Your day's wildlife

[Poacher]

My bird ID app thinks its a Greater white-fronted goose...

New one on me if its correct?

Nice try by your app, but totally wrong.
Greater White-fronts are a rarity in Notts, to the extent that a detailed description is required for the county recorder to accept a sighting.
They're strictly winter visitors, if they turn up at all in any given year. Earliest and latest recorded dates are 2nd October and 2nd May, so it's safe to say this isn't one. This stretch of the Trent has more Canadas than you could shake a stick at, plus quite a few feral Greylags, all year round; it certainly seems that some have had a rather broad-minded approach to propagating the next generation.

 

[FrankCrank]

Mrs Crank was all excited when she showed me this beauty

About an inch long, it's known as a Jewel Beetle, and well named. The picture doesn't do the iridescence justice, even its legs were all spangly.

 

[Proto]

SNAKE!!!!!

Dog snoozing on the grass next to a low bush/hedge border. Got up and started barking madly at something, jumped over bush, barked even more madly, then suddenly leapt backwards and ran off a few yards, barking still.

I investigate and see the arse end of a snake disappearing into the undergrowth. Didn’t see the front end but from the fleeting view of the back end think it was an adder. Maybe 2ft long? Fairly chunky.

I‘ve never seen our dog back off from anything before but the snake really spooked her. Lots of reports locally of dogs getting bitten, and subsequent expensive visit to the vets.

 

[potsy]

Mooooo!

 

[Poacher]

One of those magical moments this morning that make you glad to be alive. The far end of the garden was sorely in need of some water, particularly the hostas and primulas and some newly planted roscoeas etc., so I rolled out the hosepipe and went to it.
I became aware of a small bird moving among the various undergrowth at about head height, and initially assumed it was a Wren. When I got a better view I saw it was a Goldcrest, even smaller. It followed the path of the spray, quite closely, and even went down to ground level occasionally. I'm not sure whether it was enjoying a quick bathe in the droplets or catching disturbed insects, but for a good five minutes it kept close to where I was watering, only flitting away when a Robin turned up.
I've often been close to Goldcrests, but only when I've been still and quiet and they've been moving around me, seemingly oblivious to my presence. This was the first time (AFAIK) one has taken an active interest in what I was doing, and the first time I've seen one on the ground. Sorry, no picture - I wasn't going to break the spell by returning to the house for a camera, and I doubt I could have taken a photo while using the hose.

 

[biggs682]

A grasshopper I caught and later released whilst cutting the lawn.

 

[Dave 123]

A young Swallow getting ready to go to Africa

And a Speckled Wood butterfly, just hanging around….

 

[Proto]

Plenty og magpies about but never seen this many on my lawn, eight of the things!

 

[Poacher]

Garden spider enjoying its packed lunch. Out of focus; it was bouncing about in a strong breeze, but I couldn't be bothered to go back for
another try!

 

[Tail End Charlie]

From a canal path on today's ride. Moved it to save it being squished. Elephant Hawk moth caterpillar. Love those eyes! (They aren't really eyes, but are to scare off predators).

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Plenty og magpies about but never seen this many on my lawn, eight of the things!

View attachment 607081

One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy
five for sadness
six for a spike
seven for happiness
eight for a new bike

spike - a bit random I know, but couldn't think of anything else.

 

[KnittyNorah]

There are lots of herons on the canal. This one seemed blissfully unaware that he was being spied on from above as he picked and chose his fishing spots ...

 

[biggs682]

No pictures yet , we were at my parents house the other day when i spotted the tell tale sign of Hedgehogs around ie poo

So i set my nature camera up and sure enough they have had visitors for the last few nights , so need to get pictures loaded

 

[FrankCrank]

From a canal path on today's ride. Moved it to save it being squished. Elephant Hawk moth caterpillar. Love those eyes! (They aren't really eyes, but are to scare off predators).

View attachment 607283

This one reminds me of a few years back when in Laos, I saw a snake head moth on the ground, and couldn't believe such a thing existed. It was easily the size of a saucer, and here's what they look like

You'd think someone had painted those snake heads on - so realistic.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I was buzzed by a kingfisher today, while riding along a mill race in the old part of the village.

I was also completely, one might say pointedly ignored by a buzzard...