kangaroos and a Brown Snake sunning himself in the sunset...

[slackline]

Saw a heron whilst walking up Snowdon last weekend along the Watkin Path.

[SA Chris]

Walk in Donmouth Nature Reserve last Sunday, dozen seals (permanent residents), 3 or 4 herons, loads of duck type birds. Sadly no otters, which get seen there occasionally, dusk and high tide is best time apparently.

[andy_e]

Saw two merlins yesterday at Roova. Spotted them directly above us cruising around, then later saw one swooping close to the moor edge below us. Unfortunately only saw them in silhouette, would have been amazing to see them in some detail!

[fatneck]

MERLINS!!! Love em, great tick Not seen one for years, last one I saw was at Earl about 3 years ago...

[andy_e]

Yeah, stunning indeed! The whole area above Nidderdale up to Swaledale is famous for them, the "protected grouse moorland" is actually beneficial to them as lonmg as gamekeepers don't poison them seemingly...

[rich d]

On the walk to work this morning saw a comorant/shag, and a great crested grebe with a couple of little ones. But more importantly saw a kingfisher flash by. All from Trent bridge, in the space of about 30 seconds, good start to the day.