A large flock of Curlews (have never seen them as a flock before) overhead at rivelin yesterday.
I recently read Mark Crockers book Crow Country and had the pleasure of discovering a roost and flocking point at the side of Eccles Pike on my regular run. Now I know where it is I can now see them from the house flying at dusk to meet in the fields before gathering up into a scrawking cloud and making for shelter.
and a few waxwings near Lloyds pharmacy on London Rd
saw a heron at rubicon last week on a run.as i went past it took off.was great to see it.huge wingspan
Fortunately, the drop bears have been quiet this year, no fatalities yet!! ;)
I finally located and visited two weeks back, is in Eccleshall WoodsIve seen this quite often walking the dog in there at sunset, well spooky when its just about dark the noise is incredible.
a few months ago there was a bat in the crack Usurper starts up at Curbar
Had this a few times at Cratcliffe, the first time I was soloing Fern Hill when a couple of them started chittering at my hands, a bit off-putting until I worked out what they were!
and those fucking spiders the size of a small dog that ensure Fiend won't go anywhere near the bloody country etc etc".
Red Kites may be ten-a-penny near almscliff and caley but they're still beautiful birds all the same! You know it's gonna be a good day at the crag when you see one.
(http://www.africanfauna.com/afimg/huntsman.jpg)
and even the odd Echidna (a primitive monotreme most closely related to the platypus.)
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/354763460_f664ea914f.jpg?v=0)
Dave C, you utter bastard. :spank: I jumped and screamed likemagpiea pathetic girl when I scrolled past that. >:(
(http://www.africanfauna.com/afimg/huntsman.jpg)
Why does that link say african fauna? You wouldn't be trying to pass of African spiders as Australian ones would you?
You're evil Dave!
I fucking hate Huntsman. Last time I woke up to one lurking on the wall behind my bed - Big one too. Thankfully don't get them so much since moving house, although one jumped from the under the lid of the barbie a few months ago. Scared the shit out of me. :o
(http://www.africanfauna.com/afimg/huntsman.jpg)
Saw deer in Glendalough a couple of weeks ago. Not particularly unusual in itself, but this time there were loads of them! I lost count in the high forties. Forced down from the high ground due to all the snow no doubt. Made walking out really creepy, lots of funny noises and dozens of pairs of eyes shining back at me out of the dark! :o
Nice pic.
Yeah, they're always around. Along with the goats who seem to take particular pleasure in stealing my lunch (and shitting under problems)! Lots of deer in Glenmacnass too. They have a habit of bursting unexpectedly from the woods when you walk by. Can be quite startling!
OK, one last time. These are small... but the ones out there are far away. Small... far away... ah forget it!
Red Kites may be ten-a-penny near almscliff and caley but they're still beautiful birds all the same! You know it's gonna be a good day at the crag when you see one.
A large male (at least Adam tells me it's a male) Adder at Curbar, taking in some rays beside the top path, a couple of weeks back.
Rather disappointed I opted not to use the £$$$$$ of camera gear in my rucksack. Idiot.
Rather disappointed I opted not to use the £$$$$$ of camera gear in my rucksack. Idiot.
I thought it was more that you couldn't get £$$$$$ of camera gear in focus. ;)
I saw a fox on marlborough road the other day. had to go back and finish it off with a jack.
forgot to say that fox i saw in bromhill was at about 12 noon, which was the surprising factor.
There's foxes pretty much everywhere, whether in town or out - I see bucketloads of them driving at night. A work colleague of Ms Bubbs saw one on the top floor of a multi-storey car park the other day. They just don't give a shit.Twice now I've gone to pet a cat hiding under the bushes outside my flat only to discover it was in fact a wee fox; I'm not sure who is more stunned by these attempted pettings but usually the fox runs faster. ;D
See quite a few deer too, but they're mainly those little Muntjac deer. Seen one mid-morning happily nibbling grass ten feet from the A1.
Hmmm might be - but some of them are those really teeny ones that look improbably small.QuoteSee quite a few deer too, but they're mainly those little Muntjac deer. Seen one mid-morning happily nibbling grass ten feet from the A1.
Sure they're not Roe deer? Still pretty small and more widespread.
forgot to say that fox i saw in bromhill was at about 12 noon, which was the surprising factor.It's quite common to see birds in Broomhill in daylight hours, although it is rarer to see foxes it's not unheard of, but your more likely to see dogs, especially during the day. ;)
I almost stepped off a boulder next to a rattlesnake when i was on my tod at Ibex. Shat me up big time.
is it called a bird dropping spider because it looks like a bird dropping
Spiders are not wildlife; they do not need to be on this thread anymore (http://www.propertytalk.com/forum/images/smilies/teacher.gif)
where is the harris with the lime
Lots of frogs in the Lawrencefield pool on Sunday.I saw your photo on UKC, it's ace, loads of wee smiley eyes! :thumbsup:
Was quite surprised it survived the fall, although it may well have curled up and died somewhere quiet after it ran away.
Oh and there was a rather large nest just above the tree on this route. Definately a birds nest and not the squirrels drey, but didn't look to be currently occupied.
Oh and there was a rather large nest just above the tree on this route. Definately a birds nest and not the squirrels drey, but didn't look to be currently occupied.
Excuse my ignorance but is a squirrels 'nest' called a drey then?
Excuse my ignorance but is a squirrels 'nest' called a drey then?
check this shit out, peregrine webcams on derby cathedral:
Egrets have made an impressive colonisation of Britain in the last ten years
We used to see 'Kingy' by the bridge on Rutland road on the way to lunch every day. Don't see him so much these days. Must have found better hunting down stream.
I have a vision of Ted in waders, with a harpoon.
I saw a fucking Kingfisher,
It was awesome, that picture doesn't do it justice, its an amazingly coulourful thing.
I once saw an ewok at the buckstone.
Lapwings displaying over the moors
Lapwings displaying over the moors
A few Hen Harrier's around Baldstones / Gib torr
I'm 80% sure I saw a woodcock buzzing over the plantation carpark as I got back to the LagerBus this evening. Right silhouette and rate of wing beats. Definitely not a curlew, but might have been a lone (and quiet) oystercatcher seen from an odd angle?
Dave C, are those emus? They look quite big.
I was fascinated by how similar emus are to ostriches, right down to movement and "mannerisms". Have they evolved in parallel, or are /were they in any way related?
Dave C, are those emus? They look quite big.
I was fascinated by how similar emus are to ostriches, right down to movement and "mannerisms". Have they evolved in parallel, or are /were they in any way related?
The principles of convergent / parallel evolution are really interesting, when you think of what possibilites directions the 3 could have evolved in, but are still so similar.
I need to stop reading this thread now, I have learned too much intersting stuff today and now my brain hurts a bit. Looking at hot rockchix is a lot easier on the brain.
to bring this down more to the lowest common denominator, I saw dozens and dozens of frogs (or toads, whatever) at longshaw this weekend all trying to fuck each other.
to bring this down more to the lowest common denominator, I saw dozens and dozens of frogs (or toads, whatever) at longshaw this weekend all trying to fuck each other.loads around Ladybower last week too.....
Could hear but, frustratingly, not see some form of woodpecker while out in Cheshire this morning.
I hear Woodpeckers pretty much every day, its very rare I see them though, the Greens especially.
Keep an eye open for them in Mull dave.
We went up Kinder at the weekend to 'Dark Side of the Moon'. We saw a load of Mountain Hares, one of which was still fully white, which was nice.How was DSotM, worth the walk? Is that on the Downfall?
We went up Kinder at the weekend to 'Dark Side of the Moon'. We saw a load of Mountain Hares, one of which was still fully white, which was nice.How was DSotM, worth the walk? Is that on the Downfall?
saw a sparrow hawk being mobbed and generally bullyed by a half dozen crows down Dorchester way on the weekend
See them often ski touring up in 'gorms. I think that they must get pretty pissed off that they go to the effort of growing a white coat over winter for camoulfage, then standing out like a sore thumb because there is no snow.
bear of the year
In town I've also discovered a couple of massive Barbel lying below the bridge near work.
Yellow wags look like fucked up canaries with a nasty twitch.
Plover?No, they're blacker on the top than that. They've all been inland too, so I don't think they are wader types. I think they might be quite big, like nearly crow sized, definitely not wee like a thrush or something like that. I wonder, could I be any more vague :-\
:-\ just had a thought about my post. Would a sparrow hawk go for a pigeon? I assumed Sparrow Hawk as we've had them in the garden before but I'm just wondering if a pigeon's a bit of a lardy target for one of our smaller raptors.
jh
Plover?No, they're blacker on the top than that. They've all been inland too, so I don't think they are wader types. I think they might be quite big, like nearly crow sized, definitely not wee like a thrush or something like that. I wonder, could I be any more vague :-\
Pee-wit sounds similar enough to 'oo-eet mixed with coo-ee' doesn't it?It does in my head :lol: I am so glad someone knew, I thought I was going to have to resort to trying to mimic the bird for people next or try to explain what I meant when I said, it sounded a bit like a dolphin or a guinea pig. ???
And Serengeti's like Stanage-sodding-Popular end now they're trying to recreate Portland nearby and the quarries are the latest hip and trendy thingTotally :off: Fiend and a stupid post at that. Serengeti has always been popular, could it actually be because of the 2 easy trad routes and the easy to top rope harder routes perhaps....i would have changed your karma but i just d'nay have the power.
....i would have changed your karma but i just d'nay have the power.
Anyone seen an irate shaven headed techno fan recently?
I've been at church, flagellating myself and paying penance for writing an off-topic post on an internet forum
Chummer get a grip you prize scrote, it was a bit of word play humour and besides the whole area is getting more mobbed to the quarries' current trendiness. Anyway someone higher up your Off Topic Constabulary should have noticed that I posted about Red Kites in just my previous post
I did wonder why Lagers put techno instead of drum'n'bass....
chased away from some woods by a crow/ravenThey often get mobbed by crows as they see the Buzzard as a threat. Heron's are also often attacted in this way too.
Saw my first wild otter in coniston at bout 5 am sunday morning.
We've also got doves nesting in the privet arch at the bottom of the garden, which so far have done well to avoid a savage erection from their roost by my cane-wielding, evil-shit nephew, and the 3 bags of permafluff and noise that are my mothers' prize white German Shepherd's.
Get some photos Joe!I will try. Unfortunately I don't have one of those flickr things and therefore won't be able to post them, maybe some one else might like to host them.
I always wondered how they didn't jag each other when they were at it? :-\Its pretty much a two track mind with you (three if you include climbing I suppose) isn't it Mags
Get some photos Joe!I will try. Unfortunately I don't have one of those flickr things and therefore won't be able to post them, maybe some one else might like to host them.
Thanks Slack,Get some photos Joe!I will try. Unfortunately I don't have one of those flickr things and therefore won't be able to post them, maybe some one else might like to host them.
Flickr offers a free account if you don't want to fork anything out and can be arsed registering.
