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Off Topic Naturewatch

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by FellTop, Jun 29, 2025.

  1. samwise_new

    samwise_new Well-Known Member

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    aye, my dad was left part of the biggest (non museum type) egg collection i ever saw.

    remember over the fields and a skylark would take off, the lads would run straight to where it took off looking for the nest..always made me laugh that one.
     
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  2. becs

    becs Well-Known Member

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    We used to get loads of tits - blue, great and coal tits.

    I get the occasional blue tit now but I'm not sure where they've all gone.

    please log in to view this image
     
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  3. rowley

    rowley Well-Known Member

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    Don't know how prevalent it is, but apparently there is a bird flu about this year. A lot less of quite a few birds I was told. Maybe that.
     
    #43
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  4. becs

    becs Well-Known Member

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    Oh yes! We had the signs out saying it was a bird flu area as there was a lot of it about here. Some of the swans down Chester park caught it and died :emoticon-0106-cryin
     
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  5. OldNewtown

    OldNewtown Well-Known Member

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    We used to have a bat that would fly around our house catching insects, but I haven't noticed it this year.
    I'm concerned that it may have been roosting in my conifers that I cut down early this year.
    I shall keep my eyes peeled as I quite liked watching it's acrobatics.
    I'll be upset if I've destroyed its home.
     
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  6. Robertson

    Robertson Well-Known Member

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    The low numbers of insects must be hurting birds and bats.

    There are definitely fewer than there used to be and it seems to be getting worse. Used to get loads of moths coming in on a night when you've got the light on and a window open but it's just 1 or 2 now.
     
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  7. becs

    becs Well-Known Member

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    Modern gardens don't help with nature. There's too many covered in gravel or plastic grass rather than plants where insects can thrive.
     
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  8. King Kareoke

    King Kareoke Well-Known Member

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    We had bats for about 4 years from our roof eaves. Apparently they are maternal so if they have moved it may be the bat has died.
    I could be spouting bollocks but I am sure I was told this
     
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  9. OldNewtown

    OldNewtown Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that, I'll cling to that idea.
    Meanwhile, eyes peeled and hopefully a sighting.
    It is a little strange as when we stayed up on the West Coast of Scotland, near Oban, the old fortified farm had quite a colony of bats. However we've only ever seen one bat flying about apart from one year when there was two. In others words, not a colony..
    Time will tell . Thanks again
     
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  10. Disco down under

    Disco down under Well-Known Member

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    Can't seem to work out how to post pictures but I wanted to post a couple from Tolmie, the weird little settlement I live in up in the hills of High Country Victoria.

    Pack of feral pigs roaming the woods and a pack of wild dogs/dingoes (depends on what science you believe).

    It's a bit weird round here. Just about everything can kill you.
     
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  11. OldNewtown

    OldNewtown Well-Known Member

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    Not only can, but actually does want to kill you.
    :emoticon-0102-bigsm
     
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  12. RTB

    RTB Well-Known Member

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    I've noticed that too, apparently due to climate change, loss of habitat and probably the increased use of pesticides and fertilizers by farmers.
    Not seen many wasps this year, but still loads of other annoying insects like green & black fly,slugs and snails though <yikes>
     
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