Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: ashley on January 27, 2019, 08:29:32 PM

Title: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ashley on January 27, 2019, 08:29:32 PM: Red squirrel enjoying the hospitality
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Roma on February 04, 2019, 10:34:18 PM: Haven't been seeing many squirrels recently but this one came for a feed yesterday

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Steve Garvie on February 23, 2019, 09:08:57 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on February 23, 2019, 11:47:00 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on February 23, 2019, 03:55:35 PM: I suspect the frogs will be making their way to ponds in time for the mating season?
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gabriela on March 23, 2019, 05:48:11 PM: 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)
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Steve Garvie on April 03, 2019, 10:20:29 PM: 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.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7808/33654762818_676d620edc_o_d.jpg)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Roma on April 04, 2019, 01:50:18 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Roma on April 04, 2019, 01:58:55 PM: 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.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on April 09, 2019, 01:47:03 PM: I,ve just seen the first orange tip of the year in the garden, spring must be here.[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: brianw on April 20, 2019, 12:25:06 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on April 21, 2019, 11:24:48 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on April 21, 2019, 02:10:57 PM: 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
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on April 21, 2019, 02:29:03 PM: Very nice Gerd, and beautiful Bellis and Taraxacum too...
Happy Easter!
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on April 21, 2019, 03:05:23 PM: Thank you Gail - and I wish the same to you and to all forumists!

Gerd
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: shelagh on April 21, 2019, 03:19:01 PM: Found 3 Lily beetles this morning, only little ones and they won't be getting any bigger. Ha.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on May 22, 2019, 10:41:24 PM: I've not managed to get a photo, they move far too fast, but the swifts are back in the village now and screaming over the garden, such a delight. Neighbours opposite have them nesting under the roof tiles.

A friend in the village is a sculptor and has created a couple of swift pieces;
[attach=1]
https://alisonhenry.weebly.com/swift-drinking.html
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ArnoldT on May 26, 2019, 04:31:49 PM: Here's a plum tree pest, aphids.

Also a predator of the aphids, lady bugs.

Egg and larva stage. The larva stage are voracious aphid consumers.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on May 26, 2019, 05:07:33 PM: Found a dead young blackbird, no feathers, on the lawn yesterday. Also a dead young in the nest. Both buried today. Suspect grey squirrels.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Roma on May 26, 2019, 08:56:00 PM: Found these babies in the greenhouse a couple of weeks ago. They were there for a few days, spread out on the web during the day and clustered together at night. They have since dispersed.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: annew on May 30, 2019, 12:35:47 PM: Anybody know what species this is visiting our poached egg patch? Bee or wasp?
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ArnoldT on May 30, 2019, 12:51:47 PM: Ann

My guess is a bee. Wasps are carnivores and would be looking for pollen.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: philsfog on May 30, 2019, 07:57:33 PM: i only seen one squirrel on my banana tree. i love to see more smalls animals on my backyard makes me feel that my place is healthy
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on May 30, 2019, 08:35:18 PM: I would guess honey bee but the Italian subspecies (Apis mellifera ligustica) which is more yellow in colour than our native one. Any beekeepers locally?

http://barnsleybeekeepers.org.uk/species.html (http://barnsleybeekeepers.org.uk/species.html)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: annew on May 30, 2019, 09:12:49 PM: That does look like it, Gail. thank you. There are a lot of them. Anyone know if they are common in the UK?
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: jomowi on June 11, 2019, 02:20:07 PM: Think I should re-name this thread 'Indoor Wildlife'! Just found this creature on my curtain. It stayed still enough for me to measure it, though I couldn't hold the ruler and camera at the same time to include it in the pic. Body length approx. 1 and one eighth" (3 cm), overall length including antennae and ovipositor 3.25" (8.3cm). Friend or foe, please, before I decide what to do with it? Maureen[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: jomowi on June 11, 2019, 03:41:53 PM: Just had a thought. Is it a wood wasp? Maureen
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: annew on June 11, 2019, 04:47:36 PM: Friend :)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on June 11, 2019, 05:55:00 PM: Hi Maureen,
It is an Ichneumonid wasp, probably Rhyssa persuasoria (the Sabre Wasp) - though identification to species can be tricky with around 2500 species of Ichneumonids in the UK! They parasite other invertebrates, laying their eggs inside the larvae of their hosts. Anyway, definitely not a pest.

