Today's Wildlife Encounter

[Splatcher]

Swallow in the conservatory today - Mrs WH rescued it before the dogs had a snack!

Saw my first swallows of the year on Wednesday. We've had them in the house a couple of times in previous years - they come in through the upstairs windows looking for nesting sites. Amazingly they're quite easy to catch in your hands, as they settle on the curtains when they can't get out through the glass - at least I've caught them a couple of times like this. I've put a shelf up in a small outbuilding & cut a suitable notch in the top of the door in the hope they'll nest in there. They didn't last year, but I live in hope.

I was sitting out in the garden this afternoon with birds flying all round me. A reed bunting feeding on the bird table 6 feet from my head, & a woodpecker on the other one about 20 feet away. Pity I've got to go running tomorrow really...

[Hes]

That sounds like a gorgeous way to spend the afternoon! I rescued a swallow that had been caught by a cat once and it was a lovely little thing, such amazing colours. My friend also rescued a swift and it had whiskers, I didn't realise they did.

House martins are back in Masham and there is a starling in the market place imitating a curlew perfectly! The swallows can't be far away now.

Saw my first swallows of the year on Wednesday. We've had them in the house a couple of times in previous years - they come in through the upstairs windows looking for nesting sites. Amazingly they're quite easy to catch in your hands, as they settle on the curtains when they can't get out through the glass - at least I've caught them a couple of times like this. I've put a shelf up in a small outbuilding & cut a suitable notch in the top of the door in the hope they'll nest in there. They didn't last year, but I live in hope.

I was sitting out in the garden this afternoon with birds flying all round me. A reed bunting feeding on the bird table 6 feet from my head, & a woodpecker on the other one about 20 feet away. Pity I've got to go running tomorrow really...

[molehill]

First pair of swallows last Sunday, Rhiwlas. Then a whole flock of Martins and Swallows (about 20) semed to come into Llangurig as I watched yesterday. Do the species mix?
Worrying, is our lack of Sloworms in the garden this year, we have a very healthy population but no sign on the compost heap so far, wonder if the harsh winter has taken its toll? I do hope not, as they are long lived and we recognise some indiviuals each spring.
Next anticipated arrivals are our Swifts (we have nesting boxes on the house) and the Cuckoo - both species in serious decline.

[plodding bear]

Loads of sand martins down by the river Wharfe early this morning, as well as all the usual suspects. An early morning walk with the dogs, along a nice peaceful river bank - lovely.
Later, a run on the moors to make up for the fact that despite having entered it, I never made it to the start of the Calderdale Hike. Mind you, it was pretty warm by then, and I'm never at my best in the heat!

[wharfeego]

Two Red Admirals on the summit of Harrison Stickle.

[noel]

Two swallows on the wires by the house today, and two house martins in the nests under the eaves.

We've also got jackdaws trying to get big sticks in through the owl hole near the top of the barn. They seem to have the same intelligence as my dog, as they also try to get sticks through a gap sideways.

[wharfeego]

...jackdaws trying to get big sticks in through the owl hole...

sounds painful for the owl

[IanDarkpeak]

Bees! Bees! Bees!

Never seen so many on the moors before, It was really scarey at one point after running quick through deep heather/bilberry to get clear of the swarms only to realise I was in the bottom of a deep valley and the only way out was a bash through deep Heather/bilberry!!!!!

...and I saw a ring Oezel (Sp?) first this year

[Stolly]

Okay cows aren't really 'wild' life I know, but these two guys were so lovely on my run this morning

[Hes]

Awwww!

Okay cows aren't really 'wild' life I know, but these two guys were so lovely on my run this morning