They have all the info on how to upload pics on their site (its pretty straight-forward though), and this (http://www.ukbouldering.com/wiki/index.php/HowTo_Embed_Pictures_to_UKBouldering) will guide you through embedding them here at UKB (if you can be arsed!)
Its pretty much a two track mind with you (three if you include climbing I suppose) isn't it MagsIn my defense, I can also talk a lot about cake, sparkly things and make up, but there isn't much call for discussing any of that here, is there? ;D
But if I get some photos I'm sure if I PM them to Mags (and no you can't have a fox cub (they wee on their food you know))Ewwww, you may keep the cubs, dirty wee tikes, but yes, I'll do the pictures for you if you send them to me, no problem.
Where abouts in norfolk are you?
I'll have to get the photos first, its intermittently pissing down here and the cubs haven't been out all day.Its pretty much a two track mind with you (three if you include climbing I suppose) isn't it MagsIn my defense, I can also talk a lot about cake, sparkly things and make up, but there isn't much call for discussing any of that here, is there? ;DBut if I get some photos I'm sure if I PM them to Mags (and no you can't have a fox cub (they wee on their food you know))Ewwww, you may keep the cubs, dirty wee tikes, but yes, I'll do the pictures for you if you send them to me, no problem.
They gather off the coast here to give birth apparently and this is the right time of year to see them
confirmed it as a Royal Tern which has less than 10 recorded sightings in the history of the British Isles
Where were the Nighjars and glow worms that UG?
Would I have seen one before in SA? looks naggingly familiar but twitching was never a strongpoint.
Anyhow Bison pics if anyone is interested.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pdVBsuczjqE/Sjh4tTXdtlI/AAAAAAAAAHg/ahQ54GE53-k/s400/IMGP7137.JPG)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pdVBsuczjqE/Sjh4tH638_I/AAAAAAAAAHY/AHOAe4Vnbkc/s400/IMGP7135.JPG)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pdVBsuczjqE/Sjh4sucXqGI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/paV3nfvWjBY/s400/IMGP7132.JPG)
This is going to be difficult to ascertain without finding the cable to my camera...
obviously has lost it's mother.
[snip]
Could it be a baby badger perhaps?
(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4091/babybadgerinhands.jpg) (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/babybadgerinhands.jpg/)
This is what we're dealing with Magpie.
You'll be glad to hear he put the creature in his top pocket to gain warmth and stroked it all the way home.Awwwww!
Also, a little while back we saw a few plovers running around near the summit of Glyder Fawr, but I'm not sure which type.
First was a long haired longWTF is a long haired long?
I think its a type of rat which lives in symbiotic relationship with a fungus.Ah, now I know - I thought these were only seen at the Plantation?
Latin name is Cadfael NutkinsFirst was a long haired longWTF is a long haired long?
First was a long haired long
chanterelles field secret now uncovered dude!What? Don't tell me I was spotting picking.
Also saw family of tiny ducklings swimming in big seas the other day and showing a fine example of how duckdiving under waves should be done.hope you got some photo's for Miss Magpie ;D
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46120000/jpg/_46120774_bigbigcat.jpg)
Is that a Monet?
Or were they Long Eared owls. Behaviour is very similar. :shrug:
Saw one a number of years ago at the High neb car park, and put it down as Long Eared Owl. (it was dusk).
friends reckon they spotted a couple of hen harriers very early (6am ish) on saturday near stanage end. their description was pretty accurate.
PS the way our gallant boys fly down the valley I'm suprised we haven't had a chinook or euro fighter in the back garden, ps the Lancaster from the BobMF came over at 50m on Sunday, very impressive
They're beautiful birds.I watched these bird from the boat.... they go blind after a certain amount of time... salt and impact damage!!!
I was surfing up in Northumberland at the North End of Bamburgh beach a few years ago and the gannets were diving all around us. Hitting the water with wings folded at great speeds really close by and then swimming underwater around our feet chasing whitebait. Can still picture it perfectly..
4 king fishers feeding from the same branch, :bounce: nr Water cum Jolly.
Saw a Barn Owl burst through the trees at Jumbles and float over my head last night - they're quite big up close! :thumbsup:
It really is a shit crag isn't it. Luckily we only stopped for a look on the way back from Doveholes.
Highlight was finding the "goat" etching (or whatever it is) in the rock.
on the walk to work this morning, jumped onto wall and over into scrub next to the railway line
Saw a fox on the walk to work this morning, jumped onto wall and over into scrub next to the railway line. Wasn't the usual manky urban fox either, looked quite healthy.
What the fuck is that, a Walrus???
Whale carcass on beach near Arbroath.
Good knowledge there JB and a great shot (magpie will be along shortly to squeeze you).Here I am! :thumbsup: That is a fantastic picture. :bow:
Dozens of deer between Braemar and Glenshee at the moment. Some beautiful stags. All come down out of the hills to find low grazing, apparently due to sustained cold weather many are starving.
I see an incredible number of Buzzard when I'm out in the wagon
Love that bit of the M40 when you go past the Red Kite breeding station, always brightens the day.
Adders were back out yesterday.QuoteI see an incredible number of Buzzard when I'm out in the wagon
Love that bit of the M40 when you go past the Red Kite breeding station, always brightens the day.
They must be gutted when they turn white to be hidden against the snow, only to stick out like turd in a punchbowl. Often see them out ski touring in Cairngorms.
Where were the Adders Johnny? Would love to see one basking in the sun.
QuoteWhere were the Adders Johnny? Would love to see one basking in the sun.
Is it true they return Adders to Sennen and Lands End if numbers rise in certain areas?
Clearly not a very good relationship if it's nearly extinct.
Where did you spot it slackers?
And is an orchid classified wildlife?
(not that it really bothers me, but the type of things you usually pick up on :))
I was bouldering at Ibex in Utah, and heard that classic rattlesnake sound just as I was stepping off a boulder. Froze mid step and blood turned to ice. Had to move a bit again before I could figure out where sound was coming from - was luckily actually under a boulder a few metres way. Quite cool to see once I knew where it was.
but most fun was being bitten by a white back spider in the Grampians. Result was Six hospital visits a week of four a day antibiotics & mild necrosis of the finger.
Muscovy, without e.
Or Joseph Merrick ducks.
Idiots. It's a Simon Weston Goose of course.
I papped this handsome devil at a farm the other day, but don't know what it is. I assumed it was a turkey at the time, but after some googling I can't ID it as a turkey, duck, swan or goose. Any of the less ignorant members of the forum got any ideas?
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/4512201221_1521f98e64.jpg)
(http://pdvoag.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pQ-gsev3VUVxGwWGjfsp_kbdAntdDMT1J9tWBkMViI2AV3HTAhy-JDjGoufjJVJ6gVHGTcpwqd6zYb_J51UmcOapFEf8y5jy6/Red_Ad1.jpg)
Not anything special wildlife wise but pretty happy at how the pic turned out
(http://pdvoag.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pQ-gsev3VUVxGwWGjfsp_kbdAntdDMT1J9tWBkMViI2AV3HTAhy-JDjGoufjJVJ6gVHGTcpwqd6zYb_J51UmcOapFEf8y5jy6/Red_Ad1.jpg)
Not anything special wildlife wise but pretty happy at how the pic turned out
beautiful.
not this year surly??
i think i saw a woodcock over the back of stanage, nr redmires. would that be right? dunno what else it could be? snipe?
I caught sight of a water vole yesterday. A proper one mind, not a swimming rat!nice one, your local records centre would be interested in that
I caught sight of a water vole yesterday. A proper one mind, not a swimming rat!nice one, your local records centre would be interested in that
narf, narfI caught sight of a water vole yesterday. A proper one mind, not a swimming rat!nice one, your local records centre (http://www.nbn-nfbr.org.uk/nfbr.php) would be interested in that
Who HMV? :)
nice one, your local records centre would be interested in that
cool birds Woodcock... its called 'rhoding' when they fly around there territory at dusk, letting others know its their patch.
Walking near llangollen last sunday and loads of birdlife about - a few Pied flycatchers, Redstarts and also heard Crossbill in the trees but didnt manage to see em. deffo go back one evening with binos when it (if!) finally warms up.
Got a book 'finding birds in Britain' which is well worth a look. Gonna try to get out one still evening/ night n listen for Nightjars churring. Never found time to drive for em, but movin to Llay soon, so small population nearby.
The book mentions a few locations in the peak/ sheffield area where they can be heard 'churring'. let me know if you want me to put location up.
annoyingly too far away most of the time).
Saw a big heron on Banks of Dee yesterday. Tried to get some pics, but lens is not really up to it.
Nice! Any idea what it is, I've no books on euro herps...
Quoteannoyingly too far away most of the time).
Welcome to wildlife photography. Though that should read 'all'.
quoted from 'Finding birds in Britain' by Lee G R Evans (2001)- top book for finding rare birds and seen loads of stuff locally such as Dotterel, Long Eared owl...... think its ok to write this stuff here.
*NOTE* THESE SITES ARE REGARDED AS SENSITIVE SO CARE MUST BE TAKEN NOT TO DISTURB THE BIRDS/ WANDER OFF THE PATHS - THESE BIRDS ARE A DIMINISHING SPECIES.
Nightjars in the peak
Wharncliffe Crags, Sheffield
A small population of upto five churring Nightjars can be found in Wharncliffe woods area to NW of Sheffield. Grid ref-Sk 311 973
Hatfield Moors
Area between Lindholme airfield & Lindholme lake is most favourable and regularly attracts upto 40 pairs of Nightjars. Thornmoor to the North of the motorway also holds large numbers of churring males. Access is from the old colliery site at Moorends. Follow the track that leads from the far side of the spoil heaps for several hundred yards.
Go about dusk and birds perform from 9.45pm onwards from 27th May - 5th July. Best heard on calm, warm evenings with birds with birds failing to show on windy / wet evenings.
OK. I know I might get some stick for this one, but is it possible I've just seen a parrot flying around Beauchief?? I know there a large colonies darn sarf, but I didn't realise they'd got this far north.
Before you ask, it's not international Pirate Day and there wasn't any one legged fellas going "Ahhhhaaaaarrrr me hearties!" either.................
OK. I know I might get some stick for this one, but is it possible I've just seen a parrot flying around Beauchief?? I know there a large colonies darn sarf, but I didn't realise they'd got this far north.
Before you ask, it's not international Pirate Day and there wasn't any one legged fellas going "Ahhhhaaaaarrrr me hearties!" either.................
Good site, but I'm interested. Are sites publicising sitings of rare species not seen as potentially aiding egg collectors?dunno :-\ I suppose there are several approaches with publishing data in open source. Things are never black and white, but they are many shades of grey
Good site, but I'm interested. Are sites publicising sitings of rare species not seen as potentially aiding egg collectors?dunno :-\ I suppose there are several approaches with publishing data in open source. Things are never black and white, but they are many shades of grey
1) only a few people know about a species in an area. Only a few people go and visit, exciting thing gets nabbed by c@nt. No more people see it \ species becomes locally extinct site gets developed by tesco.