Paul
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: jomowi on June 11, 2019, 09:44:11 PM: Thank you Annew and Paul. I will release it into the garden when I have relocated it. It is no longer on my curtain. Maureen
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 12, 2019, 09:53:58 AM: Anne's insect on the poached egg plant is a honey bee. The pollen baskets full of pollen are indicative of Apis mellifera, the European honey bee.

The ichneumon Ryssa persuasoria is an ectoparasite on the woodwasp (Urocerus gigas) larvae, and it uses that long ovipositor to lay its eggs deep inside wood where the larvae are feeding.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: jomowi on June 12, 2019, 09:26:35 PM: Quote from: jomowi on June 11, 2019, 09:44:11 PM
Thank you Annew and Paul. I will release it into the garden when I have relocated it. It is no longer on my curtain. Maureen

I went on a hunt to find it this morning. Found it on the roller blind of one of the French doors. I opened the door, gave it a gentle nudge and off it flew. Couldn't have been easier. Thanks for further info. Anthony. I'm glad I'm not a wood wasp larva!
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Roma on June 12, 2019, 10:02:45 PM: A few years ago I saw a large number of them busy laying eggs into rustic poles round my ponies' field shelter. I haven't seen any since. Very rarely see a wood wasp. They are huge and quite scary even though I know they do not sting.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Leucogenes on June 26, 2019, 02:50:51 PM: Lunch with Ms. Spider...

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Robert on June 26, 2019, 02:54:49 PM: Thomas,

8) photograph!

I guess you were in the right place at the right time. :)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Leucogenes on June 26, 2019, 08:28:16 PM: Hi Robert
This everyday drama took place on a watering can in my garden. I am always fascinated by the world of insects and invertebrates. Shortly afterwards I could observe for the first time a large male specimen of Orthetrum cancellatum...a widespread large dragonfly with conspicuous light blue bodies. Unfortunately it was not possible for me to take a useful photo...because the sun was behind it and the resting place was a thin two that moved a lot. I will go further with open eyes by the garden.

Maggi... thanks for turning the picture... but actually the spider hung head down. ;D

Again a detailed photo...
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Robert on June 27, 2019, 12:56:56 AM: Hi Thomas,

I enjoy seeing these dramas play out in the garden. 8)

I have been hearing rumors of excessive heat and in some locations dry weather in France and Germany. Is your area being impacted? Here in our part of California the weather is currently cool with below average temperatures.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Leucogenes on June 27, 2019, 08:24:49 AM: Quote from: Robert on June 27, 2019, 12:56:56 AM
Hi Thomas,

I enjoy seeing these dramas play out in the garden. 8)

I have been hearing rumors of excessive heat and in some locations dry weather in France and Germany. Is your area being impacted? Here in our part of California the weather is currently cool with below average temperatures.

Hi Robert

We are definitely affected by this... see picture from yesterday. A big problem is the prolonged drought in the north and northeast of Germany. Also the winter was much too dry.

The only pleasant aspect of the climatic changes is the observation of new species from southern Europe. For example, since this year I can observe more and more a large black bee from the Mediterranean area in my garden...Xylocopa iris. But otherwise the enthusiasm about the change is very limited.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Maggi Young on June 27, 2019, 12:36:10 PM: Quote from: Leucogenes on June 26, 2019, 08:28:16 PM

Maggi... thanks for turning the picture... but actually the spider hung head down. ;D

Yes, I thought the photo was correctly aligned - but I thought it was easier for some of us to see the detail when rotated, which is why I left the original photo is place!
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Robert on June 28, 2019, 06:37:34 PM: Quote from: Leucogenes on June 27, 2019, 08:24:49 AM
Hi Robert

We are definitely affected by this... see picture from yesterday. A big problem is the prolonged drought in the north and northeast of Germany. Also the winter was much too dry.

The only pleasant aspect of the climatic changes is the observation of new species from southern Europe. For example, since this year I can observe more and more a large black bee from the Mediterranean area in my garden...Xylocopa iris. But otherwise the enthusiasm about the change is very limited.

