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Author Topic: nature notes II  (Read 159113 times)

ekim

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #875 on: August 22, 2018, 04:22:43 PM »
Yes, they pick it out of the guttering and throw it on our conservatory roof.  For some time I have been watching a spider catching flies in its web and losing its fight with small wasps.  It all ended with a sparrow coming down on to the window sill and eating the spider.
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Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #876 on: August 22, 2018, 04:38:55 PM »
Our house is awash with spiders. I allowed a harvestman nest to stay in the living room (spider babies!) and the youngsters, now no longer young, are all over the house. And as autumn is definitely sliding in the giant house spiders are putting in a nightly appearance. I like them; my kids don't so I am often called upon to catch them and put them outside, which I do with a heavy heart knowing that they don't really want to be out there.
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Shaker

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #877 on: August 22, 2018, 04:41:10 PM »
Quote from: Rhiannon on August 22, 2018, 04:38:55 PM
Our house is awash with spiders. I allowed a harvestman nest to stay in the living room (spider babies!) and the youngsters, now no longer young, are all over the house. And as autumn is definitely sliding in the giant house spiders are putting in a nightly appearance. I like them; my kids don't so I am often called upon to catch them and put them outside, which I do with a heavy heart knowing that they don't really want to be out there.
Lucky you - I like them too and love seeing them around. Putting them outside is pretty much a death sentence I'm afraid - they're called house spiders for a reason.
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Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #878 on: August 22, 2018, 04:44:18 PM »
Quote from: Shaker on August 22, 2018, 04:41:10 PM
Lucky you - I like them too and love seeing them around. Putting them outside is pretty much a death sentence I'm afraid - they're called house spiders for a reason.

I know, but my eldest has a meltdown just knowing one is around. Absolute hysterics. She can tolerate the harvestmen though. When I see a house spider I encourage it to hide in the hope that she won't come across it.
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Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #879 on: August 22, 2018, 04:45:35 PM »
Incidentally, just saw a sparrowhawk.
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Nearly Sane

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #880 on: August 22, 2018, 05:04:03 PM »
Quote from: Rhiannon on August 22, 2018, 04:44:18 PM
I know, but my eldest has a meltdown just knowing one is around. Absolute hysterics. She can tolerate the harvestmen though. When I see a house spider I encourage it to hide in the hope that she won't come across it.
The fascinating order of Opiliones



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opiliones
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Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #881 on: August 22, 2018, 05:14:17 PM »
My eldest does a great crane fly impression.
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wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #882 on: August 26, 2018, 05:27:33 PM »
Found quite a big wasps' nest in the garden, in the middle of a bush.  I was lucky not to get stung,  as I was pulling weeds off the bush, then we settled down to watch them coming and going.   Like a big paper dome.  We have dozens of apples on the ground, so they are enjoying that.  Last year, we had one underground, different species.
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wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #883 on: September 21, 2018, 01:31:02 PM »
Our friendly neighbourhood hornet is still visiting our allotment, a very handsome beast, quite large, I guess he will be disappearing soon, either hibernation, or the eternal sunshine of the spotless nest.  Apparently,  they are increasing, surprised me.
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Spud

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #884 on: September 29, 2018, 04:31:16 AM »
Quote from: Rhiannon on August 22, 2018, 05:14:17 PM
My eldest does a great crane fly impression.
I'd be interested to see that. Last Thursday morning I was an Orang Utan.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2018, 04:57:53 AM by Spud »
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wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #885 on: October 21, 2018, 02:58:14 PM »
A mild autumn is playing havoc with my understanding of plants.  We have kale, peas, lettuce, rocket, chard, booming away,  they are winter crops, sort of, but this is weird. 
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Enki

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #886 on: October 21, 2018, 03:33:37 PM »
Yes, Wiggs, know what you mean. Some plants are getting their second and third wind on flowering. I also think that the falling leaves are late this year and We even have some daffodils starting to push through. Also interesting is that, after the very mild southerly winds of a week ago, we had a white rumped swift from Africa putting in an appearance at Hornsea Mere.