2) lots of people know about it, many people visit. The frequency and irregularity of people visiting deter c@nts. people come with money and spend it in local area on fags and cups of coffee and boost local economy! Tesco decide to develop as area is prosperous.
Good site, but I'm interested. Are sites publicising sitings of rare species not seen as potentially aiding egg collecters?
Good site, but I'm interested. Are sites publicising sitings of rare species not seen as potentially aiding egg collecters?
Its crazy that birds get all the best smutty names compared to other animals. Tits, boobies, cocks, woodcocks, shags, thrush, and the ring ouzel.
Pretty much only rivaled by every species of beaver.
Also got a poor photo of a dragon fly of some description, any ideas what it's called? Adam?
(http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx214/fatneck/DSC00780.jpg?t=1275552085)
Good knowledge Slackers. I'm pretty hot on birds, mammals, fish and reptiles, but poor on insects and plants/flowers must get a field guide to cover these. Any recommendations?
They're quite an easy group to get to grips with as there aren't that many, and most show clear differences in appearance and distribution
Have seen quite a few interesting things this year and would be interested to hear what others have seen lately. So here's a thread to post onto when you see any noteworthy wildlife whilst out at the crag.
My top 4 this year so far are:
A large male (at least Adam tells me it's a male) Adder at Curbar, taking in some rays beside the top path, a couple of weeks back.
A flock of Bramblings about a month ago at Froggatt whilst all the snow was still down.
A Barn Owl flying beside the road near Cratcliff on Saturday eve.
A large flock of Curlews (have never seen them as a flock before) overhead at rivelin yesterday.
Hit me with some nature.
I saw a large Adder at Curbar today
I saw a large Adder at Curbar today, it went across the path in front of me, just after the gate near the Trackside Boulder.
It let out the biggest hiss ever. Never seen one before, awesome!
Was nice to hear some Cuckoos in the Peak this morning, don't hear so many these days.
I saw a large Adder at Curbar today
Just back from visiting the folks in scotland, saw a Capercaillie for the 2nd time, nice and close, big beautiful bird (not something you hear said very often). Also got attacked by fulmars at cummingston :thumbsdown: and saw loads of deer ::)
Saw a ring ouzel at Burbage North the other day , not such a remarkable thing perhaps , but still very nice :) .....
Nairn, fastest place in the UK. Naaaaaaaairn.
Could be. Snipe is another possibility.That's genius. Recent wildlife sightings 11 minutes into EG. Take a wad for the snipe. ;D
Snipe is another possibility.
That's genius. Recent wildlife sightings 11 minutes into EG. Take a wad for the snipe. ;D
a big bird of prey that pretty sure wasn't a buzzard
biggish, i thought grey-brown-ish, tim thought more grey. bigger than sparrowhawk, but flight didn't look laboured like buzzard. not quite as big i think. mooching around low-down near a farm. we weren't close enough really and i can't say for sure after browsing rspb site. fuck nose.
Some dragonfly news for Adam - found a lovely site near Morfa Nefyn at the weekend - Scarce Blue-tail was the highlight, but quite a few Keeled Skimmers, 4-spot Chasers etc. Also saw a few 5-spot Burnet Moths, which was the first time I've seen them.
Got some photos but can't work out how to post them.
Nice! Part of the Cors Geirch site? Always meant to visit, but not sure of how much access there is. Doesn't look like I'll make it down to see the Spotted Rock Rose this year...
Loads of slow worms hinding under old carpet squares in our alotment. Will post photos soon.I love slow worms more than life itself, good find and don't forget to send the info to Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre...
Spotted a Pine Marten casually walking across the road
Llast week I was discussing the state of my project with my boss, when a kestrel and a crow started a mid-air fight right outside the window. I need to find a shaman and ask what this means for the future of the project.
Last week I was discussing the state of my project with my boss, when a kestrel and a crow started a mid-air fight right outside the window. I need to find a shaman and ask what this means for the future of the project.
You sure that it wasn't a crow and a quail trying to morph into the portentous beast required for calling the grit?
A more entertaining film could have been made by someone filming my poor attempts at deer stalking. Think Blair Witch meets Mr Bean, but still not as shit as Bare Gristle.
Aussie magpies aren't known as 'butcher' birds for nothing.
Aussie magpies aren't known as 'butcher' birds for nothing.
Either that or he's working off a debt he owes to a squirrel.
They are known for hiding food when it's plentiful. They are also well known for forgetting where they hide their stashes. so I guess you'll get a few sunflowers next year (on the proviso, there hasn't been a deal struck with a local squirrel)
not symbiotic and not even sympatric (being of different species). However, where Beer, crack and peanuts are present they tend to operate on mutualism. :P ;)
not symbiotic and not even sympatric (being of different species). However, where Beer, crack and peanuts are present they tend to operate on mutualism. :P ;)
yes, I tried to edit the structure of that after posting but it wouldn't let me! the point I was trying to make was that mutualism and symbiosis are sometimes used as if they are synonymous, but it's incorrect: symbiotic is a broad category, defined to include relationships which are mutualistic, parasitic or commensal. I know John said "are symbiotic relationships between tits and squirrels common" and mutualism is a form of symbiosis [sorry john :spank: :'(].
Symbiotic is perfectly permissible term for a mutually beneficial relationship between different species (e.g. tube worms and trophosomic bacteria that feed off of sulphur from hydothermal vents).
Sympatric refers to organisms whose geographical boundaries overlap. Its often used when describing the process of speciation and species diverging whilst still overlaping in geographical boundaries often involves differences in behaviour (the opposite of sympatric speciation being allopatric speciation when a species is split geographically, by perhaps the occurence of a new mountain range, continental drift or a new river and the species diverge under differing selection pressures).
[sic]
I believe there was one resident up there a few years back, maybe its returned?
Edit: certainly one about: http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp
(http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp)
Good tick!
The overhead wires should also be checked for Great Grey Shrike, as the area was previously a traditional site for this species, although the most recent record was in spring 2004.
Very attractive bird!
Not very exotic , but I saw a Tree Creeper in Padley Gorge this morning , which was nice .....
Had a good day birding last weekend with an RSPB mate along the Norfolk coast. Got 71 on the sheet & even twitched an American Golden Plover, a life tick so I'm told.
Good grief, those owl pictures are amazing. Congratulations. (The fish ones probably are too but I'm not so interested in fish.)
Had a good day birding last weekend with an RSPB mate along the Norfolk coast. Got 71 on the sheet & even twitched an American Golden Plover, a life tick so I'm told.
Bloody hell ...... Nice one :great:
Did another visit to Worlaby Carrs last week. Bit of an epic over that way in the deep snow, but worth it for the viewings of short eared owls.
Bloody hell! If you lot aren't careful, climbers will lose there reputation as the bird-murdering scourge of the RSPB... :spank:
nice owl shots Brolly..... ;)
I've had a bust ankle since July
A Kea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kea)
every 10 m or so they would flip upside down in mid glide and drop a fair bit before righting themselves again and carrying on flying
Quoteevery 10 m or so they would flip upside down in mid glide and drop a fair bit before righting themselves again and carrying on flying
Ravens. No doubt the experts say it is 'display' behaviour, but I suspect they just do it for fun. You usually get a 'Gronk' after each flip too.
Can never work out if they ever do a full barrel roll or always flip back after getting half way...
Not posted on here for a while but had a number of good wildlife viewings in the past two months (owls and kites about 3 miles from the cliff);
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5299806839_5c491db796.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5299806839/)
Cheeky Minky [Explored #21] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5299806839/) by Brolly99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5280402485_e00a5fffea.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5280402485/)
Waxwing on frosty perch! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5280402485/#) by Brolly99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5401379231_0be9e7d131.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5401379231/)
At the tip of a perch! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5401379231/#) by Brolly99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/5442827564_4a652fac28.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5442827564/)
Quick turn! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5442827564/#) by Brolly99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/5438711342_723bb87e20.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5438711342/)
Right time right place? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/5438711342/#) by Brolly99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
Must get back into climbing at some point!
Cheers Ol
Came home from work this afternoon to find this (not so) little chap hanging around in the garden.
Looking at those pics a guillemot sounds most likely. Couldn't pick out much detail but I think the white was kept to the underbelly. There was also something nesting in the crack of The Arrow but not sure what it was. I assume these birds mustn't be on the RSPBs watch list if St Govan's and Mother Carey's aren't under the bird ban?
Was belayong Boggo the other day when he got a face full of Tawny Owl at the top of Estremo at Millstone!
Slackers isn't your "Gull" a kittiwake?
Not a sighting, but truly awful......
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13339288 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13339288)
ISO 6400.
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...
Having just relocated to Sydney, I can now proudly say I've see a cockatoo. Fnarrrrr! parp parp!
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.
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...
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
. It might worth dropping the Bat Conservation people a line.
FUCK-ALL
A first for me this morning, 4 kingfishers sat together;
I was well made up!
I'm still not climbing, having ankle operated on a week on Wed, so no climbing for a while!
called "comp photos?" any feedback as to which of those should go in
The second was a hawk or an owl. It flew through the woods about 6 feet above the ground, very slowly, like it was coming in to land but it didn't. It was squawking but it's flight was silent. Was this a buzzard (do they fly through dense woods?) or could it have been an owl or a even a goshawk? The colour was as a buzzards, brown with some white. I didn't notice any patterning.
Wow! Fairburn Ings again Brolly?
It's digital trickery i tell you! He photoshopped out the pin it's mounted on.
Amazing as always.
The Very Rev Hunter Farquharson said he arrived home in Abernethy, near Perth, on Friday to see his Toulouse goose Beatrice lying dead on the ground.
Walking off the back of Higgar a couple of weeks back one of these was stood on the path bold as brass. Me looking like a tortoise
on steroids figured it would be off like a shot. Low and behold it stood it's ground forcing me off the path! Never been quite so close,
maybe a foot or two away and didn't appear stressed at all. Then it proceeded to chase me off!
:-[
In Wales were you? :)
Not that recent as it was back in November, but I'd completely forgotten that I'd found my first ever Slow Worm on the approach to Raven Stones (or somewhere) and just stumbled upon a photo of it whilst deleting stuff from my phone!
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386338_10150485969681919_719686918_8767501_1630813425_n.jpg)
Beautiful little thing, made my day!!
I saw it near grindleford in the peak district if that helps.
It was in a gritstone quarry that is in a wood ( not a very dense wood ) and it was nesting at ground level in a wide crack. when i walked close ( accidentally ) it flew out and out of sight leaving its nest of mostly leaves and maybe a few sticks with 3 white eggs laying there.
Other locals have noticed the same and think there is probably a pair of kestrels but there is something a fair bit bigger - buzzard maybe?
...Now swaying towards a Tawny Owl but it did seem bigger than that...
QuoteOther locals have noticed the same and think there is probably a pair of kestrels but there is something a fair bit bigger - buzzard maybe?
