Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019

[ashley]

Red squirrel enjoying the hospitality

[Roma]

Haven't been seeing many squirrels recently but this one came for a feed yesterday

[Steve Garvie]

Two Pipistrelle feeding over the garden last night was a bit of a surprise as was the fact that there were plenty of flying insects for them to feed on. This is at least 5 weeks earlier than normal.

We have a high density of breeding Tawny Owls in the area and two males were engrossed in a hooting duel in the woods behind us as dusk settled.

Also Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Hoverflies, Ladybirds and a single Peacock Butterfly present.
A number of small grey-green caterpillars feeding on cushion plants and some bulbs under glass was a bit of a shock but the presence of burgeoning greenfly populations was not. We had a plague of greenfly here last autumn from the Sycamore trees that are immediately behind (and above as the woodland slopes steeply up) the garden.

[Gail]

I was surprised by two bats seen on Thursday night and had to swerve to avoid a frog crossing the road when coming home last night.

[ian mcdonald]

I suspect the frogs will be making their way to ponds in time for the mating season?

[Gabriela]

The cardinal sings early in the morning (even if -10C) - spring has officially arrived! Later they were together (pictures not very clear, were taken with zoom)

[Steve Garvie]

Skein after skein of Pink-footed Geese flying north over the garden in the last few days as well as this small group of Whooper Swans.

[Roma]

Lovely picture, Steve.  10 flew over my garden once.  I think it was about 2 years ago.  I didn't have my camera so just sat and watched them, enjoying the moment.

[Roma]

Mummy rabbit with 4 babies on Tuesday morning.  They are so cute (when they are not in the garden eating my plants).  When I came back from feeding the ponies about an hour later a crow was eating one of the babies.  There were only 2 last night and this morning mum had them out again.  I was surprised to see them with two crows quite close.  After a while the crow was bold enough to grab a bunny and fly off with it but dropped it before going very far.  It seems ok and was soon back out with mum and sibling.  I have seen a crow eating a baby rabbit before but was not sure if it had killed it itself.  Now I know.

   

[ian mcdonald]

I,ve just seen the first orange tip of the year in the garden, spring must be here.

[brianw]

Several Orange Tip butterflies around in the sudden heat this weekend. Unfortunately several Lily beetles have made their appearance too. I would get much greater satisfaction from firing something at them rather than chasing amongst the leaves. Think there is a marketing opportunity here ;-)
My Blue tits have 8 eggs this year. Maybe I could train them to eat red things by modifying the bird feeder content.

[ian mcdonald]

It seems to be a good year for orange tip, I,ve just seen another in the garden, along with holly blue and speckled wood.

[Gerdk]

Detected this morning - an albino form of Lepus europaeus und two eggs of
a striking colour!
I ask myself: Are this signs of a special event?   

Gerd

[Gail]

Very nice Gerd, and beautiful Bellis and Taraxacum too...
Happy Easter!

[Gerdk]

Thank you Gail - and I wish the same to you and to all forumists!

Gerd