ED Nature Watch

[Sue]

"My" one wasn't yellow :)

[BrandNewGuy]

I saw a few comma butterflies around this afternoon while in the garden (see photo). Dull brown underwing, but very attractive 'on top'.

[Nigello]

Today I saw two https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/peacock - one near the back of the boys' school, near Upland/Friern and another near Friern/Goodrich. Have they been hibernating?

[BrandNewGuy]

Yes, summer's 'late developers' don't breed then, but hibernate and breed in spring.

[Mabaker]

Last night I heard the hooting of an owl from nearby Dawson's Heights. This was quite exciting for me because in all my born days I have never seen or heard an owl in the wild. I'm no expert but looking it up in my bird call app I think it might have been a tawny owl.

[Asset]

Spotted a tadpole in my pond today. Bit early I thought? The spawn appeared only a couple of weeks ago

[Nigello]

I?ve also heard a hoot from (what I think must be) an owl near there, early hours or late night.

[kissthisguy]

If Peckham Rye counts, there was a green woodpecker in the small garden with the pond and beehives this week.

[Nigello]

In the past few days I have had mini flocks of sparrows (house, I think - about eight or so) eating from the suet cakes/balls in holders. Tits also but not as many as the sparrows. Where have they been till now? They don't look particularly young so don't think they've been born recently.

[Mabaker]

Sparrows seem to me to be quite picky about where they hang out. I've noticed a gathering of sparrows at the bottom end of Friern Rd.

[Nigello]

Several new trees have been planted (with supports) at the flats on Friern near Etherow. 👍🌲

[Mabaker]

Encouraging news for a change Nigello. Let's hope they survive.

[Nigello]

There are two - I had seen more in the van and assumed all would be planted there. Still, it?s a start and likely are there to make up for the felled street trees nearby. (BTW, growing apple/pear/plum etc. trees from standard apples is easy; there are plenty of online videos on this. It?s likely not all pips will germinate but it?s pretty easy to try.)

[TheTruthisOut]

Mabaker Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sparrows seem to me to be quite picky about where

> they hang out. I've noticed a gathering of

> sparrows at the bottom end of Friern Rd.

The main reason that sparrows are thriving in this small area is that there are a number of tall, thick hedges which provide essential shelter and roosts as well as insects. If you'd like to encourage them, it is so easy to plant a hedge.

No hedges = no sparrows!

[Sue]

TheTruthisOut Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Mabaker Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Sparrows seem to me to be quite picky about

> where

> > they hang out. I've noticed a gathering of

> > sparrows at the bottom end of Friern Rd.

>

> The main reason that sparrows are thriving in this

> small area is that there are a number of tall,

> thick hedges which provide essential shelter and

> roosts as well as insects. If you'd like to

> encourage them, it is so easy to plant a hedge.

>

> No hedges = no sparrows!

Also bamboo and climbers. You don't need a hedge! I get loads of sparrows in my little garden!

I do feed and water them though.

There is also a robin who often has a bath in the large saucer of water I put out. Actually there is a pair of robins. I think they are nesting in the climbers.

[wellington]

I saw a very large pheasant in Camberwell Old Cemetery a few days ago. I?ve also seen them over the years around Greendale.

[Nigello]

Female pheasant in P Rye Park formal garden, with the fountain, several months ago

[Mabaker]

TheTruthisOut Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> The main reason that sparrows are thriving in this

> small area is that there are a number of tall,

> thick hedges which provide essential shelter and

> roosts as well as insects. If you'd like to

> encourage them, it is so easy to plant a hedge.

>

> No hedges = no sparrows!

I have now planted some native trees for hedges.I noticed today that the sparrows have found a nice bit of real estate down Friern Road. There is a house there with a decoration high up on the front wall. It's like a pattern formed of holes that the sparrows can go in and use for nesting. Sorry I'm not explaining very well. Haven't got the vocabulary to explain this decorative architectural feature but the birds are loving it.

[Lynne]

Saw a bat flying round and round the pond on the Rye as about 4.30. which I thought was a bit early?

[Nigello]

Maybe or coukd it have been a bird? Sometimes small birds can flit in a similar way to a bat. I?ve yet to see any bat around these parts, alas.

[Lynne]

Fairly sure it wasn't a bird. It came quite close to where we were standing

[Jimwah]

Spotted a sparrow hawk today on Barry Road, shrieking in a tree briefly before flying off. They?re still around!

[Mazza6]

Turtle basking on a fallen tree trunk over the lake in Belair Park.

[Nigello]

Which part of Barry?

[cookie]

Just rescued a toad from a plant pot. It must have fallen in from a step above. I haven't seen a toad in our back garden since we moved in 20 odd years ago.