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Post by felonious on Dec 19, 2021 16:06:36 GMT
I've been over to Tittesworth for the Christmas Cracker this morning and the view from the Cloud and from Gun Hill were off the scale with the mist completely covering the valleys below.
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Post by Northy on Dec 20, 2021 9:05:51 GMT
I've been over to Tittesworth for the Christmas Cracker this morning and the view from the Cloud and from Gun Hill were off the scale with the mist completely covering the valleys below. was underneath it all day, yet mum in Stoke was saying it was lovely and sunny, a chilly run yesterday morning ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211220/21b8bed19cafa74468df44fb2f22d855.jpg) ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211220/8ad7c852ca6fc0e84ec574684f031038.jpg)
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Post by felonious on Dec 26, 2021 17:52:26 GMT
Double treat today. First thing this morning a stoat appeared on the lawn searching for rabbits, watched him in and out of shrubs for a few minutes.
This afternoon a Jay came into the garden just outside the kitchen window. I've never seen one that close to the house before.
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Post by Northy on Dec 28, 2021 8:22:09 GMT
Went to watch the starling murmurations at Marbury Park on boxing day, great displays, can't load videos on here though ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211228/b3454abf37cbedf75941993345f5af24.jpg)
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Post by potterinleeds on Jan 7, 2022 14:30:16 GMT
Out running early this morning, thin snow showers and bitter wind - pleased to see my first flock of lapwings of the year. I'll be keeping a keen eye out over the coming weeks to see when the flock disperses, in hope of an early Spring ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/800541/images/0m0lbCuTEBzaRn6f8QaM.gif) .
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Post by potterinleeds on Mar 11, 2022 19:01:04 GMT
Back from two fantastic days working on the coast between Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby. Sunny weather (if very windy today) and a privilege to be able to walk through the narrow streets of both towns when they are not packed out. Heard my first skylark of the year today and also saw the first flush of green on a hawthorn hedge, very patchy but it's definitely on the move now.
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Post by felonious on Mar 12, 2022 18:38:31 GMT
Back from two fantastic days working on the coast between Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby. Sunny weather (if very windy today) and a privilege to be able to walk through the narrow streets of both towns when they are not packed out. Heard my first skylark of the year today and also saw the first flush of green on a hawthorn hedge, very patchy but it's definitely on the move now. I've been down Sarf for a couple of days. The amount of Red Kites is incredible, they're everywhere, the new seagulls ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/800541/images/kwfoKwtHI0jglJZ4qZf6.gif) . The other thing that struck me was the amount of blossom on the hedgerows.
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Post by potterinleeds on Apr 11, 2022 17:14:47 GMT
Working around and about the wonderfully named Easterside Hill, in Bilsdale, North York Moors today. Saw curlews, lapwings and oystercatchers and heard them calling. Also some birds of prey, but not close enough to get a definite ID.
All hedgerows greening up nicely there and plenty of blackthorn blossom still.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 11, 2022 17:18:57 GMT
Every morning I get off the train on my bike and go off road. And there’s always a gaggle? of fluffy little bunny rabbits in the same spot every morning. I can never get a photo or recording of them quick enough but it puts a smile on my chops every day 😉
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Post by Orbs on Apr 11, 2022 18:02:11 GMT
Every morning I get off the train on my bike and go off road. And there’s always a gaggle? of fluffy little bunny rabbits in the same spot every morning. I can never get a photo or recording of them quick enough but it puts a smile on my chops every day 😉 It’s called a ‘Battery of rabbits’
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Post by Orbs on Apr 12, 2022 18:21:02 GMT
Every morning I get off the train on my bike and go off road. And there’s always a gaggle? of fluffy little bunny rabbits in the same spot every morning. I can never get a photo or recording of them quick enough but it puts a smile on my chops every day 😉 It’s called a ‘Battery of rabbits’ Ok - how about a ‘Duracell of rabbits?’ Yes? No?
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 12, 2022 18:27:38 GMT
It’s called a ‘Battery of rabbits’ Ok - how about a ‘Duracell of rabbits?’ Yes? No? Not sure but they’re certainly Rampant, if that means anything?🤔
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Post by felonious on May 6, 2022 16:24:09 GMT
Last weekend I made an early morning visit to Dovedale for the first time in years, the previous visit was so busy I've given it a wide berth. I had the pleasure of watching the Dippers for 20 minutes eventually seeing where one of them was nesting. They've got to be one of the most entertaining creatures out there, an absolute joy to watch
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Post by felonious on May 6, 2022 16:30:17 GMT
Dimmingsdale this afternoon. As I was by the fish pools, tucked away in the bushes, waiting to jump out on some unsuspecting female, quietly looking for the Kingfishers and Mandarin ducks a Blackcap perched about 6 feet away from me making a fair racket. Had a good couple of minutes before it realised I was there and cleared off.
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Post by felonious on May 20, 2022 8:09:44 GMT
The Swallows are back nesting under the walkway at the back of the house, summer is here kids
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Post by marylandstoke on May 20, 2022 15:56:53 GMT
Mum and Dad swum by out on the back creek yesterday with their goslings. There were lots of them too!
