Big Merv's nature watch.

[Snipe Watson]

Greater Spotted Woodpecker in Morland's Meadow down at the towpath. An interesting spot - supposedly no woodpeckers in Ireland since the last ice age until about 2004/05.

About the size of a thrush and looks like this (not my photo). You'll hear him before you see him.

[BaggyTrousers]

A Horseshoe Whipsnake crossed my path this morning down at the beach. First time I've ever seen a live snake in Spain
Not dangerous to humans.

Also found €5 so a good day so far.

From memory, there are 13 different types of serpent in Spain Merv, 5 poisonous but none very serious, unless you are very young, very old or in shambolic health, then they can be fatal but usually just bloody painful and in need of medical attention. There are however on average 3-6 deaths from snake bite a year in Spain, mainly upt'nawth and in the Pyrenees.

Interestingly we also have black widow spiders, though again, despite the fearsome reputation, seldom fatal.

[Rooster]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

[justinr73]

Was at Chinnor v Bishop's Stortford on Saturday. We lost by 2 in a thriller but are still 7 points up with 3 to play to get into National League 1.

Only time I took my eye off the game (I sent the fiancée to the bar throughout) was when a few red kites stopped by to watch the match for a while. They were absolutely stunning.

[Snipe Watson]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

They'll not be missed. Vermin.

[jean valjean]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

They'll not be missed. Vermin.

The Greys are too large to get out on the end of branches like the reds can, and spend more time on the ground. Thus they are easier pickings for the martins. Mother nature at her best.

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[Rooster]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

They'll not be missed. Vermin.

The Greys are too large to get out on the end of branches like the reds can, and spend more time on the ground. Thus they are easier pickings for the martins. Mother nature at her best.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

They are also pretty easy to splatter with the .223

[Gerald the Mole]

Wasps, the non white Anglo Saxon ones.

[BR]

Wasps, the non white Anglo Saxon ones.

Have been seeing occasional wasps all winter. Unbelievably mild, really.

[Samstew]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

I watched a nature program on BBC2 the other weekend, some guy in a boat on the West coast, anyway, among different things covered, he mentioned the return of Pine Martins and the positive effect this had on the red squirrel population and the negative effect on the grey squirrel population.
Indigenous creatures, for once, benefitting at the expense of non indigenous



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[Rooster]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

I watched a nature program on BBC2 the other weekend, some guy in a boat on the West coast, anyway, among different things covered, he mentioned the return of Pine Martins and the positive effect this had on the red squirrel population and the negative effect on the grey squirrel population.
Indigenous creatures, for once, benefitting at the expense of non indigenous



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting as I checked it out and remembered we used to have pine martins and red squirrels years ago, like early 70's then the pine Martins and reds vanished and grey tree rats as I call them appeared. The pine martins are back and the greys have gone so here is hoping the wee reds appear again.
By the way a pine martin is an indigenous animal in Ireland , though they did get almost wiped out.

[big mervyn]

My own anecdotal evidence would point to a significant decline in greys in S Belfast over the past few years. Not seen any reds mind.

[Snipe Watson]

My own anecdotal evidence would point to a significant decline in greys in S Belfast over the past few years. Not seen any reds mind.

The reds may need some help to re-establish themselves.

[BaggyTrousers]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

They'll not be missed. Vermin.

The Greys are too large to get out on the end of branches like the reds can, and spend more time on the ground. Thus they are easier pickings for the martins. Mother nature at her best.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

They are also pretty easy to splatter with the .223

Ah Rooster did I ever tell you you're my favourite animal lover. I'd hate to be a badger around your place.

[BaggyTrousers]

Pine martins making a return around here despite any actual pine trees and whether it is coincidence or not grey squirrels seem to have vanished

I watched a nature program on BBC2 the other weekend, some guy in a boat on the West coast, anyway, among different things covered, he mentioned the return of Pine Martins and the positive effect this had on the red squirrel population and the negative effect on the grey squirrel population.
Indigenous creatures, for once, benefitting at the expense of non indigenous



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting as I checked it out and remembered we used to have pine martins and red squirrels years ago, like early 70's then the pine Martins and reds vanished and grey tree rats as I call them appeared. The pine martins are back and the greys have gone so here is hoping the wee reds appear again.
By the way a pine martin is an indigenous animal in Ireland , though they did get almost wiped out.

Can't swear to this but I saw Tony Robinson on his coast to coast trip upt'nawth of England chatting to a warden who is looking after a resurgent population of red squirrels. If I recall correctly he said the pine martins, also resurgent, were slaughtering grey squirrels but they had a close link to red squirrels in their DNA and didn't prey on them.