wildlife

[ArnoldT]

someone replied off line.

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/walkingstick.htm

[Anthony Darby]

South African sprinkbok mantids (Miomantis caffra) can survive as adults over winter here in Auckland, then this happens. Found this by the wall next to the back door.

[Maggi Young]

For some rather fine photos of the wildlife seen in the area of the recent SRGC discussion Weekend in Grantown-on-Spey, see Tony Goode's blipfoto pages - starting here : https://www.polaroidblipfoto.com/entry/2097034225134863703

[Anthony Darby]

First bulb fly of the season. Now in the Northland gecko cage. Choice Narcissi are now caged to prevent attack.

[fermi de Sousa]

Our local New Holland Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) enjoy exotic fare, here on a clump of Kniphofia,
cheers
fermi

[Rogan]

High-voltage affair! A pair of Egyptian Geese on a nearby electricity transmission pole - they had a lot to say... 

[annew]

They look very fine. Meanwhile a Great Spotted Woodpecker is stealing my hazelnuts and vandalising my tit boxes. we'll have to renew the fronts of them next season.

[annew]

I don't begrudge the hazelnuts, and he is very beautiful, but surely just one box is enough to roost in?

[brianw]

A GS Woodpecker seems quite happy here eating the sunflower seeds. Maybe you need to distract it.
A Kestrel is making regular visits to us sitting on the power line at the bottom of the garden and dropping down onto a wild part of the garden on and off. Even stayed there when I walked along the house paving with ~20 metres or so between us. Always seems to be back-lit so no photo.

[brianw]

Kestrel back twice today. 1st time perched on the power pole with less contrast behind it than usual

 but then decided to perch on our gutter and look at us in the kitchen. Both photos through double glazing.

Must look into nest box for it.
We get Tawny owls calling at night. Could I have nest boxes for both in the same garden, say 20 metres minimum or so apart, as long as they are not visible from each other. They would need to be on NNE walls of the house and garage.

[ian mcdonald]

Thanks Chris, it must have been confused, it was on Myrica gale.

[brianw]

Thinking more about my proposed Kestrel nest box. I notice on line that the US Kestrel type boxes are generally vertical, with a largish (3"~) hole and square base, whereas the UK Kestrel boxes tend to be horizontal with large open entrance and a large rectangular floor, apparently ~double the floor area of the tall form boxes. I was sent the US type instructions from one UK "birding body" but that may have been a mistake.
Anyone have experience of either type of box here, and if either may be less likely to be appropriated by less desirable species? Jackdaws and their friends can be very noisy here.
Had 2 Kestrels passing through today at one point but too fast to really see if they were the same sex or not. Their reaction suggested rivals.

[Tristan_He]

Thanks Chris, it must have been confused, it was on Myrica gale.

Nah, it's just not choosy about it's foodplants!
http://ukmoths.org.uk/species/ceramica-pisi

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks Chris, it must have been confused, it was on Myrica gale.

Bit of a misnomer, Ian, as it's omnivorous.

[Anthony Darby]

Bit of a misnomer, Ian, as it's omnivorous.

 My goodness, so it eats meat too?