Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418  Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 28/10/2008(UTC) Posts: 21,138  Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire, East Midlands
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons  Most of us have done the following, myself included, so this is NOT criticising you, Caz. - Feed the garden birds
- Allow them somewhere to nest
- Feel bad when a predator eats them
- Blame the predator for doing what comes naturally
Where the predator is a domestic pet like a cat, some folks rant about there being too many cats and the harm they do by killing "our" birds. On the other hand it is a truism that a predator is its prey's best friend and ally, as it is the means to weed out the weak and keep the population fit and in proportion. Populations of wild predators often follow the fluctuations of their prey populations. Not so pets, but then we have inflated garden populations of birds being stuffed with extra food, so they do need some additional control. Trouble is cats don't know when to stop. On a positive note, cats also control the numbers of small mammals that scoff your surplus birdfood on the ground. There are more of these than you might expect because you are feeding them so well! As the nonsense verse goes: "Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs the bite 'em. Little fleas have smaller fleas, so on ad infinitum." Has anyone found a good strategy for deterring cats from murdering birds in the garden? Roger   Sounds familiar Roger! Even though I know the score, it makes no difference!  At least the Blackbirds are employing a more sensible strategy this year and building nests further from the feline predators. Although Magpies are probably a bigger threat as they’re coming into our gardens more and you know when they’re around because the Blackbirds make an awful racket! Swing and roundabouts I suppose! |
Market Warsop, North Nottinghamshire. Join the fun and banter of the monthly CET competition. Discuss monthly temperatures and records.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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Barn Owl webcam
The hope is that the Barn Owl eggs will hatch any time now.
You can watch the action on line, the endless sitting by the female, the males efforts to bring her food, their constant bonding activity, food, grooming and sex. Speakers on to listen to their chatter. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091
Roger
p.s. A bit of egg shell is showing. 08.35hrs approx. Is this a good hatching or a casualty? Roger Edited by user 29 May 2019 07:45:26(UTC)
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons Barn Owl webcam
The hope is that the Barn Owl eggs will hatch any time now.
You can watch the action on line, the endless sitting by the female, the males efforts to bring her food, their constant bonding activity, food, grooming and sex. Speakers on to listen to their chatter. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091
Roger
p.s. A bit of egg shell is showing. 08.35hrs approx. Is this a good hatching or a casualty? Roger I am told this is the start of hatching. Enjoy the unfolding story.
R. SHOW EXTERNAL IMAGES Edited by user 29 May 2019 08:27:53(UTC)
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Caz Sounds familiar Roger! Even though I know the score, it makes no difference! At least the Blackbirds are employing a more sensible strategy this year and building nests further from the feline predators. Although Magpies are probably a bigger threat as they’re coming into our gardens more and you know when they’re around because the Blackbirds make an awful racket! Swing and roundabouts I suppose! After our chat about cats I was a bit startled to read the following article, Caz. It makes some robust claims. How wildcats will be reared for release in England and Wales  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/30/how-wildcats-will-be-reared-for-release-in-england-and-wales Roger |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Caz Sounds familiar Roger! Even though I know the score, it makes no difference! At least the Blackbirds are employing a more sensible strategy this year and building nests further from the feline predators. Although Magpies are probably a bigger threat as they’re coming into our gardens more and you know when they’re around because the Blackbirds make an awful racket! Swing and roundabouts I suppose! Hi Caz On the subject of feline predators, a friend has just sent me the following link. I hope you and others will enjoy it a much as I did. Astounding. West Lothian cat owner catches incredible moment tiny mouse fends off cat named Tom - The Scotsman https://www.scotsman.com/news/west-lothian-cat-owner-catches-incredible-moment-tiny-mouse-fends-off-cat-named-tom-1-4939451 Roger |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 17/03/2012(UTC)
Posts: 29,438
Location: Irlam
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 20/11/2015(UTC)
Posts: 6,404
Location: Central Southern England
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Our brave little blackbirds have left two nests in the garden so far, one certainly predated by magpies and the other at least hassled away. One dead chick found on the lawn. Male still sings in the walnut tree but- and I don't blame them- they've gone elsewhere for attempt three, which I know they've made, as I hear the alarm calls further off. |
Bertie, Itchen Valley. Remember Finlake! |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 20/11/2015(UTC)
Posts: 6,404
Location: Central Southern England
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Bertie, Itchen Valley. Remember Finlake! |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 17/03/2012(UTC)
Posts: 29,438
Location: Irlam
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 02/05/2006(UTC) Posts: 30,467 Location: East Dartmoor
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Originally Posted by: KevBrads1 Fortunate to see a pair of barn owls on the hunt. A beautiful ghostly hunter. ... You are very lucky to see these. There were resident barn owls hereabouts many years ago but, like several other animals, they are creatures of reserves or special places now. |
"When it takes nearly 900,000 votes to elect one party’s MP, and just 26,000 for another, you know something is deeply wrong."
The electoral reform society, 14,12,19
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 05/04/2006(UTC) Posts: 4,609 
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Absolutely stunning photos, Kev. |
Lionel Hutz
Nr.Waterford , S E Ireland 68m ASL
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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Len Pick Trust Owlcam - update on 13th June:
"Yesterday evening we had a report of a chick being eaten by the female owl.
This is not surprising as barn owls often use this strategy when times are tough.
It ensures some owlets will survive."
On 15th: "Two healthy chicks but the smallest has died overnight." More:
http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Roger  Edited by user 15 June 2019 13:40:18(UTC)
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 05/04/2006(UTC) Posts: 14,752 Location: Chichester 12m. asl
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It's June, but one cuckoo in Dorset yesterday hadn't 'changed his tune'. A late arrival? |
It has been observed that less snow falls here than any other place of equal extent in the kingdom, occasioned by the shelter of the hills and the warmth of the sea breezes - Alexander Hay, Guide to Chichester, 1805 |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: DEW It's June, but one cuckoo in Dorset yesterday hadn't 'changed his tune'. A late arrival? I think it is a generalisation with a bit of flexibility, DEW. Give it a bit longer, it will happen! Roger |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,418 Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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