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Post by Plocket on Jun 26, 2007 17:02:44 GMT
Here's my latest wildlife photo:  |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 29, 2007 7:39:26 GMT
Ok, not exactly 'wildlife' - they're as soft as... well, a soppy pig - but how would you fancy having a pair of these in your garden, as a friend of mine has:  KuneKune pigs, about 12 weeks old, size of a fat terrier now and are supposed to end up the size of a small labrador - but with shorter legs, obviously... OM. |
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Post by isabella on Jun 29, 2007 19:16:10 GMT
If my garden was big enough I would love to have them  They are lovely |
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Post by Plocket on Jun 30, 2007 19:33:06 GMT
Oh they are GORGEOUS! I'd love to have space to have pigs and chooks. I'll just keep dreaming.....
We saw a weasel just outside our garden today - it was very exciting but we are glad our potential rabbits are going to be kept in the garage. It bounded across the road then across some grass into the woodland. I've never seen one before, let alone that close.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 1, 2007 7:59:23 GMT
During a planting-out session yesterday, I found two newts within the pot trays, hiding under the pots:  couldn't photo them together, and they were too wriggly to let me show you their lovely orange bellies. I let them loose in the lettuces, where I hope they'll do a bit of pest control for me:  OM. |
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Post by Plocket on Jul 1, 2007 9:08:17 GMT
Oh I LOVE newts - you are very lucky OM |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 1, 2007 9:11:32 GMT
yeah... they're so exotic/primitive, somehow... there's no real water within half a mile, but there's always the ditches, I suppose...
What I'd really like is more hedgehogs to help with the bigger slugs. Can't see a newt that size taking on some of the 'logs' I get round here...
OM.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 1, 2007 9:22:12 GMT
KuneKune pigs are beeeaootiful (if you like that sort of thing). Our local children's Animal Park were selling babies last time we visited, it was very tempting. Fortunately I didn't have the requisite £100 for a pair about my person.....
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Post by Plocket on Jul 1, 2007 14:22:58 GMT
Hehehe at "logs" - we get some real monsters too. I'm really tempted to transfer some of mum's common newts to my garden because they are heafty beasts and there's plenty of moisture in our garden, and a water garden for when they spawn. I just feel mean moving them from somewhere where they are obviously so happy. £100 for a pair of pigs?  ? |
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Post by fozzie on Jul 1, 2007 15:02:38 GMT
Any body know what Flutterby or Moth this little creature will miraculously turn into??  Foz |
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Post by Juliet on Jul 1, 2007 16:23:15 GMT
Have a look here, Fozzie: www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/I couldn't find it in the hairy/spiney photos, but I only had a quick look. (NB there are 3 pages of hairy/spiney ones - for some reason the "next page" arrow thing is on the top left of the page rather than the bottom right.) Might be in the plates, if there isn't a photo of it. |
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Post by Plocket on Jul 1, 2007 17:22:08 GMT
Gordon bennet Fozzy that looks like one of those fancy new modern toothbrushes!!!!! ;D What an amazing beastie he is - I think he's a Vapourer Moth, which isn't rare I'm afraid |
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Post by fozzie on Jul 1, 2007 18:15:09 GMT
Thank you both, Juliet, I have logged that site for future use. I have a half dozen or so chomping away on Mrs Fs broad beans. Still as long as there is enough for all thats fine with me. They do seem to be on those plants that have already flowered. They can have the leaves I have the seeds. I'l check again when the monsoon has eased to a mere torrent, so that 'ill be Tueday then!
If they are common then they match everything else, in my garden, incuding the gardener
As for toothbrush.. where do you attach the handle!!
Fxx
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Post by andy on Jul 2, 2007 6:19:44 GMT
Talking of moths....i saw my first hummingbird hawk moth of the year last week during a rare glimse of sunshine (i think it's more common to see the moths than the sun !!!)
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Post by Plocket on Jul 2, 2007 7:26:54 GMT
As for toothbrush.. where do you attach the handle!! Fxx  ;D Px |
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Post by Dutchy on Jul 2, 2007 7:32:32 GMT
;D Yep Vapourer moth. As for sticking on a handle.
There is no need, you open your mouth wide apply the toothpaste to the caterpillar and let it loose in your mouth.
Automatic tooth brush without handle.
Funny how many butterflies one still sees despite the rain which must wreak havoc on their delicate wings.
The sun came out yesterday and within secs I spotted Cabbage whites and the common orange brown ones and the ones with peacock eyes on their wings ( English names please )
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Post by nightowl on Jul 2, 2007 7:52:33 GMT
Hi Duchy. I assume the butterfly with the peacock eyes on its wings would be what we call (surprise!) a Peacock! Are its upper wings mainly dark red with flashy black and gold markings on the leading edge??
As for the orange brown ones, not so easy, there are loads. Does it have very raggedy wings? Comma butterfly. Is it mainly brown with just a bit of pale orange and a dark spot on the wing tips? Meadow Brown. Fritillaries (various)- chequerboard effect. Oh, there's just toooo many to list. can you get a photo?
