wildlife

[mark smyth]

Why a pest?

[Maggi Young]

Non native wildlife  and invasive plant species - all can be a real problem .... .see this New Yorker article about New Zealand : http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/big-kill?mbid=social_twitter

[johnstephen29]

Hi Maggi great article, you only have to look at the grey squirrel to see the damage it has done, the only time I have seen the beautiful red squirrel was about fifteen years ago or thereabouts at the highland wildlife park, same goes for the wildcat and the capercaillie, lovely bird.

[Steve Garvie]

At least here in West Fife it looks like the Reds may be making a comeback.
We have Grey Squirrels in our garden but only 2 miles away in Devilla Forest there are increasing numbers of Red Squirrels. We saw 4 separate individuals along 6km of forest trails whilst walking the dog this morning.

Whilst there is still a worry that squirrel pox may transfer to the Reds a new player has appeared on the scene -we now seem to have Pine Martens in the area. A large dog Pine Marten has been seen on a number of occasions and another was found as a roadkill, whilst regular scats are also being found. These predators find Grey Squirrels far easier to catch than native Red Squirrels and will hopefully tip the balance in favour of the Reds.

[ashley]

These predators find Grey Squirrels far easier to catch than native Red Squirrels and will hopefully tip the balance in favour of the Reds.

As seems to be happening here in Ireland too: http://www.irelandswildlife.com/squirrel-pine-marten/

[johnstephen29]

This is good news all round Ashley for the UK and Ireland populations of reds.

[arillady]

We have had a few geckos lately on the windows or below the windows. Such cute feet.

[Anthony Darby]

Why a pest?

It breeds at an incredible rate, being a clutch egg layer, and is ousting native species, which produce a maximum of two young per season. This, coupled with predation by mustelids (spell checker tried to change this to mudslides!), cats, rats, and mice, mean I will never see a native skink outside a reserve with a predator barrier.

[johnstephen29]

How did it get over to New Zealand Anthony?

[Maritfri]

Hello,

When the snow covers the flowers in the garden then there birds who get the attention. Now when it is winter we always have food to the birds and the garden is filled with life.


Erithacus rubecula



Marit

[Maritfri]

Here it was a little messy with the post


Turdus merula


Garrulus glandarius

Now when it is Christmas holidays we are home during the daytime and we are fortunate to meet squirrel too.


Sciurus vulgaris

Marit

[Maritfri]

Thank you Maggi

I tried to go back and fix my post but it was a mess. But other attempts went well?

Marit

Marit -  some of your pictures were missing- and I tried to help- but I've made it worse! Sorry! 

You can click "modify" by your post to go back to change things.
M

[Maggi Young]

Marit, these  photos are magnificent - feels like the birds are really "here" 

Only grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in our garden.... but only one  and not very often - the Reds are a little further away at the edge of the city.

[Gene Mirro]

Marit, those photos are extraordinary.  They look 3-D.  Are you using some special effect? 

[Maggi Young]

See more of these great pictures - including what appears to be the fattest cat in Norway  :
http://rantenhagen.blogspot.no/