Today's Wildlife Encounter

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Originally Posted by Al Fowler

It was screaming, just couldnt think of the right descriptive word....but screaming sums it up perfect.;)

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Swift it is then, young Al!

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Originally Posted by The Navigator

Swift it is then, young Al!

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One of my very fave birds - Julian Barnes talks about 'swifting' in one of his books - basically sitting outside a carefully selected pub in the summer, drinking real ale whilst watching and listening to swifts tear about outside screaming. The Fleece, up the road from me, is ideal!! ;):D

First Wheatears of the year today - spotted whilst recceing the last bit of the JNC. Also saw Joss with his 2 dogs!

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

First Wheatears of the year today...

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bit late there GB...check my Wheatear post on 22nd March:)

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Originally Posted by Runningfox

...came across as many as ten of these fox snares, mostly set in sheep 'trods' or in vehicle tracks where people and sheep walk - and where I run. It's not on!!!

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Free-running snares aren't illegal...'owever they should not be set in places where non-target animals could be caught. Legally they have to be checked daily...preferably soon after dawn then again before dusk to prevent prolonged distress of the held animal...it's the same with any type of trap really.

Seems like the snares you've come across could be illegally set?

If in doubt you need to report such incidences to your local Police Wildlife Liaison Officer.

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Originally Posted by The Navigator

Churping doesn't sound like a swift Al - more like a swallow.

'Screaming' is a more accurate description of a swift.

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http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/bird...wift/index.asp

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Originally Posted by wharfeego

bit late there GB...check my Wheatear post on 22nd March:)

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Blimey! Do you expect me to read every post on this thread? Mind you, I was surprised how late it was that I saw my first this year.

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Originally Posted by wharfeego

Seems like the snares you've come across could be illegally set? If in doubt you need to report such incidences to your local Police Wildlife Liaison Officer.

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Done that. I've an appointment with our local widlife officer in a few days time. I also had a word with the farmer who had sheep near the snares.

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Originally Posted by Runningfox

Done that. I've an appointment with our local widlife officer in a few days time. I also had a word with the farmer who had sheep near the snares.

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nice wun dog fox...or r u a vixen?:D

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Originally Posted by wharfeego

nice wun dog fox...or r u a vixen?:D

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A very old dog fox!