Wildlife Autumn 2007 (spring wildlife Down Under)

[ranunculus]

Thanks Sharon, Andrew, Anthony et al for your identifications, etc.

I agree about 'it being a small world' Anthony....whether one is a godwit, a nitwit or, in my case, a halfwit...

Just one more birdie from the U.S. of A. to post....from the magnificent aquarium at Monterey once again..... 

[Martin Baxendale]

Your jokes made me snicker Martin. Never mind, it'll all be done by Friday.

   Tee Hee! I got it completely round my neck of course. Just checked Wikipedia (wonderful invention!!) and of course Marathon bars were those ones that lasted forever. It was the Topic bar that had a hazelnut in every bite! I also found a site where you can order old-fashioned choccy bars from your childhood to be sent mail-order, even packed in ice to prevent melting in the mail!! Nostalgia gone nuts! (Boom-boom!)   :

[Casalima]

Just one more birdie from the U.S. of A. to post....from the magnificent aquarium at Monterey once again..... 

What an absolutely gorgeous photograph, Cliff!!

Chloë

[annew]

Martin, have you been celebrating your book a little too much?! Whatever it is you're on I could do with some! The trap came from ebay see http://stores.ebay.co.uk/DENNINGS-DIY. Happy hunting

[Stephenb]

Mark said...

> This morning I received an email showing the
> migration route of a tagged Godwit.

I saw this on a Norwegian birding site a few weeks ago and the following link was given:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1774

I found this feat absolutely astonishing - had no idea that Godwits flew non-stop over 8 days across the Pacific! Note also the different spring and autumn routes, taking advantage of the westerly wind belt of the North Pacific.

By the way, look out for an invasion of Waxwings this winter in the UK and further south in Europe. Our first flocks have arrived this week here in central Norway (near Trondheim), but there has been a disastrous Rowan year, so the birds will not stay here for long this year.

Another interesting site we are following just now http://www.hint.no/hint/fagportal/foelg_fiskeoernenes_trekkrute. Ospreys have returned to our area over the last few years after a long absence. 3 of them are being satellite tracked and you can see the very different routes they have chosen so far. One crossed the North Sea arriving in East Anglia whilst one has already arrived in its sub-Saharan overwintring area! The third bird has either died or there are problems with the antenna.

[Rafa]

Amazing picture Cliff, excelent sharpness!!
This is an unidentified beattle

[Anthony Darby]

It is is Hister quadrinotatus Rafa. It is predatory, as is its larvae, on other insect larvae associated with horse and cow dung. It is a warmth-loving species not found in Britain.

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Rafa,
These are not as clear I'm afraid, but they were taken from a viewpoint high up on the promenade at Hoylake (on the Wirral) today of an egret on the estuary sands....I presume this pretty little thing is a uncommon winter visitor but I'm certain that the experts on this forum will put me right on that. I love the third image of it dancing.

[Lesley Cox]

Lovely pics Cliff. All that heron/egret/crane group of birds seem to leap and dance. I remember seeing a Japanese TV thing once with their beautiful cranes jumping up and down and having a whale of a good time.

[mark smyth]

Little Egrets are now breeding in the UK and spend the winter around the entire British and Irish coast

The LBJ might be a Dunlin

[ranunculus]

Thanks Mark....I knew somebody would put me right.
Just along the coast from Hoylake is West Kirby and the unusual offshore Hilbre islands which can be reached at certain times of the day by striding out across the estuary sands. A haven for migrating seabirds this unusual destination also proved a magnet for day trippers and birdwatchers on a warm autumnal Sunday.  Our first visit and we were particularly struck by the wonderful erosion patterns in the rocks on the islands.  We could almost have been in a miniaturised Bryce Canyon.

[Maggi Young]

Are you SURE that last photo isn't of something sinister, Cliff?
The rock formations are fascinating, that woman, Nature, is very clever, isn't she?

[David Nicholson]

Are you SURE that last photo isn't of something sinister, Cliff?
The rock formations are fascinating, that woman, Nature, is very clever, isn't she?

I thought 'Nature' was a bloke! Surely women aren't capable of all nature's wonders, they would spend too much time worrying about colours clashing

[Maggi Young]

they would spend too much time worrying about colours clashing

But for Nature, no colours clash, that is a human "problem" 
Besides, Nature must be a "she", because there is so much to do in Nature and "blokes" are always in the pub or at the golf club 
Gardeners of the male gender are much nicer than "blokes" , though much less talented than Nature 

[Maggi Young]

This question of gender is apt, though, since I have just been sent am email which helpfully illustrates an answer to the vexed question of how to tell the gender of a bird..... I quote.....
"HOW TO TELL THE SEX OF A BIRD.....

This Is AMAZING!!!

Until now I never fully understood how to tell The difference Between Male and Female Birds. I always thought it had to be determined surgically.
Until Now.

Which of The Two Birds Is a Female??? Below are Two Birds. Study them closely...See If You Can Spot Which of The Two Is The Female.
It can be done. Even by one with limited bird watching skills. "