Wildlife - Summer, Autumn 2008

[ranunculus]

RSPB states:-

Latin name
Pica pica

Family
Crows and allies (Corvidae)

Overview
Magpies seem to be jacks of all trades - scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, their challenging, almost arrogant attitude has won them few friends. With its noisy chattering, black-and-white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK. When seen close-up its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. Non-breeding birds will gather together in flocks.

Where to see them
Found across England, Wales and N Ireland, but more localised in Scotland, absent from the Highlands. Seen in a range of habitats from lowland farmland to upland moors.

When to see them
All year round.

[mark smyth]

The only crows in New Zealand were the Chatham Island and New Zealand Ravens. They are now extinct

[annew]

This little chap is quite a celebrity, and he doesn't want to get out of here (corny reference to a terrible TV show on at present). This brown long-eared bat has been coming to this crevice to hibernate for a number of years. Some other holes contain Natterer's bats and who knows what else (well the local bat group I suppose). Several Herald moths are using the same site.

[mark smyth]

Herald moths are easy pickings when the bat wakes up. Where were you?

[annew]

Not far from where I live, I will email you privately.

[Anthony Darby]

RSPB states:-

Latin name
Pica pica

Family
Crows and allies (Corvidae)

Overview
Magpies seem to be jacks of all trades - scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, their challenging, almost arrogant attitude has won them few friends. With its noisy chattering, black-and-white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK. When seen close-up its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. Non-breeding birds will gather together in flocks.

Where to see them
Found across England, Wales and N Ireland, but more localised in Scotland, absent from the Highlands. Seen in a range of habitats from lowland farmland to upland moors.

When to see them
All year round.

Very common here in Dunblane. Usually 'bringing joy', but sometimes I get further into the rhyme. Their nests are everywhere. A neighbour across the road had one in a cyprus tree so they had the top 2 metres chopped off, including the nest.

[Lesley Cox]

The Australian magpie is described as "crow-like." It belongs to the Artamidae family.

[mark smyth]

I have a hibernating bat in my Schwegler tit box. It was found in someones kitchen a couple of weeks ago. When I opened the box I didnt expect to find it on the removable front. The last time I had a sneaky peek it was on the back. This is Leisler's bat that is I think the second or third largest bat in the UK
http://www.bats.org.uk/publications_download.php/218/leislers.pdf

[Maggi Young]

Bless that bat, what a furry chap... great to see these pictures .....
 we had a neighbour with hair like that but he doesn't wear it anymore 

[annew]

It's amazing that they can survive through the winter with so little protection, isn't it?

[Maggi Young]

It really is, Anne.... I am utterly amazed at the capacity of tiny creatures like the bats and wee birds to survive the weather they face.........of course, there will be losses but I find it extraordinary that anything a little as a goldcrest or pipistrelle can survive ANY cold..... wonderful little critters.... makes my whinging about the heat in here look more than a bit pathetic 

[mark smyth]

A bat puts on a third, I think, of it's body weight as fat to survive the winter. The Goldcrest must eat all day every day from now to spring to survive

[Anthony Darby]

Yep. The bat lowers its body temperature and heart rate too, whereas the goldcrest remains at 41^oC.

[mark smyth]

yes. Maybe one breath a minute and a couple of heart beats

[mark smyth]

Quivering with excitement here. Large numbers of waxwings have spread from the east and can now be found in the eastern half of N Ireland. 94 were in a tree in the grounds of Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn. A flock was in my town but when I went for a look they were gone