zek
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Posts posted by zek
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Saw a live one a few years ago, on a clump of moss somewhere in Tyrone. It was out enjoying the sun, and ran for cover VERY quickly. Found a dead one in the same area a few months later.
Last year someone local caught one in their garden (North-East coast) and kept it in a jam-jar for me to see.
I've never held one tho' - I didn't realise they would sit still that long. I wonder are they kept in captivity - there's so many species of lizard now being kept, you would think so.
Zek.
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Musket.
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Sorry about that. I've added the photo. Thanks for your help - I'm thinking Wood mouse.
In your job, have you ever come across the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) - not just a black coloured Brown Rat (R. norvegicus)?
thanks again,
Zek.
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My neighbour found these when tidying up her garden shed a couple of days ago.
Are they House or Field/Wood mice?
A pet rat which has young of a similar size has accepted 4 of the older ones!!
thanks.
Zek.
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!st - Goldfinches
2nd - Blackbird?
3rd - Robin
4th - Blackbird
Is the second a Backbird?
Thanks for sharing those - awesome!
I remember a certain townland in Co Tyrone that always had 1 or 2 pied blackbirds - they were beautiful. It seemed to be in the breeding. It seems they can moult out different some years.
thanks,
Zek.
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Fascinating animals - good sport too!
How about these (for the hawk) - we call them the 'dinner ladies';
Zek.
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Seen this oystercatcher a couple of weeks ago.
Not a starling, nor captive bred but slightly unusual none the less;
Btw, it seems you can buy them captive bred - seen some in C&A recently!
Zek.
I forgot to say - I really love those starlings!
Any more photos of British colour variants?
Zek.
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I think if Moll would post more photos on Birdforum it might help - they've reached almost 100 posts on the bird (tho' they're just as puzzled as we are here!). Recent opinions are favouring Red Tailed Hawk, or maybe some other escapee, tho' they're only opinions - no-one seems to be sure.
thanks,
Zek.
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Love those - esp. the Kestrel. Thanks for sharing.
Zek.
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The link was;
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=81772
Posts on the subject have now passed the 75 mark - but they need more photos urgently - this stuff is addictive!
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Moll, they need more photos over on Birdforum - the discussion has run to over 50 posts and is still not decided! Why not register on Birdforum and post them.
thanks,
Zek
PS. really interesting bird.
You forgot to stick this one up..
..Millet
Is that the same bird?
Can I post it on Birdforum?
Zek.
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The other piccies i have from yesterday,
MOLL.
Are the two photos of the bird near the pylon etc, of the same bird in your first post? Have you any other photos taken of the mystery bird?
thanks,
Zek.
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I've posted it on Birdforum, and the discussion has run to about 25 posts so far - but with still no definite conclusion;
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=81772
You might have to register to read the posts,
thanks,
Zek.
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Try putting the photos up on Birdforum.net (in the ID section) - or if you want I can do it for you, let me know.
Zek.
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Good post, love the pictures, thanks for sharing. They're getting more common up here in the North, being seen in Co Down and Antrim. Road kills are more frequent now in Co Down and Fermanagh (according to a friend who's a taxidermist). I used to know a taxidermist in Mayo, who got them in fairly frequently.
I still haven't seen one myself tho'.
Zek.
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I dont quite see the point in it? Why take a animal out of its natural surrounds away from its Mum just so you can rear it? Leave em where they are, not called wild animals for nothing.......
Fox in picture one was taken from his mother, but foxes in picture two and three were 'rescues' (tho' I don't know the circumstances).
You're welcome to your views (technically, I think you're right), tho' my views aren't quite so black and white. Someone had to tame wolves once upon a time etc. Also, it's difficult to see 'the point' in alot of countryside activities - I sometimes lamp foxes, but not frequently - is there much point in killing the odd fox now and then - hardly efficient vermin control, if I'm not going to be consistant. But, I enjoy the night out, so I do it. Rearing the odd fox or other animal, now and then, is fascinating, educational and really enjoyable. As long as the animal doesn't suffer, I don't have a problem.
Zek.
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My friend who rehabilitates animals of all kinds reared this badger a couple of years ago. He doesn't keep wild pets - if the animal can be released within a few weeks, it goes, but if not, it gets 'put down'. This badger was semi-wild at this stage (I thinks he had developed a soft spot for it!).
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About 20 years ago, I spotted fox cubs playing at the mouth of a hole - it was the middle of a glorious day in early Summer. I returned with a purse net and set it over one of the holes (there were 2), and retreated to watch. Shortly, one of the cubs emerged from the unnetted hole and began to play. When it came near to the netted hole, I got up and clapped my hands, and he bolted down the hole (back-netted). I took him out of the net, without getting bit, and put a red harness on him (see photo taken same day). I then decided he needed company, so returned the next day and netted a second one the exact same way. Looking back now, they were much too old to tame, but they did grow up into adult foxes. They had the run of a old pig house on the farm, with straw bales to hide behind. They never tamed. About a year later, I took them up to the mountain and released them (Wrong, I know). Off they went across the heather, glad to be free. A couple of weeks later, my father (who was a bread sales man in the area) was talking to a local farmer in the area. "You'll never believe what happened yesterday", he said. "I was standing beside the milking parlour, when a fox walked into the yard, and stood and looked at me. I went into the parlour and lifted the gun, and when I came out he was still there - He didn't move, and I shot him!" My father (wisely) never mentioned my release!
The very young cub was one my friend was rearing to be rehabed - he doesn't normally hold them, but did this time for the photo.
The third is one we reared and released a couple of years ago. We didn't tame it much, but the children were fascinated by it.
I know they're controversial animals (as is rearing and releasing!) but I find them fascinating - I've reared them, shot them, snared them, called them, photographed them, painted them, sat and admired them - what an animal!
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How do winged birds settle in captivity? In my area quite a number of birds collide with overhead power cables - many are killed tho' some have only wing damage. The fox I assume picks most of them up eventually. My friend was birdwatching about 4 years ago and witnessed 7 brent hitting the wires at the one time. There was a brent knocking around a few days ago with a damaged wing. I've sometimes wondered would they ever settle in captivity.
PS. Of the 7 that hit the wires, we ate 3 or 4 - (quite salty, but OK)
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I've seen similar under a heronry, in the early spring. Also on the moor, where Grey Crows had been feeding. I'd certainly be in favour of Heron/Crow/Buzzard catching and eating frogs in the area.
Zek.
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Starting off in the centre, I'd say Emu, with four goose eggs around it, then some duck or hen, and maybe quail (tho' they look a bit big and not quite the right markings IMO). I'd guess they're all legal and mostly farmed eggs. Are those seagull eggs in the corners. Not sure, but thanks for sharing,
Zek.
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How about Robin for No3?
Zek.
I seen this Swan
in Wildlife and General Photography
Posted
Looks good - esp. the head shot witht the water droplets!
Zek.