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Post by Northy on Sept 9, 2019 14:03:49 GMT
Out running on the Leeds -Liverpool canal this morning, just before 7a.m. Down to about 5-6C here last night, and it is the first morning I have noticed that thin mist just rising off the surface of fields and valley bottoms. Saw a heron on the bankside, looking like a grey ghost in amongst all the dark green. Also, where the sunlight was filtering through trees and shining on the water, the canal was alive with rudd, none bigger than maybe 7 or 8 inches but loads of them. I assume this is a sign that the water is reasonably clean? I like looking into canal and rivers when the water is clear; a bit like a magic mirror, a view into another world. I find it very calming. Did the Delamere forest Half yesterday morning, mist rising up from the forest floor, through the bracken and trees, being met by sunlight from the top through the trees, it was lovely to see for about 15 minutes.
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Post by Northy on Sept 9, 2019 14:07:05 GMT
Had a sparrowhawk appear 3 days on the trot last week, sitting on the fence looking about, not too many birds back from their moults yet, on Friday we had bits of a pigeon on the drive North Cornwall costal path next week for a few days
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Post by potterinleeds on Sept 10, 2019 8:23:36 GMT
Beautiful morning here today. Very heavy dew, having the appearance of frost on local fields in the early light. Low sunshine shining through thistledown on tall plants. Lots of ruby red rowan berries about now.
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Post by Northy on Sept 17, 2019 18:42:33 GMT
Spotted a small copper (I think) today, not seen one in years. Was only the size of a 2p bit
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Post by chuffedstokie on Sept 17, 2019 19:04:34 GMT
Absolute belter this morning. There's plenty of Red Kites and Buzzards in this part of Wales but never one in action, until today. While waiting in the sunshine for the steam train a small rodent of some sort scampered across the narrow lane. Out of nowhere the stealth kite spotted it and that was that. All over in a second and that was breakfast sorted bird style.
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Post by potterinleeds on Oct 2, 2019 14:33:33 GMT
Out running early this morning, merest whisper of ground frost on some of the low lying, shaded fields - patch of leathery ground there, white grass here - first of the season up here. Beautiful day now, and such a welcome change after all that rain.
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Post by felonious on Oct 2, 2019 17:26:30 GMT
I was over at Dimmingsdale on Sunday and spotted two groups of Mandarin ducks some six in total in the fish pools to go with those I spotted at Tittesworth and Rudyard earlier in the year.
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Post by harryburrows on Oct 4, 2019 16:41:38 GMT
Absolute belter this morning. There's plenty of Red Kites and Buzzards in this part of Wales but never one in action, until today. While waiting in the sunshine for the steam train a small rodent of some sort scampered across the narrow lane. Out of nowhere the stealth kite spotted it and that was that. All over in a second and that was breakfast sorted bird style. Do you live in wales chuffed ?
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Post by felonious on Oct 4, 2019 16:55:08 GMT
Absolute belter this morning. There's plenty of Red Kites and Buzzards in this part of Wales but never one in action, until today. While waiting in the sunshine for the steam train a small rodent of some sort scampered across the narrow lane. Out of nowhere the stealth kite spotted it and that was that. All over in a second and that was breakfast sorted bird style. I slowed down to avoid a fieldmouse crossing the lane at Mossley yesterday. I looked in the mirror and it managed to avoid the cars on the other side of the road as well
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Post by felonious on Oct 4, 2019 16:56:11 GMT
Absolute belter this morning. There's plenty of Red Kites and Buzzards in this part of Wales but never one in action, until today. While waiting in the sunshine for the steam train a small rodent of some sort scampered across the narrow lane. Out of nowhere the stealth kite spotted it and that was that. All over in a second and that was breakfast sorted bird style. Do you live in wales chuffed ? Does anyone live in Wales? I believe he resides in Tywyn
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Post by chuffedstokie on Oct 4, 2019 18:00:58 GMT
Absolute belter this morning. There's plenty of Red Kites and Buzzards in this part of Wales but never one in action, until today. While waiting in the sunshine for the steam train a small rodent of some sort scampered across the narrow lane. Out of nowhere the stealth kite spotted it and that was that. All over in a second and that was breakfast sorted bird style. Do you live in wales chuffed ? I do these days harry, a case of necessity really. My job at Talke was no longer required and I'm working for a company in the same town as the narrow gauge railway that I was at about 5 years ago. I'm living right next to the sea which is ok but it can have its disadvantages on days like these. It's only a 3hr drive so not too bad for the odd home game assuming the clowns pull their collective fingers out.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Oct 4, 2019 18:02:29 GMT
Do you live in wales chuffed ? Does anyone live in Wales? I believe he resides in Tywyn Spot on felonious very good way of putting it.