Andy, Buzzards have really spread the last ten years or so. Much bigger, broad wings, mewing call. I reckon if they were in Pex the scallies would have spotted them and stoned them though. Kestrels not much bigger than a thrush/ smaller than a crow, you see them hovering by roads. More likely to nest in a busy quarry.
I was talking about Slow Worms with someone only recently. I used to see them in our garden quite regularly growing up in the 70s. Haven' seen one in years and was wondering if there was an explanation.
Sounds like a 'drumming' snipe. Bit like a goat? Actually comes from the tail feathers. Clip on here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/08/birds.snipe (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/08/birds.snipe)
There's a male mandarin duck in Endcliffe park at the moment. It looks ridiculous.thought I saw one in cheedale about 3 week back too
PM me the location and I might check it out.I remember a kestrel nesting on/in a quarried face at Grindleford it was on the same side as yarncliffe but about half a mile further down the hill.
PM me the location and I might check it out.I remember a kestrel nesting on/in a quarried face at Grindleford it was on the same side as yarncliffe but about half a mile further down the hill.
Was out at stanage after dark tonight and heard a bird with an odd sci-fi style wobbling call - hard to describe but very distinct. Any fucking ideas etc?
Sounds like a 'drumming' snipe. Bit like a goat? Actually comes from the tail feathers. Clip on here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/08/birds.snipe (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/08/birds.snipe)
I've seen a pair down Cheedale a year or so back, think they are resident. Do they nest in trees or did I imagine that?There's a male mandarin duck in Endcliffe park at the moment. It looks ridiculous.thought I saw one in cheedale about 3 week back too
Found this in the garden...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6877407682_c28b04bf77.jpg)
Lizards basking in Dinorwig quarries and a Jay on the way back to the car over the weekend. Lovely blue feathers on the later.
Reed Bunting spotted in a friends garden in Lincolnshire over the weekend. First for me!
Re Andy's Pex Hill sightings; I've seen[..] Kestrels there in the past. One time I walked in and there was a Kestrel sat in the break on Dateline Wall.
I was pretty brown, peregrine or buzzard.
pretty brown, peregrine or buzzard.
pretty brown, peregrine or buzzard.
Peregrins are fairly recognisable, very yellow bill and the distinctive 'sideburns', about the size of a rook.
Buzzards are pretty big things though, bigger than a crow for instance.
did it look like this
http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Wildlife/BolsaChica/PealesPeregrin_3214.jpg (http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Wildlife/BolsaChica/PealesPeregrin_3214.jpg)
Cheers, will need to have another look at my (admittedly awful) photo. Bird expert at work who knows what's in the area put money on peregrine or possibly sparrowhawk.
or
this
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/resources/listimg/birds/2010%20jan/buzzard_wx_PE@body.jpg (http://www.wildlifeextra.com/resources/listimg/birds/2010%20jan/buzzard_wx_PE@body.jpg)
I have no problems with the law regarding disturbance itself, but the 'no ignorance' issue i found a piss-take.
First Swallows of 2012 and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker at my folk's place just by Panymwyn.
QuoteI have no problems with the law regarding disturbance itself, but the 'no ignorance' issue i found a piss-take.
The problem is, make ignorance a valid defence and you've got a worthless law.
Apart from the legal implications i don't think anyone would want a face off against a surprised peregrine at the nest, did you clock its talons :ohmy:
First Swallows of 2012 and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker at my folk's place just by Panymwyn.
They always seem to arrive in the U.K before they arrive in Paris which I find strange, must be different migration routes (or I'm going blind).
First Swallows of 2012 and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker at my folk's place just by Panymwyn.
They always seem to arrive in the U.K before they arrive in Paris which I find strange, must be different migration routes (or I'm going blind).
Interesting. I wonder if it's a City vs Country thing or whether, like many other migrating birds, Swallows give France a wide berth in order to avoid ending up in the cooking pot?
some recent spots from SA
Spotted a coypu in the pond next to the intermarche in milly. I believe they live in the uk but I have not spotted one before.
Kids thought it was great but helen just thought it was a big rat and therefore even worse than the normal size ones.
Have you seen the (presumed) buzzard there yet Si?
Eradicated in the UK.
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.
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
I saw one over Millstone a couple of years back, belaying, staring upwards.
http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp (http://www.sbsg.org/sightings/recentsightings.asp)
Red Kite, 28th April?
Peak District organisations condemn destruction of goshawk nest
Five leading land management and conservation organisations in the Peak District National Park have condemned the destruction of a goshawk nest in the Derwent Valley.
The organisations – the Moorland Association which represents grouse-moor owners, the National Trust, Natural England, Peak District National Park Authority and the RSPB – were responding to the discovery of the destroyed nest and smashed goshawk eggs which is now being investigated by the police.
The destruction leaves only one active goshawk nest in the Derwent Valley, which previously held six pairs of these birds. This took place on land owned by Severn Trent Water and the RSPB is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
The organisations, which last year launched a Birds of Prey Initiative to achieve breeding targets for merlin, peregrine and short-eared owl, have been working together since 2008.
John Lomas, of the Peak District National Park Authority, who chairs the group, said: “I’ve been advised that the police have indicated it was not due to natural causes. We strongly condemn any wilful destruction of nests and eggs.
“We have been making good progress working closely with bird groups, landowners and gamekeepers to secure the right protection for rare species, and the destruction of this nest is a setback.
“Nevertheless we will continue to work with all those who are co-operating with us. We should not let the bad behaviour of a few individuals stop the improving relations between the different interests.”
Anyone with information should contact the police immediately on the non-emergency crime line 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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!
Aka Peewits after the call. By impressive flying I guess you mean aerobatics.
Are they both guillemots in the foreground. Or is the one of the left a young puffin? Top snap of the dolphin. I like the way it looks like it is really having fun. For some reason it looks like it is smiling to me . . . . anyway . . . .Not sure tbh. There are loads of puffins on the coast here could be either.
Are they both guillemots in the foreground. Or is the one of the left a young puffin? Top snap of the dolphin. I like the way it looks like it is really having fun. For some reason it looks like it is smiling to me . . . . anyway . . . .Not sure tbh. There are loads of puffins on the coast here could be either.
Think I saw one of the Sheff Uni peregrines (http://www.shef.ac.uk/news/nr/peregrine-falcons-breed-successfully-at-university-1.179261) on Tuesday night. All the other birds fucked off sharp-ish anyway.
Thought I heard a Peregrine up at Stanage High Neb the other day. Possible? JB?
Making two-tone call.
Any fucking ideas etc?
black and white checkered fethers round the ass. Making two-tone call. Any fucking ideas etc?
Making two-tone call.
What like "Any Rudeboys in the house!!!"
black and white checkered fethers round the ass. Making two-tone call. Any fucking ideas etc?
Ska Hawk
SamT, I'm pretty jealous you went to Eigg even without the dolphins. What did you get up to?
. Very majestic!
Psyched about seeing a wolf in the wild
Mayhaps a bit late to be recent but the other week I was slowly walking towards a seal to take photos and just got to the appropriate distance when a sea otter hopped out of the water and began to eat a fish right next to the seal! The seal was so surprised it jumped. Have a gander.I didn't think sea otters lived in the UK? They're a Pacific species aren't they? You do find normal river otters feeding along the shoreline, though I think they have to keep going back to freshwater to clean their fur. Good photo though.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82111568@N02/7671755182/#in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/82111568@N02/7671755182/#in/photostream/)
I didn't think sea otters lived in the UK? They're a Pacific species aren't they?Ooops, my bad. Thanks for the knowledge :2thumbsup:
Good photo though.Thank you ;D
I've seen otters and otter holes nowhere near fresh water; reiff, north uist, and entrance to loch broom. I think you are right that sea otters are a pacific species but I don't think they need fresh water. These are tiny compared to the ones in Vancouver aquarium.Yep - we get both types along the west coast here - saw several pacific sea otters up the mid-BC coast this week whilst out sea fishing (along with humpback whales and some very big salmon) - they very rarely go on land. The regular type (lutra lutra) are often on shore (and like to eat their catch on moored boats - otter shit is no fun...), but I believe have to periodically go to fresh water to groom and remove salt from their fur.
Lanner?
Check out Brolly´s flickr stream its fucking amazing....
Cheers! Well when you can't climb anymore you have to turn that obsession into something! Just checked back in as I remember asking about otters on here and after last weeks trip to Mull finally found some. Took me over 50 hours to find any but finally when I did they did deliver. Ironically after spending all my time in isolated places I found them near a busy campsite!?!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7866042090_20ab0f0929.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/7866042090/)
Floundering (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/7866042090/#) by Oliver C Wright (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7849632714_4a711d14cc.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/7849632714/)
Breakfast at Mull! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/7849632714/#) by Oliver C Wright (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7858280874_8db72b250f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/7858280874/)
Roar of the Otter! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19083292@N00/7858280874/#) by Oliver C Wright (http://www.flickr.com/people/19083292@N00/), on Flickr
Am thinking of doing a bit of climbing photo work. If anyone needs a photo tog for some new ascents give me a shout!
What size was it compared to the magpie? What shape was the tail?
Even the Birds UK app on my phone isn't helping
Saw a birdy having a scrap with a magpie today from the top of Chevin Buttress. Dark browny red wings, turning black towards the wingtips. White underbelly. Looked in my bird book and thought it might either be a kite or kestrel. I thought I'd become reasonably good at spotting the Red Kites though now they're common as muck in Yorkshire and that's not what it looked like. Any ideas for sure what it would be?
They'll be done nesting now, though it's not unlikely that it did nest nearby. They have regular favourite spots for plucking, eating and roosting though, usually marked by a streak of white and the odd pellet.
Molly found the brute and we thought it was dead at first as we threw a stone at it and it never moved (which is probably fortunate in hindsight). They teach this method of checking for signs of life on all the first aid courses now. Came back later and it had moved a bit so we thought some walker had spotted it and dragged it further into the undergrowth by its tail to get it out the way. After a short while decided unlikely anyone would pull a dead snake around for fun and then noticed it was moving a bit. Rang the RSPCA who took a bit of convincing that it wasn't the sort of snake that ought to be in the heather near Ox Stones trig. They kept asking "is it green/brownish with a collar? Grass snakes can be variable in colour you see..." "No, it's seven foot long, about five inches across and built like Mike Tyson; we don't think it's a grass snake". Sat around with it for couple of hours whilst RSPCA lady arrived with van full of kittens (Molly wanted to do a swap with her!). She originally produced a plastic box the size of a cake tin. I did mention that I didn't think it would fit in there! RSPCA lady rather surprised when we presented our unfriendly boa constrictor. She was very good/brave given amount of spitting and hissing and baring teeth it was doing. Snake put up a right fight wrapping itself around her arm and trying to head back into its hole (with her presumably). Eventually got it in a bag. Very unusual afternoon considering we only went out for a run!
Why dump it there though?
Why dump it there though?