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Post by potterinleeds on May 23, 2022 12:55:47 GMT
May is definitely the supreme month of the year IMHO. The combination of some warm days and heavy overnight rain in the past fortnight has produced really lush growth up here, making even something as mundane as a work train journey from Leeds to Barnsley magical. Was in an old Sprinter-type carriage, with low seats and big windows, giving wide views to either side. Windows were open at the top, and the strong scent of hawthorn blossom coming through them as we passed through trackside jungles to the south of Leeds - everything incredibly green, with these railway 'waste land' sites providing important oases for wildlife. Saw my first wild foxgloves coming into bloom when out running this morning, and all hedgerows very rich.
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Post by felonious on May 23, 2022 14:25:49 GMT
May is definitely the supreme month of the year IMHO. The combination of some warm days and heavy overnight rain in the past fortnight has produced really lush growth up here, making even something as mundane as a work train journey from Leeds to Barnsley magical. Was in an old Sprinter-type carriage, with low seats and big windows, giving wide views to either side. Windows were open at the top, and the strong scent of hawthorn blossom coming through them as we passed through trackside jungles to the south of Leeds - everything incredibly green, with these railway 'waste land' sites providing important oases for wildlife. Saw my first wild foxgloves coming into bloom when out running this morning, and all hedgerows very rich. We're inundated with Foxgloves here must have had the perfect growing conditions.
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Post by felonious on May 23, 2022 14:27:49 GMT
I was heading out on the lane this weekend and had the pleasure of watching a hare running away in front of me. Must have run at least a 100 metres before heading off into the fields.
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Post by potterinleeds on May 23, 2022 17:52:31 GMT
I was heading out on the lane this weekend and had the pleasure of watching a hare running away in front of me. Must have run at least a 100 metres before heading off into the fields. Are you sure it wasn't Yes?
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Post by felonious on May 23, 2022 18:24:43 GMT
I was heading out on the lane this weekend and had the pleasure of watching a hare running away in front of me. Must have run at least a 100 metres before heading off into the fields. Are you sure it wasn't Yes? No, the ears were too small
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Post by felonious on Jul 15, 2022 17:20:16 GMT
I was in the rarely used dining room today and spotted a bat clinging to the ceiling rose of the light fitting. Presumably it's found it's way down the chimney.
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Post by felonious on Jul 15, 2022 17:23:58 GMT
I was in the Macclesfield Forest for a race last night and as they were setting up the finish funnel on a patch of lawn at the back of the visitor centre someone noticed several frogs. Closer inspection revealed that there were several hundred so the finish line had to be moved to the trail. I must admit I haven't seen any so far this year locally nor any frogspawn while I've been out and about.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Jul 15, 2022 22:20:20 GMT
There's an unusually large pod of dolphins in Cardigan bay this year. Probably drawn in close to the shoreline by a plentiful supply of mackerel and various other food sources. Quite a privilege to watch them breaking the water so near to the beach.
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Post by felonious on Sept 17, 2022 17:43:42 GMT
I had a rare treat yesterday at the end of an 8 day holiday in and around Sidmouth. I was walking back down the main town park alongside the river and only 100 yards from the road/ main entrance and spotted an otter. As it saw me it headed under the trees on the other bank and then proceeded to go up the bank and then climb over a six foot fence into one of the gardens. In twenty plus years of going down there and walking along both the Sid and the river Otter I've never seen one just plain weird to see one in the centre of the town where all the dog walking, running, cycling and general exercise goes on and at 5 in the afternoon.
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Post by felonious on Oct 28, 2022 17:59:30 GMT
Got up in the early hours this morning for a pee and spotted a hedgehog wandering across the lawn. It must be 10 years plus since I've seen one here.
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Post by Northy on Nov 3, 2022 7:33:10 GMT
Sat having breakfast yesterday here on holiday and watched a stoat bobbing around the field in front and then around in front of the cottage, this morning thought someone was outside but a barn owl had flown into the full height windows in the entrance hall and was also flying into the glass balustrade on the seating area outside the entrance hall
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Post by potterinleeds on Dec 8, 2022 17:51:00 GMT
Have been surveying out near Grassington, bottom end of Wharfedale, all this week and yesterday at about 4pm there was the most superb moonrise over the moorland I have seen in years. A large, bright, almost full moon, casting moonlight over frost on pasture and drystone field walls. Hypnotic and very beautiful.
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Post by felonious on Dec 8, 2022 18:02:03 GMT
Have been surveying out near Grassington, bottom end of Wharfedale, all this week and yesterday at about 4pm there was the most superb moonrise over the moorland I have seen in years. A large, bright, almost full moon, casting moonlight over frost on pasture and drystone field walls. Hypnotic and very beautiful. I've been over in Lanzarote for the last week..... there was a half moon but the bottom half not the usual sideways on that we see, quite odd looking at it
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Post by Northy on Dec 15, 2022 13:21:20 GMT
Had a small flock of redwings in the garden the last couple of days, enjoying the Holly and pyracantha berries, normally only see them out in the countryside. A winter visitor from Scandinavia. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221215/d8bc24ada26a2977a7484a79260bfcd8.jpg)
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