After yet another successful year on the Odds & Sods thread, initially started I think by Hazy, it might be wise to kickstart the 2023 thread off.
Thank you to those who have contributed to last years thread, and there has been very interesting odds and sods in "Odds & Sods 2022" that aren't enough to place into a dedicated thread, which you can look back on the following link:
https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/278729/odds-sods-2022/1417300?pifragment-4285=76#pifragment-4285=1
What better for me, and as yet, I've not ventured far, ewe know what I mean, with this lassie on Baddesley Clinton estate yesterday....
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Edit: Ignore the timestamp. I haven't set it correctly on my trail cam. This action was videoed early this morning, 17th Dec 2023.
Fox vs humane rat trap. Initial investigation.
Rat trap wins.
The trigger on this trap is fairly sensitive. It went off when the fox moved the trap. The trap's door snaps shut making a loud clang. Fox exits garden at speed.
So far the confirmed score is: My cat got at least two rats. Rat trap caught one. Unknown is how many rats have been caught by other local cats, foxes and nearby Tawny owls.
90% luck, 5% field craft, 5% camera skills.
A few from yesterday, firstly a Coal Tit on the fat ball feeder
Then a couple of Siskins ... a first for me ...
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
The floods in Worcester mean that the swans are swimming in odd places and yes, there are at least seven of them
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.