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Post by felonious on Oct 27, 2016 19:26:35 GMT
There was a huge swarm of ladybirds around the house yesterday flying in when the door was opened....not quite 1976 but more than I can remember in recent years.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Oct 27, 2016 19:52:34 GMT
There was a huge swarm of ladybirds around the house yesterday flying in when the door was opened....not quite 1976 but more than I can remember in recent years. Came across two at work today but the opposite colour set up. Completely black with a red spot each wing. Definitely ladybirds but only ever seen them like that once before.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 7:26:06 GMT
I like to stroll across the fields in the early morning, as the mist crawls from the canal like some proverbial phantom of romance to curl, under a cascade of neon pollen.
Then go for a good shit when I get back
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Oct 28, 2016 7:31:31 GMT
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Post by potterinleeds on Nov 2, 2016 9:29:23 GMT
Out running at 6.30 this morning, first proper ground frost up here in sheltered pockets, air sharp on the lungs. Caught the sunrise reflecting off the underside of a Red Kite circling around above me; I was surprised to see it out so early. Lovely stuff.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Nov 4, 2016 23:19:15 GMT
Perched atop a lighting mast in the middle of the D road at the Kidsgrove junction today, was (I think) a red kite. Calm as you like staring down at something obviously but in no way put off by the traffic. Very impressive.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Nov 4, 2016 23:26:22 GMT
Fingers crossed for the Red Kite incursion. Not seen any myself around here yet but positive sightings in Endon and Denford.
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Post by rogerjonesisgod on Nov 9, 2016 9:51:45 GMT
So there I was, minding my own business yesterday afternoon when this little fella came strolling across the back lawn..... Attachment DeletedI crushed up an organic oat and pumpkin seed cracker and threw him a fig which I randomly had near by and he had his lunch. I went off to see the robins and when I came back he was laying on his side, breathing but not in a ball. Yikes thinks I, maybe the fig has done for him. On closer inspection I see one of those red rubber bands that postmen drop everywhere deep down in his spines around his neck. Gardening gloves and a pair of scissors see it removed but it must have been there for a while as it was pretty weathered. Anyway, I leave him be with a bit of cracker under his nose and sure enough a few minutes later up he gets and strolls off back the way he came. Later that night I'm putting some rubbish out and saw him snuffling around in the bushes so I threw him another fig.
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 16, 2016 10:16:04 GMT
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 16, 2016 10:55:14 GMT
So there I was, minding my own business yesterday afternoon when this little fella came strolling across the back lawn..... I crushed up an organic oat and pumpkin seed cracker and threw him a fig which I randomly had near by and he had his lunch. I went off to see the robins and when I came back he was laying on his side, breathing but not in a ball. Yikes thinks I, maybe the fig has done for him. On closer inspection I see one of those red rubber bands that postmen drop everywhere deep down in his spines around his neck. Gardening gloves and a pair of scissors see it removed but it must have been there for a while as it was pretty weathered. Anyway, I leave him be with a bit of cracker under his nose and sure enough a few minutes later up he gets and strolls off back the way he came. Later that night I'm putting some rubbish out and saw him snuffling around in the bushes so I threw him another fig. Rog, if you're lucky enough to have this lovely little fella as a garden resident and want to feed him, I hope you won't mind my mentioning that the best thing to give hedgehogs is a saucer of tinned catfood, plus always a shallow dish of water. Well-meaning folks often used to put out a saucer of bread and milk for them, but this is totally wrong and can actually kill them. We need to look after hedgehogs if we can as they are apparently in decline. They eat slugs and so are an asset to gardeners (who hopefully don't use slug pellets.) And finally……. In at least one of Shakespeare's plays they were referred to as a 'hedgepig'.
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Post by rogerjonesisgod on Nov 17, 2016 11:58:18 GMT
So there I was, minding my own business yesterday afternoon when this little fella came strolling across the back lawn..... I crushed up an organic oat and pumpkin seed cracker and threw him a fig which I randomly had near by and he had his lunch. I went off to see the robins and when I came back he was laying on his side, breathing but not in a ball. Yikes thinks I, maybe the fig has done for him. On closer inspection I see one of those red rubber bands that postmen drop everywhere deep down in his spines around his neck. Gardening gloves and a pair of scissors see it removed but it must have been there for a while as it was pretty weathered. Anyway, I leave him be with a bit of cracker under his nose and sure enough a few minutes later up he gets and strolls off back the way he came. Later that night I'm putting some rubbish out and saw him snuffling around in the bushes so I threw him another fig. Rog, if you're lucky enough to have this lovely little fella as a garden resident and want to feed him, I hope you won't mind my mentioning that the best thing to give hedgehogs is a saucer of tinned catfood, plus always a shallow dish of water. Well-meaning folks often used to put out a saucer of bread and milk for them, but this is totally wrong and can actually kill them. We need to look after hedgehogs if we can as they are apparently in decline. They eat slugs and so are an asset to gardeners (who hopefully don't use slug pellets.) And finally……. In at least one of Shakespeare's plays they were referred to as a 'hedgepig'. Don't mind the advice at all I had heard about the milk and bread thing but I'll try a little cat food. I read they're in decline because of more fencing in gardens and people landscaping 'low maintenance' decking and patios. I've gone the other way because of limited gardening skills and a liking for things being a bit wild the garden is a little shaggy and unkempt I'm even thinking of creating a section of 'wild meadow' next to the back hedge. And bees. I fancy a little hive.
