Observations Of Nature Through The Seasons.

[ciel]

“Climate change is a double-edged sword but it’s an exciting time to be in the Scottish borders,” said Paul Kirkland of Butterfly Conservation Scotland. “It’s not just butterflies but moths and dragonflies are moving north quite quickly.”

More than a quarter of Britain’s 59 butterfly species are spreading north, with insects such as the comma moving about six miles each year. In recent years, butterflies that were once only found in southern Britain have crossed the border in Scotland, including the comma and the small and Essex skippers. Within Scotland, species such as the ringlet, orange tip and peacock have moved rapidly north and into the Highlands.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/17/rare-butterfly-white-letter-hairstreak-spotted-in-scotland-for-the-first-time-since-1884

and

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05cg2nx

[knocker]

Very few cockroach species are pests! Cockroaches & their termite relatives are all about caring & sharing

Only a mother could love ‘em: why cockroaches and termites are great parents

https://blog.csiro.au/mother-love-em-cockroaches-termites-great-parents/

[knocker]

Abandoned

maybe not - lunch has arrived

family

Edited August 19, 2017 by knocker

[MisterR]

12 hours ago, knocker said:

Abandoned

maybe not - lunch has arrived

family

Such lovely photos) The real mum always likes and helps her children) The soul has a rest when you observe such demonstration of love in the animal world.

[ciel]

Newly fledged.

This one keen to fly free.

While his sibs are happy to nestle in the rafters.

 

[ciel]

Painted Lady

First garden record this year

[Hal1]

Looks nice and sunny there, while it's rather cloudy here with the approaching weather front. Still nice to see the little critters whilst the sun shines.

[knocker]

The 2017 Mammal Photographer of the Year competition winners are announced

http://www.mammal.org.uk/2017/03/the-2017-mammal-photographer-of-the-year-competition-winners-are-announced/

[knocker]

Hundreds flock to see American Yellow Warbler in Portland

Quote

Hundreds of bird enthusiasts have flocked to the Isle of Portland following sightings of an American Yellow Warbler.

The native American bird is thought to have been blown across the Atlantic by Hurricane Gert while migrating to South America.

Martin Cade, of Portland Bird Observatory, said it was "pretty amazing" to see the warbler.

It is believed to be the first time one has been seen in England.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-41009412

[ciel]

29 minutes ago, knocker said:

Hundreds flock to see American Yellow Warbler in Portland

It is amazing that such a fragile little creature can survive such a journey.

[knocker]

1 hour ago, ciel said:

It is amazing that such a fragile little creature can survive such a journey.

I know it's very difficult to credit it.

[knocker]

A stranger in town today that I'm struggling to identify so would appreciate a little help

 

Edited August 24, 2017 by knocker

[ciel]

1 hour ago, knocker said:

A stranger in town today that I'm struggling to identify so would appreciate a little help

I think? it might be a young moorhen - a few weeks older than the chicks in your recent photos.

[ciel]

1 hour ago, knocker said:

A stranger in town today that I'm struggling to identify so would appreciate a little help

 

An image for comparison   

[knocker]

12 minutes ago, ciel said:

I think? it might be a young moorhen - a few weeks older than the chicks in your recent photos.

You are quite right ciel, that didn't cross my mind. The size of the feet is another clue and it sure isn't a Coot. As I think I mentioned previously there are plenty of Moorhens in the lake but it's only recently I've noticed them at different stages of development. Says something about my powers of observation. (we posted at the same time )

On another note the Little Grebe chicks were hunting as a pair today and I nearly got a decent photo

Edited August 24, 2017 by knocker

[knocker]

Some a little different. I had a stroll around Kenwyn Church, Truro, earlier in the week and in the churchyard, apart from it being an area of great tranquility, nature has been allowed to encroach. In fact rather too much in the eyes of some locals but I think it's great and so does the local wildlife.

Just a couple of photos in an attempt to illustrate what I mean.

Edited August 25, 2017 by knocker

[ciel]

22 minutes ago, knocker said:

Some a little different. I had a stroll around Kenwyn Church, Truro, earlier in the week and in the churchyard, apart from it being an area of great tranquility, nature has been allowed to encroach. In fact rather too much in the eyes of some locals but I think it's great and so does the local wildlife.

Just a couple of photos in an attempt to illustrate what I mean.

Overgrown churchyards are tranquil, poignant places, with the bonus of attracting wildlife - a good place for a spot of reflection on the human condition.

[knocker]

5 minutes ago, ciel said:

Overgrown churchyards are tranquil, poignant places, with the bonus of attracting wildlife - a good place for a spot of reflection on the human condition.

Yes indeed and also whether one can make the walk back into the town center. Mind a couple of seats wouldn't go amiss in Kenwyn so the elderly can rest comfortable.

Edited August 25, 2017 by knocker

[knocker]

 

[knocker]

Grizzly bears of Kodiak Island skip the salmon and go straight for elderberry dessert

Quote

It is one of America’s best known natural spectacles: grizzly bears crowding the freshwater streams of Kodiak Island to feast on sockeye salmon during spawning season.

Climate change seems to be shutting that down. Red elderberries are ripening sooner, putting them on the menu at exactly the same time as the salmon.

Will Deacy, a biologist at Oregon State University, said: “It was a shock to find streams with no bears in them and thousands of intact salmon carcasses building up in the water where they had died after spawning rather than being caught and eaten by bears.

“When we downloaded data from the bears that wear tracking collars we realised they were all up in the hills eating elderberries instead.

“Bears would normally spend several weeks in early summer gorging on salmon travelling up shallow tributaries to spawn, then move on to elderberries in late August and September.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/grizzly-bears-of-kodiak-island-skip-the-salmon-and-go-straight-for-elderberry-dessert-kzgszf9vs

[Polar Maritime]

The garden is alive with Butterflies today.

[knocker]

Funny enough mines been like that for couple of days and bees.

[ciel]

Ditto, Polar and knocker.

In recent days there seems to have been a mass emergence of Peacocks in particular.

The migrant Painted Ladies are still less numerous, though.

[knocker]

Quite a few of these little fellas around this morning

[knocker]

A shaft of sunlight