Wildlife February 2011

[Anthony Darby]

I see, and more regularly hear, Kingfishers (Halcyon sancta vagans) most days, but they are usually on the neighbours' TV aerials or further away. Today they were catching cicadas on the puriri tree in the garden!

[Anthony Darby]

The chorus or clapping cicada (Amphisalta zealandica) can be deafening in local woods but they are still noisy in in smaller numbers in our garden. We appear to have both species of mantis - the introduced springbok mantis Miomantis caffra and the native Orthodera novaezealandiae. Judging by the number of oothecae on the house wall they are common!

[mark smyth]

Anthony how's the new country? Are the children settled?

[Anthony Darby]

New country's brilliant. Kids love it. Finding the sun blinding, especially when trying to take pics. Need to get a filter for my camera lens, but which one?

[mark smyth]

I suppose you are learning new wildlife fast?

This is what I always though was a swift moth caterpillar but what is it?

[Roma]

Is it a cutworm - yellow underwing ?

[mark smyth]

spot on!

[Anthony Darby]

Swift moth caterpillars are white Mark. Both make excellent gecko food!

[lettuce begin]

Strange birds flying today

[lettuce begin]

Sorry photos are not good but they fly so quickly.
These bats have been flying for several hours in the daytime for the last couple of days.
I have not noticed this behaviour before. Does anyone have any ideas as to why.

[mark smyth]

Lots of reports of day light active bats this week. Although they should be hibernation the above average temperatures have brought them out to top up fat reserves. They will be out properly during April.

Even though they are in deep sleep they are able to wake in about 15 minutes

I think the temperature that brings them out can be as low as 8C. That's the lowest temperature that insects can fly.

How was it flying? very direct at tree top height or low down and like it was drunk?

[lettuce begin]

Hi Mark thanks for your reply.
They are all flying treetop height and very active.
The temp here has been warm so your probally right.
Hope they get settled again as I have had them in the lofts for 30+ years 

[Lesley Cox]

Strangely enough Mark, we call China China, and where you are, we call Northern Ireland.

[TC]

Probably Daubentons Bat.  They inhabit woodlands and frequently fly in daylight

[lettuce begin]

Thanks Tom, I had not heard of Daubentons Bat.
Its a new one for me in this area, I shall have a try at getting a better photo if they are out again.
The Long eared and the Pipistrelles are the ones I have in the lofts. The more the merrier, hoping they will keep the swift moths under control.