wildlife

[Maggi Young]

The amazing wildlife on a mountain bigger than Ben Nevis under the sea off the west coast of Scotland  - read more : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/28583945

[Anthony Darby]

This cat killed 102 bats at a bat roost in 1 week. 

[arillady]

Mother red kangaroo, her 'teenage' daughter and a young joey in her pouch. They are always in the garden and are getting quite friendly.

[Maggi Young]

This beast gives me the creeps - but it is pretty


pic from here : http://wowthatscool.com/-meetanimal/seven-strange-beautiful-insects?utm_content=bufferbe9df&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[mark smyth]

New Zealand's short-tailed bats?

[Anthony Darby]

New Zealand's short-tailed bats?

Yes. Cats, rats and possums are a huge problem in New Zealand.

[Growild]

I was wanting to clear some of the farm grounds today of Rosebay Willow-herb but finding this fine fellow feasting upon its favourite food has put a stop to it! It's a Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar with amazing eye-spots.

From Wikipedia:
Like most hawk moth caterpillars, they have a backward curving spine or "horn" on the final abdominal segment. The anterior of the caterpillar appears to have the shape of a trunk-like snout. It is this elephant look, rather than its large size, that gives the moth its name. When startled, the caterpillar draws its trunk into its foremost body segment. This posture resembles a snake with a large head and four large eye-like patches. Caterpillars are preyed upon by birds, but these shy away (at least for some time) from caterpillars in "snake" pose. It is not known whether the birds take the caterpillar to actually resemble a snake, or are frightened by the sudden change of a familiar prey item into an unusual and boldly-patterned shape.

[Roma]

A bit scary when you first see this caterpillar.  I have found two in different years and not on willowherb.  I wondered if they were mature and looking for somewhere to pupate.

[Roma]

I was on my way to check the ponies this afternoon when I spotted this chap watching me.

[Anthony Darby]

Buck shot. 

[fermi de Sousa]

Buck shot. 

No, he got away

[Roma]

Wish somebody would shoot them.  Not too much damage in the garden this year so far - annual willowherb topped, Oenothera 'Sunset Boulevard' and yellow lupin also and worst of all part of Sisyrinchium palmifolium inflorescence nipped off.

[Growild]

A bit scary when you first see this caterpillar.  I have found two in different years and not on willowherb.  I wondered if they were mature and looking for somewhere to pupate.

Willowherb seems to be their favourite food but they do feed on other plants. Haven't seen any more caterpillars of this one but there are many Tiger moth caterpillars at the moment - one even crawled into the house yesterday! We do have a small number of bats to keep the moth numbers under control (not sure which species yet).

[Growild]

Wish somebody would shoot them.  Not too much damage in the garden this year so far - annual willowherb topped, Oenothera 'Sunset Boulevard' and yellow lupin also and worst of all part of Sisyrinchium palmifolium inflorescence nipped off.

Hi Roma

You could try this product and it's totally environmentally friendly www.grazers.co.uk

I've used it here on the farm against rabbits but you can also use it for deer, pigeons voles & mice.

[Maggi Young]

Saw this  photo and couldn't resist sharing  it:




Learn about the Ecology of the Hazel Dormouse via a course from the Sussex Wildlife Trust
http://www.sussexwildlifetrust.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=13822190