Sent from S A Chris laptop using remote login
Shag.... http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/shag/identification.aspx (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/shag/identification.aspx)
Shags are birds of the coast. Occasionally, they turn up inland along rivers and lakes, but usually alone (cormorants are often seen in groups inland)
The rule of probabilities is generally useful
That's not a life used up, it's just a near miss!
managed to cover about 50m back down the hill before I became conscious of what I was doing. It's wierd how that primeval flight instinct when seeing a snake must still be hotwired into the human brain.
When climbing in Aus (or maybe SA can't remember) doing a trad route and grabbed a pocket, pocket made hissing sound, fired myself away from wall like a jack in the box. Didn't even think about where the last runner was. Belayer was a bit surprised.
Always nice to see Goosanders.
Lagers, I wouldn't want to wake up with you next to me in bed.
Look forward to more pics.
I spend some of my lunch times trying to watch the peregrines in Sheffield city centre
Waxwing in the tree opposite my study...
@JackAus - I think Bower Birds are amazing! Jealous...
Bower and Lyre, both very cool in different ways, would love to see either.Really weird. It actually came up to about 2m away from me... Never seen them up close before. They normally disappear as soon as they sense people around. Got video of it too.
Avon gorge today.
6 slow worms. Sunbathing on various footpaths.
Unfortunately, 3 had already been trodden on by humans and killed.
Other 3 were dutifully moved off of the path.
Tread carefully.
And towpath walk back, wood was alive with bluebells and ramsons. And a meadow full of cowslips. Lovely
Also saw loads of Wheatears up in Teesdale at the weekend...
I spend some of my lunch times trying to watch the peregrines in Sheffield city centre
For a more intimate viewing (http://efm.dept.shef.ac.uk/peregrine/index.html)
I spend some of my lunch times trying to watch the peregrines in Sheffield city centre
For a more intimate viewing (http://efm.dept.shef.ac.uk/peregrine/index.html)
I'm not a fan of cute things in general, but even I think this is pretty cool. Check it out.
Good eagle-spotting. Guess that explains why you've not been on here of late, you've been to the land of no internet! Lucky sod.
Good dolphin pics slackers. You have a good week?
I've just watched a bear steal the bird feeder from my back garden - makes a change from the squirrels I guess...
I need to check the status of my pick-a-nick basket.I've just watched a bear steal the bird feeder from my back garden - makes a change from the squirrels I guess...
Was it Barney or BooBoo?
I can remember wondering what all the boats were doing 1/2 mile off shore when surfing Muizenberg, only to find out that's where you went cage diving to see the great whites.
Also had a whale fully breach at Llandudno whilst in the water surfing with Nic Sellers. (the cape town one, very different to the whales Doylo sees breaching on a weekend in the welsh version)
No shit puns please.
I saw a Dolphin playing in the sea near the Promenade in Aberystwyth this morning. I know its probably fairly common for people who live near the sea, but its the first time I've ever seen one - made my day as I stood up from the business meeting I was in and started pointing at the sea like a toddler
Dolly you reminded me of this :)
(http://almostfalling.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/far-side-goldfish.jpg?w=214&h=283)
Probably the most endangered raptor in the UK, only in the odd place like Hoy and Uist do a few pairs survive unmolested.
Their habitat is moorland - and their diet mainly small/ young birds. On a moor managed for Grouse, which most moors in the Uk are, they will eat grouse chicks. Gamekeepers kill them in various ways, but the law is weak and amassing evidence is very difficult. Despite the fact they pass through the Peak (should be prime habitat) every spring only one pair have nested successfully in twenty years.
8a.twitch (http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/surfbirds/display.cgi?highVal=49&list=list4)
In 2012 while Wildlife Minister Richard Benyon refused a request from other MPs that possession of carbofuran, a deadly poison used to kill raptors that is banned in Canada and the European Union, should be made a criminal offence. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas was quoted as saying: "The minister's shocking refusal to outlaw the possession of a poison used only by rogue gamekeepers to illegally kill birds of prey would be inexplicable were it not for his own cosy links to the shooting lobby."
Agreed. I represented the BMC at a meeting between grouse moor owners and conservationists. The shooters viewpoint was that the law was wrong because harrier predation would affect their profits. Given the current minister for the environment I suspect they feel untouchable currently.QuoteIn 2012 while Wildlife Minister Richard Benyon refused a request from other MPs that possession of carbofuran, a deadly poison used to kill raptors that is banned in Canada and the European Union, should be made a criminal offence. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas was quoted as saying: "The minister's shocking refusal to outlaw the possession of a poison used only by rogue gamekeepers to illegally kill birds of prey would be inexplicable were it not for his own cosy links to the shooting lobby."
I also agree, but am a bit wary about going on grouse moors when there's potential for shoots occurring. "Oh look, I bagged a prole too! Hurrah!"
just got back from a cracking trip geologising around Orkney
While climbing in the south lakes at Farleton (a beautiful limestone pavement if you've not been) my dog scared a Roe deer and her Fawn out from the bracken and they shot off down the path at full speed, my little fat terrier in full pursuit. Was very tempted to shout "Fenton, fenton......JC......Fenton!" but there was nobody to hear. Naturally they left my dog for dust, man they can move! Very beautiful animals, was a delight to see them.
Saw a raccoon - not too unusual in these parts - what was notable though was the fact that it was emerging from my patio doors with a large bag of crispsWhat flavour?
Either garbage or cat-food flavoured.Saw a raccoon - not too unusual in these parts - what was notable though was the fact that it was emerging from my patio doors with a large bag of crispsWhat flavour?
Do racoons now come in different flavours?
who pretty soon pointed out the pair of golden fucking eagles they'd been checking the location of
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!
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/17/sedepeja.jpg)
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.
Bardsey bird observatory is worth a follow on twitter
I plucked these lil beauties out of a local River last friday after work
I plucked these lil beauties out of a local River last friday after work. Nom nom:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BS8HKkXCUAAFdkS.jpg)
On the walk to work this morning saw a comorant
Why's that?On the walk to work this morning saw a comorant
Shame you didn't have a shotgun with you.
Very strange to hear a chainsaw sound come from a bird 20 feet away from you...
If you were dedicated and very rich you would be on a charter flight to Shetland
a Goshawk in a Berlingo.
Unfortunately not... that would have been impressive!a Goshawk in a Berlingo.Please elaborate? Was it driving?
It was quite nice to see a Barn Owl and a Hare at Stanworth yesterday...
Oh, and a Goshawk in a Berlingo. Bit surreal..
Bollocks. Always get me hawks mixed up...It was quite nice to see a Barn Owl and a Hare at Stanworth yesterday...No, it was a Harris Hawk in the passenger seat. The Goshawk was allegedly in the back of the van, but we didn't see it.
Oh, and a Goshawk in a Berlingo. Bit surreal..
Cool. Just walked through shopping centre and one of the vendors has an owl perched at the side of his stall. Not sure what it was, looked like a tawny.
(I've just realised I missed a pun and should have said "prey tell me more")
Anything I could be confusing it with?
Also saw a stoat/weasel (how do you tell them apart?)
under the warfs (warves?)
... under the warfs (warves?)
Out taking moonlight photos on seacliffs last night, and had a close encounter with a fox. Remarkably unconcerned by my presence, took half a dozen photos at close quarters (4-5m) before it wandered off down the path. No doubt blinded by the flashes!
Pretty certain i saw a kite over jnc 45 of the m1 on way home last night
I was astonished when I saw red kites over the M40 in the Chilterns
managed a brief glimpse of one of the first puffins from the ferry on the way back. Typically, they report there's hundreds rafting today, and the first one came ashore too...
Pretty certain i saw a kite over jnc 45 of the m1 on way home last night
Spotted this fella up on The Old Man of Coniston yesterday. Never seen one before, and first feelers back in suggested a Lady Amherst pheasant (cheers AndiT), but a bit of google searching later now suggest a Silver Pheasant? Anyone know much about them? By all accounts mainly found in Asia rather the north of England :???:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/13792796555_ca7342fb75.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/n1PFTa)Silver pheasant (https://flic.kr/p/n1PFTa) by The Trad. (https://www.flickr.com/people/32044606@N03/), on Flickr
Albino Pheasants are fairly well known and you always get a bonus bagging one on a shoot. Not sure if this is a silver asian pheasant or just an albino one.
Had a brilliant family trip to Brockholes nature reserve near Preston on Sunday...
Albino Pheasants are fairly well known and you always get a bonus bagging one on a shoot. Not sure if this is a silver asian pheasant or just an albino one.
Its got black on its front/chest so I doubt its albino (unless its mosaicism, but then I'd expect the non-albino patches to be the normal pheasant colour). My searching suggests its a Silver Pheasant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Pheasant) which are as mentioned naturally found in South Asia.
Could be its an escapee from a wildlife park or such like :shrug:
I'd never bag one with my f--king eyesight (Mr McGoo)
Just saw a small reddish falcon outside the office. No forked tail so not a kestrel. Juvenile peregrine?
Just saw a small reddish falcon outside the office. No forked tail so not a kestrel. Juvenile peregrine?
Kestrels don't have forked tails. It sounds like a Kestrel. It's too early for recently fledged birds and last year's juveniles will have just moulted into adult/ semi-adult plumage. Where are you? Could be Lesser Kestrel in Europe.
A Hobby's russet 'trousers' are usually the most obvious thing. I've only seen them overhead though so can't comment on behaviour. I wouldn't rule out a Merlin in that habitat, and they are more likely to look a little scruffy. With such a close view size might be useful? Hobby's are Kestrel sized, Merlins surprisingly small more like a thrush.
not strikingly small
Is it OK for you make extra effort so that the first bird your son can identify by name is a tit?
Is it OK for you make extra effort so that the first bird your son can identify by name is a tit?
Saw a pod of at least a dozen dolphins or porpoise (too far to tell) from Bosigran last week. 8)
On Monday evening I watched a couple of ring ouzels having what I assume was a bit of terratorial dispute at the top of Safe Bet
Saw loads of whales yesterday, maybe humpbacks. Quite a few over the afternoon just surfacing for air but when I got to the crag at about noon, there were were a couple (I think, might've just been one) whales breaching a couple hundred metres off the rocks. Really cool to see. Can't remember ever seeing whales breach like that before. Dolphins, yeah loads, but never whales. They were coming way out of the water, turning and landing on their back.
whales breaching a couple hundred metres off the rocks. Really cool to see.
I saw a bird of prey near the parking in Tideswell Dale last week, near those little limestone outcrops by the road. Was a reddish brown, white underneath, bigger than a Kestrel but not massive, either a Buzzard or small Red Kite?
Saw an echidna the other day.
I saw a bird of prey near the parking in Tideswell Dale last week, near those little limestone outcrops by the road. Was a reddish brown, white underneath, bigger than a Kestrel but not massive, either a Buzzard or small Red Kite?
Was this flying or perched? Red kites don't have a white body, though they have white on the wings and tail. There are some in the Peak District but wouldn't be as common as buzzards or kestrels. They do perch in trees occasionally but are generally seen soaring when their forked tail makes them unmistakeable. Buzzard's plumage can vary quite a lot and you do get quite pale ones. Female kestrels are noticeably bigger than the male, and don't have the grey head of the male and fit your description - could be a possibility? Female sparrowhawks are brown with a white barred front, but more of a dark brown than a reddish brown.
