I think they're together. I think they're under ones of the sheds - at least they seem to come from that direction when we see them out and about. They're keeping us interested.Quote:
Originally Posted by luverlyjuberly
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I think they're together. I think they're under ones of the sheds - at least they seem to come from that direction when we see them out and about. They're keeping us interested.Quote:
Originally Posted by luverlyjuberly
And one here today. Flitting round the buddleia with impressive accuracy and speed.Quote:
Originally Posted by William Clough
Excellent! I didn't know these moths even existed until a couple of weeks ago. As you say their speed and accuracy is remarkable.Quote:
Originally Posted by noel
A Linnet which I thought was a Redpoll of some discription until I looked it up. Didn't realise Linnets had the red on the forehead! Nice wee thing! :D
We were in Mid Wales last week and was surprised to see a large flock of Fieldfares below Cadair in between Cregennan lakes and Kings Youth Hostel. Seemed very early to me, but they were enjoying the Rowan berries. Not seen any at home in Yorkshire yet. Someone said to me that there are resident British Fieldfares, I thought they all migrated here for winter. Anyone know about this?
Saw Herons aplenty in the Betwys-Y-Coed/Llanberis area over the past weekend.
Not being a nature expert, I'm not sure whether this is especially common or not... I suspect it is not a special occurrence...!
Water levels really high in the rivers and streams. The river in Betws was particularly spectacular on Friday, and seeing all the white water plunging off the cliffs of Lliwedd and surrounding areas, down towards the lakes at the bottom, was an awesome sight...
Even while cycling through the lowlands between Bangor and Llanberis on Friday, I concluded that the distinctive sound of Gwynedd was rushing water. And some of the little lanes just outside Bangor had standing water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Quiet time of year. Most of our our summer visitors have gone, or are preparing to go. Today's sighting: jay, off to stash his nuts no doubt
I haad hedgehogs living in my shed for two years running. I left them tinned meat on a little plate. After about two nights as soon as i put the plate down the hoglets were out of the shed and feeding while i sat there. They let me stroke their little noses as they scoffed. The mother would leave them as night descended. She completely ignored the plate of food.
Marsh Harrier..I was sailing in the fens of Norfolk over the weekend and was told to watch out for them, you can spot the gliding about 10m above the reed beds...
Half way down the river up pops the Harrier about 5 m from us and flew level with us for 3-4 minutes, beautiful
Doing better there than near Ilkley. Have not heard if the police have caught anyone, even though video evidence exists.
Just got back from a 4 day trip to the southern Cairngorms. Lots of Ptarmigan, already starting to turn white. Also, plenty of Mountain Hares, but they seem to be darker and bigger than ours in the Peak. They couldn't have been Brown Hares as they were 900m up in heather, not grass.
Heard a Cuckoo while sitting on my mates new outside Loo! Also nice to spot a few Spotted Flycatchers over the w/e
A Goldcrest. I know it isn't a rare bird but it's not everyday you get to observe one from less than 2 feet away like I did this morning.
It's ages since I seen one of these. You're right - a real treat.
I've seen a few at Whinfell Center Parcs near Penrith which always makes my day.Quote:
Originally Posted by William Clough
I had a really good view of the Goldcrest. Luckily I live a mile away from my work place which is just off the canal. Seeing a small bird fly over the wall and onto a tree branch I poked my head over the wall to have a look. He was about 2 feet away from me and totally unaware of my presence. It must have been about 10 to 15 seconds before he saw me and flew off. A good way to start the day.
A pair of red kite's over the frost covered fields.
Awesome ��
We get a Sparrowhawk, and a Kestrel, as a regular visitor to our back garden. I know Kestrels are relatively common, not sure about Sparrowhawks.
sparrowhawk aren’t uncommon but are skulking, secretive birds. Nice raptor spotting gentlemen
We have buzzards this year, the first we have seen in the 27 years we have lived here. Spotted them in the spring, flying overhead, and making quite a lot of noise (or could the noise have been chicks?) We live below a wooded hillside (okak and beech)where I presume they must be nesting.
