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Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
This is a thread for all your flora and fauna observations and queries (apart from birds, as the bird thread is well established). I was wondering the other week about where best to post about OH's sighting of an otter, which I missed out on. So all those who are interested in mammals, insects, wildflowers, etc, etc - let's see if this thread takes off.
Great idea, Auntie!
Any views on the exploding population of moles? Seemingly they are estimated to be 40 million of them now, creating considerable damage in gardens & grazing land.
Worth noting that a mole can tunnel 3 miles in a single day....no mean feat for such a little fella.
Brilliant idea, AuntieC .. just bookmarking for the time being
I have a colony of Tree Bumblebees in my sparrow nest box (which has never had sparrows in it!) It has 3 compartments. Last year the bees were in the middle one, with blue tits in an end one. This year they did a swap.
, in reply to message 4.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
Yes, great idea Auntie C
FEM, that's interesting. I noticed yesterday that my nestbox has been taken over by bumblebees. I'm really pleased - some years ago I had a special bumble bee box in the garden, but nothing ever used it. I still need to sort out which species they are. I had another look this afternoon, and strangely, they don't seem to be the ones that are actually foraging in my garden, so getting a ohoto might be tricky
, in reply to message 5.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
And just so we don't forget the plants as well, does anyone know what this is?
About a foot or so tall, growing in woodland (in NL). It's near a road, so it may be a naturalised introduction... It looked Potentilla-ish to me, but can't find it in the book.
David, maybe one for you?
FAB, they are very likely to be Tree Bumblebees. I haven't heard of any others nesting in bird boxes. Take a look at this website:
www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk
They are doing a survey of bumble nests and would welcome your input. They would want to see a photo for positive ID but the Tree ones are so striking that it wouldn't need to be especially clear.
, in reply to message 7.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
That looks like the one I've also seen another species in a nestbox, but can't remember which one it was I'm in the Netherlands, so guess bumblebeeconservation.org.uk won't be interested in my record.
PS FAB, we've discussed this before and you gave me a beautiful link to
My Tree Bumbles aren't foraging yet.
, in reply to message 9.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
Ooh, apologies. I remembered discussing this before, but I'm not good with remembering names
I didn't have BBs in my garden then
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
I'm in the Netherlands, so guess bumblebeeconservation.org.uk won't be interested in my record.Â
Didn't realise you weren't in the UK FAB! No, I don't think your nest will be relevant in that case as they are fairly new to the UK from the Continent and are slowly spreading northwards. I'm in Hampshire and they were first seen in the New Forest, not that far away from me.
Are they new to your area? Perhaps they are spreading northwards on mainland Europe too.
, in reply to message 11.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
I don't know much about bumble bees, and don't know if they're spreading north here. I usually just try to identify any that I get photos of. Here's a rather beautiful red-tailed bb queen, presumably prospecting for a nest. The photos aren't so great, but she's a cutie
BTW, I remembered: the bb I saw before in a nestbox (in the wood) was the Early bb, Bombus pratorum.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
In reply to Flightless (Anachronistic) Bird in message 6
That's Wood Avens or Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum), FAB.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
Thanks goldilocks, I hoped you'd rescue me
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
In reply to Flightless (Anachronistic) Bird in message 14
I thought it might be Goldilocks for a moment!
, in reply to message 15.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
It's takem me a minute to work out what you meant Bear of little brain, me (not sure whether I'm the daddy, mummy or baby bear, though)
, in reply to message 16.
Posted by chicken_hot_pot (U8480346) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
Bookmarking for the moment.
, in reply to message 17.
Posted by ooo-- Misty --ooo (U2226804) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
Oooh, I'm so glad to see this thread!
This evening at about 6.45pm whilst I was in the garden, I saw a hedgehog moving along the path. It wasn't a baby ~ I'd describe it as being medium to biggish, & for some reason I was sure it was a girl.
When it realised I was there, it tried to burrow under some flowers, but being unable to do so, just hid its little face ~ presumably hoping that this would make it/her invisible! (But it didn't roll up into a ball ~ I wonder why??)
I was a bit concerned, because I always thought that if you saw a hedgehog around in daylight then it must be ill, or disorientated.
I went indoors & watched it out of the window
& it eventually stopped hiding its/her face & waddled across the garden & into next door's (there's a hole in the fence).