No more birding for me for the moment though, it's getting a bit too painful all that walking. I am booked in for two new hips. I have a pre-op appointment on Nov 2nd.
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Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #887 on: October 21, 2018, 03:36:03 PM »
I wandered out into the garden for a cuppa yesterday and watched a buzzard a few feet above my head. I hear their cry daily and feel like I could be on a remote hillside somewhere. I guess given the miles of farmland that surrounds me I am in a way, for all I can be in London in less than a couple of hours.
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wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #888 on: October 21, 2018, 03:41:23 PM »
Good luck with the hips, enki.

Yes, we hear buzzards all the time in Norfolk.

Off to Titchwell next week, lots of rarities around, but a cold snap on the way.
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Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #889 on: October 21, 2018, 04:00:26 PM »
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wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #890 on: October 21, 2018, 04:47:17 PM »
Terrible, if it happens.   We are surrounded by them.
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Rhiannon

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #891 on: October 21, 2018, 05:50:19 PM »
Same here. Such beautiful, evocative creatures.
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SusanDoris

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #892 on: October 22, 2018, 06:42:54 AM »
I think I heard a goldfinch yesterday' is that likely?
It wasn't a robin because the song was repeated (small pauses between) and it was quieter than robins are at this time of year.
Or could it have been a goldcrest?


enki - good luck with the hip replacements.
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Roses

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #893 on: October 22, 2018, 02:55:05 PM »
I arranged a few fat balls on the top of our approx. 4ft high monkey puzzle tree. I thought this would discourage the rats from attempting to eat them, I have just seen a crow fly off with one in its mouth. I hope to goodness it doesn't drop it on someone's head or on a car. :o
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wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #894 on: November 21, 2018, 03:39:11 PM »
Just saw some cranes in the local nature reserve, in a small pen.  I don't know if they are in quarantine or not, but quite a few WWT reserves have some, and at Welney and Slimbridge you can see wild ones, the latter has released ones.  I first saw them at Lakenheath, which amazingly, is in Suffolk, quite a long drive.  But the ones in a pen may be demoiselles.
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Roses

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #895 on: November 26, 2018, 02:04:56 PM »
On our trip to the supermarket at 7.30am today, my daughter and I were fascinated to see a flock of birds flying in a large V formation. I can't remember witnessing that before.
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"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."

Robbie

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #896 on: November 26, 2018, 05:40:10 PM »
That is beautiful LR. Starlings fly in formation, a wonder to behold.

Quote from: SusanDoris on October 22, 2018, 06:42:54 AM
I think I heard a goldfinch yesterday' is that likely?
It wasn't a robin because the song was repeated (small pauses between) and it was quieter than robins are at this time of year.
Or could it have been a goldcrest?

I had a goldfinch in my house once, got in through window and was frantic. I managed to catch it and put it back out. Forget what it sounded like (except the squawk becos was frightened).

Rhi, I freak at spiders! Used to at crane flies too but that fear has left me. Big spiders though - no, no, no. Try to catch them and put them out or get husband to do. I spray stuff around which deters them but usually only remember after one has visited.

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Roses

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #897 on: November 26, 2018, 06:29:13 PM »
I like spiders. I have had several tarantulas, the last one died a year or two ago, but I decided not to replace it. 
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"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."

wigginhall

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #898 on: November 26, 2018, 07:20:40 PM »
I like spiders.  They have just been building their autumn webs, and I like to watch them.   Don't get so many indoors now, partly the daddy long leg spiders kill them, (cellar spiders), they soon take over.  But they are entertaining as they vibrate a lot.
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Roses

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Re: nature notes II
« Reply #899 on: November 27, 2018, 08:51:29 AM »
There appear to have been more house spiders around than ever this year, I seem to have spent time each day removing cobwebs, as have others of my acquaintance.


The Cobweb


The sunlight reveals the cobweb
High up in the corner of the room,
Neglected by the indolent homemaker.
The fine woven threads are colourful,
Luminescent and gossamer textured.
As the octoped lurks menacingly nearby,
The sticky surface traps the unwary fly.
The light fades, plunging the spider’s art
Once more into gloom and obscurity.

RJG

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"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."
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