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Post by nightowl on Jul 2, 2007 8:07:03 GMT
BTW. I have a little froggy living in my garden. Good! Not so good; the way I found out was that he hopped out of the border and landed on my bare foot! |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 3, 2007 13:43:50 GMT
Had a curious encounter with a hornet just now:
I was pruning away when I heard a buzzing so pronounced I knew it was a hornet before I saw it, and froze til I could get a fix on it.
It dropped down to head height about 3 feet in front of me, and while hovering rotated about 90degrees to face me absolutely head on. It was a very deliberate manoeuvre. I am certain it was inspecting me.
Anyoldhow, after what seemed like a lifetime it evidently decided I was harmless and banked sharply, like helicopters do, and flew away.
A strangely gratifying interaction with the insect world...
OM.
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Post by Spruance on Jul 3, 2007 13:59:19 GMT
Had a curious encounter with a hornet just now: I was pruning away when I heard a buzzing so pronounced I knew it was a hornet before I saw it, and froze til I could get a fix on it. It dropped down to head height about 3 feet in front of me, and while hovering rotated about 90degrees to face me absolutely head on. It was a very deliberate manoeuvre. I am certain it was inspecting me. Anyoldhow, after what seemed like a lifetime it evidently decided I was harmless and banked sharply, like helicopters do, and flew away. A strangely gratifying interaction with the insect world... OM. I had a very similar experience last summer OM, whilst fortuitously armed with a trowel. I didn't quite get a boundary, but I think Sir Ian Botham would have been proud! ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2007 5:51:17 GMT
 I didn't realise just how valuable the hardy geraniums are to wildlife.I've got quite a few in the garden and was about to give them a trim for the second flush later on, luckily I spotted quite a few green finches in amongst them. I should imagine they were pecking at the seed heads, so I left them as they were. I do so love giving nature a helping hand, I've got wild cherries ripe now so the birds are having a feast, and more berrying shrubs that have yet to ripen.Aren't we lucky to be able to see them and have them in our gardens.
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Post by Plocket on Jul 5, 2007 6:54:51 GMT
Oh you're lucky to have green-finches Val - I've only seen them once in our garden. We do get lots of gold finches though - OH thought they were little parrots the first time he saw one!!!  |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 5, 2007 6:59:46 GMT
And you're so lucky to have goldfinches, P.
A while back I was told they particularly like Niger (Nyger?) seed and bought some for one of the feeders. They obviously don't know it's there, they have to discover it - which kind of means they have to be there already - but I suppose the idea is it 'holds' them, so you can see them.
After 6 months, something has suddenly discovered it alright cos it's dissapearing rapidly - but I still haven't seen a goldfinch!
OM.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2007 7:14:16 GMT
I get some green finches who are very greedy and will stay around all day as long as there is food in the feeder. There are a couple of goldfinches that come and go, I too went out and bought them thistle seed and when they are about they take over nothing else gets a look in. I spoke to a neighbour who appreciates wildlife and he said that he was aware that the finches lived locally but has never seen them in his garden. Guess who was dead chuffed ;D Sara |
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Post by Plocket on Jul 5, 2007 10:36:56 GMT
You'll know if you've got Goldfinches nearby OM because they don't stop twittering - they always sound so excited!!! They are bright little souls though and a pleasure to have around. Niger/Nyger is a fave of theirs but it's a sod to have in the garden because it self-seeds everywhere, and they are messy little eaters. I think it's the RSPB who suggest that you don't put Niger seed out unless you already have Goldfinches visiting your garden. I can't remember why though If you really want to encourage them grow teasles - they love them! Oh you are honoured Sara |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 5, 2007 17:36:40 GMT
Cheers, P - saved a patch of teasles from the mower this very afternoon! - but I'll persist with the niger seed as it's over grass, so can't hurt anything. I'd certainly settle for greenfinches.
Fingers crossed.
OM.
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Post by Juliet on Jul 5, 2007 17:49:59 GMT
it's over grass, so can't hurt anything I have sunflowers growing in my lawn |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jul 5, 2007 17:53:45 GMT
it's over grass, so can't hurt anything I have sunflowers growing in my lawn Well that would be a welcome bonus - but I think the squirrels have anything visible, so the chances of spontaneous sunflowers are slim! OM. |
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Post by Plocket on Jul 5, 2007 18:30:53 GMT
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you OM - I believe they are increasing in numbers so you stand a good chance. Keep listening for them too - you can't miss the sound of them twittering to each other - right little gossips they are |
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Post by nightowl on Jul 16, 2007 7:09:56 GMT
I always make OH leave his mucky work boots outside under the porch. Look what had settled in one this morning.....Mr Toad.  |
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They are lovely 
? 
;D Px
I didn't realise just how valuable the hardy geraniums are to wildlife.I've got quite a few in the garden and was about to give them a trim for the second flush later on, luckily I spotted quite a few green finches in amongst them. I should imagine they were pecking at the seed heads, so I left them as they were. I do so love giving nature a helping hand, I've got wild cherries ripe now so the birds are having a feast, and more berrying shrubs that have yet to ripen.Aren't we lucky to be able to see them and have them in our gardens.