Cat tails Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I went on my little evening walk again after a few days of being either to hot, to busy or both... As some of you might know, I live in a very urban area in one of the most densely populated regions in the Netherlands. Maybe it's not downtown London, but it comes close enough! Luckily I have a small lake nearby and a few patches of trees and moor around it. And I'm still amazed at the amount of wildlife I spot there! Tonight: - a swift falkon that was having a go at a comorant. - a very cheeky butterfly that first found a perch on my glasses and then flitted to sit on my shoulder for a few minutes while I walked on! - a little brown toad that was pretending not to be there and was almost frozen mid motion. I waited a bit to see if he would hobble on again, but he wasn't planning to move anytime soon. I love these little encounters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 How lovely . I love the image of a butterfly on your glasses . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I was watching a moth flittering about and I was wondering whether they ever have a plan or whether they just flitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 I was watching a moth flittering about and then my cat ate him... Don't know if the moth had a plan, but my cat certainly did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 Loads of butterflies around the garden today. Mostly small cabbage whites. Have found a number of little caterpillers on the broccoli and brussel sprouts. They are looking rather holey... But hey, that what I planted them for! And the butterflies are very appreciative! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 My oh my I literally couldn't believe my eyes last night when I was walking the boys at around 10pm, I was coming along a busy main road and saw three young badgers trying to cross the road, they got half way across then spotted me and ran back. I was terrified they were going to get run over in front of me. Now if we're living in the wilds of kent this may not be surprising but I live in Bromley, 10 minutes from the busy high street not even in the outskirts of the borough that is semi rural.....I fear they won't last long if they keep trying to cross that road as its a major thoroughfare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 You will have to watch the chickens with the badgers they are wicked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 I saw some badgers for the first time, during last years holiday! Found it very special. But that was in the middle of a forest, where they belong. They weren't in the slightests interested in me and just kept shuffling around, not even 5 m from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I saw some badgers for the first time, during last years holiday! Found it very special. But that was in the middle of a forest, where they belong. They weren't in the slightests interested in me and just kept shuffling around, not even 5 m from me. But you are not a chicken!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Lovely thread I spend a lot of time sitting and watching. Usually small things, crickets and butterflies and a lot of other insects, and the birds. Not much large wildlife ventures into the garden, although its everywhere as we are very rural. Yesterday we watched 2 house sparrows mating. Female sat on the roof, wings all a flutter. Guess how many times the male mated with her? 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I had a lovely day of spotting things yesterday. It started at 6am opening my eyes and looking out of the bedroom window in the cottage we are staying in on the coast and saw a pair of oyster catchers feeding along the shore line. Later we went to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and saw lots of lovely things including a moorhen with her fluffy chicks, she guided them into a large leaf then went off to find food coming back for them a few minutes later. One didn't notice that the others had gone and after a momentary panic went after them. . We also saw a newly fledged robin who still had lots of baby fluff, it even posed for a photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I love the line 'she guided them into a large leaf' Oh yes, I have just remembered something else. Day before yesterday we were out and about, miles away from here. It was baking hot and we were walking down a deserted pathway in a sleepy village. Suddenly OH put his arm out to stop me, I screamed for no real reason, just the surprise (well you would, wouldn't you ) and then I saw a long snake (about a metre) uncoil itself and scoot up a vertical bank. I'm not scared of snakes, but just remember, they can climb Today's little wonder has been a mist hanging in the valley - its been so hot recently, this was very welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 Yesterday I was checking on the ladies and noticed a Comma (the butterfly) on my Buddleja. What a dainty little butterfly that is! Very lovely! I have 4 Buddleja bushes in my garden. The purple one is in full flower, the white one is almost flowering. Also have a dark purple one with orange hearts, very pretty. And technically I have a blue one too, but I think it might be a purple one... Oh well! Lots of flowers and lots of bugs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 After my last post, I had another little wonder. Another cricket/grasshopper, but this time waiting for me on my pillow when I went to bed. Slightly scary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 They turn up in unexpected places don't they! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 I went to put the wheelie bin out spotted a hedgehog. So stood there looking for a bit and the little piggy just came pottering by. Sniffed at my shoes a bit. Circled around the other wheelie bins and came back for second inspection. He finally wandered off and started rummaging in someones front garden. He was still quite small, so I think it must have been from this years litter. Handsome little thing though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Decided this morning that I would bike to get my pedicure instead of grabbing my motor bike. It's only about 10 km. On my way something reddish and small ran across the bike path. At first I thought it was a squirrel, but it was too slender. Turned out it was a weasel! As I past it on my bike it popped it's head out of the grass on the side. Lovely sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
