Finally managed to get a holiday this year (North Wessex Downs, Dorset and Isle of White) just before Sheffield was locked down again! These are a few wildlife pics - nice to see some creatures we don't get to see up here. One of the red squirrels was on Brownsea Island and the other on Isle of White - I think they look quite different. Anyone know if this is just sampling error or divergent evolution - I expect the populations have been isolated from each other for a very long time?!
A lovely set of photos. You did well to catch a Stonechat in flight.
I understand Red Squirrels are naturally quite variable, going from the typical red to having varying amounts darker colour, almost black. The first one just seems to have a darker tail. There is a small population in Formby where I got this one who has a completely black tail as well as darker fur on its back and head. It is definitely a Red however and not a Grey.
Yes it's a yellowhammer, though I didn't realise it until after I looked at the photo later.
Wonderful photos, Mike and that is a wonderful part of the country. We have seen Sika Deer at RSPB Arne a few times, but the antlers on your deer seem wrong to me for Sika but more like Roe Deer antlers. But I am no expert so I await the verdict of an expert!
Unknown said:the antlers on your deer seem wrong to me for Sika but more like Roe Deer antlers.
I'm not 100% sure either but I think the tail rules out Roe as they don't have real tails (although they do have tufts). So, I think I would go with Sika although perhaps younger males as I agree the antlers aren't yet big enough for full breeding males.
I wondered that myself, Nigel, about them possibly being young males (of some sort--lol!). Didn't know about the tails--learn something on this forum every day.