wildlife

[David Nicholson]

Are Red Kytes very common in your area Brian, I've never seen them in Devon/Cornwall. A couple of months ago I was on the M4, somewhere between Reading and Slough and saw four of them quartering the motorway verges.

[brianw]

Very common David. Unusual not to see several above me during the day when I am in the garden. Most entertaining when they "dice"  and call to one another. If looking for anticipated food they come down to roof level and will sit on the ground if undisturbed, but usually use local trees. A report in todays paper says numbers of 20-30 being attracted into Reading because of feeding. A feeding frenzy on a housing estate looks positively dangerous at times. Often accompanied by Buzzards too. Never seen one perched on a building. Although primarily carrion feeders they will take slow moving small birds and animals I understand; e.g. ducklings.

[Anthony Darby]

We hardly ever saw red kites in Dunblane because their feeding station was over the hill at Argaty, so they had no need to move very far. I did see one flying across the playing fields of Harrogate Ladies College when our choir was staying there in 2010.

[johnw]

Birders may find this of interest - Bald Eagles at Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia:



johnw

[fredg]

I never realised that Robins had such an extensive vocabulary.

[Tony Willis]

About five years ago I got rid of my fish and left my pond as a wildlife one.

This year several common newts have appeared and one which I cannot identify.

It is about six inches long as opposed to the four inches of the common ones and much stouter altogether.

The colour in the picture is reasonably accurate.

I am wondering what it is?

[Matt T]

Great to have attracted newts to your pond, Tony. They're fascinating creatures and really benefit from fish-free ponds.

The pale colouration and smooth skin of your animal is typical of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, the most commonly occurring species. However, at 6 inches this would be an unusually large specimen. Only the great crested newt Triturus cristatus will typically reach this size in the UK, but it's skin is much darker and very warty. My money would be on a large female smooth newt.

[fredg]

He's been using his 'man' ruler 

[Maggi Young]

We're lucky to have quite a large population of newts in the garden. I assume ( have always assumed) that they are Smooth Newts ( they're all smooth- and I have seen crested newts elsewhere) .  But, none are ever much beyond three inches/8cm at most.  Most of them are around 7cm I guess. Colour vary from mid brown to quite dark brown/green. They have the most glorious markings. I am very fond of them.   

[Tony Willis]

He's been using his 'man' ruler 

Steel rule i have moved on.

Thanks for your help,I am delighted to have them.

I must say it did not show much interest when the puny specimens were trying it on!

[mark smyth]

I never realised that Robins had such an extensive vocabulary.

"this is my garden and if you come too close you're in for a beating!"

[brianw]

Update on my squirrel corpse. The "fox" returned a couple of nights ago and dug down again for its corpse, even though it was openly displayed just 20 feet or so away. Had to move the decaying corpse as we had a dog visiting. It is now on the outside of our fence but still accessible to scavengers.

[johnw]

This marvelous fellow has been in this hemlock tree all winter long.   Ken has been working in this city garden even pruning the hemlock and the Barred Owl doesn't move aside from head turns.  Seems he's been dining on squab whilst there's snow on the ground.  It's certainly not been an easy winter or spring on robins, woodcocks and migratory birds in general etc. so heartening to see this magnificent specimen.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Never ceases to amaze me how wildlife can be so trusting- I suppose there are just times when they sense that the human is no threat and so remain calm and don't waste any unnecessary energy moving off. Smart cookies!

[Anthony Darby]

Just a cool dude.