ED Nature Watch

[lousmith]

You could try the poke it with a cane first method. If it seems reasonably vigorous all will be well.

[Sue]

Well due to reflections on the water I couldn't even see it when I came to do it!

Had a feel around but couldn't find it, but if it was dead I might have moved it anyway without realising :(

Will try to persuade my OH to do it tomorrow. I wore rubber gloves (not the powdered sort) but still feel a bit squeamish. Happy to hold live frogs, not possibly dead ones.

[Sue]

It was dead and beginning to decompose :(

OH has removed it.

Poor frog.

Now need to try to increase the oxygen level in the water I think.

[lousmith]

are there plants? I'm sure it'll be fine now the body has gone.

[tiddles]

very excited to spot a green woodpecker on consecutive days on peckham rye. he is hanging around the large trees on the open space oppo harris boys.

[Sue]

lousmith Wrote:

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

> are there plants? I'm sure it'll be fine now the

> body has gone.

xxxxx

Yes but some got scooped up with the body:(

Will get some more.

[BrandNewGuy]

Saw and heard a group of swifts yesterday morning over East Dulwich Grove - first ones of the year - screeching and soaring high up in the sky. They'll have just returned from Africa and be hoping for warmer weather and lots of juicy flies...

[henryb]

Yes I noticed them too. Real delight when they return.

[lorraineliyanage]

East Dulwich is a nationwide stronghold for them, though they are losing suitable nesting habitats due to the sweeping renovation of the old housing stock especially the use of modern roofing methods and materials.

If you have had a recent roof conversion it may be worth considering installing a swift nesting box. I think the London Wildlife trust has some free ones. I have some leaflets at my shop, Captured on the Rye with information and contact details for more information.

The most amazing fact I learnt about swifts is that as soon as the youngsters are fledged and take their first flight, they don't land again for at least two years, when they first nest themselves. They are truly an aerial species that eat, sleep and breed on the wing. Always great to see and hear them.

[annigran]

Just seen a Jay in trees at Goose Green.

[Sue]

annigran Wrote:

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> Just seen a Jay in trees at Goose Green.

xxxxxx

Lucky you, I love Jays :)

[BrandNewGuy]

Just seen a small lizard in our back garden (SE22 near Dulwich Hospital). I think it's trying to find some sunshine on our warm(ish) wall. A hopeful sign of summer...

[ironjawcannon]

They are probably house martins, not swifts, that you can see around now.

[lousmith]

There are definitely a lot of swifts around at the moment. I watch them everyday.

[Sue]

ironjawcannon Wrote:

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> They are probably house martins, not swifts, that

> you can see around now.

xxxx

I've never seen any house martins nesting around here, are there any?

We saw a green woodpecker in the Camberwell Old Cemetery last week (at the Forest Hill Road end).

[lousmith]

Hi Brand new guy. Lizard is pretty big news. There is a move afoot to make a map of reptiles ( and amphibians ) in London. you could contribute I think here: http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/News/snakes-alive-londons-lizards-mapped

if you feel so inclined. Its good news though. Well spotted.

[Mousey McP]

Was walking my dog on Goose Green this morning and there was a juvenile Green Parakeet on the ground staggering around on the grass. Adult Parakeets were about but not taking any notice. We walked on down the path, i looked back and about half a dozen parakeets were surrounding the juvenile and they looked like they were trying to encourage it to fly.

[ultraburner]

My frogs are back! Haven't seen them all year till today, last year we had a good five of six living in our (small-ish) garden. The biggest are pretty huge, about fist sized.

[Sue]

ultraburner Wrote:

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

> My frogs are back! Haven't seen them all year till

> today, last year we had a good five of six living

> in our (small-ish) garden. The biggest are pretty

> huge, about fist sized.

xxxxxxx

Lucky you!

Are you sure the big ones aren't toads though?

[lousmith]

http://rothandb.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-crazy-long-tailed-duck-in-peckham.html

Arctic duck spotted in Peckham Rye Park! Causing quite a stir among Pap-birders

[ultraburner]

Pretty sure Sue, they have frog shaped head. They jump too which I've always thought toads can't do. I was slightly shocked when I first saw them.

[chuff]

I seem to have a stag beetle haven in my back garden, found the dog and the cat batting a male around yesterday evening, he must have been 7-8 cm long. There are others about too. Does anyone know if they and the larvae can be moved to the woods/wildlife reserve?

[Sue]

According to this there are lots in Sydenham Hill Wood!

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/stag-beetle

You could try contacting the London Wildlife Trust and ask your question of them?

There's an email address and phone number at the bottom of the stag beetle page - well, probably at the bottom of every page :)

[chuff]

Yes, I will do. Thank you.

[fl0wer]

In recent times I saw a man + van gathering fallen timber including decaying wood from the nature reserve around One Tree Hill. Taking it away for firewood I suppose. Anyway, sorry to say that until this is stopped, our stag beetles won't be safe there.

My news is about the kestrel - soaring above Camberwell Old Cemetery today.