Observing wildlife

Tinkerbell · #1 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 02:36 PM

Whilst walking at the weekend, alongside a small local beck, I wondered how many of you have perhaps spent hours just sitting quietly in the same spot to observe the variety of wildlife which happens by.

I've been advised by a regular walker that he has seen foxes, kingfishers, etc. whilst in the same vicinity as I found myself, and luckily I saw rainbow trout, geese, reed bunting protecting their nest on this occasion, plus thousands of taddies in a nearby pond, plus of course all the lovely spring wild flowers.

I'm sure that if I'd hung around for an hour or two in one place I might have seen so much more. Rewarding your patience, what have been your most memorable sightings?

Tinkerbell

Maverick47 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 05:31 PM

This is an excellent way to see wildlife, let it come to you rather than charge around looking.
Having a "sit-spot" at the base of a tree is a regular thing for me, stay downwind if you want to see mammals though.

Visit your spot as much as you can, make a note of what you see and hear through the seasons, you'll feel more connected to the landscape and you'll feel part of the environment, not just a visitor

nightshade · #3 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 05:39 PM

Sitting and watching is the best way, if you use camo though have some thought for joggers and cyclists, I have scared a few in my time

I have seen families of Stoats playing, an Otters head while Bat watching,
Herons close enough to touch and Deer that knew something was not quite right but not what, sitting like this opens your senses but does not work very well with i-pods or lots of kit.

treecreeper · #4 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 05:50 PM

I'm just too restless for this. If I stood still for more than 5 minutes I'd start pulling loose threads out of my clothes. I can't even sit and drink a cup of tea without grabbing a maths textbook and looking for a problem to solve, or similar. Maybe when I'm eighty and I've started to slow down.....

volence · #5 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 08:10 PM

Sitting quietly at the base of a tree in the woods. I've had a fox watch me and deer walk straight past me and not at all bothered. It never happens when I have a camera or camcorder though

Plus you get to hear all the wonderful birds songs, although the drone of a motorway a few metres away does drown out quite a bit but what can you do?

scott tilley · #6 (**permalink**) 28-05-2009, 05:39 PM

I find that to get the best results from this you need to first scout the area for field signs. Many animals will have regular routes, look for slides under fences or wholes in hedges. You may also get lucky and find animal hairs caught on the bottom of the fence or hedge. Droppings can also give you a good clue to what it passing through. Birds like sparrowhawks will have regular plucking posts where they strip their prey so always look at the base of fence posts etc for feathers or pellets containing the animal remains.

After that its just a case of sitting hidden and quiet and hope for the best!

Scott

Beekeeper · #7 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 08:40 PM

Many years ago after a heavy night at the pub, i came home and sat on the back door step to try and sober up so i could attempt to insert my key in the door lock, whilst sitting there in the cool late autumn evening air, a hedgehog strolled around the corner, walked between my legs and the doorstep, carried on for a few paces, stopped and looked back at me, probably deiciding i was not a threat, wandered off into the distance.

BK

treecreeper · #8 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 06:08 PM

Beekeeper, this thread made me think of that W.H. Davies poem that starts 'What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare', but your post has shattered the illusion!

ron1863 · #9 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Many years ago after a heavy night at the pub, i came home and sat on the back door step to try and sober up so i could attempt to insert my key in the door lock, whilst sitting there in the cool late autumn evening air, a hedgehog strolled around the corner, walked between my legs and the doorstep, carried on for a few paces, stopped and looked back at me, probably deiciding i was not a threat, wandered off into the distance.

BK

Makes a pleasant change from the Pink Elephants

Beekeeper · #10 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 07:18 PM

Sorry treecreeper.

ron1863 No pink elephants around this way

BK

volence · #11 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 07:33 PM

I tried to watch our foxes last night. Had my camcorder set up near the food and I sat a little way away. Usually I see them, but last night their were teens hanging around the green alley, making a racket and taking photos. Even up to 12 o'clock they were still around so i gave it up