A week on the Lleyn;
Hen Harrier - two
Whaaat? Where?
Small BoP, hovering low, I think brown with black tipped wings (it was nearly dark)?
I've seen one before in the area tucking into a pigeon.
Small BoP, hovering low, I think brown with black tipped wings (it was nearly dark)?
I've seen one before in the area tucking into a pigeon.
Kestrel
Then a hundred or so Pink-feet headed east at dusk. Magic.
Cheshire sandstone aficionado and winter Hangar devotee Harold got bitten by an adder on Anglesey last weekend whilst clearing brambles from below some dodgy sports routes at Benllech... #legend
Only Harold ...
Big, but about 40m away.Hunting season, he may not be around next week...
Big, but about 40m away.Hunting season, he may not be around next week...
not just great, pure brilliant. I'm never posting one of mine again.
Great shots - cropped at all?
Been hankering for the 400mm f/5.6 to go with my 7D for a while now, but just haven't got out to shoot much so can't really justify it.
seagulls
Seagull (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_eagle)
Helped my brother with this, all filmed recently at a local quarry.
https://vimeo.com/128588754
I'll only try and kill you once and then never again.
I haven't been climbing very long but it totally was, I have a great set of memories, it really is quite a special place.
Just home movies stuff on my compact
The ones on my in-laws' often seem to land and spend a fair while amongst the crops. I was pretty surprised at this.
Barn Owl, first I've ever seen in the wild. On the slopes between speedwell and peak cavern nr Castleton. Landed on the ground a few times which I thought was unusual behavior as it hadn't appeared to have caught anything. Then disappeared up cowlow nick.
Nice.
Got to the rising sun to find one of the guest ales was 'Barn Owl'. It would have been rude not to.
You never forget your first bee orchid. Pretty remarkable aren't they?
Peregrine seems tame, what focal length was that?
Thought they were quite rare in the UK, but seems they're doing ok, although not as common as some other species.
You never forget your first bee orchid. Pretty remarkable aren't they?
QUARTERING - A slow, low hunting flight used over open land by such birds as Barn Owls or Marsh Harriers.
Size is tricky (as it is in flight anyway - few distance cues)
Putting Steinadler into Google translate gives golden eagle. Nice! Lots of eagle spotting going on!
Golden eagles aren't light brown though, not even juveniles. Several other eagles and buzzards are, maybe try a guide. Short-toed at a guess, but not sure about range.
but the kite is a good tick!
but the kite is a good tick!
Silly amount of Red Kites around Leeds, starting to see them more often over the more built up areas and not just the outskirts.
I think they were introduced to the Harewood Estate not too long ago.
2 (presumably) buzzards soaring high over the uni area in central sheffield at the moment.
2 (presumably) buzzards soaring high over the uni area in central sheffield at the moment.
I've been keeping an eye out and chatting with the locals and the general opinion is that these were rock-fax beta hawks.
On closer inspection it is clear that they are a member of the vulture family which has learned to scavenge information on a large scale - similar behaviour to the european topo cuckoo, but much bigger
Not much of note up in Teesdale (usual meadow pippits, peewits etc) bar a rather sad encounter with a rabbit at Grassholme reservoir. Was working my way along the bank fishing when I startled a rabbit out form the bankside, it took to the water and swam alongside me for a bit. It didn't look too happy so I sped up to allow it to get back on to the bank which it did. Upon my return walking back towards the car I had a look out for it but couldn't see it and assumed it had scarpered. Five minutes later I spotted some weird splashing further up the bank which transpired to be said rabbit drowning! It spent a few minutes lunging about and then became still and floated a long for a bit before sinking to no doubt provide a substantial feed for the myriad crayfish that inhabit the reservoir...
Bad photo of soon to be dead rabbit swimming!
4 days of driving from Anchorage, Alaska to Spokane, Washington:What a haul! Did you weigh the sheep or was it an estimate?
5 brown bear(closest we could have reached out the window of the car and touched)
4 black Bear
1 Wolf
2 Foxes
?? Buffalo(lost count after 30)
6 Caribou
4 Moose
4 Mountain Goats
1 Porcupine
14 Stone Mountain Sheep
Good Tally :)
One for sorrow.
Two for joy.
Three for a girl.
Four for a boy.
Also lots of squirrel, chipmunks things.
Robin bastard...
Was it you we passed on our way to the car then?
wanted to feed a bird from my hand!
http://vimeo.com/153958143Awesome.
That's awesome. It must be a right laugh for the birds :dance1:
Wild boar up at Isatis Hautes Plaines just off the path above the Millenium block at dusk a couple of days ago. First one I've seen in the forest.
Wild boar up at Isatis Hautes Plaines just off the path above the Millenium block at dusk a couple of days ago. First one I've seen in the forest.
very cool
how far away from you?
Bit like Alien vs Predator.
Peregrine Falcon(s) above Helsby yesterday..
Not quite the same but there are Peregrines atop Trellick Tower (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower) just nearby. It's funny hearing a familiar countryside sound in Zone 2.
I think they're pretty common in cities these days - perhaps even encouraged to keep the pigeon and other feral birds at bay.
I drove along the M40 on Thursday and the Kite population was impressive.
Adders at Curbar apparently....
like this?
quite a bit bigger than 20cm
(http://s31.postimg.org/6bxqi9urf/IMG_0182a.jpg)
coypu in Milly
my middle child established a friendship with the biggest R.O.U.S
Not a sighting, but I heard my first Nightjar ever in the Burbage valley this week. Amazing sound. This species was one of the hopes of clearing the plantation, so good to know it has had near instant success.
There's a Grey Wagtail nesting on the bottom ramp line of the 6a+ version of Max Pact and the 6c+ 'The Max Works'. The nest is hidden and has four eggs in it. We unknowingly climbed up there today and scared the bird off the nest, it went back on when we down climbed and left. I think it'll def abandon the nest if several people climb up there. Grey Wagtails are on the 'Red' conservation list meaning they've suffered severe declines over recent years, so please don't climb near these routes and ideally not near there either. Anyone know who the Access/ Conservation Officer for BMC is for Cheedale? Share the word, would hate to see these little guys abandon their nest... thanks :-)
Saw a couple of cavorting dolphins off the Great Orme on Saturday, well good! Sea creatures are the best :-)
I saw 6 ish red kites all together on the way back from Leeds airport!
lagers - was just thinking of Yellowhammers the other day and how I hadn't seen one in years.
Nearly puntered you for that!
A decent wildlifing weekend:
A Merlin! We spotted this small flighty bird at the end of Knapdale Peninsula. We instinctively thought "falcon" but then so small... neither of us even knew what a Merlin was, but we're now sure that was it. :2thumbsup:
We also saw a nice big black and yellow dragonfly:
The Dragonfly is a Golden-ringed - the biggest British insect by length. Quite common on the west coast, I've seen them on Skye before.
Any other Harry Potter-esque goings on?
There's shit loads of young magenpies knocking about this year for some reason...
There's shit loads of young magenpies knocking about this year for some reason...
word!
I seem to recall posting on here about seeing 20 or so on the house opposite one morning. all a bit hitchcock.
There's too many off them IMHO. Keep digging everything up in the garden, they're slowing raveshing, the place. Had the eggs out of the blackbird nest in our garden too. Feckers. Couple of them are really mangy too, feathers are in really poor nick.
Seriously thinking of borrowing a neighbours air rifle and having a bit of a cull. >:(
Definitely not kestrels. Didn't fly like one and were bigger. They were next to the trees really, flying out over the heathland and then darting back in. Looked like they might have been hunting pigeons, trying to scare them out of the trees. It was about the size of a buzzard but much sleeker. Thinner wings, slim square tail. Can't think what else it could be. It was the sort of bird that really made me stand up and look, not something you see every day.
Definitely not an owl. Long eared owls are unmistakeable. They have heavier bodies and quite braod (though long) wings. They also have obvious 'owl' faces. This was a quick flying bird, changing direction rapidly. Thin long wings, thin long body and squarish tail. It also had a small head. Darting in and out of the woods at mid-tree height. Skirting round the edges mostly, and quickly charging in and out. Speckled white and brown plumage.
If i'd been somewhere else I would have had no doubts.
Definitely not an owl. Long eared owls are unmistakeable. They have heavier bodies and quite braod (though long) wings. They also have obvious 'owl' faces. This was a quick flying bird, changing direction rapidly. Thin long wings, thin long body and squarish tail. It also had a small head. Darting in and out of the woods at mid-tree height. Skirting round the edges mostly, and quickly charging in and out. Speckled white and brown plumage.
Not a goshawk. Wrong shape. They're a bit more solid I think.
peewits are so cool
I'm sure this is pretty routine but yesterday watched from close quarters as a heron took a fish. It was fascinating to watch.Is this commentary on the US presidential debate? ;)
I'm sure this is pretty routine
99.9% sure I saw a merlin at Burbage bridge this morning. Had a quick look on RSPB site and youtube videos when I got in and I'm pretty convinced. I was in the car but stopped when I saw it. It dashed into the road, back over some heather and then crossed the road in front of me before shooting off towards the Cowperstone. The .1% uncertainty is because a) I'd not seen one before b) I understood them to be pretty shy and restricted to wilder areas such as Bleaklow etc, and Burbage bridge seemed a little unlikely. I guess it could be on its way to coastal wintering habitat? Anyhow, look out for it if you're up there. Smaller than a kestrel, low dashing flight, the male (which I saw) has a dark blue/grey back. If anyone else has seen one in the vicinity it would be good to know, if only to eliminate the .1%!
Thanks JB that's good to know. Tempted to post in the YYFY thread I'm that pleased to have finally seen one!Was walking near foxhouse on Sunday and also saw what I now (in part as a result of this thread) believe likely to have a been a male Merlin. Blue on top more solid brown underneath than a sparrowhawk?
Up there with tree creepers as best bird named after what they do
cranes
Or pigeons...
I've never quite lived down being on the beach at Angel Bay and confidently shouting "kestrel" only be roundly abused by all and sundry as the "kestrel" alighted on the beach a few feet away looking much more like a pigeon :-[
Crap photo
By the way, sad news for all raptor fans, and possibly Malham-ites in particular:
http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/14802907.Police_probe_continuing_into_killing_of_Peregrine_Falcon_in_the_Dales/ (http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/14802907.Police_probe_continuing_into_killing_of_Peregrine_Falcon_in_the_Dales/)
anyone know much about the range / population density of peregrines - whether the killed bird was likely one of those that frequents the cove?
Really pleased to finally get a shot of the Goldcrest in my garden, it moves so quickly and rarely comes out into the clear. Not a perfect shot, but best I've got for now.Fucksake, we live in the same place, I've taken out a second mortgage to finance feeders and seed yet all I've got in my garden are sparrows and
I was watching it a wren at the same time, waiting for one of the buggers to be properly visible.
