Wildlife Snaps

[Gong Farmer]

There's no water for miles around here, no lakes, ponds, streams etc. So our fish pond is a popular watering hole for all sorts of wildlife, including hornets it seems.

 

[JP1]

Territorial vantage point

 

[Jerry]

Been keeping an eye on this chaffinch nest for the last couple weeks, growing fast now!

 

[Gormers]

Wondered why we haven't as many swallows this year.

 

[Gong Farmer]

Another one from our pond (trail camera so not best quality)

 

[llamedos]

This is what caused the power cut ..

 

[Jon 3085]

Woodpecker and Goldfinch sharing some seeds.

 

[llamedos]

Greenfinch having a bath.

Young Blackbird just discovered she has to feed herself, does not look to impressed with the prospect.

 

[Jon S]

Took a small bird of the garden fence ,guess he was a little hungry.. watched him for a while eating be for he took off with what he could fly with.. any one else get birds of pry visit the back gardens?

 

[Gong Farmer]

any one else get birds of prey visit the back gardens?

Fortunately no kids on the swings at the time.

 

[Peter]

View attachment 548902
any one else get birds of prey visit the back gardens?

Fortunately no kids on the swings at the time.

This guy spent a day by the house last winter. Caught a few mice. So cool when they look you right in the eye.

 

[Landyman]

This guy spent a day by the house last winter. Caught a few mice. So cool when they look you right in the eye.
View attachment 548930

What sort of owl is it ?

 

[Peter]

What sort of owl is it ?

Barred owl. Have a few in the neighborhood. Here them calling each other at night.

 

[Gong Farmer]

Barred owl. Here them calling each other at night.

"You barred as well?"

"Yeah, landlord chucked me out again. Gotta sit in this tree in the freezing weather"

 

[Dry Rot]

This is what caused the power cut ..
View attachment 547982 View attachment 547984 View attachment 547986

Looks like a kestrel. What sometimes happens, a bird of prey will carry off a kill and land on an insulator. The kill will bridge the insulation leading to an electrical short -- and electrocution! A particular hazard for falconers because trained hawks usually wear trailing jesses on their legs (or telemetry antenna).

 

[llamedos]

Looks like a kestrel. What sometimes happens, a bird of prey will carry off a kill and land on an insulator. The kill will bridge the insulation leading to an electrical short -- and electrocution! A particular hazard for falconers because trained hawks usually wear trailing jesses on their legs (or telemetry antenna).

It was, a youngster, it was still sparking away when NWE came out to re set the trip. Well fried poor thing

Was a chap flying a hawk a few months ago with jesses on, my heart was in my mouth when it landed on that pole, I dont think he realised it was power and not telephone

 

[Jerry]

So pleased I have let a local wildlife photographer access to the farm, she is getting some great shots and its great to document the wildlife here.

She is going to come right through the year so I should get a lovely record of things, if you are on twitter look her up, JoKing is her user name.

We have been doing a lot of work with the RSPB on Cir Buntings, here is one of ours:

A hobby mobbing a buzzard

Lovely little white throat

One of my favorite birds, fly catcher

 

[Jerry]

And then my most favourite mammal on the farm, we used to have a lot of hares but they moved away, couple years back started to see them around again.

 

[s line]

Saw these swallow chicks in the parlour this morning. Not too far from flying the nest.

 

[Philip Watkins]

Saw these house Martin chicks in the parlour this morning. Not too far from flying the nest.

Judging by their chestnut bibs, those are swallows.