Wildlife February 2011

[mark smyth]

Tom Daubentons is silver underneath. I was thinking of Leislers or noctule because of the narrow wings

[lettuce begin]

I'm not going to be able to find out unless I get a better sighting
I believe that the Leislers are rare, so its probally going to be noctule.
I shall have to wait, maybe the uncle can id when he's down later in the year.
They have a bat house at Slebech Park. A large no of different bats including both types
of horseshoe, a great place for wildlife.

[Maggi Young]

Lovely bats, Cheryl, whatever they are!
 Here's a rough guide to wing outlines:
http://www.bedsbatgroup.org.uk/newsletter/identifying%20bats.pdf

[lettuce begin]

Thanks Maggie, those outlines of flying patterns will be very useful.

[scatigaz]

Noctules often fly during winter when the weather is mild. The only time i have encountered Daubentons are on warm evenings flying low over water.

[scatigaz]

Sand Martin today seen in Wales. A Swallow and Wheatear last week in Cornwall. Spring almost here?

[mark smyth]

Sand Martin today seen in Wales. A Swallow and Wheatear last week in Cornwall. Spring almost here?

  they wont live long if the weather turns nasty but it would be good if this warmth stays.

Swifts are back in Israel but thats normal for this time of year

[scatigaz]

Mark, just wondered when you expect to see your first Swift. In South Yorkshire, i usually see my first over my local reservoir between 22nd and 25th April and late April/early May around their nesting sites.

[Peter Maguire]

Spring seems to be moving on. Here's a couple of photos taken yesterday of waders on passage on the Nothumberland coast.
Firstly a Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Secondly a selection of waders; from left to right Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), Sanderling (Calidris alba), and Redshank (Tringa totanus)

The best photos of a somewhat shaky sequence - I should have taken a heavy tripod for the long lens. 

[mark smyth]

Mark, just wondered when you expect to see your first Swift. In South Yorkshire, i usually see my first over my local reservoir between 22nd and 25th April and late April/early May around their nesting sites.

Gary, I usually seen my first around 25th also. The first bird back in a box was on May 3rd 2010 and May 6th 2009
http://saveourswifts.co.uk/diary2010.htm

Do you have or intend to put nest boxes on your house?

[scatigaz]

Mark, there are quite a few pairs of Swifts nest in the vicinity of my house including a pair in my neighbour's house. Putting up nest boxes is something i have been contemplating. Which direction do your nest boxes face? Which type of box do you find the most successful and are they easily obtainable in the UK?

[mark smyth]

Gary you have 8 weeks to get nest boxes up. Swifts arent bothered about where their nest is. Most people say not exposed facing south but they do nest under hot pan tiles in southern Europe.

I have two nest boxes facing north, 8 south west but under the eaves of the house and 11 facing west. Those that face west get direct sun - when it shines - from 3pm.

Last year I had 10 pairs but could have had 14. Due to the cold May caused by north winds if I remember correct 4 pairs abandoned and never came back. 5 pairs raised chicks and the other 5 didnt do much except bring in some nest material

The cheapest box is one you make yourself. Your local wood yard can cut exterior ply and all you need to do is screw it together. It will cost you under £5. I can mail you a swift lure CD

[mark smyth]

On Sunday in a couple of hours a friend and I remade my under eave nest boxes to give the swifts more room and a taller front so I can get my hands on the chicks.

If your eaves are flat underneath it is so much easier to make a square box

[scatigaz]

Mark, thanks for the info. They look quite easy to make. I will make 2 or 3 to start with and see how it goes. Do you find a tape lure works better?

[mark smyth]

Three is a good start because swifts will fight over a new nest box. The lure is to attract the non breeders and those that have to reached the age to get a mate and lay eggs. Swifts never leave a nest site to go to a new one.

email me your address and I'll get the CD away today