Thomas,

How are you coping with drought conditions? Here in California there is NO rainfall between 1 June and 1 October. Well, sometimes there is a tiny amount. In addition, high temperatures can soar to > 40 C and stay above 38 C for a week or more. Heat and drought in normal every summer here in interior California. It must be difficult dealing with drought and heat where this is not the usual weather pattern? I certainly hope that the plants and the gardener are doing okay. Sadly, I currently do not see much of a pattern change here in California where is has been unseasonably cool. Right now it is overcast and there might have been some sprinkles in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If we do not get any hot weather the summer monsoon may not arrive in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Stay tuned on this one...
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ashley on July 03, 2019, 08:03:31 PM: First hummingbird hawkmoth of the season today, at the salvias 8)

Not quite wildlife but apparently sentient vegetation (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/03/group-of-biologists-tries-to-bury-the-idea-that-plants-are-conscious) isn't something to worry about unless/until it talks back to us :o ;D
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: brianw on July 04, 2019, 04:33:14 PM: Quite a shock in the garden today. I am used to local wildlife appearing unexpectedly; we have had Fox, Muntjac deer, Squirrels, Mallard ducks, Red Leg partridge this spring, and Pheasants every day. The latter produced ~7 chicks somewhere locally but are now down to just the 1 chick each day under our hanging bird feeders. The smaller birds messy eating feeds the other wildlife.

Today I was trying to clear and extend a sloping bed at the end of our patio paving. This slopes to the west with roses at the top near the house and was originally planted with a mix of hardy Geraniums (pratense etc.) lower down. These have just finished flowering and it was time to cut back and replant a bit. I find a cheap Lidl electric hedge trimmer handy for these jobs. Quite a surprise today as I swept it across the Geraniums for the hen pheasant to jump out and just sit there looking at me. The chick sitting still beneath the remaining geranium. A good job the gaps between the teeth is quite small, although I did not actually hit the bird.
I walked away and left them to it. They were still there when I checked some time after. Now I know where they disappear to during the day, just coming out when there is enough seed spillage to make it worth their while ;-) Plenty of bugs amongst the plants I guess. There are several other semi wild areas but they choose to be next to the house. Maybe they are listening to the tennis ;-)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Leucogenes on July 05, 2019, 09:03:43 AM: I have just seen this beautiful female specimen of Misumena vatia on a flower of Lavandula angustifolia... without my glasses. ;D
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Robert on July 05, 2019, 03:03:52 PM: 8) And without your glasses!

If this is like me, well, this is quite the accomplishment.

Anyway, nice photograph.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ruweiss on July 05, 2019, 09:16:02 PM: My congratulations to this excellent pictures,
natures colours are simply great.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Robert on July 12, 2019, 01:06:52 PM: [attachimg=1]

My wife pointed out this spider web shining in the morning sunlight under our orange tree. :)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: brianw on July 12, 2019, 10:51:58 PM: Moved a frog off the lawn today as the Red Kytes seemed to be taking an interest, only to find it, or another frog, sitting behind our settee ~30 minutes later. Even more surprising was a snakes momentary visit in and out of the doorway while I was on my laptop. Too quick for me to identify but presumably a grass snake. Don't think Slow worms move that quickly or are that long and slim, and Adders not that common locally.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on July 20, 2019, 03:13:20 PM: Anyone know which fritillary this is? Not in my garden but at Foxley wood.
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Leucogenes on July 20, 2019, 03:36:10 PM: Quote from: Gail on July 20, 2019, 03:13:20 PM
Anyone know which fritillary this is? Not in my garden but at Foxley wood.
(Attachment Link)

That should be Argynnis paphia. The German Trivial - name here is "Kaisermantel".

Great photo... Congratulations.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Leucogenes on July 20, 2019, 06:10:23 PM: Gail I'm not so sure if my destiny was correct anymore. It could also be Argynnis aglaja. I am only a layman. ;D

Here I am however quite sure...
Aphantopus hyperantus...widespread... but nevertheless beautiful.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on July 20, 2019, 06:38:06 PM: Many thanks, I think the Argynnis paphia (Silver-washed fritillary) is correct - it looks the same as an image of the female here;
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/silver-washed-fritillary
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on July 31, 2019, 04:07:33 PM: Heavy rain today so I,m indoors. Here are some photos. of a sunny day two days ago in the garden.

[attachimg=1]

Gatekeeper.

[attachimg=2]

Hoverfly on wild madder, Rubia peregrina.

[attachimg=3]

Speckled wood.

[attachimg=4]

Peacock.

[attachimg=5]

Hoverfly on a red flowered jasmine.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on July 31, 2019, 04:15:52 PM: [attachimg=1]

Tuberous thistle.

[attachimg=2]

Holly blue.

[attachimg=3]

A tiger moth after being hit by the car.

There are a large number of butterflies and moths on the local patch just now.

