Your day's wildlife

[sevenfourate]

Last year I often caught a Heron by surprise at my local (Middle of a housing estate !) pond: early in the Mornings. The last couple of weeks I’ve disturbed it twice at approx 4.30-5am when it’s pitch black outside.

Does this mean Herons fly in pitch black ? I didn’t think any / many birds did that.

I can’t believe that (shy breed) bird had been there since dusk the night before with all the noise a pond in an Estate brings with it……

 

[gbb]

No shortage of Buzzard and Red Kite round Peterborough and you'll occasionally see them quite close to each other. Today, I looked out a bedroom window and watched one of each circling each other for a minute or two, always seemingly keeping a respectful but watchful distance. They continued this circling, maybe 30ft apart, it was quite interesting, what are they doing? What are they thinking ?

 

[notmyrealnamebutclose]

Huge piles of blue bottles round us, must be fly tipping…..

some people get a buzz out of doing that, I know I do. Filthy beast 🤔

 

[Psamathe]

No shortage of Buzzard and Red Kite round Peterborough and you'll occasionally see them quite close to each other. Today, I looked out a bedroom window and watched one of each circling each other for a minute or two, always seemingly keeping a respectful but watchful distance. They continued this circling, maybe 30ft apart, it was quite interesting, what are they doing? What are they thinking ?

Out of a ride a few days ago I saw 2 red kites and a buzzard sort of soaring nearby each other.

 

[figbat]

Out of a ride a few days ago I saw 2 red kites and a buzzard sort of soaring nearby each other.

Red kites are like pigeons around here. They appeared to drive the buzzards away for a while but happily they seem to be reestablishing themselves.

Much as I love seeing a red kite, they are becoming a problem as people feed them so they are becoming very bold. Our neighbour feeds them and there’s one that sits atop a tree just outside our bedroom window early in the morning and cries to be fed. It’s also not uncommon to have one swoop down to grab roadkill right in front of you - that can be quite alarming!

 

[Willd]

Yes there were masses of pheasants on this weekend’s ride. Do they get released or something this time of year?

Yes, a lot of tame cannon fodder around Although more probably get done in by cars

 

[biggs682]

A large hairy catapiler of some variety

And a starling who flew down for a rest

 

[Gillstay]

Last year I often caught a Heron by surprise at my local (Middle of a housing estate !) pond: early in the Mornings. The last couple of weeks I’ve disturbed it twice at approx 4.30-5am when it’s pitch black outside.

Does this mean Herons fly in pitch black ? I didn’t think any / many birds did that.

I can’t believe that (shy breed) bird had been there since dusk the night before with all the noise a pond in an Estate brings with it……

Yeah a lot of birds move around at night if conditions are right, but we did not realise till WW2 as we then had aircraft doing the same thing.

 

[Psamathe]

I have found cycling a tadpole format recumbent (fairly low model) that wildlife seems a lot more tolerant as one approaches. Often I'll get to within a few meters without slowing of a deer (normally Roe) before they decide to move back. Birds perching or on ground same - get a lot closer than on foot or on upright DF.

 

[notmyrealnamebutclose]

Yeah a lot of birds move around at night if conditions are right, but we did not realise till WW2 as we then had aircraft doing the same thing.

Are you sure about that? Owls ofc do and migrating birds but they fly very high up, well out of harms way.
What conditions have to be right? 🤔

 

[biggs682]

We stopped at Thetford and walked along the Little ouse river from Nuns Bridges road to the town centre and spotted 3 kingfishers , a jay , swans , great tits , little egret , cattle egret , Canadian geese, ducks and a low fly over by a heron all within 90 minutes.

 

[Gillstay]

Are you sure about that? Owls ofc do and migrating birds but they fly very high up, well out of harms way.
What conditions have to be right? 🤔

You have already said it, migrating in spring and autumn. Often the right conditions are following weather patterns to enable a safe flight to their destinations. Also they have to get right up so are in harms way. I have gone to record an owl at ten at night and got Teal instead at low level. I would never have guessed it though.

 

[biggs682]

Whilst walking in Thetford swmbo spotted this dead hornet

 

[notmyrealnamebutclose]

You have already said it, migrating in spring and autumn. Often the right conditions are following weather patterns to enable a safe flight to their destinations. Also they have to get right up so are in harms way. I have gone to record an owl at ten at night and got Teal instead at low level. I would never have guessed it though.

Okay no worries. Birbs sometimes have to fly at night if they've been spooked or predated, tho not sure many Owl's
predate on other birds much.

 

[Profpointy]

Nice - I've only ever seen baby ones hiding under logs
View attachment 789492

There are deep sea versions of woodlice that are as big as an Armadillo. Only seen 'em on TV rather than diving. Impressive things.