The last grass snake I saw was at Bressingham, when the rest of the group had gone. It slithered into one of the ponds. It was chuffing enormous. I didn't realise they grew so big.
We got a bat detector last week. Instant gratification. 10pm. we went up the garden and stood under the top oak. switched it on. Pipistrelle zipping around us. OMG. As it hissed it down today, not going out tonight, but it is interesting how much they like trees. Apparently a pipistrelle can eat 300 insects a night. Thats a few less to bite me anyway.
The last grass snake I saw was at Bressingham, when the rest of the group had gone. It slithered into one of the ponds. It was chuffing enormous. I didn't realise they grew so big.
OH said they could grow to 6 foot long! I didn't realise that snakes get that big in the uk. Ours was only about 20cm!
We got a bat detector last week. Instant gratification. 10pm. we went up the garden and stood under the top oak. switched it on. Pipistrelle zipping around us. OMG. As it hissed it down today, not going out tonight, but it is interesting how much they like trees. Apparently a pipistrelle can eat 300 insects a night. Thats a few less to bite me anyway.
How easy was it to identify the type of bat out of interest? I've thought about getting one but I'm never sure how easy it is to get accurate readings from the cheaper models. I'd like to know what kind of pipistrelles are in the roof here and if we get any others foraging.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I have never seen any bats here which is a surprise given all the surrounding pastures and paddocks and wildflowers and our pond to attract insects. On the other hand, we have swifts and swallows to make up for no bats.
Yesterday when I got home OH was very excited about seeing his first jay in the garden and getting a photo too. It's actually a green woodpecker but never mind.
Have never seen greater spotteds here either but we had regular families visiting our feeders in the Belgian garden. Some liked peanuts
Some preferred fat balls
and usually the two tribes were territorial and would squabble with each other and the usual brown jobs but not when there were babies to feed
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Well I know where it's coming in now. There is a gap between the end of the wooden fence behind the jasmine, and the barbed wire fence we put up at the back of the magnolia.
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Yesterday when I got home OH was very excited about seeing his first jay in the garden and getting a photo too. It's actually a green woodpecker but never mind.
Have never seen greater spotteds here either but we had regular families visiting our feeders in the Belgian garden. Some liked peanuts
Some preferred fat balls
and usually the two tribes were territorial and would squabble with each other and the usual brown jobs but not when there were babies to feed
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...