It is thundering as I write this.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Tristan_He on August 02, 2019, 06:37:33 PM: Quote from: Gail on July 20, 2019, 06:38:06 PM
Many thanks, I think the Argynnis paphia (Silver-washed fritillary) is correct - it looks the same as an image of the female here;
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/silver-washed-fritillary

Hi Gail, yes definitely a female silver-washed. Fabulous butterfly, our largest fritillary. You are only likely to encounter them in or near ancient woodland. Also a lot easier to photograph than dark green frit!
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 25, 2019, 01:50:33 PM: I've obviously not been spending enough time in the shade-house.
A bird built this nest in between my visits!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: jomowi on August 28, 2019, 07:55:50 PM: Not in my garden, but hoofing it across the towpath of the Union Canal in Linlithgow is this elephant hawk moth caterpillar looking for somewhere to pupate, I'm guessing. Maureen
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 11, 2019, 01:43:02 PM: Quote from: fermi de Sousa on August 25, 2019, 01:50:33 PM
...A bird built this nest in between my visits!...
Nest now occupied!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on September 12, 2019, 09:26:51 AM: Turdus merula?

Gerd
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 12, 2019, 10:04:15 AM: Quote from: Gerdk on September 12, 2019, 09:26:51 AM
Turdus merula?

Gerd
I think so. They are a feral pest in Australia
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on September 13, 2019, 08:58:50 AM: Fermi,
This is my favorite bird here in my region - it's as we say: des Einen Eule ist des Anderen Nachtigall!
- One man's owl is another man's nightingale -

Gerd
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 15, 2019, 02:45:19 PM: Arachnophobe warning! Arachnophobe warning! Arachnophobe warning!
Do Not Click on the Thumbnails if spiders give you the heebie geebies!

Not a nice surprise to find while moving a tray of plants :o
A Huntsman Spider which had taken up residence in between the pots!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on September 15, 2019, 04:07:10 PM: Is that a 7cm pot or a 27cm Fermi (ie should we be afraid or very afraid??)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 15, 2019, 04:24:17 PM: Quote from: Gail on September 15, 2019, 04:07:10 PM
Is that a 7cm pot or a 27cm Fermi (ie should we be afraid or very afraid??)
Fortunately just a 7cm pot ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on September 22, 2019, 02:21:01 PM: When I first saw this fungus in the garden I thought it was honey fungus. Now it is more open it looks like one of the Parasol mushrooms. Edible but tasteless.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on September 23, 2019, 12:49:12 PM: A brimstone butterfly on Allium

Gerd
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Roma on September 25, 2019, 10:27:01 PM: I got a surprise when I opened the garage door this afternoon. I wondered what I was seeing. It looked like a clod of earth but was a toad. The garage door is a tight fit so there is no way it could have got in with the door closed. I was out last night when it was raining but the door was only open a few minutes when I took the car out and again when I came home. The last time the door was open for any length of time was when I left it open while I went to a shop in the village on Wednesday afternoon but it was warm and dry and a toad was unlikely to be out in the open.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on September 27, 2019, 07:14:33 PM: What do you call a male and female toad?
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: sokol on September 28, 2019, 05:45:26 AM: Few animals from the garden. I am not quite sure whether the beetle's names are correct.

Argiope bruennichi

[attachimg=1]

Cantharis pallida

[attachimg=2]

Cantharis fusca

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on September 28, 2019, 09:41:34 AM: Perfect images!

Gerd
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Maggi Young on September 28, 2019, 01:53:29 PM: Quote from: ian mcdonald on September 27, 2019, 07:14:33 PM
What do you call a male and female toad?
I've never heard of gender specific names for toads or frogs. Have you, Ian?
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gabriela on September 28, 2019, 06:26:41 PM: Very nice pictures Stefan!

One hummingbird left behind, probably not strong enough; all others left about two weeks ago. It stayed around the feeder every day last week.
[attachimg=1]

They have good memory so I hope he will return next year.
[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on September 28, 2019, 09:06:27 PM: Maggi, in this area they are called toad lad and toad lass.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 30, 2019, 06:48:18 AM: Quote from: fermi de Sousa on September 11, 2019, 01:43:02 PM
Nest now occupied!
The eggs have hatched!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: bainbridges on October 02, 2019, 08:28:28 AM: Can you help spoon-billed sandpiper conservation please?

