Add your "Odds & Sods" here thread ... 2020

Starting with a first for me ... Sparrowhawk in neighbour's garden here in quarry, only ever seen a seemingly lost youngster many years ago!

Grabbed ID vid footage through d/glazed door, then battery died & by time I'd replaced it to go outside for better res a delivery driver stopped next door & frightened the bird off!! grrrrrr

Hope it's a one-off for the sake of my Spadger horde!

2019 thread here ... https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/196421/add-your-odds-sods-here-thread/1275306#1275306

 

 2013 photos & vids here

eff37 on Flickr

  • I was actually going to take a photo of the apples, but soon after, the sky went a very dark grey, so I packed everything away, quick, and just in time, the heavens burst open!

  • Terrific pictures Tony, she's got you in her sights.
  • Great capture Mike, what a stretch.

    Lot to learn

  • Distant pics but a couple more pics of a visiting Grey Heron (one of two) and more funny wabbits,  both seen from our balcony and kitchen/living room window .....

    hopping off the path down on to the water area ......        it caught a few tiddlers for brekky 

    and surrounding gardens are full of funny wabbits   !         I watch them as I brew up ........no wonder my cuppa goes cold   lol

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    Regards, Hazel 

  • Great to see wildlife from your balcony window. Hazel. Very civilised way to start the day.

    I had a surprise visitor this morning. I wish I'd cut the lawn yesterday though.

    She was on full alert.

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    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • That's not too shabby-a view Hazel lol... very nice
    Superb Tony! Nothing more to be said
  • What a wonderful visitor to have again Tony and beautiful photos.

    Unknown said:
    Great to see wildlife from your balcony window. Hazel. Very civilised way to start the day.

    We are really fortunate to have an apartment with such good views from every window and space/gardens/parkland around it.       As for civilised,  we had a bit of bother last night when one of our neighbours downstairs phoned me to say several gypsies and their vehicles had driven onto the area  (not too near our place thankfully) and she wanted to put her car in the undercroft for safety;   seems I'm one of the few yet to have secured a garage space !    So I gave her my spare key fob to open the communal garage.     We heard there was a bit of trouble with the travellers and police were involved and this morning there were several security staff at both the gate entrances -  was like the heavy mob   LOL     the good thing is they were moved off pretty quickly with a bit of pushing and shoving involved but goes to show just how lucky we are on this residential area and science park to have such brilliant fast response security;   apparently they had people on site immediately and they are now guarding the entrances and may temporarily put the barrier gates down with someone in attendance to let residents and office workers in and out.     What drama and we've only been in less than two weeks  LOL      Got to say we feel 110% safe here :)

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    Regards, Hazel 

  • Gosh, that's not the sort of thing you want to happen on such a prestigious development. Good that the security staff and police were able to sort it out quickly.
    Some years ago we had a problem with travellers around the Twyford area. Under the legislation at the time the council were obligated to find them permanent sites which they did. Since then there's been no problem at all and they live peacefully on self contained mini villages. It was a win win situation.

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    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • Oh my Hazel! Bet you were thinking what have we moved to!! Glad all is now well and that help was there quickly and that you are going to be well looked after. I wonder what may be next!

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • It was a surprise for sure Tony but at least it proves the 24/7 security measures in place are very effective; we've just had an email from the security department (20 mins ago) for the whole "park" - all very impressive as they are putting measures in place immediately to block any likely access to parkland by the traveller vehicles with bollards, blocks, etc., and the gates will be closed with guards on each entrance. They have actioned more permanent upgrades on the agenda and permanent security cabin so I have to say I'm incredibly impressed with their response. There is a good community spirit here already from what we have witnessed and I read in the email that many of the residents that have been living here for many months already took action to help before the various security teams and police turned up. It would be good for all if some area could be found for them (like you mentioned they did years ago with council help) to make their own community place but I guess many just like to keep on the move. I'll sleep well in my bed tonight surrounded by excellent response teams - including neighbours !

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    Regards, Hazel