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Nature on your farm.

1246730

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,349 ✭✭✭✭Base price




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,633 ✭✭✭✭Buford T. Justice XIX




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,163 ✭✭✭zetecescort



    Harm is an unfortunate name for a wildlife expert :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,633 ✭✭✭✭Buford T. Justice XIX


    Harm is an unfortunate name for a wildlife expert :)

    Yeah, I had to read it a second time to make sure I wasn't missing some joke there:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭SmartinMartin


    Plenty of spawn this month :

    IMG-20200226-174151.jpg


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,633 ✭✭✭✭Buford T. Justice XIX


    Alder starting to bud down here, spring is getting close now.
    DQUwFaj.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,349 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    Plenty of spawn this month :

    IMG-20200226-174151.jpg
    You may not have heard about the initiative from biodiversityireland.ie asking farmers to record certain events - https://www.biodiversityireland.ie/record-biodiversity/farmers-wildlife-calendar-climate-tracker/


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,696 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    Went for a walk trying to unblock a few bridges to try let water levels drop a bit, came across this little newt ~(thanks lime tree farm).

    504642.jpg

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭SmartinMartin


    Wow Blue, what part of the country? The only place I've ever seen lizards in this country was in an old quarry at the back of Swords in Dublin.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,696 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    I'm in N Tipp, I've seen them before on dry land usually in the summer, but this is my first time seeing one in water.

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭SmartinMartin


    Incredible. As far as I know we only have the one species here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,349 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    blue5000 wrote: »
    I'm in N Tipp, I've seen them before on dry land usually in the summer, but this is my first time seeing one in water.
    Could you record the sighting along with the picture to https://www.biodiversityireland.ie/


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,696 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    Base price wrote: »
    Could you record the sighting along with the picture to https://www.biodiversityireland.ie/

    I could ya. And have the farm on a shortlist for an SAC:eek:

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,835 ✭✭✭Lime Tree Farm


    Always look for the number of toes, a lizard has five, a newt has four.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭SmartinMartin


    Some sunset over the bay last night:


    IMG-20200304-182209.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,181 ✭✭✭Lady Haywire


    Seen a (dead) pine marten on the road this evening:(
    On the plus side there was a very live fox, badger & a female deer. Spring is in the air! When I go walking these last few nights I can hear snipe too.
    Oh and our whooper swans left too, just the mute pair remaining now, looking for a nest site I think.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,835 ✭✭✭Lime Tree Farm


    There are 4 Whitethorns in the hedgerow that come into leaf earlier than the others every year.

    first Whitethorn of Spring 2020.jpg

    Whitethorn Hedge row.jpg

    The cat brought back some bird's eggshells last week, he must have raided a nest. I think the pigeons are nesting in the ivy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,964 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    blue5000 wrote: »
    Went for a walk trying to unblock a few bridges to try let water levels drop a bit, came across this little newt ~(thanks lime tree farm).

    attachment.php?attachmentid=504642&stc=1&d=1583362852[IMG][/img]
    I cycled the Grand Canal from Mullingar back to Dublin last Summer, saw a good few of them, well 4 or 5 anyway, never saw them anywhere else before.

    But what does this mean?
    ~(thanks lime tree farm).


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,696 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    Thargor wrote: »
    I cycled the Grand Canal from Mullingar back to Dublin last Summer, saw a good few of them, well 4 or 5 anyway, never saw them anywhere else before.

    But what does this mean?[/QUOTE]

    I originally thought it was a lizard, then Lime tree farm posted about newts having only 4 toes, so I realized after I had posted the pic that it is a newt not a lizard.

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭SmartinMartin


    Not exactly nature, but a very old and nearly extinct trade. Thatching in Kerry today ;


    IMG-20200313-162216.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭tabby aspreme


    Bit of housekeeping going on here, probably a delivery suite


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,349 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    Bit of housekeeping going on here, probably a delivery suite
    Badger sett?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    Not exactly nature, but a very old and nearly extinct trade. Thatching in Kerry today ;


    IMG-20200313-162216.jpg

    Where is it. Would be nice to bring the family over and show them how it's done. Wife is a foreigner ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭SmartinMartin


    Kenmare


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭tabby aspreme


    Base price wrote: »
    Badger sett?

    It started out years ago as a rabbit burrow, for the last few weeks something has been making it bigger, I think its a fox, not big enough for a badger


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 605 ✭✭✭PoorFarmer


    Any idea what would make this type of burrow/nest? Am guessing rodent. Is in a field that has been overgrown for 5-6 years. Is unjust a big tuft of grass


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,964 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    You forgot to attach a pic...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 605 ✭✭✭PoorFarmer


    Thargor wrote: »
    You forgot to attach a pic...

    Ooops


  • Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭CHOPS01


    I have a pair of birds of prey who I reckon are nesting in a big old evergreen here on the farm. Spotted one of them about 10 days ago but I've now realized there is a pair which is pretty is exciting.Not sure what they are though. Pretty big in size. They are having a few squabbles with crows and jackdaws.
    Would they be buzzards ?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 335 ✭✭The Rabbi


    CHOPS01 wrote: »
    I have a pair of birds of prey who I reckon are nesting in a big old evergreen here on the farm. Spotted one of them about 10 days ago but I've now realized there is a pair which is pretty is exciting.Not sure what they are though. Pretty big in size. They are having a few squabbles with crows and jackdaws.
    Would they be buzzards ?

    If they are bigger than the crows and the crows are chasing them.They are
    probably buzzards.


  • Registered Users Posts: 209 ✭✭Biscuitus


    In the last week:
    2 foxes
    Countless pheasants, mostly male
    One buzzard
    A few rabbits
    Lots of squirrels
    Hundreds of birds, many I don't know the name of

    No rats, mice or pygmy shrews this Winter but I think that's down to the invasion of cats recently

    Even the streams are full of small fish.


  • Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭CHOPS01


    Biscuitus wrote: »
    In the last week:
    2 foxes
    Countless pheasants, mostly male
    One buzzard
    A few rabbits
    Lots of squirrels
    Hundreds of birds, many I don't know the name of

    No rats, mice or pygmy shrews this Winter but I think that's down to the invasion of cats recently

    Even the streams are full of small fish.

    2 kids just spent last 5 mins observing/playing with a shrew


  • Registered Users Posts: 758 ✭✭✭CHOPS01


    The Rabbi wrote: »
    If they are bigger than the crows and the crows are chasing them.They are
    probably buzzards.

    How common are buzzards ?
    My next mission is the spot the Owl that was around last year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    CHOPS01 wrote: »
    How common are buzzards ?
    My next mission is the spot the Owl that was around last year.

    Probably one of your commonest BOP's now along with Sparrowhawks - if u want to encourage owls maybe look into suiteable nest boxes for large old trees or outbuildings. They also benefit from traditional hay meadows and WBC for hunting in. Also go with traps for rodent control given the risk of secondary poisoning with rodenticides. A pair orf owls will quickly take care of any vermin issues in any case


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Biscuitus wrote: »
    In the last week:
    2 foxes
    Countless pheasants, mostly male
    One buzzard
    A few rabbits
    Lots of squirrels
    Hundreds of birds, many I don't know the name of

    No rats, mice or pygmy shrews this Winter but I think that's down to the invasion of cats recently

    Even the streams are full of small fish.

    Unfortunatly they are in stready decline as the invasive White-toothed shrew spreads after its accidental introduction into the South Midlands about 20 years ago.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 917 ✭✭✭Stationmaster


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    Probably one of your commonest BOP's now along with Sparrowhawks - if u want to encourage owls maybe look into suiteable nest boxes for large old trees or outbuildings. They also benefit from traditional hay meadows and WBC for hunting in. Also go with traps for rodent control given the risk of secondary poisoning with rodenticides. A pair orf owls will quickly take care of any vermin issues in any case

    I thought you had to have some mice around the place or else the owls mightn't come/stay? (Not that that is any reason to actively get vermin around!).

    I'd love to attract owls to the farm. Have an outbuilding that would be perfect for a nest box I reckon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 577 ✭✭✭theaceofspies


    Amazing how wildlife works.


    At back of house today were two hen pheasants flirting/fighting over a cock pheasant who was standing still and watching it all happen about 3 feet away from them.



    This went on for 1 hour.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    I thought you had to have some mice around the place or else the owls mightn't come/stay? (Not that that is any reason to actively get vermin around!).

    I'd love to attract owls to the farm. Have an outbuilding that would be perfect for a nest box I reckon.

    Having good habitat within a mile or 2 would be key ie, rough pasture, spring tillage etc,


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 jeffrey


    Several swallows flying about today, this seems alot earlier than other years.
    Anyone else notice them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,125 ✭✭✭✭Danzy


    jeffrey wrote: »
    Several swallows flying about today, this seems alot earlier than other years.
    Anyone else notice them.

    I thought I saw one, only one but it was so early I haven't mentioned it.

    Next few days are warm, I'll know more then.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭JoeCasey


    I heard a Corncrake at 10 pm a few nights go.
    Quite an unusual sound.
    Never heard one before, dad confirmed it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,181 ✭✭✭Lady Haywire


    JoeCasey wrote: »
    I heard a Corncrake at 10 pm a few nights go.
    Quite an unusual sound.
    Never heard one before, dad confirmed it.

    Excellent! Where in the country are you Joe?

    Our housemartins are back today :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭JoeCasey


    North Kerry on the cork border.
    We are also in a hen harrier area, i hope there is no conflict between the two.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,766 ✭✭✭✭Say my name


    jeffrey wrote: »
    Several swallows flying about today, this seems alot earlier than other years.
    Anyone else notice them.

    Yea I saw one today. (Wexford).

    Thought I heard one yesterday. So it seems that was confirmed by today.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,327 ✭✭✭kollegeknight


    We have a cock pheasant in our back yard and last night a very large hair came to the front of the house, sniffed around where the small lady’s bedroom is- she’s convinced it’s the Easter bunny scoping out entry points.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,766 ✭✭✭✭Say my name


    Amazing how wildlife works.


    At back of house today were two hen pheasants flirting/fighting over a cock pheasant who was standing still and watching it all happen about 3 feet away from them.



    This went on for 1 hour.


    https://youtu.be/5ssFr62l7U4


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,808 ✭✭✭✭Water John


    We have a cock pheasant in our back yard and last night a very large hair came to the front of the house, sniffed around where the small lady’s bedroom is- she’s convinced it’s the Easter bunny scoping out entry points.

    The good news is Simon Harris has said the Easter Bunny is an essential worker.
    https://www.thejournal.ie/easter-bunny-simon-harris-5068604-Apr2020/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,766 ✭✭✭✭Say my name


    Water John wrote: »
    The good news is Simon Harris has said the Easter Bunny is an essential worker.
    https://www.thejournal.ie/easter-bunny-simon-harris-5068604-Apr2020/

    Remember the times when Easter was about our Lord carrying a cross up a hill while being flogged by Roman soldiers.
    And being crucified between two thieves and having a Roman soldier pierce his side with a spear.

    Those were good times in primary school.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,766 ✭✭✭✭Say my name


    There's resident starlings and jackdaws in the farmyard.
    Few pigeons and a sparrowhawk that comes in for his/her feed on the pigeons.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1 jphoulihan


    It's sad to see the hawks targeting peaceful and harmless pigeons. They are so sneaky and cowardly! They should take on grey crows and magpies!


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