Wildlife summer 2012

[Anthony Darby]

Eastern eyed click beetle
Alaus oculata

I caught a large click beetle in Jamaica, back in 1983, called a wallie peenie (not to be confused with a peenie wallie) that had two spots, but they glowed in the dark.

[ronm]

Pyrophorus noctiluca ? 

[Anthony Darby]

Yep, just like than one. Always wanted to see one having seen a pic in "The Wonders of Life on Earth", a large tome that has been on my book shelf for over 40 years.

[ronm]

Good news for the Buzzards of the UK. 

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/315871-the-public-steps-up-for-buzzards

[Anthony Darby]

Begs the question, why is the Wildlife Minister advocating the destruction of wildlife? Sorry, I forgot. These people regard wildlife as something to be blasted out of existence!

[Roma]

Specially for Ron M.  A 'Tiger' spotted in Gothenberg Botanic Garden last week.

[ronm]

 

Thank you Roma. A very bonny feline.

[Peter Maguire]

We were woken up yesterday by 'our' magpies, which have been nesting in a tree in the garden, making a terrific noise and attacking next door's cat. We weren't sure why until later in the day I saw this young chap sheltering from the rain on one of our garden chairs tucked under the garden table.

[ronm]

No animal food comes amiss to the Magpie; young birds and eggs, small mammals and insects are devoured, but acorns, grain and other vegetable substances are not despised.The magpie has been observed taking small songbirds down, in flight, a behaviour once reserved only for birds of prey.

In country areas the bird, owing to persecution, is often shy, but in suburban areas it is common. Indeed, where it is not molested it courts rather than avoids the vicinity of humans. Also, it is known to team up in bands of two or more to "tease" cats, i.e. launch feigned attacks on the animals, perhaps as a general reaction against the cat as predator and egg thief.

In winter the Magpie becomes gregarious, wandering and feeding in small parties or flocks, and gathering at a common rendezvous to roost at night. Early in the year large numbers collect together for mating. Charles Darwin refers to these congregations as "marriage meetings".

If one cares to look on 'You Tube', which I suggest you don't, there are numerous posts of people taking great pleasure in shooting and mutilating Magpies.  There are some sick .............. animals out there. 

[Peter Maguire]

Given the choice between favouring the magpies and next door's cat, my vote is for the magpies   
At least they are a natural predator, and if they nested in our garden this year, then my experience has been that they will use another site for the next year or two.

[ronm]

Don't get me wrong, I'm for the magpies too, 
Just wanted to point out that, whatever we think of nature, people are always capable of much much worse.

[Peter Maguire]

people are always capable of much much worse.

A regrettable truth.

[mark smyth]

Given the choice between favouring the magpies and next door's cat, my vote is for the magpies   

Cats close to my house is reaching plague numbers +- 10. A neighbout 4 doors away has rescued 3 from the local skip yard. During the hot weather my car and bins stunk, is that a word?, from cats spraying them 

[mark smyth]

whatever we think of nature, people are always capable of much much worse.

In Ireland a seal sanctuary had a shock when they came to work. Someone or people had nailed the heads of two seals to their sign.

Before you read at the article be warned it contains photos that may and will upset
http://www.thejournal.ie/gardai-investigate-after-seals-heads-nailed-to-sanctuary-gates-in-dingle-pics-478061-Jun2012/#slide-slideshow6

[sippa]

Mark, what a horrible thing to do.  I hope they catch the ones who did it.

Marianne