What sort of camera are you using ?
Fucksake, we live in the same place, I've taken out a second mortgage to finance feeders and seed yet all I've got in my garden are sparrows andkestrelspigeons.
I'd love to try a 5d mk3, but the cost of the glass goes through the roof then when you lose the crop factor.
Enormous flock of starlings now roosting in the trees in the school near our house, probably a hundred at least. Didn't do a full murmuration but quite an impressive display of flying before they roosted, maybe the numbers will grow.
Saw a truly magnificent Great Blue Heron on a walk this morning, sat calmly on a dead tree trunk beside a semi-urban river. In scale a completely different beast to any heron I've seen in Britain.
Saw a truly magnificent Great Blue Heron on a walk this morning, sat calmly on a dead tree trunk beside a semi-urban river. In scale a completely different beast to any heron I've seen in Britain.
How does it stack up to one these height wise;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoebill
They are bastard big birds, look like something crossed between Pixar and Prehistoric.
Spotted some huge black geese (?) in Weston park the other day
Could they have been black swans?
👍 (thumbs up symbol)
Sent from me pyar sic fone lid...
👍 (thumbs up symbol)
Sent from me pyar sic fone lid...
Went for a closer look at lunch today. I think they are actually cayuga ducks which apparently is a domestic strain of mallard. There were some others which seemed like some kind of hybrid as well.
My Mrs saw a kingfisher in Bingham park this week.
Family of deer that just through the neighbourhood
70+ Waxwings 50 yds from work in Sheffield S2 Thurs
Ha! Unmistakable noise :) We've had a couple of breeding colonies in the 'Pool for 8 years now...
Feeling delighted this morning as I came a cross a Tawny Owl in the local park (urban - 1.4 miles from the town centre) on my way to work. It was dark but it's outline was clearly visible in a tree and it responded loudly to my bird app... Felt a bit guilty for using the app afterwards in case it was a lonely male trying to hoot up a female and I had given him false hope... :-[
Do you live in my area?
just as it was getting dark, I saw a flock of 50+ pied wagtails in B&Q car park - not seen this before
Popped in to RSPB Conwy on Sunday PM and the starlings were still doing their thing even in frankly awful weather...
Cheers, Found the facebook group thanks to Johnny Brown. Apparently Cavendish mill has been inactive for a couple of weeks now so will have to wait till next year
thinner than a kestrel with wings angled more backwards, flying around close to the ground
@Andy Popp - very jealous. Have you seen any deadly vipers/scorpions/things that might harm you?
Had a quick walk on Blacka Moor yesterday evening, saw a kestrel sized bird, but thinner than a kestrel with wings angled more backwards, flying around close to the ground. Really cool to watch. Any ideas what it was?
Had a quick walk on Blacka Moor yesterday evening, saw a kestrel sized bird, but thinner than a kestrel with wings angled more backwards, flying around close to the ground. Really cool to watch. Any ideas what it was?
Hobby fits the description better but unlikely to be back from Africa yet. Any more info on the behaviour?
Had a quick walk on Blacka Moor yesterday evening, saw a kestrel sized bird, but thinner than a kestrel with wings angled more backwards, flying around close to the ground. Really cool to watch. Any ideas what it was?
Hmm, behaviour sounds like Merlin but they are quite a bit smaller and bulkier for the size. Hobby fits the description better but unlikely to be back from Africa yet. Any more info on the behaviour?
It was sat on a wall and darted off across the moor once we got close. It flew quite erratically, darting around no more than 2 foot or so above the ground.
Global warming I guess.
My dad has seen a few white mountain hares up by Redmires recently, I haven't unfortunately.
The female fox has now been joined by a male - she seems to be a lot braver/hungrier than him though.
Saw a red kite yesterday over the Carneddau.I had a red kite sighting a few weekends ago too, over the Long Mynd in Shropshire - first time I'd seen one away from Harewood House and surrounds.
Was one buzzing about over Armley in Leeds a couple of weeks ago, apparently wander over that way from Harewood House a bit.They're almost common around Harewood now - I was lucky enough to see one catching prey at Almscliff in the rough ground down from Black Wall/Dreamland. Also seen one as far east as the Yorkshire Wolds, around Bishop Wilton about half an hour east of York.
http://harewood.org/explore/bird-garden/bird/red-kites/
Our garden has been full of cardinals and there's all kinds of birdsong I don't recognise. Really starting to wish I wasn't such an ignoramus about these things.
Burbage South, circled around a few times, shouting its name:
Nice. Seen otters round there too Dave, just down to the north of Rhue Lighthouse on Loch Broom side, and friend saw one catching fish off Bouldering Cliff.
Nice. Seen otters round there too Dave, just down to the north of Rhue Lighthouse on Loch Broom side, and friend saw one catching fish off Bouldering Cliff.
That reminds me that we saw an otter in a local river a couple of weeks ago (first time I've seen one in the wild) and another Great Blue Heron yesterday - they are something else.
+1. Strong contender for the list of my favourite birds.
Fantastic.
Where was that? I haven’t got a decent shot of a kingfisher in the UK.
Non climbing highlights from last week's Font trip were two straggler swallows, a load of Woodpeckers in the forest and best of all, brilliant views of a male Hen Harrier hunting over fields outside Tousson!
The description of the bird sounds like a cough but I'm not very familiar with their behaviour. However ravens, their close relatives, do paired aerial diplays around this time of year to look for a mate, so perhaps coughs do similar? Can't think what else it might be.Woops!, Cough = chough!
Spotted three song thrush fledglings today (two separate places) in Sheffield. Is that normal seems a bit early for chicks to be fledging?
The cold may also make them exhibit unusually tame and seemingly naive behaviour.
I'm sure it wasn't a seagull
been treated to some brilliant, regular views of a male hen harrier hunting over the fields in the triangle between Milly, Malsherbes and Champmotteux
fairly sure I saw a female hen harrier between Milly and Cely (I was driving, but flight and wing movements said "harrier" and colour was not a male or a marsh)
Not seen the bees, but did see a Hen Harrier quartering the ground behind the Cowper stone on Saturday evening.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1724/42699688682_daf63d63d4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/284e4P1)IMGL0978 (https://flic.kr/p/284e4P1) by Tim Russon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/97014723@N07/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1724/42699688682_daf63d63d4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/284e4P1)IMGL0978 (https://flic.kr/p/284e4P1) by Tim Russon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/97014723@N07/), on Flickr
Do you do this professionally i.e. do you sell to magazines etc.
If not, why not!!!
Do you ever enter WLPOTY? To my untrained eye your shots are as good as many of the "urban view" ones in there.
Florida
I think ravens are pretty unlikely in Nether edge tbh, although crows do look big close up, ravens look huge. I think a lot of folk confuse jackdaws for crows, which are much smaller. Not always easy to tell though, there's a corvid researcher on twitter who runs a weekly 'crow or no' photo challenge.
Think Nai managed some decent photos of the Eccleshall ones...
Where do you live to get a Tawny in your garden!!?!
Great discovery Adam! There have been several swallow sightings reported already this year and I saw both my first butterflies and bumblebees over the weekend too!!
I didn't know there was a Cartenega in Colombia too, I thought you were in Spain!
We had wandering round town centre when we were in Squamish.
Squamish is one thing, but its distinctly not the norm in this part of PA.
Squamish is one thing, but its distinctly not the norm in this part of PA.
OK, no idea how deep in the boondocks you actually are!
Probably not exciting to anyone else but we had a few goldfinches in the new garden this weekend. Beutiful birds.
Also, if anyone has any tips on a squirrel proof birdfeeder..........
the rat just sat there.
Over the Christmas period we've seen: a kingfisher on the canal, a huge owl sat on top of a telegraph pole outside our house, and a pheasant in the back garden (in suburban Bingley. WTF?)
Exciting times for the little owls
Lots of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps in my local park at the moment and an increasing resident population of Parakeets.
It’s not particularly exciting but I saw a Dipper yesterday, down the Porter Valley. I was surprised how much it cheered me up.
Lucky buggers - only ever seen one otter at that was a great distance at Leighton Moss last winter
Deer on Stanage.. Walked up from home yesterday and there was a lone doe strolling along the long causeway!.
We were with some London friends who were totally amazed, i told them it was a badger.
Just watching 4 hares in the field next door boxing.Ah jealous! Only been lucky enough to see this once.
There seems to be at least 10 hares at anyone time in the field, which has shoots beginning to show. I can remember when just seeing a hare was an event.Just watching 4 hares in the field next door boxing.Ah jealous! Only been lucky enough to see this once.
If anyone really wants the otter tick (after it's all over), Mull is amazing, plus you get eagles too, and a munro.
There seems to be at least 10 hares at anyone time in the field, which has shoots beginning to show. I can remember when just seeing a hare was an event.Just watching 4 hares in the field next door boxing.Ah jealous! Only been lucky enough to see this once.
If anyone really wants the otter tick (after it's all over), Mull is amazing, plus you get eagles too, and a munro.
We stayed near Bowden for Feb half-term and the hares were a real treat.All heavily keepered. I have not seen a fox up here in years but used to see them a lot. Guess in some weird way they used to leave them for the hunts to chase but now just shoot them all.
Broadly, though, I was a bit surprised and disappointed at the wildlife inland, huge empty green fields, pheasant feeders along every hedgerow and copse, just pheasants everywhere, and then at night - rats! Fucking rats all over the roads, no doubt living off the pheasant grain.
And even more weirdly there is a male american wood duck on the canal.
Goldfinches in the neighbourhood for the first time. Seen a few this week (or the same one several times).
Spring migrants can turn up anywhere at this time of year. We've had a Common Sandpiper, Pied Flycatcher and Snipe turn up in our exceedingly urban and busy park in the last few weeks...
Anyone seen a Swift yet? Plenty of Swallows and House Martins around these ways but Swifts are my favourite
Anyone seen a Swift yet? Plenty of Swallows and House Martins around these ways but Swifts are my favourite :)The swifts have arrived down here in Reading, cheers me up seeing them whirling around overhead.
Roe or Red? Very rarely seen roe around, but the red deer herd around there is long established, possibly escaped from Chatsworth. The downside is that the increase in numbers in recent years is infesting the area with ticks.
Roe or Red? Very rarely seen roe around, but the red deer herd around there is long established, possibly escaped from Chatsworth. The downside is that the increase in numbers in recent years is infesting the area with ticks.
I think probably Red because they are quite shaggy, but didn't think we had Red in England just Scotland. Their heard must have been huge then because I've seen a group on their estate too recently
Yeah We picked up lots of ticks on Big Moor yesterday but maybe that’s from the cows as well as the deer??
Adder on Big Moor. Pretty sure I’ve only ever seen an Adder once before. It was pretty chunky maybe 4cm in diameter.
as well as the usual bloody gulls.
