Today I was lucky enough to see a Merlin and it was carrying a large rodent which was going to be dinner.
Amazed how small it was, a real treat. Watched it for about 30 seconds really made my day.
I saw a mouse.
Was it being eaten by the Merlin?
beautiful piggy.
On a ride at the weekend down the canal was a man carrying a large bird of prey. Bit strange I thought, but carried on.
Round my way we normally see large birds carrying men, but only if down the town at 2am on a Friday night.
I was walking the dog this morning and stumbled across a fox. There was a little stand-off, although my dog just went into his play bow. The fox trotted of unimpressed. I, however, was very impressed.
We had a Merlin at Ardeonaig - I and another member of staff saw it, but everyone else wouldn't believe us, until local uni biology course spotted it too...beautiful, and tiny and nippy as...
Walking the dogs this morning just before sunrise and we were tailed by 3 coyotes for about a mile. They are a pretty normal sight around here, especially at time of day, but they usually don't follow along so closely (about 50 feet off to the side and 20 feet behind)---finally took off when we approached a road with traffic.
Nice spot Pigface. Out riding on the moors a couple of years back I watched two merlin for a good five minutes as they teamed up to try and catch a swallow. Pretty impressive flying all round, but the swallow eventually escaped with nary a feather out of place. Great birds I agree, I didn't think they stayed in the UK over winter.
Raccoon chasing a moose - M27 near Fareham
I called it in to RSPCA but they just asked if I had a grown-up with me 🙁
we were staying in the new forest last year and had a pair of badgers round most nights they loved jam on toast
I saw an otter on the banks of the Lagan in Belfast yesterday. About four feet away from the cycle path, truly impressive.
Dogsby
A jay this morning and a kingfisher on Tuesday.
I saw an otter
Are otters fairly commonplace there? Here in New Mexico, USA, they were once common all along the Rio Grande, but were trapped out late in the 1800's. They are reintroducing them into the river again. Really marvelous animals and fun to watch---hope they flourish.
I saw two badgers yesterday
Are otters fairly commonplace there?
Not commonplace but their numbers are bouncing back well after nearly becoming extinct in England by the early 1980's due to water pollution.
Some problem agricultural pesticides were banned and the quality of river water was improved and now the otter is becoming widespread again in England (although spotting one is not easy).
although spotting one is not easy).
Yeah, they are elusive little buggers 😀
