Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 9, 2021 You'll know if you see a raven, they're huge! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 9, 2021 16 minutes ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: You'll know if you see a raven, they're huge! Thought I'd watch some short videos to educate myself on them. If you've got a few spare minutes over the weekend, youtube Fable The Raven. Amazing creature.👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Apples 1,317 Posted October 9, 2021 Quoth the Raven "Nevermore" 😱😂 I've seen a few Ravens on the hills and they are huge with a strange croaky call. We also get Hooded Crows which are similar in size to the Carrion, but have a grey body with black wings and head. Quite often see them on the sea shore raking through seaweed and cracking shells. Apples 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwindonCanary 455 Posted October 9, 2021 for myself I help out with collections for OAK & FUROWS WILDLIFE RESCUE I pick up all sorts of wild life doing that ! I also help the wildlife in my garden. I feed The birds, the foxes, the hedgehogs and the squirrels ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 9, 2021 8 hours ago, horsefly said: Possibly Jackdaws??? definitely fiesty, and about half the size of a raven and smaller than a rook: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/crow-family/ Yep, definitely Jackdaws. Little grey skinheads.👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) Nice little hedgehog started visiting us in the evenings, always wanted one in the garden but never been lucky enough until now. Feeding him mealworms every night and his visits seem to be getting earlier, I guess he likes them. Edited October 9, 2021 by Van wink 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Van wink said: Nice little hedgehog started visiting us in the evenings, always wanted one in the garden but never been lucky enough until now. Feeding him mealworms every night and his visits seem to be getting earlier, I guess he likes them. That's good news ,👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Raptor 1,199 Posted October 12, 2021 Any fans of bears or wolves here? If so I'd really recommend Wild place project near Bristol. A massive wood with high walkways so you can look down on them. Have other cool animals too. It's the best animal related place I've been to in years. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 12, 2021 Out of reactions @The Raptor but that looks a great idea and a great place. Cheers.👍👍👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,491 Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) A very short break for me and Mrs S along the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Last minute break for first time in over 2 years. Loving being back and even a first visit in a decade to the Fine City (and a trip to buy from On the Stall City too yesterday). You folk living in Norfolk are extremely privileged. Amazing countryside, friendly people and beautiful architecture. I've felt like a 10 year old at times. I may post a couple of things here over a post or two. Today walked a section of The Angles Way (finishing at Brockdish). Saw a kingfisher, collected some sloes from a few blackthorn trees (after Googling how to make a sloe gin....having never tried it), and even some walnuts from 3 trees I came across. Also came across a Monk Bond brick wall which completed my day 😄 (which makes me a bit of a saddo I realise). Edited October 13, 2021 by sonyc 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 14, 2021 Sloes are disgusting and I'm not very keen on gin but Sloe gin is very nice. Worth giving a try. 👍 (Or trick someone into eating a sloe and seeing their face.) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,287 Posted October 14, 2021 12 hours ago, sonyc said: A very short break for me and Mrs S along the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Last minute break for first time in over 2 years. Loving being back and even a first visit in a decade to the Fine City (and a trip to buy from On the Stall City too yesterday). You folk living in Norfolk are extremely privileged. Amazing countryside, friendly people and beautiful architecture. I've felt like a 10 year old at times. I may post a couple of things here over a post or two. Today walked a section of The Angles Way (finishing at Brockdish). Saw a kingfisher, collected some sloes from a few blackthorn trees (after Googling how to make a sloe gin....having never tried it), and even some walnuts from 3 trees I came across. Also came across a Monk Bond brick wall which completed my day 😄 (which makes me a bit of a saddo I realise). Looks like a great day out. I recommend sticking your sloes in a freezer for a night as it is usually advised to pick the sloes after a frost. https://sipsmith.com/10-common-sloe-gin-myths-ignore/ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 14, 2021 13 hours ago, sonyc said: A very short break for me and Mrs S along the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Last minute break for first time in over 2 years. Loving being back and even a first visit in a decade to the Fine City (and a trip to buy from On the Stall City too yesterday). You folk living in Norfolk are extremely privileged. Amazing countryside, friendly people and beautiful architecture. I've felt like a 10 year old at times. I may post a couple of things here over a post or two. Today walked a section of The Angles Way (finishing at Brockdish). Saw a kingfisher, collected some sloes from a few blackthorn trees (after Googling how to make a sloe gin....having never tried it), and even some walnuts from 3 trees I came across. Also came across a Monk Bond brick wall which completed my day 😄 (which makes me a bit of a saddo I realise). We've done a couple of 10 mile stretches of the