I saw what I think was a large muntjac deer whilst out for a run in the woods up near my house (near beauchief golf course in sheffield) a couple of nights ago. I wasnt sure what it was at first as i only caught a glimpse but after a suggestion from a strava friend from my description I'm pretty sure it was a muntjac. Pretty cool!I wish muntjac were rare around here. They can mostly be found darting out of hedges on to the country roads at full speed. I've lost count of the number of times that emergency braking has been needed to avoid a collision.
I was walking at Stanage North last night and saw a bright white, very tiny rabbit-like thing. Googling suggests a Mountain Hare? But I thought they'd be in summer colour by now.Albino kit?
Does anyone have any ideas?
Didn't even know pine martins strolled, let alone walked dogs :)Very droll :clap2:
Albino kit?
Keep your eyes peeled for a massive vulture in the Peak, probable Lammergeier about, been seen Edale, Goyt and today Curbar.
Aren't they from East Africa? How has one got to the peak?!
Aren't they from East Africa? How has one got to the peak?!
Aren't they from East Africa? How has one got to the peak?!
Wow, thats amazing. Think you get them in the Pyrenees too.
Imagine having an epic on a route at Curbar and that flies past. Talk about ominous.
Wow, thats amazing. Think you get them in the Pyrenees too.
Saw my first wild bald eagle in Yellowstone as we were driving. Also saw a load of bears but thought the eagle was more impressive. Apologies if abroad is off topic!
Keep your eyes peeled for a massive vulture in the Peak, probable Lammergeier about, been seen Edale, Goyt and today Curbar.
Just past Rubicon too!
Were its central tail feathers missing? I hear the lammergyer is easily recognisable on this basis (as well as the fact it's massive).
Think I saw it above Bamford yesterday. Cant def say, but seemed bloody big for a buzzard.
Sam, if it was in the UK, they are the same thing.
I took the canal route home from nursery drop off this morning and saw the kingfisher again. There was a birdwatcher standing there looking at it through his binoculars. It was very peaceful - a cold, frosty morning.
I then realised that birdwatching is a recreational or leisure activity so I pushed the birdwatcher in the canal. He started to swim, so that was fine.
No idea why you'd reach straight for goshawk, but it looks far too small. The tracks leading in look more consistent with grouse.
That is a pretty good list.
We had the usual great/blue/coal tits, dunnocks, starlings etc. Bullfinch was nice, but wren, goldfinch and goldcrest were MIA.
For anyone in Sheffield, there is a very convenient Tawny owl which has taken up daytime residence directly over a pavement and busy road in Crosspool. I wouldn't normally mention the location of a bird, particularly an owl, but this one doesn't seem concerned by all the traffic and interested passers-by as it's been there for about 3 weeks now.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50888800792_72da47a85b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kwSpx7)Tawny owl (https://flic.kr/p/2kwSpx7) by Tim Russon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/timrusson/), on Flickr
Are you saying it's not a goshawk, it's a grouse? Or that it's not a goshawk; there's also grouse tracks?
Fully white stoat as well this morning plus a normal coloured one, not together in two different log piles both disturbed by my dog. Anyone know why some change colour and others dont.
Is this in Denmark?
Such erratic looking flight.
Very distant and heavily cropped picture, but it does show the immense size of the sea eagle - that is a buzzard attacking it!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51243048409_fa61ed653d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m5b21D)IMGL1691 (https://flic.kr/p/2m5b21D) by Tim Russon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/timrusson/), on Flickr
You don't actually take these shots do you Tim,, tell me you just go on google images and pull some shit off the blue planet website right??
[only joking, they're flippin' amazing]
Very distant and heavily cropped picture, but it does show the immense size of the sea eagle - that is a buzzard attacking it!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51243048409_fa61ed653d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m5b21D)IMGL1691 (https://flic.kr/p/2m5b21D) by Tim Russon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/timrusson/), on Flickr
Buzzards are aggressive bastards. I have never been bothered by neither the white tailed nor the golden eagle when climbing in Scandinavia, but I have had a rough-legged buzzard closer do to me what it did to the eagle above. Turned around a few cm from my face when I was on a route.
Two encounters with wild boar today, both times sows with a couple of piglets on tow, the second also had a rather large Daddy boar with them. They're big!
Tons of chiff chaff around at the moment. I only know since I've recently learnt to identify the call and suddenly they're everywhere
Saw a roe deer (which isn't particularly on it's own) in the middle of Mossley. At 9am in the morning with everyone busy rushing around. Didn't seem that bothered, was on a little cobbled footpath. Just shows that deer are everywhere, just usually much better at hiding.
The Collins Bird Guide app is pricey but well worth it - you get the best book in a very usable format plus calls for most.
Suggest Bullfinches and Goldcrest next if you don't know them - they used to be prized sightings but now I hear them every day.
The Collins Bird Guide app is pricey but well worth it - you get the best book in a very usable format plus calls for most.
Not sure I’ve ever seen a goldcrest though.
Just saw my first swifts of the year. Lovely. The sound of them especially makes me think of summer.
Also recently saw loads of sand martins over the boating pond in Stamford Park in Stalybridge. Had never noticed them there before. Wonder if they are there all summer long.
Interestingly about a week ago saw two ring-necked parakeets flying over the centre of Stalybridge. I know there is a decent population in South Manchester, but they must be spreading out this direction too. Hard to know how to feel about them. I kind of like them since they are colourful, charismatic and noisy, but I do appreciate they are an invasive species which is not usually a good thing.
Tons of chiff chaff around at the moment. I only know since I've recently learnt to identify the call and suddenly they're everywhere. Mainly Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Endcliffe/Bingham parks in Sheffield.
Just saw my first swifts of the year. Lovely. The sound of them especially makes me think of summer.
Also recently saw loads of sand martins over the boating pond in Stamford Park in Stalybridge. Had never noticed them there before. Wonder if they are there all summer long.
Interestingly about a week ago saw two ring-necked parakeets flying over the centre of Stalybridge. I know there is a decent population in South Manchester, but they must be spreading out this direction too. Hard to know how to feel about them. I kind of like them since they are colourful, charismatic and noisy, but I do appreciate they are an invasive species which is not usually a good thing.
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/ring-necked-parakeets-in-london-and-uk.html
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/policy-insight/species/invasive-non-native-species/ring-necked-parakeets/
Gist seems to be that a wary eye is being kept because they could potentially crowd out native species from various niches, but they've been here for a while and don't seem to be having a major negative impact so far at least.
Might as well enjoy them, since they're here! The ones in Kensington Gardens have trained the tourists to feed them at a specific tree; if you go there and hold out birdseed in your hands, they'll fly down and perch all over you.
Red kite in dronfield. Never seen one even in the peak before. This one was circling over the fields near my house.
Red kite in dronfield. Never seen one even in the peak before. This one was circling over the fields near my house.Nice! I've seen one in the Peak once, just north of Monyash, three or so years back.
I probably see more red kites than kestrels and buzzards whenever I drive north of Leeds, but have probably seen less than 5 in more than 20 years in the peak.
I think that's because the Harewood estate lead the charge on the reintroduction programme. According to my grandfather Kites were colloquially called sh*te hawk, as they would eat anything including the excrement thrown onto the streets from bedpans.
Not sure this is quite the right place , but was at moat butress last night and was treated to a very very low fly by from two Apache Gunship Helicopters. Litterally just above the butress. Reckon if you were on the path that runs over the top of the crag, you'd have been in danger of being chopped by the blades.. probably an exageration, but thats how it felt, it was nuts.
Came over the top of the crag, and then banked hard right and dissapeared around the corner.
Anyone else see them about, wondering if they went all the way up the river, past Raven Tor and Cheedale?
Just saw a little egret in the Chew Valley, between Mossley and Greenfield. I knew they were expanding northwards and have seen them by the coast on the Wirral but definitely did not expect to see one on the edge of the Peak!
Nice!
The Wirral, and Parkgate / Burton Mere in particular almost guarantee all egret species these days and Spoonbills were a regular feature in 2022.
Parkgate is such a good spot for Marsh Harriers, rarer though regular Hen Harriers, Short Eared Owls, Barnies and Merlin. Very lucky to have it half an hour away!
Just saw a little egret in the Chew Valley, between Mossley and Greenfield. I knew they were expanding northwards and have seen them by the coast on the Wirral but definitely did not expect to see one on the edge of the Peak!
Nice! See them quite regularly on the Aire near Skipton, not sure if I keep seeing the same ones or if there’s a few, looks like RSPB need to update their map! https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/little-egret/
This is a first. A Red Kite flying above our house in suburban Bingley!
This is a first. A Red Kite flying above our house in suburban Bingley!
That's a coincidence, yesterday I saw one above Ilkley. I've seen a lot of them above Arthington / Huby / North Rigton (i.e. Almscliff area), but I think Ilkley is the furthest I've seen one from the release centre in Harewood. Nice to see their range increasing.
This is a first. A Red Kite flying above our house in suburban Bingley!
That's a coincidence, yesterday I saw one above Ilkley. I've seen a lot of them above Arthington / Huby / North Rigton (i.e. Almscliff area), but I think Ilkley is the furthest I've seen one from the release centre in Harewood. Nice to see their range increasing.
That's surprising. Was at Ben Rhydding sports club a few months back and there were a few of them, at least four patroling the fields and hedgerows either side of the club and more along the road as you went further back towards Otley. Locals didn't seem fussed, got the feeling it was common to see them.
Heard a Cuckoo this morning. No Swifts yet tho.
A Thicket in Lleyn by RS Thomas
I was no tree walking.
I was still. They ignored me,
the birds, the migrants
on their way south. They re-leafed
the trees, budding them
with their notes. They filtered through
the boughs like sunlight,
looked at me from three feet
off, their eyes blackberry bright.,
not seeing me, not detaching me
from the withies, where I was
caged and they free.
They would have perched
on me, had I nourishment
in my fissures. As it was
they netted me in their shadows,
brushed me with sound, feathering the arrows
of their own bows, and were gone,
leaving me to reflect on the answer
to a question I had not asked.
'A repetition in time of the eternal
I AM.' Say it. Don't be shy.
Escape from your mortal cage
in thought. Your migrations will never
be over. Between two truths
there is only the mind to fly with.
Navigate by such stars as are not
leaves falling from life's
deciduous tree, but spray from the fountain
of the imagination, endlessly
replenishing itself out of its own waters.
I listened to a programme on radio 4 where the Danish Mink farmers were claiming that what they were doing in farming mink was environmentally friendly as mink fur was bio degradable. As the alternative I.e. fake fur which is plastic is not.
I leave you to make your own opinion.
It's an American Mink (European mink have never been recorded here), an escapee from farming. Until Covid Denmark had the world's largest mink farming industry. Then they all got Covid and were destroyed - the industry was just eradicated. It nearly brought down the government because of the way it was handled.Mink farms are very dangerous as a breading ground for new variant viruses that can easily hop back and forth between them and humans. Mink haven't evolved to live crammed together in close quarters. They seem to match humans for virus compatibility.
A badger in the garden (S10) just now!
Between 6 and 10 waxwings around Manchester Road in Crosspool at the moment for Sheffield folk.