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 17, 2016 17:34:59 GMT
Don't mind the advice at all I had heard about the milk and bread thing but I'll try a little cat food. (1) I read they're in decline because of more fencing in gardens and people landscaping 'low maintenance' decking and patios. I've gone the other way because of limited gardening skills and a liking for things being a bit wild the garden is a little shaggy and unkempt (2) I'm even thinking of creating a section of 'wild meadow' next to the back hedge. And bees. I fancy a little hive. Phew! Thank you. (1) Absolutely spot-on about these being some of the main reasons for hedgehogs' decline. (2) Yes! Please do this if you can - it's one of the most wildlife-friendly things anyone can do if they can spare a bit of their garden to devote to this and don't mind it looking a bit unkempt! If you want extra points, please also plant a buddleia or two there if you can - butterflies love them (its nickname is 'butterfly bush') - I have a few and last summer I counted at least 20 butterflies (all Peacocks) having a feast on one of them at the same time. They look spectacular in flower and need very little attention - just cut them back by about half every Easter (this is not crucial but benefits the plant if you can do it as pruning will produce more new flower-bearing stems rather than letting the plant get tall, sparse and straggly). Buddleias will also self-seed and spread to some degree. www.butterflywebsite.com/articles/buddleia-butterfly-bush.cfm
If you want to help bees, get some foxgloves in there, and scatter a pack of the herb 'Pot Marjoram' seeds over a bit of ordinary soil (ie. not posh compost as they like 'poor' soil) - once established it is totally hardy and will spread - and bees love it. They apparently also love dandelions. Another good plant is Monarda - its nickname is 'Bee Balm'. All of the above plants need a sunny site if poss. And after you've done all of this you'll want to put in a wildlife pond, won't you???!!! Your post has made my day, btw! .
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 17, 2016 21:45:19 GMT
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Post by rogerjonesisgod on Nov 18, 2016 1:15:45 GMT
Don't mind the advice at all I had heard about the milk and bread thing but I'll try a little cat food. (1) I read they're in decline because of more fencing in gardens and people landscaping 'low maintenance' decking and patios. I've gone the other way because of limited gardening skills and a liking for things being a bit wild the garden is a little shaggy and unkempt (2) I'm even thinking of creating a section of 'wild meadow' next to the back hedge. And bees. I fancy a little hive. Phew! Thank you. (1) Absolutely spot-on about these being some of the main reasons for hedgehogs' decline. (2) Yes! Please do this if you can - it's one of the most wildlife-friendly things anyone can do if they can spare a bit of their garden to devote to this and don't mind it looking a bit unkempt! If you want extra points, please also plant a buddleia or two there if you can - butterflies love them (its nickname is 'butterfly bush') - I have a few and last summer I counted at least 20 butterflies (all Peacocks) having a feast on one of them at the same time. They look spectacular in flower and need very little attention - just cut them back by about half every Easter (this is not crucial but benefits the plant if you can do it as pruning will produce more new flower-bearing stems rather than letting the plant get tall, sparse and straggly). Buddleias will also self-seed and spread to some degree. www.butterflywebsite.com/articles/buddleia-butterfly-bush.cfm
If you want to help bees, get some foxgloves in there, and scatter a pack of the herb 'Pot Marjoram' seeds over a bit of ordinary soil (ie. not posh compost as they like 'poor' soil) - once established it is totally hardy and will spread - and bees love it. They apparently also love dandelions. Another good plant is Monarda - its nickname is 'Bee Balm'. All of the above plants need a sunny site if poss. And after you've done all of this you'll want to put in a wildlife pond, won't you???!!! Your post has made my day, btw! . You're welcome Thanks for the gardening tips.
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Post by felonious on Nov 19, 2016 19:27:14 GMT
Looks like the Stormy Petrel is lost and not making his way to South Africa this winter.....he's still on the field
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Post by rogerjonesisgod on Nov 19, 2016 21:09:45 GMT
Looks like the Stormy Petrel is lost and not making his way to South Africa this winter.....he's still on the field Is it really too late? Not sure how long it takes to fly to SA but October and November have been really mild on his flight path South. Is he just a bit out if sync or has he really missed the bus?
