Wildlife, living next to nature

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

Attachment 51090

Yep, that's a bobcat dragging a shark outta the ocean!

Link

That's a dolphin

[Scriveyn]

Look what the cat dragged in!



(South Devon beach)


.

[fargon]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

Attachment 51090

Yep, that's a bobcat dragging a shark outta the ocean!

Link

I just found that pic here http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
About a quarter of the way down the page.

[glatt]

I stepped out this morning to get the paper, and the birds were going nuts just after a rainstorm. I decided it was because they had been hiding from the heavy rain, and now that it was clear, so they were all happy.

But then I realized it was a murder of half a dozen or so crows making all the noise, and they were cawing frantically, like it was a warning. I was watching them, over my neighbor's house, when a fox walked up the neighbor's driveway onto our property and trotted casually along our fence. Too fast for me to get the phone out to get a picture, but in no hurry at all. I clapped my hands loudly to see if I would spook it, but it just ignored me and continued slowly on its way.

The funny thing was, the crows kept pace with it and were cawing a warning the whole time. After I couldn't see the fox any more, I could still see the crows circling and cawing their way slowly up the neighborhood.

I wonder who the crows were trying to warn? Was it just a general warning for all birds in the area, or for other crows? I thought it was pretty cool. A coordinated defense. Seemed awfully charitable of them, since they were in no threat of the fox.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by glatt

I was watching them, over my neighbor's house, when a fox walked up the neighbor's driveway onto our property and trotted casually along our fence.

What did the fox say?




A fox at home is pretty cool. Most people go their entire lives without seeing a live fox. Even in the country, it's pretty rare to see a fox.

Was it a red fox, or a gray fox? I'm assuming it wasn't a Redd Foxx. Or a Jamie Foxx.

[Gravdigr]

I started to ask if it was a Michael J. Fox.

But, I thought that might be a little shaky.

[glatt]

lol

[Gravdigr]

Made me remember this:

[Carruthers]

The bald eagles land: New York city awaits first birth of national bird in 100 years

Bird enthusiasts in raptures about return of nesting raptors to New York city as further sign of the bald eagle's comeback from near-extinction


A pair of Bald Eagles, the majestic raptor that is America's national bird, is nesting in New York city for the first time in more than a century.

The young couple appears to be about to start a family on the south shore of Staten Island as they have been spotted by engaging in the sort of brooding behaviour associated with birds incubating their eggs.

The exciting announcement was made by the New York branch of the Audubon Society, America's leading bird conservation organisation.

The height and location of the nest means that it has not been possible to confirm that there are eggs inside, but the society is confident that New York will soon gain notable new addition to its feathered ranks after an incubation period expected to end next month.

The species appeared to be heading for extinction a few decades ago, but has made a recovery in some more remote habitats. But these would be the first since 1914 to produce offspring in the urban jungle of New York, even in one of its less densely populated areas.

"We're thrilled to have bald eagles possibly raising their young in New York City," said Tod Winston, a spokesman for New York City Audubon.

Another bald eagle couple was spotted in the same area two months ago, but although they were seen moving nesting material to an unused dock, they then left the area.

The species nearly died out as a result of shooting, habitat destruction and the widespread use of DDT insecticide, which is poisonous to the bird. The US ban on DDT and the passage of the Endangered Species Act are widely credited with helping the bald eagle's comeback from brink of extinction in North America.

The powerful bird of prey was removed from the list of endangered species in 2007 as the numbers thrived.

Daily Telegraph

I hope that this pair breed successfully. It's an eye opener how some raptors have successfully adapted to urban surroundings.
I posted somewhere on the Cellar about the Peregrine Falcons that have nested on the County Council tower block in Aylesbury in recent years.
They have also flourished in London and provincial cities with church and cathedral steeples being favourite nesting spots.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Member Seakdiver says in Alaska they call them tree rats. Most wild life shun the cities not only because of danger but lack of food. For rats and raptors that's not a problem... garbage for the rats, and plump juicy pigeons for raptors.

[Sundae]

I am now feeding the birds on my windowsill. Well, they're nesting in the tree next to my window. Mostly I attract woodpigeons - possibly my least favourite bird - but I have seen the occasional crow.

I have to scatter the seed late at night, as it's quite a thin ledge and half of what I dole out bounces into the courtyard two floors below. This is birdseed bought when I was in the nuthouse, so even if I only attract woodpigeons it's at least being used.

I saw my first woodpecker up on the Chevin in the last week. And hear them nearly every time I use the outside gym in the park (it's close to a small section of woodland).
Very pleased with myself.
I still have to hear a cuckoo though.

[BigV]

I hear they sound like a clock. you're not missing much.

[Griff]

Our (Eastern US) cuckoos can be listened to here and here. I see a lot of the yellow-billed here but the black-billed are around as well.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Aha, so it was a black-billed Cuckoo I was hearing. Thanks Griff.

[Gravdigr]