Animal-life in our gardens and surrounds 2018

[Maggi Young]

From Oron Peri -  "Two beauties in the nursery today: Calochortus clavatus and a Stone Curlew chick. It is the 3rd year this pair manage to raise a healthy chick."

[Michael J Campbell]

Had a visitor in the garden yesterday, (Erinaceus europaeus) It ran into a small opening at the bottom of a pier in the wall to escape from the dog and couldn't get out again. I had to do a little bit of excavation to release it. Kept it overnight and fed it some dog food which it ate. Was released today at the edge of a small forest and ran away quite happily. 

[ian mcdonald]

Some time ago I made a bird bath from the end of a plastic barrel. It is used a lot. This morning I noticed a movement in the bath and saw this frog having a swim.

[fermi de Sousa]

There have been more "Laughing Kookaburras" - Dacelo novaeguineae - around due to the large number of mice!
Although the song would have you believe that they sit in "old gum trees" they also use power-lines and other artificial structures
cheers
fermi

[ian mcdonald]

A blue parakeet has been around the back gardens since yesterday.

[fermi de Sousa]

We were watching what I presume is a black shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) when it was swooped by a magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)
cheers
fermi

[ian mcdonald]

The parakeet seems quite happy to be free.

[Bart]

I thought I saw a lily beetle, but it was someone else:



I hope he is a goody, I left it in peace.
This year I see more beetles around my garden than ever before. Maybe the 'woodland patch' with a lot of dead wood and hiding places pays off.

[ian mcdonald]

A robin taking a bath in the saucer, birds need water to wash in as well as drink. I decided to trim some ivy branches which were overgrowing the lawn. When I cleared the branches I noticed a small neat nest. It looks as though it has not been used yet so I replaced it in the ivy. I don,t know whose nest it is. It could be hedge sparrow, robin or goldfinch. All have been in the ivy. It shows it is still too soon to prune.

[Maggi Young]

Timely reminder, Ian, of the need to  wait  a while yet before pruning and hedge trimming.  Here there have been lots of little birds collecting the dog hair I put out for them to line their nests, presumeably  for a second brood at this time - but they are certainly still busy nesting.

[ian mcdonald]

Maggi, the resident pair of blackbirds are on their third clutch of the year already, maybe going for a record.

[Maggi Young]

My word - they must be  run ragged  with all that work - some years our house sparrows  have  been on the same challenge - we get tired just watching all the feeding flights!

[jomowi]

Less than a week ago, a house sparrow was plucking the fluffy heads off my Dryas suendermanii to line a nest with. I too, have a plant saucer out with water for the birds.  I don't get the lovely variety I had in my last garden, but I get a lot of enjoyment watching the sparrows drinking and bathing. In the winter, a blackbird bathed after first breaking the thin covering of ice!

[Graham Catlow]

I wonder if anyone can identify this bee like creature that has burrowed into one of my Sempervivum pots. It is carrying plant segments into the hole which I presume will feed a grub.
Will it do any harm to the plants?
The attached photos aren't great but I hope they are clear enough for an i.d.

[Steve Garvie]

I think it’s a Leafcutter Bee.