Buzzard make a “mewing” sound. Surprisingly high-pitched for big birds but very distinctiveQuote:
Originally Posted by strider
The audio here sounds a bit too “crow-like” to me
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/b/buzzard/
Just been for a walk �� around St Aidens in Leeds.
RSPB reserve, loads of different birds and a nice sunny day ��
Sounds good Trev
Didn't think I would like it, but saw a lot of different species.
Not for me I don't think, although a nice enjoyable walk with my best mate.
And a nice flat 4 mile if i start running again.
As we wait for Santa, a walk round the local reserve was in order. Little Grebe's on the Wharfe - hard to spot, and a Gosander - easier to spot. Lots of Coal Tits coming to the feeder and the odd nuthatch. Flocks of Long Tail Tits with others mixed in. Beats Television or Social media.
LTT are right up there with my favourite birds. We’ve recently moved from Wharfedale to the Worth Valley. LTT are very common here plus I’ve seen / heard singing dippers less than two hundred yards from home. I’m very curious to see if we have curlew nearby in the spring
Have not seen a dipper for a bit on the Otley stretch of the Wharfe. I think the new developments below the weir have messed up their nesting site. No problems though for the Kingfisher - seen regularly and if your lucky a pair.
It never fails to astonish me to see the pair of dippers that live on Kinder plateau 2000+ feet up, above the Downfall. I saw them again today by Kinder Gates.
Didn’t know about them WC but probably haven’t been near the Downfall this century 😞
I had a strange wildlife encounter yesterday. We were out walking by the Crag Inn in Wildboarclough and the dog frightened a bird from the road verge. It hopped along the ground and didn't look right to be where it was so we called the dog away. It turned out it was a kestrel. I'm not sure if it could fly or not, but it wasn't doing. I tried to pick it up but it kept making little hops away when I got close. So I threw my waterproof over it and lifted it up so I could take it away from the road. We let it go in some nearby woods but it didn't fly away. I hope it was a temporary lack of flying ability; otherwise we knew it wouldn't last long.
It was a shame to see such an iconic bird not flying. We had to re-explain the survival of the fittest concept to rationalise that it might be dead in a day. This was partly for the benefit of the kids and partly for ourselves.
I saw my first ever wild Rat today whilst running alongside the Coventry Canal (hardly headline wildlife news I know, but a first for me....)
Today saw a Heron, Kingfisher! A pike bout 20lb a few dozen trout! A tawny 🦉! Total run distance half a mile as i got dragged by 4 paw drive x2 down a bank.. to Llynpadarn..
Not Mr Pudge's mutts, Pengy? Haven't seen them (or him) for a while now; but they were always headstrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Penguin
Rebuilding some gaps in a field wall in the Washburn valley today. Cold start, but OK when the sun came up (what else is there to worship?). At one point there were 4 kites circling and 2 buzzards. As I sat down to eat my sandwiches one of the buzzards came across with a squirrel for its lunch. It landed in a nearby tree and we both ate.
Nice encounter. I heard a robin singing this morning at 4am. Spring is definitely on its way
So buzzards are the solution to the grey squirrel problem? Maybe not, they probably eat reds as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
Reds are more bitter - a bit like lollo rosso lettuce. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
On the Trigger today I was taking a very unfrequented route from near Snake Pass down towards Within's Clough. Completely remote and trackless. As I was shuffling along, from out of the heather in front of me, a huge arctic hare. Never seen one before, pure white. I watched it speed off and could see it for well over a quarter of a mile, such was the contrast against the terrain.
I saw one on Bleaklow, then almost stood one heading down above Withins clough. If it was the same one it will have got a good amount of exercise in today!
Was up on Bleaklow (between wain stones and shelf trig) in the summer when I bumped in to Carl Bedson (Chesire hillbillies and FRA statistician) counting them, he does quite a bit on hare conservation - his twitter feed often has pictures of roadkill on the A57 (as well as youtube vids of him playing the flute in the mountains!)