Your day's wildlife

[Gravity Aided]

Geese at work. Pretty much everywhere, actually. Standing next to one another, alternately honking, probably some sort of cacophonous declaration of affection.

 

[hopless500]

[QUOTE 3614185, member: 9609"]Sparrows often take over House Martins nests, the usual tactic is for the Sparrows to get themselves into the nests before they Martins return. Some people take the Martins nests down every Autumn, then in the spring when the Martins return they will guard their own nests as they build them. Another tactic (controversial) is to paint some cement slurry around the hole in the Autumn, this hardens the entrance and prevents the Sparrows breaking in the following spring (the hole the Martin makes is too small for the Sparrow)
And of course the best tactic of all, and mine, is to leave nature alone, Martins have survived very successfully for hundreds of thousands of years without our help or interference.[/QUOTE]
House sparrows, yes. Tree sparrows, no.

 

[LarryDuff]

Only wildlife I saw this morning was a very squashed rabbit.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Song Thrush on the bird table this morning, great excitement.

 

[Glow worm]

First swallows have reached the UK with two passing Portland bird obs. yesterday Its normally the first week in April they reach us, so fingers crossed.

On another note, I was watching a weasel in some scrub the other day and discovered you can get them to approach you quite close by making a squeaking noise through your teeth at them. I've done it with some success with barn owls in the past, but never weasels. Who said we don't know how to keep entertained here in East Anglia?!

 

[Glow worm]

[QUOTE 3615231, member: 9609"]I keep a diary of when we first see them at home each year, it varies between the 1st and 20th of April - I will have to open the top of the garage so they have access - can't wait.
[/QUOTE]

I've done the same here for 10 years. The earliest record for swallows is April 3rd and latest, the 13th. (They got here on the 9th last year). I'm ever hopeful of seeing a swallow in March, but whenever they arrive, it's aways such a great moment when you first spot them in Spring.

 

[Turdus philomelos]

Song Thrush on the bird table this morning, great excitement.

Wasn't me, honest.

 

[Glow worm]

[QUOTE 3615274, member: 9609"]here's my list (I claimed 1st of April as earliest before - its actually the 4th)

2014 - 09 April
2013 - 13 April
2012 - 12 April
2011 - 14 April
2010 - 10 April
2009 - 11 April
2008 - 10 April
2007 - 04 April
2006 - 13 April
2005 - 18 April
2004 - 21 April
2003 - 14 April
2002 - 09 April
2001 - 10 April[/QUOTE]

I'm sad enough to follow the swallow's progress from the other end of the world too and this South African website suggests there are still plenty of stragglers left down there right now.

 

[MartinQ]

Stevehog is out of hibernation now

 

[vernon]

A red kite hovering over my back garden two minutes ago.

 

[annedonnelly]

First swallows have reached the UK with two passing Portland bird obs. yesterday Its normally the first week in April they reach us, so fingers crossed.

On another note, I was watching a weasel in some scrub the other day and discovered you can get them to approach you quite close by making a squeaking noise through your teeth at them. I've done it with some success with barn owls in the past, but never weasels. Who said we don't know how to keep entertained here in East Anglia?!

Someone told me the same thing last week. Half an hour later I saw a weasel and was able to try it out It didn't come closer but it did turn it's head to look at me.

 

[MikeW-71]

A Red Squirrel this morning. Almost run over by my 6yr old Nephew.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

On another note, I was watching a weasel in some scrub the other day and discovered you can get them to approach you quite close by making a squeaking noise through your teeth at them

We used to get a lot of weasels at our last place. One of our most memorable encounters with them was when we had to go down to the gate to fix the gate post. the gate was around 3/4 miles from the house so no chance of electricity, so we had to take hand tools down. We also had a couple of mugs of coffee with us... china mugs. whilst we were busy working I saw one of the mugs fall over out of the corner of my eye at the same time as I felt something run over my foot. Glancing down I saw a weasel at my feet and another one head first into the mug. 2 of them were really brave, running around our feet and staying within 3-4 feet of us whilst a 3rd was a little more shy at first. We stood stock still, me stopping had got my husband's attention and he had realised instantly not to talk. They played with our feet, boot laces and the mugs for around 15-20 minutes before departing as suddenly as they came. Neither of us spoke a word during the whole time just watched!

 

[vernon]

A fox, next door spaniel's playmate, has just called for him at the end of the drive. They've just disappeared for a romp in the undergrowth on the roundabout. It's a curious friendship.

 

[biggs682]

whilst out walking today saw a pr of Teal ducks bouncing on the windswept waters and a couple of herons in flight on our walk around summer lyes , oh and a grey squirrel sat on the bird table .