I felt slightly worried because of the local foxes, but hopefully the little thing would be able to defend itself/herself? I do hope so.
What does anyone think ~ could it have been a sick hedgehog? Could/should I have done anything to help?? Thanks ~ Misty x
, in reply to message 18.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
Hi Misty,
I'm not a hedgehog expert, but I think your hedgehog is probably OK. I had them in my garden in the UK quite a lot, and they never rolled up when disturbed! I've seen them in daylight in various places, too, so I expect she (or he) will be fine.
, in reply to message 19.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
I seem to be hogging this thread, but I wanted to post some photos I took earlier today. I found a caterpillar in the woods today, and at first sight I thought it might be dead:
It had the most amazing spines (the while colouration is on its back):
Then I noticed that its tail claspers were bound to the twig with silk and wondered if it might be pupating. I checked it out at home, and thought it was probably a Comma butterfly in the process of pupating, and as I had to go back to the wood, and knew exactly where it was, I went back to see what, if anything, had happened. This is less than four hours later:
I'm amazed how quickly it happened - you can see the outline of the eye and the antenna on the pupa. I also can't work out how the parts of the caterpillar relate to the pupa. Nature is endlessly astounding
, in reply to message 20.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
In reply to Flightless (Anachronistic) Bird in message 20
Amazing isn't it?
I remember watching a dragonfly emerging over a couple of hours when I was working at the water lily nursery.
, in reply to message 21.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
I find it even more amazing than an adult emerging from a pupa etc. When an adult emerges, it cracks open the pupal case and leaves that behind, and sort of inflates itself. But on this Comma pupa how can all the structure on the surface of the pupa have been created so quickly? Gob-smacked
, in reply to message 22.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Tuesday, 15th June 2010
In reply to Flightless (Anachronistic) Bird in message 22
Yes - all that caterpillary goo turning into a winged thingy inside and the structured case on the outside as you watch.
, in reply to message 23.
Posted by ooo-- Misty --ooo (U2226804) on Wednesday, 16th June 2010
Thanks, Flightless, for your reassurance about my hedgehog visitor! I'll be sure to keep a special look-out for her/him from now on.
I've made a point of leaving part of my garden as a small "nature reserve", with plenty of space for little wild creatures.
I love your photos of the caterpillar going into its pupa stage, and I hope that a beautiful butterfly emerges! (How long does it take I wonder??) We see too few butterflies these days unfortunately ...
Happy nature-watching! Misty x
, in reply to message 24.
Posted by chicken_hot_pot (U8480346) on Wednesday, 16th June 2010
*Brilliant* photos F(A)B.
Great idea Auntie,
Only got time for this one it's parasitic dodder I believe, taken in Devon
, in reply to message 26.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Wednesday, 16th June 2010
I managed to get some photos of bumblebees in my garden (but these *aren't* the ones in the nestbox - which I'm pretty sure are the tree bumblebee):
I found a great identification guide on the Natural History Museum site:
and decided the photos are Bombus hortorum - the Garden Bumblebee.
I looked at the bb conservation trust site:
and read some more about the Tree BB. Apparently swarms of males dabce outside the nest - that's exactly what mine were doing which is how I realised there was a nest
, in reply to message 27.
Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Wednesday, 16th June 2010
That's good news FAB about your nest of Tree Bumblebees. Are you going to notify the BCT for their survey? I hope you manage to photo them soon.
, in reply to message 28.
Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Thursday, 17th June 2010
That's good news FAB about your nest of Tree Bumblebees. Are you going to notify the BCT for their survey? Oh dear FAB, I must have been tired when I posted that message, quite forgetting that you're not in the UK! Still, a photo would be interesting to see. My nest still has 6 or so bees flying around just outside the entrance, presumably trying to entice a female to go nest-building with him.
, in reply to message 29.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Thursday, 17th June 2010
In reply to FleetingEileenM in message 29
I've been to my very favourite place this evening, the magical Wild Wood, and have been taking photos of orchids and other plants. I even caught a bumble bee, by chance. The evening light was a bit tricky, so fingers crossed they turn out okay. I notice I only have three frames left on the film, so I think I'll nip out and finish it so I can take it in tomorrow.
, in reply to message 30.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Thursday, 17th June 2010
That sounds good, goldilocks. I have a flower for you (or anyone else) to identify, but haven't sorted the photo out yet. I saw 2 damselflies (separately: a male and a female Azure Damselfly/Bluet), which I wasn't expecting in the Wood (Maybe there's a pond in one of the gardens of the big houses nearby)
I need some supper first
I planted some goldilocks seeds today; I collected them last year so I'm not sure whether they'll germinate, but thought it was about time.
Best natural sight over the last couple of days has been looking at the baby swallows zooming around - and then all squashing fatly back into the nest at night (four heads and one tail visible yesterday, but there may have been a sixth underneath its sibs).
, in reply to message 32.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Thursday, 17th June 2010
Calling goldilocks (or anyone else):
FleetingEileenM, don't worry about it - I'm always getting people mixed up ...
Dean,
Yes, swallow familes are great. In a place that I often stay in France, there are swallows nesting under the terrace roof.
Saw lots of interesting natural history in the Wood today...
By the way, if you're going to be in a wood in the near future keep an eye out for scorpion files - here, they're sitting around on the leaves in low vegetation (like brambles). They're only about half an inch long. I'd never seen a male display before. He folded his wings tighter, but held them further apart, raised his 'sting' (not a sting at all), and gave both wings a little upward flick about once a second.
Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:05 GMT, in reply to Flightless (Anachronistic) Bird in message 33
Superb picture set, F(A)B. Thanks for sharing.
Are you sure that second shot of the Scorpion fly isn't really a Fairey Delta II?
There's been some "activity" with my holes. Not sure if it's new things going into new wood, new things digging into old, once covered holes or something emerging from the previously covered holes.
The first three pics (1st w/o flash, 2nd & 3rd with) seem to indicate a previously covered hole having been broken into or out of. In the second of these pics there looks to be just a hint of something white and shiny deep inside.. though that could be my imagination(*).
The second three pictures look a little more revealing... the 1st pic show two holes.. the left hole is of most interest (and though in this pic it's not in focus, it does show how fresh the hole looks). We concentrate on that left hole in the following two pics... where we spy a black shiny thing! Is it the tail end of the culprit? Or is it an invader or even just a passing interested bystander? (I did catch a tiny waspy-shaped critter briefly investigating a few of the holes then flying off)
The last pic is just another hole.. not of huge interest but does reveal a little about the quality of the burrowing and structure of the hole.
I forgot to look for signs of sawdust on the ground - but I'll likely not be able to see any as it was windy and the ground beneath is ridden with other debris (Yes, I know, I could tape a paper cup or something beneath each hole).
Thanks again for sharing your set.. they really are excellent.
jont {;¬· >···{
(* though I can't for the life of me think what it's doing in there)
, in reply to message 34.
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Friday, 18th June 2010
I'm delighted that people are using this thread. Sorry I haven't had anything to add - life putting up obstacles as usual. Here's a photo I have posted on another thread, but without the story.
[IMG]/IMG]
My OH is a bit of a moth geek. We were walking on a reserve not far from where we live and he found a pupa that was the first recording of this species, a Large Red-belted Clearwing, in the recording area we were in. With the warden's permission, OH took the pupa home and when it emerged, photographed it and then returned it to the exact spot where we'd found it.
We have a lot of patches of hedge smothered with Ermine moth caterpillar webs this year. Not in my garden, but on many of the county roadsides - they look very impressive, and must represent a huge number of potential adult moths. I hope that means good news for the bats after the hard winter.
, in reply to message 36.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Friday, 18th June 2010
In reply to dean volecape in message 36
The spotted flycatchers are nesting in the vine on the other end of the barn where I live again this year. Lovely to see them flitting around the garden doing their flycatchery thing.
I hope you all can see this video of the wonderful exploits of the ermine moth.
, in reply to message 38.
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Friday, 18th June 2010
That's really interesting mezereon.
, in reply to message 38.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Friday, 18th June 2010
Amazing. Thanks for posting the link mezereon
, in reply to message 40.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Friday, 18th June 2010
I hope FleetingEileenM is reading, because after her encouragement I took some photos of the Tree BBs in the nestbox. It wasn't very easy as they whip in and out pretty smartish - and there are only two possible views of them The last one makes me laugh:
The Tree BBs don't seem to forage in my garden, but the Garden BBs are still enjoying (and arguing over) the honeysuckle:
, in reply to message 41.
Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Friday, 18th June 2010
Yes FAB I'm reading this and being amazed by your beautiful photos! Do you use a tripod? Mine aren't foraging in the garden yet either and I seem to remember from last year that they didn't go onto the flowers until a bit later on. I wonder what they live on?
, in reply to message 42.
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Friday, 18th June 2010
No, no tripod, but I do use flash which has a bit the same effect. The images are cropped from a small area of the original photo. I started off standing in front of the nest box, but my arms got tired, so I went and got the step ladder and sat on top of that
There was a steady stream of individuals in and out, so they must be feeding somewhere - maybe they feed on tree flowers?
, in reply to message 43.
Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Friday, 18th June 2010
Of course, I should use flash. I'll try that. I lean out of an upstairs window to get a good view as the box is about 6 feet away and about 2 feet below sill level.
Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:08 GMT, in reply to studioj in message 34
In case anyone is interested, I spied beasties in my holes.
Methinks bee-sties and possibly wasp-ies.
Took these yesterday... it was a bit of a game of peek-a-boo... particularly with the second beastie.
Pics 1-6 show what I think is maybe some kind of solitary bee... possibly a Wool Carder Bee?
Pic 7 shows the freshly vacated hole.
Pic 8 is an entirely different hole and maybe a different bee
Pics 9-15 (which aren't so good) show an entirely different beastie... and it seemed much more intent on playing peek-a-boo than pose for me... every time I tried to snap it.. it'd pop back into the hole. These pics are the best of a bunch I took over about 15 minutes.
When it eventually took flight it was so quick it was very difficult to get a decent look... but I'd say it was very slight and it /looked/ pretty much entirely black - but it was such a fleeting glance that I couldn't swear to it.
I'm wondering whether the second beastie is some kind of wasp critter... and maybe a parasite of the first one('s larvae).
Not sure if either solve the mystery of the holes themselves.. but at least might explain the current activity.
fwiw: as pure pictures, I rather like pics 2, 5 and 8... and I'm currently torn between using 5 or 8 for my entry into PicSoup this week.
jont {;¬· >···{
, in reply to message 45.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Sunday, 20th June 2010
In reply to studioj in message 45
Excellent pictures, jonti.
I haven't looked at this week's PicSoup yet - didn't have anything relevant to last week's to post. Loved the chicken photo - classic!
Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:03 GMT, in reply to goldilocks in message 46
Thanks, goldilocks.
As for PicSoup.. yes that chicken pic was terrific.
If you see the current entries for this week you'll notice that you're free to interpret "similar in some way" as lateral-thinking-ly as you like.. so you might find something to enter.
(Apologies to the thread for wandering off-topic).
jont {;¬· >···{
, in reply to message 47.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Sunday, 20th June 2010
In reply to studioj in message 47
I chucked one in - thanks, jont.
Heard the first skylark I've heard this year today. I can usually hear them from the back of our place, but haven't so far. No cuckoos either this year.
I've managed to hear the cuckoo in four different places this year, after several years of not hearing it - others have mentioned hearing more of them too. I don't know is this just because we've been out and about more, or have the Irish cuckoos had a good winter; I don't know do they go somewhere together, or if their migration path is different from ones that breed further east.
The other thing that hs changed is that the agri-environment schemes are trying to get farmers to leave to high vegetation in hedges, which gives more nest cover for small birds including the warblers to cuckoos exploit.
Went to the Common about ten miles from here yesterday - very interesting dry fen site; I was looking for Bee orchids but it was too early - there were no Fly orchids either and there's usually loads of them. There were Marsh orchids, Spotted orchids, Twayblades and unfolding buds of Marsh helleborine. Also masses of Juniper, and other local oddities like Dewberry, Carline thistle and Butterwort. I'll go back soon and see which of the later orchids have appeared.
, in reply to message 49.
Posted by goldilocks exits pursued by bears (U1859740) on Monday, 21st June 2010
In reply to dean volecape in message 49
It is too early for the bee orchids, dean. I was at a site last Thursday where they are prolific, but not yet. I did manage to take some pictures of the butterfly orchid though.
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