The Wildlife (and Gardening for Wildlife) thread

[Andrew_C]

Saw this this morning - sort of on-topic.

[elsiegee40]

Newly described chameleon from Madagascar may be world’s smallest reptile

 

 

https://news.mongabay.com/2021/02/newly-described-chameleon-from-madagascar-may-be-worlds-smallest-reptile/

[6Foot2]

Newly described chameleon from Madagascar may be world’s smallest reptile

 

[ATTACH]60688[/ATTACH]

 

https://news.mongabay.com/2021/02/newly-described-chameleon-from-madagascar-may-be-worlds-smallest-reptile/

 

...Like many Lilliputian chameleons, it has catchy swivelly eyes and a sizeable hemipenis...

Citation:

 

...Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons...

[StevieM]

D'oh! Only just seen this. An excuse to sit and do nothing for an hour is always welcome.

[6Foot2]

Link: Wall of Birds - Evolution and Divrsity [The Cornell Lab of Ornithology]

 

The mural, titled "From So Simple a Beginning," is a one-of-a-kind celebration of the world of birds. Envisioned by Cornell Lab ornithologists to showcase biodiversity and evolutionary change, the project features species from all surviving bird families alongside a select group of extinct ancestors. It takes a big painting to do justice to the phenomenal history and diversity of birds. The Cornell Lab and Ink Dwell studio have combined efforts on the mural covering about 3,000 square feet (280 square meters) of wall space in the Lab’s Visitor Center.

 

[elsiegee40]

 

[elsiegee40]

Two Beavers released at site in Dorset

 

https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/BeaverProject

[elsiegee40]

If you have, or haven’t, seen terrapins in the wild in the UK, could you complete this survey please?

 

https://greenwich.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/terrapins-in-the-uk

Edited February 10, 2021 by elsiegee40

[StevieM]

If you have seen terrapins in the wild in the UK, could you complete this survey please?

 

https://greenwich.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/terrapins-in-the-uk

[ATTACH]60798[/ATTACH]

 

It appears that she is looking for responses whether people have seen terrapins or not - unless she just disregards submissions where terrapins haven't been spotted. I've submitted to say I haven't, anyway.

 

If you know otherwise, @elsiegee40, please correct me.

[elsiegee40]

It appears that she is looking for responses whether people have seen terrapins or not - unless she just disregards submissions where terrapins haven't been spotted. I've submitted to say I haven't, anyway.

 

If you know otherwise, @elsiegee40, please correct me.

 

I have edited my post

[jmak]

From our gatepost this morning - doesn't look like a normal hibernation spot...

[elsiegee40]

I saw a Twitter post about ladybirds hibernating on fence posts in their hundreds. It seems completely illogical to me!

[E_G_R2]

I'm looking at getting a wildlife/trail camera for my garden as it backs onto a river and has quite a wild area at the bottom. I've had Hedgehogs but would love to see what else pays a visit (I'm even cool with rats). Been looking at camera's but TBH would love a recommendation for an entry level one to see if I get the bug so to speak

[jmak]

I'm looking at getting a wildlife/trail camera for my garden as it backs onto a river and has quite a wild area at the bottom. I've had Hedgehogs but would love to see what else pays a visit (I'm even cool with rats). Been looking at camera's but TBH would love a recommendation for an entry level one to see if I get the bug so to speak

How long is your garden? I've just set up a PoE CCTV camera at the end of my garden. It's out of range of my WiFi and was cheaper than most trail cameras. PoE is supported up to 100m.

 

Depends whether you're a grown up who can wait to go and retrieve the recording or an impatient child who wants the option of checking in live to see what's happening now! And also no batteries to charge or change.

[E_G_R2]

I'm an adult (apparently) who can wait. I've not measured it but the garden is one of those thin very long ones and I'm guessing its over 100M.

[elsiegee40]

I have three cameras: a basic Maginon that I got from Lidl, and two more expensive cameras by Bushnell and Browning which have Dark Flash.

 

I am a member of the Hedgehog Highways Facebook group and Apeman and Victure cameras are pretty popular on there... and also the Ring doorbell camera.

 

You definitely get what you pay for. The focal range is more limited on my Maginon but it does the job.

 

It’s also worth spending on decent rechargeable batteries. I use Eneloop Pro which I got from Amazon.

[E_G_R2]

I have three cameras: a basic Maginon that I got from Lidl, and two more expensive cameras by Bushnell and Browning which have Dark Flash.

 

I am a member of the Hedgehog Highways Facebook group and Apeman and Victure cameras are pretty popular on there... and also the Ring doorbell camera.

 

You definitely get what you pay for. The focal range is more limited on my Maginon but it does the job.

 

It’s also worth spending on decent rechargeable batteries. I use Eneloop Pro which I got from Amazon.

 

Hi,

 

many thanks, would you say that the Maginon is a good starter camera? Aldi online have these available.

[elsiegee40]

Hi,

 

many thanks, would you say that the Maginon is a good starter camera? Aldi online have these available.

 

Yes. It’s perfectly serviceable and is doing a good job monitoring the outside of a nest box.

 

I wanted dark flash for night use as my hedgehogs were spooked by the flash on the Maginon going off which is why I bought the Bushnell. The Browning was a Christmas/birthday present and is the best of the lot for photos, but really picky about batteries.

[E_G_R2]

Thanks elsiegee.

 

ill do a bit more researching

[mikeprice]

Hmmmm

 

you lot are tempting me to spend money

 

our garden end and then there are trees - not exactly the Amazon - just trees leading to a 'black path' used by locals

but the trees are 40-50 yards deep - so presumably some wildlife wanders around at time

 

amazingly - not including the local 'usual suspects' unless they don't leave beer cans behind (and other stuff) which seems unlikely

 

so a camera would be a great idea

 

might see if the supervising authority approves

 

 

*EDIT*

apparently CNN is currently nearly an hour behind on pause - so discussion is delayed for today

because of priorities

Trump has a lot to answer for!!!!!!

(not political comment expected or encouraged

or frog spells)

Edited February 11, 2021 by mikeprice

[E_G_R2]

I've been reading and watching and think this one may be a good entry level one -

[southhamster]

Trail camera can produce some interesting stuff - we have a Campark T80 with built in wifi for transferring pics but TBH it's quite clunky and only ok if fairly close line of sight. here's one from a few days ago.

[Andrew_C]

I bought MrsC a camera for xmas from here. They have a "Clearance section".

 

https://shop.naturespy.org/camera-trap-clearance/

[E_G_R2]

Well i went for a Victure HC300 in the end, arrived today after being ordered on Amazon on Friday (no prime) with rechargeable batteries and an SD card. Now where to put it in the garden so i get more interesting shots than to dog barking at the neighbours cats.

[southhamster]

This little fella has been hanging about all day. Male chaffinch keeps flying into the windows presumably trying to fight his own reflection! Spring is on the way.