This morning a pheasant made it's way into my garden, so beautiful!! Those colours!!
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This morning a pheasant made it's way into my garden, so beautiful!! Those colours!!
My first red squirrel, on the edge of the village. Went to check a couple of grey squirrel traps and there was a red on the ground about 30m away.
Taken me 5 years to see one in the flesh!
One swallow
A pair of Red Kites attempting to catch a pigeon.
A volery (no idea why this collective noun) of pied wagtails. About 20 of them flitting about a car park in Macclesfield.
Then two hedgehogs pootling about within about 200 yards of each other by the side of the road.
Grass snake swimming in Grantham canal this evening.
Three Manadarin Ducks on the Peak Forest Canal between New Mills and Marple this morning. I kid you not.
Out today on the ridge between the Washburn and Wharfe above Otley and there were a few swallows/martins flying around still. I was amazed to see them this late. Wish I'd had my bins with me to properly identify them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
A decent flock of house martin by the Leeds - Liverpool canal today between Silsden and Keighley (plus several jay and two kingfisher). Swallow are possible well into October
A shrew fighting off my dog near the top of Fairfield yesterday. I hope it wasn't too injured in the fracas - there's always a fine line when you should put something out of its misery and leave it to recover.
Hopefully the dog survived!Quote:
Originally Posted by noel
Next doors cat playing with a mouse on the rear lawn. A small raptor attempted to steal the mouse and meet a sad end as the cat killed both.
Lol. :) Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Yay. The hedgehog is back! Not seen one for a few years but literally tripped over it in the garden in the dark this morning. Came back in to get phone for a pic but it had scarpered by the time I got back. Obviously had survived its earlier encounter with the dog. Looked good and healthy so hopefully will survive the winter.
Half a dozen swallows over the Leeds - Liverpool Canal near East Marton today. Could be the last for this year.
Less than six months time and they’ll be back Navigator
More today DT. Swallows and Redwings, so 2 seasons in 1 day.
Nice one
Sad do. Pity a large raptor didn't take out the cat!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagger
Catism?But totally agree
Won't be long before one of the Red Kites has the cat.
Last night, running beside a quarry on a narrow path I could see a rabbit to my right which had obviously got dazzled by my headtorch and proceeded to run straight into my right foot nearly tripping me up!
Saw the red squirrel again yesterday, right on the edge of the village in the woods, it ran past me about 10m away carrying a hazel nut. Unfortunately there's a couple of greys in the same area that are being beggars to trap, too much natural food about so they won't come to the bait. I need to take them out asap in case of spreading the squirrel pox to the red, always a concern if they happen to be pox carriers.
Several Fieldfare round the back of Kinder Res on Sunday - first of the year for us.
Last night driving on a single track road caught a glimpse, in my headlights, of a Barn Owl perched atop a fence post. Slammed on the anchors, backed up, and to my surprise it was still there. I sat adjacent to it and viewed it from around 20ft in the moonlight for about 8-10 seconds before it spread its wings and flew away. Beautiful. Even my 12yr old said "WOW".
A feral parakeet in Warley Woods.
Quietly having lunch looking out the window when a great big Sparrowhawk descended out of nowhere right into the middle of a pack of Pigeons who were relaxing on the garden floor. Scattered the pigeons, sending one flying head first into the conservatory window, but didn’t catch any.
Then it flew up onto the washing-line to have a think about it’s attack technique for a few seconds, spread his wings and flew off... he’ll be back, usually is on a bright day...
Good to see you getting into the wildlife Travs. Its good for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
BTW pigeons tend to gather in flocks rather than packs but having said that I have never seen a Cov Pigeon!
Yesterday saw a couple of deer, one Stag and one I assume was the female... on the high flanks of Rest Dodd, so I assume residents of the Martindale Deer Forest...
Today a Red Squirrel ran out in front of my car between Haweswater and Bampton.
On the other side of Bampton I was startled by a bird of prey which flew out from a dry stone wall as I drove past... investigations would seem to indicate that it was a Buzzard... from close quarters it was quite impressive...
Out with the dogs this afternoon saw a large flock of starlings, the first I've seen this autumn. A nice surprise was a flock of about 50 Pink Footed Geese grazing in one of the fields. No doubt having a rest and refuel on their way to Norfolk.
Green woodpecker on the bridal way just outside Churchill North Worcestershire.
We’ve just recently moved, Mrs DTR grabbed me in the night last night and said “what’s that??” It was a Tawny Owl calling,it must have been right outside the window, it sounded like it was in the room :D
An albino pheasant on Cunswick Scar (near Kendal)
It was frosty so it was well camouflaged 😁
Nice. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Daletownrunner
If I'm informed correctly, males do "HOOO" and females "TOOWIT". So you can tell what sex it was. We sometimes hear a near one then one further away.
I reckon it was a pair then as I thought it was the same one going Hooo and Toowit, we thought the dog was ill and howling at first, I reckon at least one of em was on our satellite dishQuote:
Originally Posted by noel
Have been thoroughly entertained this morning by a blue tit having a fight with itself in the wing mirror of my car which is parked adjacent to my window.
Polecat has been in the garden at night this week.
What looked like a goshawk on the side of the M54 on the way home from the Wrekin. Unusual so close to the motorway but can't think what else it could be. Far too big for a sparrowhawk.
Little Egret on the river Kent, most unexpected sighting
Kingfisher on the canal just south of Adelphi Mill in Bollington yesterday. Then a flock of long-tailed tits in a tree next to me near Gradbach on today's run.