Wildlife November 2010

[Paul T]

Particularly not over lunch. 

I've seen a programme with this in it as well...... they wait for them to pass a certain bay where they have to go into deep water, then work as a pack and repeat attack.  It really is amazing, although definitely not in a nice way.  Nature really is amazing.

[Stephenb]

I am soooooooooo jealous
http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/waxwings-oct-25th-2010-day-well-always.html

The birds were so hungry they had to feed

Fantastic pictures, Mark!!! Never experienced them that tame over here, although you can get very close to them when they're concentrating on feeding. Must have been hungry after the crossing, or just drunk...

[mark smyth]

Lesley and Paul is that the programme that said only the tongues were eaten?

[David Nicholson]

Check out The One Show on BBC iplayer

... thats one programme to avoid like the plague

Why is that David? It's not available here anyway.

The TV equivalent of tabloid journalism at its worst-it's dire.

[scatigaz]

     Yes Mark those Waxwings were fantastic. Been close to them before but nothing like that. Am sure that lad will never forget that experience.

[mark smyth]

David what do you watch on TV?

[jomowi]

Had a flock of about 30 waxwings on my birch tree today.  This is the first time they have knowingly turned up in the garden in 40 years, though I have seen them locally. I would like to think this flock was the (now replete) bunch featured on Autumnwatch which have  moved on from Fair Isle!  One or two tried the Sorbus vilmorinii berries, but were not impressed.  They only get eaten by the other birds as a last resort.  The birch tree is a measured 76' in height, and is listed on the Aberdeen Heritage Tree register.  Maureen

[angie]

Hi Maureen

That would have been so lovely. The birch tree is a wonderful sight on it's own but seeing thirty waxwings in it would be wonderful. I have see them here but they just seem disappear as quick as they come.
See you soon.

Angie

[David Nicholson]

David what do you watch on TV?

The News

[Lesley Cox]

That's very daring of you David, you old adventurer you.

Mark I think it probably was, because Roger said afterwards that the killer whales went for the tongues first as they were soft. Whether they ONLY eat the tongues, he didn't say. Apparently if the greys keep to shallow waters the killers can't get under them to access them easily but they can't always do that.

[mark smyth]

waxwings reported in my town but I couldnt find them

[Anthony Darby]

The waxwing invasion of Dunblane has hit "The Allanwater News" (one of the free weekly newspapers that drop though our letter box onto the mat).

[David Lyttle]

The Australian long-tailed bush rabbit (Varmita veranda). They make a very good stir-fry and taste of roses, cabbage, strawberries or what ever. I found this one when I was putting the cat out. The cat did not want to get involved and ducked back inside. Sorry about the quality of the photo-it is difficult to manually focus in the dark!

[mark smyth]

stupid me just Googled Varmita veranda  Is it a possum?

[Anthony Darby]

Yep, one of 70 million in New Zealand I'm afraid.