The spoon-billed sandpiper is one of the rarest waders in the world, and has been the subject of a wide range of conservation efforts since its population was estimated to be as low as 100 birds a few years ago. These include special research and conservation activities on the breeding grounds in Arctic Kamchatka, on migration in China and on the wintering grounds in south-east Asia. Lots more information and wonderful pictures of these unique birds at
https://www.saving-spoon-billed-sandpiper.com/ (https://www.saving-spoon-billed-sandpiper.com/)
As part of the work, birds have been reared at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, and efforts are now being made to encourage them to breed successfully (see the ‘captive population’ section of the website). Research has suggested that they use dwarf willow leaves to line the base of their nests, and they don’t have those at Slimbridge, so we therefore have a special request to all rock gardeners who grow Salix x boydii.
Salix x boydii leaves are judged to be the most similar to the leaves they use in the Arctic, so this request is to ask rock gardeners to save leaves as they fall this autumn, and send them please, to Ian Bainbridge, Luckie Harg’s, Anwoth, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway DG7 2EF. We are looking to collect 2-3 litres of leaves if we can, and if you can help, an e-mail to bainbridi@aol.com would be very much appreciated!
Ian Bainbridge
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 03, 2019, 11:52:37 AM: Quote from: bainbridges on October 02, 2019, 08:28:28 AM

Salix x boydii leaves are judged to be the most similar to the leaves they use in the Arctic, so this request is to ask rock gardeners to save leaves as they fall this autumn, and send them please, to Ian Bainbridge, Luckie Harg’s, Anwoth, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway DG7 2EF....
What a wonderful way for rock gardeners to contribute! I hope you get so many leaves donated that you end up having to make compost with the excess ;D
The nestlings in the shade-house are growing apace! Can you count the beaks?
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on October 03, 2019, 01:05:28 PM: Hello Fermi, I can see four.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 03, 2019, 02:30:08 PM: Quote from: ian mcdonald on October 03, 2019, 01:05:28 PM
Hello Fermi, I can see four.
Yes and they fill the nest completely
;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ArnoldT on October 03, 2019, 02:52:38 PM: Usually see ants on the Colchicum flowers, this was a surprise.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on October 03, 2019, 08:52:08 PM: Monarchs, Arnold?
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ArnoldT on October 04, 2019, 02:48:31 AM: Ian:

Yes, have seen many this season.

I'm 10 miles from mid-town Manhattan.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on October 05, 2019, 09:37:41 PM: What is this munching my Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’?
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Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Chris Johnson on October 06, 2019, 07:37:01 AM: A larva of the Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae).
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gail on October 06, 2019, 08:46:48 AM: Thanks Chris, its a very pretty caterpillar.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 07, 2019, 11:04:23 AM: Went to check the nest this afternoon to find it empty!
We suspected fowl play :o but later found this little chap hiding in the garden nearby.
So was the nest attacked (there are feral cats in the neighbourhood) or is it a tactic of the parents to be able to re-use the nest?
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: ian mcdonald on October 07, 2019, 11:35:40 AM: Fermi, the blackbirds in my garden only use the nest once. When the young are big enough to fly a short distance they leave the nest and scatter to different parts of the garden. They make a noise when they want food and the parents find them. As soon as they are confident flyers they move further away.
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 07, 2019, 01:13:59 PM: Thanks, Ian - I can now remove the nest!
These nestlings hardly looked like they could fly but the one I found looked healthy enough
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 08, 2019, 12:38:51 PM: In case forumists think that we only get introduced birds in our garden, here are some pics of red-browed firetail finches (Neochmia temporalis) commonly called "red-bums" :o
Usually they travel in small flocks but this pair were by themselves eating grass seeds in front of our house (just as well we didn't remove all that Poa annua ;D )
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Joakim B on November 05, 2019, 07:51:58 PM: Saw a caterpillar during last weeks sunny lunch walk here in Lund
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: angie on November 20, 2019, 05:16:15 PM: Just a wee question . Today whilst out in the garden cleaning up leaves .I kept hearing what I thought was a bell on a cats collar. It went on for ages till finally I saw what I think was a hawk . Why would this bird have a bell on it in the wild.

Angie :)
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: Gerdk on November 20, 2019, 05:29:10 PM: I guess the bird escaped from a falconer.
Another explanation is: Christmastime isn't far away (Jingle bells) ;)
Gerd
Title: Re: Wildlife in nature and in the garden 2019
Post by: angie on November 20, 2019, 09:27:05 PM: Gerd hopefully it will find its way home . One thing it won’t be able to catch small birds with its jingle bells attached ;D

Angie :)