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Post by harryburrows on Oct 5, 2019 7:13:33 GMT
Do you live in wales chuffed ? I do these days harry, a case of necessity really. My job at Talke was no longer required and I'm working for a company in the same town as the narrow gauge railway that I was at about 5 years ago. I'm living right next to the sea which is ok but it can have its disadvantages on days like these. It's only a 3hr drive so not too bad for the odd home game assuming the clowns pull their collective fingers out. I know ther area quite well chuffed my ex in laws had a weekend place at pennal, between aberdovey and Machynlleth . Spent many wet weekend there trying to find something to do nice when it's nice though
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Post by potterinleeds on Oct 7, 2019 8:13:52 GMT
Perhaps not strictly sweet and fluffy, and apologies if posted before, but I hadn't seen this until now - quite breathtaking. Turn the crappy music down and just enjoy the colours and patterns.
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Post by Northy on Oct 15, 2019 9:18:56 GMT
On our greenhouse this morning, it's not a leaf.
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 15, 2019 9:30:19 GMT
On our greenhouse this morning, it's not a leaf. Oh, S-H-11111111111111111111111-T !!! It's EXACTLY like that bluddy thing I picked up in the garden that time & thought it was a leaf -------- do you remember, I posted about it on 'ere...... on the 'Dragonflies' thread earlier this year. At the time I had thought it was a 'Poplar Hawk Moth' - this was after scrolling through dozens & dozens of moth pics on various moth websites as it looked the closest - but now I'm not so sure as your pic is EXACTLY what it was like, Northy, because - believe me - having something like that stuck to your fingers & then realising it's not a leaf isn't an experience you forget in a hurry. If the Tudors and Stuarts had had a few of 'em in the Tower of London they wouldn't have needed the rack. BLEUGGGHHHHHHHoatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/290252/dragonflies?page=1&scrollTo=6561327
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 15, 2019 10:38:11 GMT
On our greenhouse this morning, it's not a leaf. All right then, c'mon all you smart Alec know-alls extremely clever people on 'ere, what's its name, then?????? AND I DON'T MEAN "OOOOH, PROBABLY SOMETHING LIKE QUENTIN", THANK YOU, FEL.
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Post by bathstoke on Oct 15, 2019 11:16:20 GMT
On our greenhouse this morning, it's not a leaf. Is that a wooden framed greenhouse...
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Post by Northy on Oct 15, 2019 13:35:42 GMT
On our greenhouse this morning, it's not a leaf. All right then, c'mon all you smart Alec know-alls extremely clever people on 'ere, what's its name, then?????? AND I DON'T MEAN "OOOOH, PROBABLY SOMETHING LIKE QUENTIN", THANK YOU, FEL. It actually turns out to be a comma butterfly with it's wings shut, used to be common, then rare but now speding northwards again. See the little white comma on it's wing. butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/comma
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Post by Northy on Oct 15, 2019 13:38:39 GMT
On our greenhouse this morning, it's not a leaf. Is that a wooden framed greenhouse... Aluminium
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Post by Northy on Oct 16, 2019 8:56:44 GMT
First flock of redwings spotted already, any predictions for the winter from that?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 21:07:34 GMT
Not really sweet and fluffy but … First wildcat kittens in new reintroduction project to be released in England for first time in 150 years link
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 27, 2019 22:34:45 GMT
Just re-hashed this post from last year on the Hallowe'en thread as we're nearly at the 31st again: Don't bin the pumpkins tomorrow - feed the wildlife…..Okay, folks, just in case anyone buys a pumpkin for decoration for tonight and then doesn't know what to do with it, I think it was on BBC Breakfast News yesterday that leftover fresh pumpkin should be put out in the garden for birds, hedgehogs, etc., to eat, rather than just throwing it in the bin. Otherwise - (even though I know this will only appeal to a few of the foodie folks on 'ere) - if you fancy a go at cooking it, here's quite a nice soup. It lists a 400g can of pumpkin puree (all supermkts sell it now), but to adapt this to using fresh pumpkin just roast wedges of pumpkin (tossed in oil) & then scrape out the flesh and mash it to a puree: Red Lentil & Pumpkin Soup www.preventionrd.com/2012/10/red-lentil-pumpkin-soup/The aforementioned foodies will know that you could add extra chilli if you like spicy food + you could add carrots, celery and even bacon - whatever of that ilk suits you - and that if any of the soup is left you can stick it in the freezer. As well as for Hallowe'en, it's the sort of thing that would be ideal for Bonfire Night. Read more: oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/283391/halloween-31st#ixzz63b2D7sXy
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Post by felonious on Oct 28, 2019 7:05:24 GMT
Just re-hashed this post from last year on the Hallowe'en thread as we're nearly at the 31st again: Don't bin the pumpkins tomorrow - feed the wildlife…..Okay, folks, just in case anyone buys a pumpkin for decoration for tonight and then doesn't know what to do with it, I think it was on BBC Breakfast News yesterday that leftover fresh pumpkin should be put out in the garden for birds, hedgehogs, etc., to eat, rather than just throwing it in the bin. Otherwise - (even though I know this will only appeal to a few of the foodie folks on 'ere) - if you fancy a go at cooking it, here's quite a nice soup. It lists a 400g can of pumpkin puree (all supermkts sell it now), but to adapt this to using fresh pumpkin just roast wedges of pumpkin (tossed in oil) & then scrape out the flesh and mash it to a puree: Red Lentil & Pumpkin Soup www.preventionrd.com/2012/10/red-lentil-pumpkin-soup/The aforementioned foodies will know that you could add extra chilli if you like spicy food + you could add carrots, celery and even bacon - whatever of that ilk suits you - and that if any of the soup is left you can stick it in the freezer. As well as for Hallowe'en, it's the sort of thing that would be ideal for Bonfire Night. Read more: oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/283391/halloween-31st#ixzz63b2D7sXyI've had to scale back the wildlife feeding to zero since the end of summer due to rats so the pumpkin will be going into the bin. Horrible, horrible bastard creatures. Did you catch the programme on stoats ans weasels this week ...... their main enemy is the rat the buggers were there trying to sreal food that the mother stoat was catching to feed the kids.
