My OperaSome Proper Animals
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 11:48:35 PM
Ok, that's a silly title, but after all the exotic posts of late, with strange birds and (certainly) some 'improper' behaviour, today is altogether more conventional. Native and common species of birds and a couple of mammals. And they don't come more common than the urban pigeon, although this one was enjoying a relaxing time resting in the warm sunshine.
Another of our very common species is the magpie, currently the subject of a call by the Songbird Survival Trust for a cull on the grounds that it's devastating our songbird population. True, magpies raid nests but the reasons for a reduction in our songbirds are complex and there is very limited research to support a cull and no objective basis to blame magpies and other corvids. The RSPB cite changes in farming methods, pollution and reduced habitat as far more likely reasons for a decline in songbirds. Anyway, I think they are quite splendid birds and worthy of a photo or two.
Unsurprisingly, two smaller species were happily sharing the park today. Magpies or no magpies, we seem to have plenty of these bold little feathered songsters.
And even the less well known long-tailed tit is quite easy to find.
As for the common mammals, well the first is a grey squirrel. Like the magpie, something of a rogue and subject to culling in the North of England (in that instance it is to protect our highly endangered red squirrel, and there is a strong evidence base to support the action). Down South we now only have the grey, but it proves popular with the locals (especially those who carry peanuts in their pockets).
The second mammal for today is a somewhat obvious choice. The young male fox was hanging around again late last night and gave me my first decent opportunity with the 7D. Here's a few shots.
Finally, a week or so ago I mentioned that we had a possible mange victim among the local foxes. I don't know whether or not this is the same fox, but if it is its condition is deteriorating quite rapidly. Given the scarcity of sightings I am not at all confident we'll be able to treat it (the odds of catching it - rather than the multitude of more regular foxes - are small, and in situ treatment almost impossible unless the fox is a relatively confident and frequent visitor). This is a still from last night's trail cam. Not pretty
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D. The park photos were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The fox was photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The mange fox was caught on the Bushnell Trophy Cam (video mode).
Another of our very common species is the magpie, currently the subject of a call by the Songbird Survival Trust for a cull on the grounds that it's devastating our songbird population. True, magpies raid nests but the reasons for a reduction in our songbirds are complex and there is very limited research to support a cull and no objective basis to blame magpies and other corvids. The RSPB cite changes in farming methods, pollution and reduced habitat as far more likely reasons for a decline in songbirds. Anyway, I think they are quite splendid birds and worthy of a photo or two.
Unsurprisingly, two smaller species were happily sharing the park today. Magpies or no magpies, we seem to have plenty of these bold little feathered songsters.
And even the less well known long-tailed tit is quite easy to find.
As for the common mammals, well the first is a grey squirrel. Like the magpie, something of a rogue and subject to culling in the North of England (in that instance it is to protect our highly endangered red squirrel, and there is a strong evidence base to support the action). Down South we now only have the grey, but it proves popular with the locals (especially those who carry peanuts in their pockets).
The second mammal for today is a somewhat obvious choice. The young male fox was hanging around again late last night and gave me my first decent opportunity with the 7D. Here's a few shots.
Finally, a week or so ago I mentioned that we had a possible mange victim among the local foxes. I don't know whether or not this is the same fox, but if it is its condition is deteriorating quite rapidly. Given the scarcity of sightings I am not at all confident we'll be able to treat it (the odds of catching it - rather than the multitude of more regular foxes - are small, and in situ treatment almost impossible unless the fox is a relatively confident and frequent visitor). This is a still from last night's trail cam. Not pretty
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D. The park photos were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The fox was photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The mange fox was caught on the Bushnell Trophy Cam (video mode).
