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Showing posts with label Roe Deer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roe Deer. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Gdale
Spent this morning with GWW and Danny, covering the area of Geltsdale nearest to Ewan's house We had at least 3 male Pied Flycatchers, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk pair, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Stonechat, Skylark, Wheatear, 3 Ring Ouzel, 5 Roe Deer and a Badger.
I'll be back down later in the summer to try to capture some images of these beautiful birds.
I'll be back down later in the summer to try to capture some images of these beautiful birds.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Remain unseen and unheard,
and diligently use your eyes and ears, and some of the sweetest secrets of the sod are sure to be revealed to you. A quote from the Kearton Brother's, Wild Life at Home.
Setting off at 17:00 myself and Roger headed out. On approaching our destination a Roe Deer and her yearling stood on the road, jumping the dry stone wall as we approached, but not travelling far, happily feeding just the other side. This was to be the first of our close encounters.
Parking up and walking through the forest, along an old wall colonised by heather, mosses and lichens, it was quiet, a Woodpigeon breaking cover here and there, and the sound of Song Thrush singing from the uppermost branches. A short 1/4 mile walk and we were there, sitting down with are backs against a 5ft dry-stone wall, waiting for the light to fade. A Common Buzzard made the first appearance heading to roost, followed by a couple of Grey Herons.Tawny Owls began calling and the distinct bark of a Roe Deer could be heard nearby, very nearby, the sound echoing off the dark wall of conifers, so much so that it sounded like there was a second individual deep within the forest.
As I was scanning the boundary between moor and forest, Roger nudged me, and in an excited whisper he said 'Cain, Roe Deer'. Looking up a head could be seen rising just above the horizon, looking directly towards us, I whispered back 'don't move'. There was little wind, the slightest of breezes was hitting my right cheek, but at the moment we were down wind of the deer. Motionless we sat and watched the deer approaching closer and closer, steadily moving down wind of us, it knew something was there, as it walked it stomped, the sound echoing, it could almost be felt. Still it was getting closer, down to 10-15 metres, standing above us and as we sat in the heather. It let out one bark, so close that I jumped. We watched for another 5 minutes or so before it had walked round, putting us up wind, and it was off, once again below the horizon.
By this time the light had dropped significantly, Red Grouse could be heard in the distance, and an odd Woodcock passed by roading. At 18:45 I heard the faintest of hoo hoo hoo hoo's, then wing clapping, and then a Long-Eared Owl appeared, flying in front of, then above the tree's. At least two birds were present and continued to show on the boundary edge, and above the forest for the entirety of our time there. A second owl also showed, out the corner of my eye I caught movement to my left, just below the top of the wall, following its line, on our side! First thought was Long-Eared Owl, but as it appeared out the darkness it was clear, Barn Owl. Continuing its path, it flew just above our heads, no further away than my arm stretched. It passed, and then returned hovering just above us, slightly higher this time. Engrossed in the Barn Owl, we just caught sight of the Long-Eared Owl approaching, as the Barn Owl moved off the LEO returned to its forest.
Walking back to the car the screeches of the Barn Owl pair could be heard in valley, the Long-Eared Owls wing clapping from the forest boundary, and the Tawny Owl from its interior. A great night.
Setting off at 17:00 myself and Roger headed out. On approaching our destination a Roe Deer and her yearling stood on the road, jumping the dry stone wall as we approached, but not travelling far, happily feeding just the other side. This was to be the first of our close encounters.
Parking up and walking through the forest, along an old wall colonised by heather, mosses and lichens, it was quiet, a Woodpigeon breaking cover here and there, and the sound of Song Thrush singing from the uppermost branches. A short 1/4 mile walk and we were there, sitting down with are backs against a 5ft dry-stone wall, waiting for the light to fade. A Common Buzzard made the first appearance heading to roost, followed by a couple of Grey Herons.Tawny Owls began calling and the distinct bark of a Roe Deer could be heard nearby, very nearby, the sound echoing off the dark wall of conifers, so much so that it sounded like there was a second individual deep within the forest.
As I was scanning the boundary between moor and forest, Roger nudged me, and in an excited whisper he said 'Cain, Roe Deer'. Looking up a head could be seen rising just above the horizon, looking directly towards us, I whispered back 'don't move'. There was little wind, the slightest of breezes was hitting my right cheek, but at the moment we were down wind of the deer. Motionless we sat and watched the deer approaching closer and closer, steadily moving down wind of us, it knew something was there, as it walked it stomped, the sound echoing, it could almost be felt. Still it was getting closer, down to 10-15 metres, standing above us and as we sat in the heather. It let out one bark, so close that I jumped. We watched for another 5 minutes or so before it had walked round, putting us up wind, and it was off, once again below the horizon.
By this time the light had dropped significantly, Red Grouse could be heard in the distance, and an odd Woodcock passed by roading. At 18:45 I heard the faintest of hoo hoo hoo hoo's, then wing clapping, and then a Long-Eared Owl appeared, flying in front of, then above the tree's. At least two birds were present and continued to show on the boundary edge, and above the forest for the entirety of our time there. A second owl also showed, out the corner of my eye I caught movement to my left, just below the top of the wall, following its line, on our side! First thought was Long-Eared Owl, but as it appeared out the darkness it was clear, Barn Owl. Continuing its path, it flew just above our heads, no further away than my arm stretched. It passed, and then returned hovering just above us, slightly higher this time. Engrossed in the Barn Owl, we just caught sight of the Long-Eared Owl approaching, as the Barn Owl moved off the LEO returned to its forest.
Walking back to the car the screeches of the Barn Owl pair could be heard in valley, the Long-Eared Owls wing clapping from the forest boundary, and the Tawny Owl from its interior. A great night.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Gosforth Park under threat...
600 houses threaten the Green Belt land surrounding the Natural History Society of Northumbria's reserve. I imagine most people have visited this reserve, a hidden gem in a urban jungle, full to the brim with wildlife, with that magical atmosphere, and the sense your the only one there, finding moments of 'the spark' with every step.
The development will severely effect the reserves present wildlife, follow the links to voice your opinion about this destructive act.
Natural History Society of Northumbria
Save Gosforth Park
and the follow Facebook Group
or Twitter
The development will severely effect the reserves present wildlife, follow the links to voice your opinion about this destructive act.
Natural History Society of Northumbria
Save Gosforth Park
and the follow Facebook Group
or Twitter
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