Author Topic: Local Wildlife  (Read 527574 times)

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Offline snowcap

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1305 on: May 12, 2017, 10:57:21 pm »
most likely rotten magpies, they wait for the young to hatch then make their kill

Offline SteveH

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1306 on: May 26, 2017, 11:53:18 am »
This visitor caused a bit of commotion just before bedtime last night,  crashing around the kitchen, scared Mrs H, who is not into flying insects of any description, let alone this large noisy specimen, and it was the first time we had encountered this bug, it was easy to catch and release, and glad to see the back of it.

Cockchafers
No, we didn’t make that name up, the common English name for Melolontha melolontha is indeed the cockchafer.  Although they are beetles they are also commonly called May bugs, and you can see why from the graph above.  These large beetles emerge as adults in May or June after living in the soil as larvae for 3-5 years. They are strong though inelegant fliers and are attracted to light, meaning they often fly through open windows and gatecrash evening barbeques!  But don’t worry; they are not harmful to humans.  Find out more here  -
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/common-bugs/cockchafer/index.html
 


Offline Fester

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1307 on: June 01, 2017, 05:53:47 pm »
One of them was sat on my chair outside The Seaclyffe Hotel today..
I let it have the chair...
Fester...
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Offline Fester

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1308 on: June 06, 2017, 01:22:45 pm »
This bird slammed into my patio windows earlier.
The poor little thing is stunned, so I'm leaving it alone for now, whilst making sure local cats don't get near it.
I thought it was a pigeon, because of its body shape, feet and plumage.
But it's head and beak shape is definitely not a pigeon.
Anyone any idea what it is?
(Whichever way I rotate the photo on my iPad, they still come out upside down on here, can admin help?)
Fester...
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Offline spotty dog

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1309 on: June 06, 2017, 01:59:41 pm »
Looks like a young wood pigeon

Offline Fester

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1310 on: June 06, 2017, 02:05:40 pm »
Ah yes.... I've googled it.... it WAS a wood pigeon
Either an adult female or an fledgling.

I say 'was'.....
Fester...
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Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1311 on: June 06, 2017, 02:47:00 pm »
Yes, a young woodpigeon.
A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

Offline Fester

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1312 on: June 06, 2017, 03:57:05 pm »
I'm afraid I was so keen to keep cats away from it, that I carried it up to the top of the garden... gave it a little stroke on its head and promised it would be ok.

I turned my back, and a flock of jackdaws descended on it, and killed it.
I know that nature must take its course but I'm really gutted about it.

I had no idea jackdaws were predatory in that way?
Fester...
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Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1313 on: June 06, 2017, 04:43:28 pm »
 :-[  :-[
A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

Offline Fester

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1314 on: June 06, 2017, 05:14:12 pm »
Indeed Merddin,  and I can find no references to Jackdaws killing other birds!
Fester...
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Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1315 on: June 06, 2017, 05:51:58 pm »
Really it needed to be in a cage until ready to fly off.
A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

Offline Fester

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1316 on: June 06, 2017, 06:14:24 pm »
Don't make me feel worse!!  I thought I was helping.

It did not like being handled, and according to all web sources jackdaws should not have attacked it.
I was trying to get it safe from cats, and place it higher up the garden.
Fester...
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Offline Nemesis

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1317 on: June 06, 2017, 08:22:17 pm »
The Jackdaws this year seem particularly nasty, they seem to be 'ganging up' on the smaller birds and are very noisy in the early hours of daylight.
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.

Offline Hugo

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1318 on: June 06, 2017, 11:28:58 pm »
When I was on the computer yesterday two Jackdaws had one heck of a scrap and the aggressive one flew off with part of the wing of the other and appeared to be eating it on my front lawn

Offline BrianP

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Re: Local Wildlife
« Reply #1319 on: June 07, 2017, 02:48:35 pm »
On the BBC Springwatch programme the other night, they showed Jackdaws taking young chicks from nests. Although they are not known for taking chicks, it does happen.