Pictures of Wildlife.

There was a Lesser-spotted Arb at the bottom of next-door's garden today.




We had tremendous wind-damage here with thunderstorms on Thursday evening. Many of the orchards and Canadian Poplar plantations look like Flanders in 1916 rather than 2016.

Tree-guys are mad though. They deserve every penny.

 

Just remembered to post this which was taken late October.

 

The bear or the neighbour??

TD

 

Flock of wild turkeys in Pearl River, New York this morning.

 

Hugely relieved that Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed.

 

I'm not too good on European birds of prey but I do know that the pigeons round here shit on everything and destroy my lettuces.



There was suddenly an explosion of feathers this evening. Unfortunately he took his meal down the garden and I don't have a long lens on a digital camera.

Predator 1 - Pigeon 0

Chap over the back races. I shall check for a ring in the morning....

 

Probably a Sparrowhawk or Goshawk - we have them from time to time as do other friends locally here, they do like pigeons (of all types) - Lucky you, not often seen in the garden

sparrowhawk - Google Search

TD

 

It wasn't that large, Perhaps a Sparrowhawk then ? Growing up on the North Downs at the end of the DDT era, the only prey species that I got to know was the Kestrel. We're in a fruit farming area and the farmers here put up high cross bars in the orchards to attract prey species to keep the crows off the cherries.
We had a lawn full of starlings as well today for the first time this spring which again I failed to photograph properly.



I like to see these cheerful noisy blighters looking for leatherjackets or whatever's there at this time of year.

More worryingly, unless the chickens down the road have learned to fly, the Stone Martens are back round the carport stashing stuff. They had a go at the underbonnet insulation last year so I've wired in ultrasonics now.

 

At least the Starlings will save you from aerating your lawn

I would suspect that you have woods/forest areas not far away from your house

TD

 

Actually no, TD. Nothing but fruit orchards and straight-lined poplar plantations...and we're in the village proper too. I have planted native trees and bushes over the back though and in between bursts of enthusiasm, I can't escape the feeling that the whole blasted garden is going back to nature. The fouines / steenmarter's have become a real problem here. At least we haven't had them in the loft yet. Only mice, shrews and wasps so far :-(

 

A Greater Roadrunner can reach speeds of 20 MPH (32 KPH) while a Coyote can reach speeds of up to 43 MPH (69 KPH)!!!!!
My entire childhood was a lie.

 

I think those burgers are done now!

 

Hedgehog

 

Yes, pretty sure that's a sparrow hawk. Here's one (female) I took a few years ago that hit a wood pigeon in our back garden: the ensuing mess was rather gory. We are regularly visited by one - bird feeding takes on a new meaning!

 

These two ducks have started visiting our back garden over the past couple of months - probably stopping for a drink in the little pond. I assume they're male and female. Does anyone know what breed they are?

 

Thanks, Owen.

 

Frog