Wildlife March 2011

[Stephenb]

The preferred host plant for the red admiral is the native nettle Urtica ferox which has not gained a lot of popularity as a garden plant despite being the runner up for New Zealand's favourite plant for 2010. 

  Really? How come it's so popular? I think I read once that someone once fell into a bed of this nettle and subsequently died - the stingers are certainly ferocious looking...

[Tony Willis]

Two mallard have taken up residence in the garden. They have discovered the sunflower seeds I put out.They are very tame and just wander of into the border if we go outside

Do not know whether to be happy or not.

[David Nicholson]

Two mallard have taken up residence in the garden. They have discovered the sunflower seeds I put out.They are very tame and just wander of into the border if we go outside

Do not know whether to be happy or not.

Suppose it depends how loose they are Tony?

[Tony Willis]

Two mallard have taken up residence in the garden. They have discovered the sunflower seeds I put out.They are very tame and just wander of into the border if we go outside

Do not know whether to be happy or not.

Suppose it depends how loose they are Tony?

David the word 'very' springs to mind!!

[galanthophile]

We have Mallards regularly wandering about our car park at work.. Waxwings have been seen here too although I haven't been fortunate enough to see them although I did have flocks of fieldfares in my garden during the heavy snow in January. Lovely photos everyone.

[David Nicholson]

Two mallard have taken up residence in the garden. They have discovered the sunflower seeds I put out.They are very tame and just wander of into the border if we go outside

Do not know whether to be happy or not.

Suppose it depends how loose they are Tony?

David the word 'very' springs to mind!!

[mark smyth]

Today 2 very brave sand martins, Riparia riparia, were seen in N Ireland

[scatigaz]

A few migrants appearing now throughout the UK. Sand Martins, Wheatears ,Chiffchaffs and even a Willow Warbler today in Gloucester.

[David Lyttle]

The preferred host plant for the red admiral is the native nettle Urtica ferox which has not gained a lot of popularity as a garden plant despite being the runner up for New Zealand's favourite plant for 2010. 

  Really? How come it's so popular? I think I read once that someone once fell into a bed of this nettle and subsequently died - the stingers are certainly ferocious looking...

There has been one recorded human fatality in 1961 from Urtica ferox poisoning. I have had numerous brushes with this plant and have lived to tell the tale. A good hit is quite painful and the effects can last up to about a week. It is very common here on the Otago Peninsula especially as an understory shrub in coastal forest. Most people manage to steer well clear of it except botanists who inevitably blunder into it. The participants in the competition for New Zealand's favourite plant are conservationists, ecologists and persons of that ilk who are interested in preserving native biodiversity rather than the better house and garden set. However I doubt in these risk adverse times, that children will be encouraged to grow indigenous Urtica ferox to raise red admiral butterflies in the same way that swan plants (an exotic) are marketed to feed exotic monarch butterfly caterpillars. I saw both red and yellow admiral butterflies feeding on a Sedum today.

[mark smyth]

I can't imagine a nettle being voted as a favourite garden plant

[mark smyth]

when the Mrs is giving too much lip
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n8GXVgXp8LY/TX3rtq_zRnI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/SpmgcFdT78k/s1600/image001.jpg

[mark smyth]

guillemot 'eggs' and a golden eagle 'egg'

[scatigaz]

Nearly fell off my perch laughing at those sparrows. Absolutely brilliant.

[daveyp1970]

Are the replica eggs Mark.I caught a pic of a sparrow hawk feeding today on a ladies garden.

[mark smyth]

Yes Davey. I thought others would comment. I was given them today. So real they have blowing holes in them.