Angles way in the last few weeks (Scole to Harleston and Earsham to Beccles yesterday) it's an interesting walk for sure, and a nice part of the world. Wildlife was a bit scarce, but lots of buzzards and long tailed ti ts. I had to look up Monks Bond 👍 glad you had a nice time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,491 Posted October 14, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: We've done a couple of 10 mile stretches of the Angles way in the last few weeks (Scole to Harleston and Earsham to Beccles yesterday) it's an interesting walk for sure, and a nice part of the world. Wildlife was a bit scarce, but lots of buzzards and long tailed ti ts. I had to look up Monks Bond 👍 glad you had a nice time Certainly did. Took me back to being a young lad when my old dad took me to Peddars Way and I saw Yellowhammers, Partridges and a lot more for the first time. Always interested in birds. Saw Buzzards circling a lot and Wrens yesterday (in reeds) but little else. Thanks to everyone about sloes. I've never tried them nor am I a gin drinker but Mrs S is going to try and make some (it apparently needs a year to soak?). Any other tips gratefully received🙂. Didn't know about Monks Bond either WOAS! Thought it was a form of English Garden Wall Bond which often shows how ancient a wall is (with rows of headers every 3 or 5 rows). This one (outside Needham Church) was just unusual. I love the architecture here too. So different to West Yorks of course (I've been up north since 1978). It makes me feel a bit homesick somehow. I came across (my dad would say "acrost" 😅) a Spindle Tree too only because of the flowering (again had to look it up...see first photo) but also another which is something I'd like to ask about.. what is this tree? Is it a really old Crack Willow or an Osier? Looked a willow for sure. Picture below. Edited October 14, 2021 by sonyc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted October 14, 2021 Sloe wine also very good but you do need a lot of sloe’s, we used to get bullaces which are larger but similar. Good advice about freezing first, saves a lot of work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 14, 2021 It's a willow of some sort. If the leaves are rounded it's probably a goat willow, if they are long and thin then it's one of the ones you suggest. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 14, 2021 I saw those trees yesterday and was curious what they were. There was also a nice crinkle crankle wall along the way, although with big bulges. Picked up what I think are buzzard feathers, but happy to be corrected. The big one is a foot long. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,287 Posted October 16, 2021 Some well needed good news: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/autumnwatch-to-return-to-wild-ken-hill-norfolk-8416460 BBC Autumnwatch returns to Norfolk for another season Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 16, 2021 Good stuff. It was a good watch last time around 👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 16, 2021 On 30/09/2020 at 19:17, SHRIMPER said: Most of those huge flocks are a small waders called Knotts. They certainly put on a show. They wheel about like a Murmeration of Starlings coming in to roost. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-49237885 9 minutes ago, horsefly said: Some well needed good news: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/autumnwatch-to-return-to-wild-ken-hill-norfolk-8416460 BBC Autumnwatch returns to Norfolk for another season Snettisham was what Shrimper was telling me about last year. Be great to see that again.👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 23, 2021 He's a bit late to the party. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,287 Posted October 23, 2021 46 minutes ago, Herman said: He's a bit late to the party. Better late than never!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 23, 2021 3 minutes ago, horsefly said: Better late than never!!! Lovely colour 👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,713 Posted October 25, 2021 Talking of colour this is genuine autumn colour of an ornamental Vine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,181 Posted October 25, 2021 Man fights to keep arctic fox as pet If the fox has been raised since young then it clearly can't be released into the wild So what is best for it? The Zoo, or stay with the man who has raised it? Without knowing more details, I'm inclined to say it should stay where it is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 25, 2021 25 minutes ago, How I Wrote Elastic Man said: Man fights to keep arctic fox as pet If the fox has been raised since young then it clearly can't be released into the wild So what is best for it? The Zoo, or stay with the man who has raised it? Without knowing more details, I'm inclined to say it should stay where it is I agree with you, would be awful if they were to be separated after all those years together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,287 Posted October 27, 2021 Garden spider and victim in a virginia creeper. And a passion flower still producing copious flower heads 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwindonCanary 455 Posted October 27, 2021 My squirrel feeder, had to be changed as the fox broke the plastic on the front, I changed it for a wooden one now it works fine. squirrel feeder.odt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,181 Posted October 28, 2021 Police called to protect dying seal In Norfolk 😥 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,409 Posted October 29, 2021 11 hours ago, How I Wrote Elastic Man said: Police called to protect dying seal In Norfolk 😥 That's just disturbing. I've never known such a disconnect with nature as there appears to be now 😥 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites