No waxwings seen yet :(
6 blackbirds together in the cotoneaster outside my window. Funny, I thought blackbirds didn't get on.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Wildlife highlight of the day
(7221 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Small furry rodents running about in the dark on the towpath out beyond the bypass in two groups of three or four. There were enough of them, and they were suicidal enough, that I was worried about hitting them.
In the cold white glare of my front light, and with their fur all fluffed up, they looked like chinchillas. I expect they were actually rats (or possibly voles).
There were a lot, though
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
WOLCT:Have you seen the Kingfisher?
http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2011/12/16/have-you-seen-the-kingfisher.html
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/WOLCT/status/147603733725982720
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
Have you seen the Kingfisher?
We are really interested in receiving details of any kingfisher sightings. We have been getting more sightings in areas the birds do not normally frequent and we are trying to work out if they have been displaced by the floodworks and where they may try to nest in 2012. If you spot this amazing bird please email the location, time and date to; admin@waterofleith.org.uk
Posted 12 years ago # -
@greenroofer could have been water voles - shortness of tale would distinguish them from the other rats.
Mink have the fur but are more solitary and elongated size between stoat and otter
As we have said before but one must take the opportunties when they arise - the difference between a stoat and the smaller weasel is
weasels are weasily recognised but stoats are stoatally different
this sight is good
Posted 12 years ago # -
err - shortness of tail
don't tell the mountain bike fellows
Posted 12 years ago # -
Not round these here parts, but at the mouth of the Ythan this morning the usual seals were about - interesting to get a shot of some swans flying by them...
Mute Swan and Seals by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Ythan Seal 1 by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrPlus Kestrel hovering by the Moon
Kestrel and the Moon by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrAnd a Sanderling in flight
Flying Sanderling by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrPosted 12 years ago # -
Flock of redwing (c. 25-30) feeding in the open on the Meadows c. 230 this afternoon.
Posted 12 years ago # -
There's a juvenile buzzard that cruises the field round the back of my parent's house. Very inquisitive and flies very close to the parent's miniature Schnauzer and I when out walking.
What really surprised me was seeing a crow and it have some aerial argybargy which the crow won. I know crows will mob birds of prey, but I didn't know they'd have a go mano a mano, so to speak.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Buzzards in trees by garden just now.
Posted 12 years ago # -
It was too far away to ID and without a long lens my photos are just blurs, but there was something buzzardy or eaglish hovering with amazing skill over some woods when I was out on my bike this afternoon. Rock solid like a kestrel.
Also saw many a grouse, and a few peacocks, which I stumbled on but they ran away before I could get a good shot of.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Never had longtailed tits in my garden before...it was the crowning glory to the day. They are really cute. I have also had an abundance of blackbirds 5 or 6 at a time recently after not seeing any at all for weeks if not months. Also had a couple of bullfinches a couple of weeks ago, that was exciting. Ooo, oo and a thrush also about two weeks ago, not seen one for years.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yesterday on the last ride of 2011, whilst pedalling along near Saltoun woods noticed a buzzard in the trees on the left keeping up with us, then overtook crossed over the road, and kept up with us again for some considerable way amongst the trees on the right, seemed to be enjoying itself and the company...and must have followed us for a good mile or so. Fantastic.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Stupid amounts of birds in the garden at lunchtime:-
7 Blue Tits
4 Goldfinches
2 pairs of Bullfinches
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Robin
Dunnock
2 Coal Tits
Great Tit
and a ChaffinchI thought my eyes were going to fall out trying to keep up with them. All of the BTs and several of the others are still out there charging about.
Posted 12 years ago # -
That's an incredibly good garden count! Especially considering the weather!
My UK Bird Photo List topped out for 2011 at 114 different species. Not bad considering I wasn't actually going 'bird spotting' and was just looking for things wherever I happened to be (and I know someone who hit 290 species for 2011, but he did travel the length and breadth of the country reacting to reports of things).
Modest start to 2012, sitting at 18 species so far, which is just really the garden, one wander to the coast, and one wander to the Figgy.
Posted 12 years ago # -
18 for me too, all from either garden or close to here. I have photographs of 12 although the Blackcap is a bit blurred
Posted 12 years ago # -
Ah well it's photos of 18 for me, with about 10 others seen, but I know I can get better shots for my year list... :P
Mind you, there was someone on LothianBirdNews who, it appears, bombards his year list on 1st January every year and got something like 76 this year.
Thing is, I reckon that spoils a lot of the fun as you must then spend large amounts of time with nothing to add to your list.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Really? Blimey. They surely can't spend much time enjoying the birds either. Doesn't seem much point then.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Blackcap is a good spot.
I haven't had much time to sit watching our garden at the moment but it is amazing how quick the feeders are emptying. We get a lot of greenfinches and blue tits. Also bluetits, blackbirds, coal and great tits, dunnock, robin, chaffinch, occasional bullfinches and gs woodpecker and a tawny owl in the trees behind.
At my parents down south, there were a lot of goldfinch and we also saw a marsh tit and a nuthatch.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The man in the bird shop agreed that there have been alot more birds around when I went to stock up on seed.
I have never seen a Nuthatch but they look really sweet.
Posted 12 years ago # -
We get our food from Home Bargains (in Straiton :<). It is by far the cheapest source that we've found, though they sell in 0.5 kg bags. Our birds generally prefer sunflower seed though they will occasionally go for peanuts. They'll go though a bag a day on average.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Couple of Buzzards walking round the back of the park this morning (I was walking, not the Buzzards - out for a couple of drinks after work so bike stayed in the garage). First was right by Duddingston Loch and stirred up all the birdlife around there, the second was roosting in a tree by the uni residences, taking off as I walked towards it (for all the sharp beak and claws they're wusses really... ;) )
Posted 12 years ago # -
It's a bit a let down when you learn they eat worms.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"It's a bit a let down when you learn they eat worms."
Really? You mean people confuse them with vultures?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Posted 12 years ago #
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Was handfeeding a squirrel in the cemetery at the bottom of Lothian Road at lunchtime. I know I shouldn't, and yes, they're not as cute as the reds, but they're still fluffy and I like them.
There's one that's much bolder than the rest. Kept grabbing my hand to get at the nuts, and let me stroke his head and tickle his belly.
I have also eaten squirrel. It's a bit livery. And while I'd like to help out the reds I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to dine on grey squirrel again.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Keep fattening him up Anth. In these times of austerity we'll all be dining on squirrels before long, but probably only after we've made a dent in the rabbit population...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Doing what I can!
Tame Squirrel 2 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Tame Squirrel 5 by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrPosted 12 years ago # -
"River Tweed squirrel pox outbreak action plan in place"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-16441230
"The public has been advised not to put out garden feeders as a measure to help stop the disease spreading."
Posted 12 years ago # -
Probably not worth sharing, but never get the chance to post in here.
It's a heron on the weir on the almond walkway. (phone camera, max digital 'zoom') Spotted as I was pausing to work out how to get over path blocking tree.
Also saw a large raptor eyeing me up on the fence beside the a8 at Newbridge. Gorgeous big thing.
Posted 12 years ago #
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