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Swifts
Poo.
On last nights run I came across a 2/3 inch long grey stringy coloured piece of excretion. It was slightly bulbous in middle. When I broke it open there were no bones in it just fur or hair you'd expect to find on a vole or mouse. I think owls excrete in pellet form. What do you reckon was responsible for it, kestrel, peregrine, merlin?
Fox...?Quote:
Originally Posted by William Clough
It could have been Steve, thinking on it would be quite large for a bird. It was by Cluther Rocks where the old millstones are.
Bingo! I found this photo of fox scat here.http://www.derbyshiremammalgroup.com...on/fox_id.html
Attachment 8428
Cheers Steve.
"It could have been Steve"
Bit harsh on Steve perhaps?
Very good!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennings
Bullfinches.
Seen a few of them lately. I really like them. Bright salmon rump and unashamedly rotund.
Harsh, but fair! I have left the occasional (buried) deposit on Kinder over the years - though never at Cluther Rocks...Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennings
Cheers...
The Grey Wagtails nesting at Mossgill Cave were lovely today. I always wonder why they are not called yellow?
Had a lapwing flying alongside us this morning calling at us noisily, must have been with us a few minutes, just on the other side of a wall but at eye level as we climbed up towards Pennine Way/Ashop
Matt, google yellow wagtail and if you have a spare half day nip up to Kettlewell or Arncliffe and check out the river bank. This time of year is perfect. We saw several a couple of years ago at StarbottonQuote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
If you're really interested get the Birdwatching walks in the Yorkshire Dales book. There's a walk in that called something like Three Wagtails. Its a beautiful outing up to and beyond the head of Littondale. God's country proper!
All for the sake of a few rich b4stards who enjoy blasting Red Grouse from the sky.
Please sign the petition in this link…
https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wo...national-park/
Is this a different petition from the one linked in your earlier post on 3rd May (which I have already signed)?Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
Hi DT, Sorry I meant at Mossdale cave, nesting in the cliffs. A sad place, but a lovely bird. Having looked at the book I'm sure it was a grey. Didn't know yellow were around Wharfedale, will certainly keep my eye's open.
On the moors there is a track from the shooting house in Mossdale over to Capplestone Gate and along this there is a wrecked Bird of Prey trap. A big wire mesh and wood construction, like a lobster pot for raptors. Good to see it's demise.
Sounds like a Larsen trap for magpies.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
Same petition Anthony. Please share the link with anyone and everyone.Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
Large, legal crow trap - sometimes used illegally for raptors by using a live white pigeon/dove decoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
Major disaster in the peak today.
Top of Derwent valley(ladybower) has been consumed by a serious moorland fire caused by a disposable BBQ
1000' square meters of moor burnt out just at the start of nesting season, a park ranger and fire officer hurt whilst fight blaze..
more info on the ladybower facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/STWLadybower/?pnref=story
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/video-...laze-1-7901527
Thanks, that's a good tip, I'll try it. Local goshawks and buzzards are playing havoc with everyone's chickens. 🐔🐓Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
Try it, you may end up in jail though.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
I could do with one of these crow traps. My tortoise has just spent a few days at the vets having been given a really bad pecking by a crow. Lost a lot of blood and the vet wasn't sure he was going to survive. Came back with stitches to one of its legs. Its not the first time the crow has had a go at him, and we think a fox also had a go at him a few years back. Looks like he'll be caged up a bit now rather than just roaming the garden.
Sorry to hear that Dominion, we have to keep netting of some sort over our tortoise pen as the buzzard sits on the fence eyeing them up, goshawk about as well. Worry about the buzzard managing to pick one off the ground and drop it outside the the pen (only a low fence round them) and then it's away and gone.
Or eaten.
Sound of woodpecker drilling, audible from my bedroom window. Been living here 9 years, but it's the first time I have heard that here. Can't see it in the birch tree in the back garden, but there are several other trees within earshot.
Field lizard's, over 20 Mountain Hares, Lap wings, curlew,s Plovers, pippets..Buzzard and on the way out to meet my clients a bird I see quite often but rarely hear any one talk about ...a jay...a very pretty bird.
gold finches too, I've seen a lot this year.
Ran round Barden Moor on Saturday morning, up past the reservoirs and round to cross, memorial and down past the shooting hut. The birds were superb, Curlew, oystercatchers, Lapwings, Snipe doing that weird rodding thing and so many more. Shame to keep running and not stop, look and listen. Lots of millipedes around and young grouse. Didn't see any raptors - perhaps they are all hiding from Guns, pole traps and vicious nasty idiots
Saturday's bike ride was to Barton-in-Fabis, and down to the Trent at Barton Ferry (where there is no ferry). Beautiful, peaceful scene down by the river, apart from a tremendous racket from the other side. Over there are some flooded gravel pits, which now constitute Attenborough Nature Reserve. From the cacophony of honking, quacking, etc, emanating from there, they have been very successful in attracting the birds.
Those species do well on keepered moors due to intensive (legal) predator control; the moorland managers will often use that fact in order to justify their work.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
Unfortunately some raptor species don't do well on keepered moors due to illegal persecution; never a mention of this type of activity by the moorland managers.
All the raptors are down in my neck of the woods! The range of the Red Kite grows inexorably and they are now becoming a common sight in the lower Wye valley...although I've yet to see one over my house. There was a veritable blizzard of buzzards over the A40 at Raglan on Sunday plus another high hovering hawk (probably sparrowhawk) that I got a glimpse of as I scooted along for a run up Pen Cerrig Clach on a glorious day.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
Red kites are all over town and villages now. I recently watched one dive down in the middle of Llandovery and pick up a scrap off the pavement, scavenging in towns as they used to do in olden times.
I'm hoping they may start snitching cats out of back gardens soon.
or better still out of control dogs...ooops sorry wrong thread...:DQuote:
Originally Posted by molehill
You wish Moley! They only do carrion.
b. Although primarily scavengers, mammals such as mice, shrews, voles, etc also form part of a kites natural diet, as do worms. If you have a cat that hunts, then give the kites the 'presents' your cat brings to you.
I'm still planning on giving them the cat ;)
Go to this for news on the National Trust's stance on shooting on their land… http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...667#post624667
Where's all my 'garden birds' gone! Not a lot of feeder activity just now!
Grough report that another Red Kite has been shot in Yorkshire. Found at Timble Ings - where the Round Hill Fell Race starts. Appalling news - so many being shot or poisoned in Yorkshire recently. Keep alert and vigilant.
I live maybe five miles from Timble Ings. Shooting raptors is illegal and morally repugnant
I only live in Otley and was planning on going to Timble Ings Friday at dusk to see if we can see the nightjars there. Got this from the Bird walks in the YD you recommended DT. Made a splendid birthday present for Sally - thanks.
As to people that shoot and persecute raptors..... re-education is needed.
Hopefully finding natural sources of food for their chicks.Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
I had 5 Blue Tits (possibly 2 adults and 3 young) on my 'Buggy Nibbles' suet feeder yesterday morning.Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
Last night there must have been at least 100 Swifts (they're not easy to count, you know) swooping around my head on the summit of Lantern Pike. The air was still and heavy, and there was clearly a lot of insect activity. I love screaming Swifts.