Wildlife in Your Area

[JennieAtkinson]

Last year we had a super thread about wildlife where Grapes posted details about the wildlife and habitat around their garden and/or allotments. Here's the link if anybody wants to view it:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...light=Wildlife

So I thought I would start it off again for this Spring and Summer (what Spring I hear you ask ) but today in the fields around the house I noticed the lapwings and oystercatchers have returned for their spring/summer season. Normally they only return at the beginning of March, so they are really early this year. It was lovely hearing their calls (sounds I really assocate with Spring) while I walked with the dog through the snow.

So....... what's in your garden or allotment?

[Alice]

Hi Jennie, nothing new has turned up, but the birds are into their breeding colours. The cock chaffinches look as if they have been done over with a paint box, the hen blackies are looking gorgeous but I haven't seen if the cocks have their yellow bills. A bit of practise singing going on too from just about everybody. I always thought St Valentines day was the day the birds chose their mates, and always thought that seemed a bit early from what I saw, but they seem to be going for it this year. Have seen big gatherings of Magpies - weddings me thinks, and Jackdaws in similar behaviour. Looks like spring is here. It happens whatever the weather.

[wellie]

Nice thread Jennie (typo'd 'threat' first ! lucky I noticed that !)....

For the last fortnight or so we've heard and seen THE Trush, and guess wot?
It's 'pulled' !! So hopefully there'll be young 'uns later on.

Other than that, the Nuthatch has returned to the nutfeeders in the last couple of days after a long absence.

The Long-Tailed Tits have been back now since New Years' Day.

Mr. & Mrs. Robin, Blackbird, Coaltit, Bluetit, Robin, Dunnock, Housesparrow, and a lonesome Jenny Wren and the odd Magpie.....

Not a squirrel to be seen this winter, strange...

[wellie]

No, the Trush hasn't pulled, but the THRUSH has...

[Mrs Dobby]

Lovely idea for a thread Jennie!

We've currently Blue Tits, Great Tits (no jokes about my avatar please!), a pair of Magpies, 2 Robins, Blackbirds and Wood Pidgeons visiting on the plot, plus a Hedgehog (hibernating on our plot), a Fox (keeps leaving footprints on the freshly dug beds), a Wildcat (lives in a wood nearby) and Field Mice who are all evident at various times. There's also Frogs and Toads in our pond, tho they arent visible at the moment, but I will post when we first see them or the frog / toad spawn and / or tadpoles!

Last week we saw the geese flying North in a lovely V formation, must have been about 60 of them, was a grand sight!

[pigletwillie]

Mts D, more space hoppers than great tits although space hopper may make them indeed great tits. Your thoughts Bubblewrap.

[rustylady]

The woodpigeons and collared doves are courting. Also, now it's staying light for a bit longer the blackbirds are singing goodnight.

[nick the grief]

........Great Tits (no jokes about my avatar please!), ............

Are we that predictable

Haven't seen much of late and my two fat balls have been hanging out for a month now with hardly a nibble

[vicki lorraine]

Nick,
They must have frostbite by now!
Wot with all this snow over the last few days!

[Alice]

Siskins and Long Tailed Tits

Had 2 visiting parties today ! We have 2 pairs of Siskins resident here, but today a travelling party of about 20 turned up. Couldn't catch them all on camera but here are some.
Then a party of long tailed tits turned up. They come by regularly, have a quick gobble at the nuts then they're off - but very welcome visitors they are.

[madderbat]

Sorry we missed the flow last night - I'll put Bubblewrap on later for his comments!
We went for a walk along the canal today and saw a kingfisher!!! Its only the second one I've ever seen, and it didn't half move fast. We also saw moorhens, and mallards playing at courting, while the four pairs of swans along the way were looking for suitable sites I think.

In our backyard we've had a bird for the last month which sings it's heart out after dark, as well as during the day. I'm not sure I can identify it. I thought at first it might be a warbler, but although I got the Indie CDs a few weeks ago I'm still not sure. It sounds like liquid gold and carries on for ages, so I'll have to hope for a good look at it. The closest I came to seeing it was on a tree across the back fence and the chainlink fence got in the way. It looked someting like a greenfinch size and shape, but I've lost confidence these days and can't be sure.
Our robin and wren are still on their own, while the thrush is giving it some from the trees. The solitary crow has been sitting on chimney pots across the road, calling four times, which may be a sign of pregnancy there.
I saw 13 magpies on a roof the otherday,it looks like they are sorting themselves out too.
Geese have been flying in skein up the valley, and in general it feels that Spring is here.

[pigletwillie]

It was fairly quiet on the plots to day with just a few goldfinches and Proffesor Yaffle to be seen.

At home the new bird table and feeders are being treated like bernard mathews turkey at tescos, totally ignored. Oh well.

[wellie]

It takes a while Piglet, and once one or two come along to feed, it's amazing how quickly the others all turn up !

[purplevegman1]

it could be a thrush they have a tremendous vocabulary,like to sit at the highest tree and sing for 3 hours at dusk

[nick the grief]

It takes a while Piglet, and once one or two come along to feed, it's amazing how quickly the others all turn up !

I've had mine up for about 7 years and the buggers still ignore it!!! I htink the main trouble is I live near to 200acres of mixed woodland and there's loads of food about.