Today's Wildlife Encounter

Walking in the Doethie valley yesterday, watched a pair of Cuckoos working along the valley together. Hopping from post to post, looking in the grass etc. - presumably searching for nests? Other little birds (too far to identify species) were really giving them some stick and chasing the pair away. I haven't seen a pair of cuckoos together for many years. Also heard (but couldn't see) a cricket warbler, are these potential "victims" for the Cuckoos, like the Reed warblers?

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Originally Posted by L.F.F.

Was running a bit too close to comfort to some of these last night:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._the_grass.jpg

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There is a herd of Longhorn cattle in a field where I regularly go. Big Bill the Bull is as placid as a pussy cat and doesn't mind people at all.

A young dipper learning to dip in the Wharfe. Just brilliant!!

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Originally Posted by molehill

Walking in the Doethie valley yesterday, watched a pair of Cuckoos working along the valley together. Hopping from post to post, looking in the grass etc. - presumably searching for nests? Other little birds (too far to identify species) were really giving them some stick and chasing the pair away. I haven't seen a pair of cuckoos together for many years. Also heard (but couldn't see) a cricket warbler, are these potential "victims" for the Cuckoos, like the Reed warblers?

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My RSPB book says dunnock, meadow pipit and reed warbler are most common 'hosts' for cuckoo Moley, although over a hundred species have been noted

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Originally Posted by molehill

...Also heard (but couldn't see) a cricket warbler...

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I take it that you mean Grasshopper Warbler? http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/bird...ler/index.aspx

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Originally Posted by wharfeego

I take it that you mean Grasshopper Warbler? http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/bird...ler/index.aspx

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That would be them, I was on the right track! Have heard them in several places in Wales over the summer months (can't mistake the call), but never really clapped eyes on one up close.
Sad to see so few cuckoos these days, becoming something of a rarity in such a short time.
Swifts have arrived Friday.

"Groppers" are very hard to spot...they skulk about in dense undergrowth.

Sad that Cuckoos are declining. Even sadder that the human race is increasing!

Attachment 4675 Never managed to put a picture on here before, see if this one works - mating sloworms from our garden (2 years ago I think).

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Originally Posted by molehill

Attachment 4675 Never managed to put a picture on here before, see if this one works - mating sloworms from our garden (2 years ago I think).

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Good effort, it's been a long time since I saw some of these.

My wildlife encounter for the weekend was the entire family (and I mean all of them) of the girlfriend for her grand dads 90th birthday. Despite being 90 he sure knows how to put the whisky away!!! :w00t:

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Originally Posted by XRunner

There is a herd of Longhorn cattle in a field where I regularly go. Big Bill the Bull is as placid as a pussy cat and doesn't mind people at all.

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Yes, to be honest they didn't hardly move when I was going past. They're in this local country park pretty much year round. Lovely creatures, but intimidating looking.