Animals Red Kites, Other Birds & Wildlife in General

[Jeanette]

BigMartin

It was in Bramhall, what is known as Happy Valley, I can PM you some directions if you like. Certainly not wheelchair friendly at this time of year, very muddy. Not sure how easy it would be when dry but there is a lovely park which the brook runs through too and the herons are often in there with the ducks and geese, little cafe and Bramhall Hall to look round. So might be worth a visit in the summer anyway.

If you remind me nearer the time I'll let you know when it has dried out. Last year was great but the year before quite muddy through most of the summer.🙂

Jx

 

[BigMartin]

Thanks. Jeanette. I'll check it out. My mother-in-law lives in Davenport.

 

[Ivan]

My only kingfisher siting was along one of the old mill races in Sheffield

A magical moment

But I'm sure seeing the Prof fly tipping 16 tons of Japanese engineering into a bog would stay with me too

Something like this?

 

[ProfJames]

Spookily similar!!!Same colour Hitachi!!!!!! Same sort of bog/mire! Only difference is we had a blue Honda FH 150 pump!!

 

[Jeanette]

Thanks. Jeanette. I'll check it out. My mother-in-law lives in Davenport.

As do my parents, small world 🙂

You can get in to the valley off Valley road which is off Jacksons Lane near the roundabout at the bottom of Bramhall Lane.

I just can't remember what the gate is like and whether you can get a wheelchair through as I use an access up by the school which a chair wouldn't go through.

Jx

 

[Taz]

What a lovely thread this has turned out to be! We've got buzzards near us, I often spot one of them sitting in a tree as I drive out of the village. I remember not long ago, my wife and I were standing outside the front of our house chatting to our neighbour, when a little Sparrow flew right between us! We were quite surprised by this event, but not as surprised as we were when the Sparrow Hawk that was chasing it also flew between us and into the hedge where the poor little Sparrow had taken refuge! The Hawk made the kill and for a moment or two, it just sort of hung out of the hedge at a very ungainly angle staring at us, before flying off carrying it's dinner with it!

 

[Jeanette]

We had a sparrow hawk devouring a pigeon in the garden last year, not nice but I guess that's nature.

Jx

 

[Tenor Viol]

There area lot of buzzards round here. Occasionally Red Kites pop over for a Sunday trip - the nearest are really about 40 or so miles away, but I have seen them once or twice. Very distinctive tail.

 

[Jeanette]

So while we are on the subject of wildlife. Walking down said Valley last year I saw a small furry creature only a baby whatever it was. It was on the bank and when it saw me and the dog it hesitated and then went in to the water.

I searched the internet and came up with wild mink but recently saw a baby otter on TV that looked very similar, not seen it since and not seen an adult, any ideas?

Jx

 

[kernewegor]

We rarely get Red Kites in Cornwall, but the distribution map shows that you could well have them in Berkshire at this time of year.

We do well for Buzzards, though.

Where I live when their young fly you can see several wheeling around in the sky at once, showing the Rooks how to do aerobatics.

 

[Andrew Sanders]

It's full of Red Kites in this neck of the woods.
They do tend to take carrion and many fall foul of the gamekeepers in the Washburn Valley who put poisoned bait out for foxes. This is supposed to be illegal but no one seems to be punished.
I see 3 or 4 every day on my way to work through the Washburn Valley so I think they are winning.
The first to be introduced in the North of England were released near Harewood House over 20 years ago.
I love 'em they lighten the spirit so. Apparently their demise was caused by the need for exotic feathers for the hat trade in Victorian times according to our resident milliner.

 

[ProfJames]

So far this morning the Kites have been back and there were three more circling! Don't know why my field is the epicentre of attention at present! I have just discovered two mole runs.......bugger!!! A fox came down the garden as well but the dogs saw it off! Robin is back surveying his domain. There is a strange little sparrow type bird that lands on the decking and then nips under the garden furniture! Not even the size of a fully grown sparrow with a sharp pointed beak. Any ideas?

Also have a local owl, heron, pheasants, horses and two deep ponds full of eels!

 

[Sue]

Dunnock? Wren?

Don't get me started on moles!! They dig up and the dogs dig down to try and get them. Result? A bloomin mess!

 

[ProfJames]

Aaah, thank you Sue! It is a beautiful little wren.

 

[Melissa]

So far this morning the Kites have been back and there were three more circling! Don't know why my field is the epicentre of attention at present! I have just discovered two mole runs.......bugger!!! A fox came down the garden as well but the dogs saw it off! Robin is back surveying his domain. There is a strange little sparrow type bird that lands on the decking and then nips under the garden furniture! Not even the size of a fully grown sparrow with a sharp pointed beak. Any ideas?

Also have a local owl, heron, pheasants, horses and two deep ponds full of eels!

You can catch those Eels with wool and jelly them, a delicacy no less! Not for me though!😱

 

[Melissa]

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[Melissa]

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[Tom West]

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[Melissa]

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[ProfJames]

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