Did it have a black tip to the tail?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Wildlife highlight of the day
(7221 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Don't think so, but it did just flash past.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Must go! Haven't been for years. Always was something of a 'hidden gem' - with a great pond/swamp, (and general neglect)."
SO much better now!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Forgot to mention this last time it happened but a couple of times now I have heard what sounds quite a lot like a Peacock on the Innocent.
Posted 13 years ago # -
This one is at Jupiter (reopens 13th May).
Well reminded. Definitely need to take a ride out to Jupiter this summer.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Definitely need to take a ride out to Jupiter this summer."
Posted 13 years ago # -
"It/they'll be at Prestonfield House.
Have Heilan' Coos too."
Ah, well that is the direction of Peacock noise so that must be the answer. I bet the neighbours love them..
Thought I was going mad. Although I might still be going mad, just that hearing Peacocks isn't a sign of it.
Posted 13 years ago # -
2 grey herons on water of leith, nr redhall gardens. watched one for ages - fishing - and then other came along. we'd crossed the bridge to redhall and then walked up past the stone wall. there were lots of people of the main path, but they obviously couldn't see them at all. very sorry I didn't have camera. we weren't on bike, strictly speaking, having left it locked at the visitor centre.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Three stags appearing from nowhere to leap across the road about 20 metres ahead of me on Mull. Saw them before I smelt them - got a fair whiff of musk as I passed where they had bolted.
All sorts of other lovely things seen but alas not noted or time not taken to identify and admire. I was mainly soaking up the scenery.
Posted 13 years ago # -
A wasp, in B&Q (Powderhall), just as it was retracting its sting after injecting me with lovely venom, to which I am allergic.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I learned some cool facts about Collared Doves today, just wanted to share:-
-You won't see a Collared Dove taking a dust bath as they produce their own dust from special feathers which crumble as they grow. Clever eh?
-They can sook water up through their beaks like a straw.
-They've only been in the UK since the 1950's.
And I bet you all thought they were just pink and clapped their wings alot..
Posted 13 years ago # -
clapped their wings alot
I gave Amir a lecture about clap-fling vortex generation and doves / pigeons on the Moffat Toffee... Must have learnt something at university!
they've only been in the UK since the 1950's.
If I remember rightly, they know the precise tree where they first arrived.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I gave Amir a lecture about clap-fling vortex generation and doves / pigeons on the Moffat Toffee"
And is he still speaking to you? ;-)
"If I remember rightly, they know the precise tree where they first arrived. "
Pretty much. My book says it was in a chicken run in Manton, Lincolnshire and spotted by Reg May the local postie. Forever immortalised for being the first to discover pink, wing clapping columbids!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Went for walk to three storey dovecot and attic suite with 1500 nesting boxes from 15th century in Bedfordshire village of Willington last weekend. Most impressive doocot I have ever seen. No doves just pigeons and many day tripper cyclists, some who knew how to pass pedestrians. Apparently dove guano used to whiten washing?????????????
Posted 13 years ago # -
Collared Doves are great, we get a couple regularly in our garden.
Today though, through the mist, the Figgy was a delight (at about 7am after being woken by the cat).
Perhaps my best Little Grebe to date
Little Grebe Profile by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrThe first Ducklings have hatched, and have a very good and defensive mum
Ducklings by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Duckling Line by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Defensive Mother by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrBut then the Black Backed Mob looked up for a fight...
The Black Backed Mob by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrAlso photographed my first Wheatear (though that was down at the Megget Reservoir - gazillions of cyclists about!)
Wheatear by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrOh, and the cat attacked this Sand Martin when the picture came up on screen with her sat beside the keyboard...
Airborne Sand Martin by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr(sorry, haven't posted any wildlife pics in a while though!)
Posted 13 years ago # -
Slow news day today obviously since this story about a Sparrowhawk flying into a window is on the BBC website.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"
found "lying dazed and confused"
"
One I found (many years ago) didn't survive the journey through the double glazing.Posted 13 years ago # -
Swallows are back on the Innocent Path (regular resting spot on wires over the path near Duddingston Road West).
Posted 13 years ago # -
I wish that I could identify bird song. Apart fromn a few species it is all a big mystery.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Best way is to spend a bit of time listening to songs then stalking the culprit until you find out who is singing. Bit labour intensive but fun! Watch out for stinging nettles..
Got a good butterfly list the last couple of days:-
-Orange tip
-Large White
-Tortoiseshell
-Red admiral
-PeacockPlus a weaselly recognised weasel.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Treecreeper on the Innocent this morning. It flew up and clung to the wall.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Good spot, Min!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yellowhammer (I think), bright yellow head and a striped black and white tail when it flew off. Near Longniddry.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Terns skimming the water and screeching away down in the Leith docks basin. Couldn't get a close enough butchers to identify what sort.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Swifts shrieking in the sky above Marchmont c. 1930 this evening
Posted 13 years ago # -
On the ride home tonight:
Kingfisher in the Green by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Peering Kingfisher by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Taxi for Kingfisher by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrPosted 13 years ago # -
Wheee wheee wheee Swifts at Cowgate/St Mary's St then three Blackcaps (all male) on the Innocent.
Seems to be hotting up in the bird world.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Red squirrels return after years on run from greys"
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Red-squirrels-return-after-years.6769473.jp
Posted 13 years ago # -
was back oop north today, a heron sitting in the river tay, just before the cairnie braes. Many deer next to the A9, drumochter, all looking miserable in the drizzle,actually would prob look miserable without the drizzle. Do deer moult ? Their coats were very ...mangy looking ! Couple of big fish rises on Tummel and what looked like a buzzard apparently taking a rabbit near banockburn. Are buzzards killers or are they just carrion, ie already dead eaters ? I couldnt see if the rabbit was dead or not, I have to look at the road occasionally ! Many many dead deer by the roads of scotland at the mo, numbers might be suffering. This year seems extremely bad. Badgers too, seem to be more corpses than usual. Oh and a fairly friendly westie as I cycled through Grand Sable cemetry, on my way home from what I laughably call work !
Posted 13 years ago #
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