Wildlife of the day

[Kayleigh]

As there is a bird of the day thread what about a wildlife of the day. I had an amazing day out with the dog today. First there were about five swallows squabbling above my head. Then there were the lapwings across the field then on the way home I saw my very first deer. It was about as big as a great dane dog. It was in an opening in a hedge at the side of the road. We stared at each other for a while then it ran off, and as we got near home I saw my first red damselfly of the year.

[nightshade]

That sounds like the way things should be Kayleigh

[richardkm]

Hi

I was in the campervan in a field next to a pub on the edge of Delamere Forest over the weekend. On Sunday morning, as I walked through the pub carpark, a Weasel ran all the way across the tarmac in front of me and disappeared into a hedge.

[Susie]

Yesterday I saw my first little Water Voles. I've been on a Water Vole surveying course but never actually seen the little creatures in real life. These chaps were bold as brass and not at all phased by my getting quite close to them, having a good look and even taking photos. It was so good to see them alive and well.

I can't tell you how chuffed I was.

[richardkm]

Can't find the "bird of the day" thread, so will post here.

Walking the dog this morning, I disturbed a male sparrowhawk, he flew away from me with a male blackbird in his talons. Then I saw a raven being mobbed by jackdaws over the top of the quarry. Redstart singing in the usual place, so they've definitely arrived and a willow warbler in the wood, first this year for Grin Wood. An excellent dog walk this morning.

[snowdrop]

My choice is an unseen solitary skylark who lifts my spirits each day when he sings his song. There were two last year but unfortunately there is a massive building project creeping ever nearer so I fear his days are numbered.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by richardkm

Can't find the "bird of the day" thread, so will post here.

It's here on the Treehouse forum but further down the page .

[richardkm]

The first butterfly for this year in Grin Woods - an orange tip - feeding on forget-me-not

[GuyF]

My wildlife of the day is the 2 Cockchafers I've seen, unfortunately squashed on paths but still my first of the year. So much for being May Bugs
Guy

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by GuyF

My wildlife of the day is the 2 Cockchafers I've seen, unfortunately squashed on paths but still my first of the year. So much for being May Bugs
Guy

Interesting you should say that...

Last night while sitting at my computer there was a HUGE flying insect that was trying to get through the window. Its body was an inch long (and almost half an inch wide), brown on top and grey underneath. The wingspan must have been 2 inches. It had 2 brown feathery antenna and brown legs. It was horrible. It looked like a flying cockroach. On thumbing through my book, I think it must have been a Cockchafer who did not realise it was still April.

I am really glad that it did not get into the house.

Do you think that is what it was? I did not get any photos.

Jenny

[GuyF]

That is almost certainly what it was, I often get them buzzing at the windows at night in May, they're attracted to the light I think, so if I moth-trap soon I will possibly catch some.

They are completely harmless by the way, and nicely patterned when you see one landed, but they are a bit intimidating when they crash into the windows and I can understand you not wanting one in the house!
Guy

[Garden Carpet]

My wildlife of the day is the mouse in my kitchen...if i catch him he will find out just what wild means.. cos I am furious... he has eaten into each kitchen roll in the pack!!!!!!!
jaki

[cherrybee]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

As there is a bird of the day thread what about a wildlife of the day. I had an amazing day out with the dog today. First there were about five swallows squabbling above my head. Then there were the lapwings across the field then on the way home I saw my very first deer. It was about as big as a great dane dog. It was in an opening in a hedge at the side of the road. We stared at each other for a while then it ran off, and as we got near home I saw my first red damselfly of the year.

I saw and photographed my first red damsel of the year today and some newts.Dead chuffed never got newts before haven't a clue what flavour they are though

[Ann2]

Oh Jaki, don't hurt that poor little mouse - it's not an easy life being a mouse y'know! Just pack him a little suitcase and point him in the direction of Buckinghamshire. There's a nice warm shed here and he can have as many kitchen rolls as he can chew (but don't tell my neighbours).

Ann

[smartie]

Originally Posted by Ann2

Oh Jaki, don't hurt that poor little mouse - it's not an easy life being a mouse y'know! Just pack him a little suitcase and point him in the direction of Buckinghamshire. There's a nice warm shed here and he can have as many kitchen rolls as he can chew (but don't tell my neighbours).

Ann

Do you want the one my cat put in my bed at 5 am yesterday as well?

For anyone worried, it was alive and well (though no doubt a bit shocked) and scampering back into the undergrowth in the garden within minutes.

[Ann2]

Hi Smartie

Do you wanna swap your mouse for a couple of spiders or half a dozen wasps. The wasps in particular are not welcome at my house as I get anaphylaxis from their stings.

C'mon now, it's a fair swap!

Ann

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by richardkm

The first butterfly for this year in Grin Woods - an orange tip - feeding on forget-me-not

Great photo I saw an orange tip today but it didn't settle on anything most annoying when you are trying to get a close look at one. I also saw 4 hares run out from a field full of dandelions. They ran to the ploughed field where they were hard to see as they are nearly the same colour. We saw a man soon after with cocked shot gun, maybe we did the hares a favour as he went walking around the dandelion field after us.

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Ann2

Oh Jaki, don't hurt that poor little mouse - it's not an easy life being a mouse y'know! Just pack him a little suitcase and point him in the direction of Buckinghamshire. There's a nice warm shed here and he can have as many kitchen rolls as he can chew (but don't tell my neighbours).

Ann

Ann, I have wrapped him.. I hope it is an 'im and not an 'er ...in all the kitchen roll ... all five rolls of it. Stamped it with COD ... hope you like him... he speaks with a lincs accent and is therefore liable to call you Mate!. Is fond of chewing the foil off bottles of sparkling wine. and leaving mousecrement everywhere he goes. Please look after him for me. He is just too wayward for me to care for any longer.

jaki

PS My dog is grateful to you as well. She can have a full evenings sleep without having to leap up and defend the realm.
j

[Ann2]

Jaki

Your mouse has arrived! He's already polished off a bottle of his favourite sparkling wine as you can see (a habit I'm hoping to wean him off as he is now singing in a Lincolnshire accent at the top of his little voice).



.... seriously though folks, no mice were intoxicated or harmed in any way during the making of this photo. I just happened to have a rather dodgy pic of a mouse I caught (and released again) a couple of years ago.

Ann

[GuyF]

Today I saw my first ever Dingy Skipper in the Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve on the Isle of Portland. I don't think they deserve the name 'dingy' they're really attractive little butterflies when you look at them.

Along with my first Grizzled Skipper last month, it looks like it could be a good year for butterflies!
Guy

[Garden Carpet]

glad he is happy in his new home Ann If any more move in here I will give them your address
jaki

[GuyF]

Today my best sighting was a very nice Iron Prominent moth that I caught in my moth trap, however, as I thought may happen, I also caught 13 Cockchafer's!!!
(if you're scared of Cockchafers look away now )
Here's a picture of one of the Cockchafers, I think they're quite nice with their black and white sides and feathery antenna!




Guy

[Kayleigh]

Nice shots, I like these weird creatures, a few years ago one bumbled into the garage door. I had to look it up in a book to see what it was. It's amazing when you see something for the first time.

My wildlife today was a Hedgehog that just ran across the garden and into the undergrowth as I was looking into the pond. So I quickly ran to get some dog food for it.