ED Nature Watch

[Lynne]

The bat was very low, swooping along the gardens between Worlingham and Crawthew and was there for some time

[Lynne]

A goldfinch and two robins this afternoon.

[BrandNewGuy]

Jenny1 Wrote:

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> That's very interesting BrandNewGuy. Do you see

> many peregrine falcons in the area?

I see about one or two a month. With at least 40 pairs breeding in Greater London, there are increasing numbers of young peregrines which tend to wander and will eventually find territories. I've regularly seen recently fledged birds practising their flying skills from the Salvation Army college tower on Denmark Hill and from the top of the old church spire on the South Circular by Cox's Walk.

[BrandNewGuy]

Nigello Wrote:

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> Where was the bat? I have yet to see one anywhere

> in and around SE22/15/21 but would love to.

During a 'bat walk' around Dog Kennel Hill Wood and Green Dale last autumn, three different bats were seen and/or detected ? pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and noctule. There are plenty of bats around in ED but they tend to stick to travelling familiar tree lines and wooded areas to feed ? they're not keen on flying across open spaces and they tend to avoid brightly lit places, even though those places attract numerous moths etc. You can also see them around the wooded parts of Peckham Rye Park and all along our local railway embankments.

[edhistory]

Do they roost near Railway Rise?

[BrandNewGuy]

edhistory Wrote:

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> Do they roost near Railway Rise?

Possibly. There was some talk of bat roosts when the garden centre planning app was being considered, but I don't think any evidence of such was presented.

[Applespider]

BrandNewGuy Wrote:

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> I've regularly seen recently fledged birds

> practising their flying skills from the Salvation

> Army college tower on Denmark Hill and from the

> top of the old church spire on the South Circular

> by Cox's Walk.

I can see the latter from my living room window. I now have a pair of binoculars by the window in the hope that I might just catch sight of them one evening. I knew about the ones at Denmark Hill but hadn't realised I had such nearby neighbours! Thanks for mentioning it.

[BrandNewGuy]

The best time to look will be late June and into July after the youngsters leave the nest.

[uncleglen]

Stag Beetle...

[BrandNewGuy]

Yeah, they've been out and about for the last week or so around here. It's quite unnerving when one flies near you ? they fly like those hulking great military transporter planes. Nationally they're rare, so we should take care of our local population ? rotting wood and stumps are great for the larvae to feed on.

[edhistory]

BrandNewGuy Wrote:

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> Yeah, they've been out and about for the last week

> or so around here. It's quite unnerving when one

> flies near you ? they fly like those hulking great

> military transporter planes. Nationally they're

> rare, so we should take care of our local

> population ? rotting wood and stumps are great for

> the larvae to feed on.

Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Protected species.

The DHFC planning application needs to be re-written?

[BrandNewGuy]

Well, the council are looking at doing further ecological survey work on Green Dale ? there are certainly lots of stag beetle larvae among the poplar stumps and old wood on Green Dale in the patch just the other side of the fence from the Abbotswood Rd / Green Dale path. Ditto the probable bat roosts in the trees along the side of Green Dale backing onto the current stadium.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Saw a total of five stag beetles in flight while out for a pre-bed walk last night. Corner of Burbage and Stradella Roads seems to be a hotspot.

[Nigello]

First butterfly in SE22 - red admiral or peacock, I think - two days ago.

[Reg Smeeton]

Very active robins and great tits in the garden for the last fortnight. Anyone know where I can buy bird seed locally (don't want to trek to Sainsburys if I can avoid it).

[Jenny1]

Sorry - not sure on the birdseed. But just a reminder to everyone to put water out for the birds - particularly important in the hot weather.

[Nigello]

Just about to post that: sparrows - the hardiest of bird, surely - were taking sips from water in a plant pot (which I will now change as it must have been there some time).

[Jenny1]

Nigello Wrote:

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> Just about to post that: sparrows - the hardiest

> of bird, surely - were taking sips from water in a

> plant pot (which I will now change as it must have

> been there some time).

That's good. I've put out two flower pot drainage saucers of water on garden table and plant stand. I try to keep them high up to allow any drinking bird to escape in time if a cat shows up. Dehydration is a big risk for birds I believe.

[Sue]

I have birds nesting in some climbers which my neighbours would like me to cut back as they are shading their garden.

The mother bird is still flying in and out with food. I can't see exactly where the nest is.

I don't want to do anything until the babies have fledged, but how will I know when that is?

I'm also worried there may be other nests in there, which obviously I don't want to disturb either.

Any advice welcome!

[rendelharris]

Most common garden birds fledge around two weeks from hatching, so you can tell your neighbours they won't have to wait too long (though a bit of shade would be welcome today!). I'd suggest you wait until you're sure the mother's not taking food in any more, then cut back slowly and carefully and obviously stop as soon as you come upon any active nests.

[MissDumpling]

You should come and sit in my garden as the light fades. We have a little bat visitor every year... Saw him tonight at about 10pm

Nigello Wrote:

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> Where was the bat? I have yet to see one anywhere

> in and around SE22/15/21 but would love to.

[kiera]

Sue, your baby birds will be at their most vulnerable when they first leave the nest. It will take them a week or two to learn to fly and to feed themselves, so they will be staying around their home and carry on needing the protection of your climbers for a while longer following their first flight.

[Sue]

Thanks Kiera

[another annie]

Thought I was imagining things when I saw what looked like a tiny hummingbird in the garden this afternoon - on googling I'm pretty sure it was a hummingbird hawk-moth. It hovered/fed off several verbena bonariensis flowers, then flew off into nextdoor's garden. Has anyone else seen these?

[Lynne]

I've seen that moth in Devon, but not here. I believe they're quite rare.