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Post by felonious on Nov 20, 2016 9:32:06 GMT
Looks like the Stormy Petrel is lost and not making his way to South Africa this winter.....he's still on the field Is it really too late? Not sure how long it takes to fly to SA but October and November have been really mild on his flight path South. Is he just a bit out if sync or has he really missed the bus? I've read that they journey south in September and October which concurs with when I spotted it in mid October..... I think it's been there about five weeks. I've spotted them before in previous years.
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Post by Northy on Nov 20, 2016 10:29:28 GMT
i got a cracking murmaration video of thousands of starlings at marbury park a few weeks ago
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 20, 2016 12:26:30 GMT
i got a cracking murmaration video of thousands of starlings at marbury park a few weeks ago Sounds great. Can you post it on 'ere, Northy? Pretty please?!
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Post by felonious on Nov 20, 2016 13:03:03 GMT
i got a cracking murmaration video of thousands of starlings at marbury park a few weeks ago Sounds great. Can you post it on 'ere, Northy? Pretty please?! While your at it can you post a picture of the other birds you're looking after, pretty please
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Post by Northy on Nov 20, 2016 13:13:41 GMT
ive tried a few times but tapatalk keeps stopping halfway through
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 20, 2016 13:14:37 GMT
Sounds great. Can you post it on 'ere, Northy? Pretty please?! While your at it can you post a picture of the other birds you're looking after, pretty please Oooooh, you ARE awful! (Pause) But I LIKE you! (THUMP!)
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Post by Northy on Nov 20, 2016 13:15:42 GMT
Sounds great. Can you post it on 'ere, Northy? Pretty please?! While your at it can you post a picture of the other birds you're looking after, pretty please they are all having posh afternoon tea now, champers n sandwiches and cake, whilst im left with more serious matters of football on bt sport all day
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 20, 2016 13:16:59 GMT
ive tried a few times but tapatalk keeps stopping halfway through Ahhhhhhhhhh........ thanks anyway!
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 20, 2016 13:19:37 GMT
While your at it can you post a picture of the other birds you're looking after, pretty please they are all having posh afternoon tea now, champers n sandwiches and cake, whilst im left with more serious matters of football on bt sport all day I'm definitely with you on the choice of options. (Despite still being a bit 'pink an' fluffy' myself!)
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Nov 22, 2016 2:43:19 GMT
A damp Tawny in full effect out back toneet. Seemed a little confused for a moment when he didn't know whether I was following it, or it was following me. Flapped about a bit from tree to pillar to post and then did indeed fly off with a disappointed hoot. It's no doubt this kind of behaviour that sends them flying headlong into me folks' kitchen window. Brill things, owls.
Durdle err tseeeer. Twit twoooo. etc.
I shouldn't have teased with the birdsong app.
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Post by Northy on Nov 22, 2016 4:57:35 GMT
we had a tawny sat in the tree behind us on Friday evening just after it had gone dark, a lovely sound to start the weekend
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Post by potterinleeds on Nov 24, 2016 9:37:56 GMT
A question for all you twitchers on here.
During my run this morning, I disturbed a bird that flew up away from a drystone wall in front of me. I only caught sight of the back, but size-wise it was perhaps between a blackbird and a pigeon. The back was a similar colour to a greenfinch, and it flew up into an ash tree where I lost sight of it. I've looked in me books, and the only thing that comes close was maybe a green woodpecker, but I didn't notice the red head and would it have been resting on a drystone wall? Or do I need to go to Specsavers?
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Post by Northy on Nov 24, 2016 11:22:18 GMT
A question for all you twitchers on here. During my run this morning, I disturbed a bird that flew up away from a drystone wall in front of me. I only caught sight of the back, but size-wise it was perhaps between a blackbird and a pigeon. The back was a similar colour to a greenfinch, and it flew up into an ash tree where I lost sight of it. I've looked in me books, and the only thing that comes close was maybe a green woodpecker, but I didn't notice the red head and would it have been resting on a drystone wall? Or do I need to go to Specsavers? Yes, it could have been a green woodpecker, they are mainly ground eating, ants, insects etc.
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Post by potterinleeds on Nov 24, 2016 11:27:02 GMT
A question for all you twitchers on here. During my run this morning, I disturbed a bird that flew up away from a drystone wall in front of me. I only caught sight of the back, but size-wise it was perhaps between a blackbird and a pigeon. The back was a similar colour to a greenfinch, and it flew up into an ash tree where I lost sight of it. I've looked in me books, and the only thing that comes close was maybe a green woodpecker, but I didn't notice the red head and would it have been resting on a drystone wall? Or do I need to go to Specsavers? Yes, it could have been a green woodpecker, they are mainly ground eating, ants, insects etc. Cheers, northwich - I never knew about the ground feeding. If so, I'm pleased - although I hear woodpeckers in the woods round and about frequently, I think that is the first time I have seen a green woodpecker out in the open, so to speak.
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