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Post by Northy on Oct 28, 2019 8:11:06 GMT
Not really sweet and fluffy but … First wildcat kittens in new reintroduction project to be released in England for first time in 150 years linkthe Lynx will get them when they are reintroduced.
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Post by potterinleeds on Nov 2, 2019 13:35:56 GMT
20 mile run this morning along the canal, into Leeds city centre and then back out again. It forms what is still a remarkably rural ribbon between Leeds and Bradford, and remains very quiet until half a mile or so from the city centre. Plenty of Autumn colour still around, lots of coppery beeches, oaks and birches, plus browning bracken.
One of the advantages of being out early was that it was quiet, and plenty of bird life about. As well as the usual mallards, swans and Canada geese, some less common (for me) sightings. Two cormorants (or maybe the same bird a few miles apart), a pair of kingfishers and most unusually a Great White Egret. I've double checked and that's definitely what it was, as it landed only about 15 feet away from me and was stalking about in the canal like a heron. I've posted before about seeing these over in Sunk Island in Holderness, East Yorks, but never seen one in Leeds before. I understand they are seen at the big RSPB wetland reserve east of Leeds at St Aidans, which is only about 15 miles as the egret (!) flies, so maybe it had come over from there?
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Post by felonious on Nov 2, 2019 14:04:25 GMT
I was at Dimmingsdale yesterday and the colours were starting to turn there, spotted a couple of kingfishers on my walk but no dippers unfortunately the river was too swollen in the usual haunts.
Real treat on Wednesday morning just as I was about to go onto the field a flock of 40/50 lapwings went overhead. There's not many finer sights out there.
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 3, 2019 15:36:29 GMT
Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk do the most wonderful work for their 3000 rescued animals of all varieties: Small things to help them, if anyone would like to, with their enormous winter feed bills might be to sponsor something like these two examples: A bale of hay £4 A barrowload of carrots £5 Or perhaps a donation of £1 to support their ongoing horse rescue and treatment programmes. There's also lots more info about their work on their www. Just thought I'd mention this, and if any of our sweet fluffy members do send them a donation, thank you very much. www.hillside.org.uk/
hillsideanimalsanctuary.mybigcommerce.com/
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Post by murphthesurf on Nov 3, 2019 15:45:44 GMT
Just re-hashed this post from last year on the Hallowe'en thread as we're nearly at the 31st again: Don't bin the pumpkins tomorrow - feed the wildlife….. I've had to scale back the wildlife feeding to zero since the end of summer due to rats so the pumpkin will be going into the bin. Horrible, horrible bastard creatures. Did you catch the programme on stoats ans weasels this week ...... their main enemy is the rat the buggers were there trying to sreal food that the mother stoat was catching to feed the kids. Oh, hell - bad luck. Unfortunately they're all over the place and always seem to multiply like nobody's business. I dunno what the answer is apart from, as you say, not leaving out any food they can get at. No, I didn't see the programme on stoats and weasels - I never watch animal programmes because I can't stop worrying about their plight afterwards - and there's usually a plight!
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Post by marylandstoke on Nov 3, 2019 19:21:55 GMT
First flock of redwings spotted already, any predictions for the winter from that? Judging by the comment above about the berries and then this, sounds like it’s going to be a bastard. Strangly our weather here can very often follow your pattern. We are forecast a mild winter, but, the last really mild winter brought record snows and that’s what I am expecting. The missus and I always head South on Boxing Day for most of January so that takes some of the sting out. As you drive back North coming home it’s no fun though.
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