h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I fell into your personal space by accident and found we had many things in common.I an fortunate enough to live in an area surrounded by bird sanctuarys and nature reserves.The closest area to me is Hengistbury Head.The herons and egrets nest there every year and are a joy to watch.I am also close to the Purbeck hills and the Jurrasic coast and do a lot with http://www.durlstonmarineproject.co.uk take a look.I would like to add you to my list of friends,if that is ok?
I am not lucky enough to have badgers in the garden,but there is a place close by where i watch them,we do have a fox though.
I am a member of the R.S.P.B.and i enjoyed the garden bird watch survey.I own two cats,which you would think goes against garden bird watching,but they are both to old,fat and lazy to catch a cold,never mind a bird.Some years ago one of them caught a frog,brought it into the house and deposited it into the lounge,the frog,who was unhurt,let out a piercing scream,both cats looked terrified and hid behind the sofa,they hav'nt bothered with any wildlife since,prefering to watch it all through the window!
Hope to hear from you.

Welcome, Bluesue, I hope you didn't hurt yourself when you fell in to my Personal Space.

You are in a lovely part of the country and I look forward to hearing more from you. Please do add me to your Friends. I will pop in and do likewise in a minute. Have you come across my thread 'My heart's still thumping' yet? If not please take a look.

You are lucky if you can watch Badgers near a sett. Their behaviour is very different there from what we see, but nevertheless it is a great privilege.

I didn't know frogs screamed. How unnerving. No wonder your were frightened.

I do the BTO Garden Birdwatch every week as well as the annual RSPB one, both of which are great fun, and very satisfying.

Off to make a new friend official. See you later.


Websailor

Thanks for that.
Yes i did read My hearts still thumping,which was what made me contact you.I envied you sitting in the warm while i have to wear lots of layers,and sit in a smelly old hide.It's worth it though.
As for the "screaming frog"it scared me to death,but what actually happens is,froggy puffs himself up,to look more threatening,then lets the air out slowly,like holding the neck of a balloon and letting the air out.It is twice as loud and more of a high pitched screach.
I went to the heronry this morning,but left it a bit late.People walk their dogs there,as they have every right to do,so any interesting wild life keeps well out of the way.The herons and egrets were busy.I do'nt think it is my imagination,but i am sure there are more egrets nesting than last year.I sall go again tomorrow and not be a lazy old ,I shall be there at sun up.

I get a Grey Heron flying over our garden some mornings, and I have seen them on a local pool. Graceful in the air, but heavy like a Bomber aeroplane, rather than a Fighter!! Getting on and off the water they need a huge flight path and are quite clumsy.

Thank you for the explanation of the frog screaming, it sounds quite bloodcurdling. I am expecting to find lots of froglets in my garden soon, even though I don't have a pool. It is on the agenda, and has been for some time, but I need help to do it, and none has been forthcoming so far!!

I am sure you are not a lazy of , but I know what you mean. I am just a year older than you, so a silver surfer with a Bus Pass!!


Websailor

Good morning,as i thought getting up early has its advantages.I was at the heronry 6 o'clock sharp and there are more egrets than last year!Herons,bless em,watching them landing and taking off at the top of those high pine trees looks most precarious.
In the centre of of the nest site there is a freshwater pool,which is handy as it it surrounded by salt marsh on one side and the sea on the other.An array of birds and animal drink there.The area is fenced off so i can only take photos with my huge telephoto lens,i have been tempted to go inside,but the signs warn of a hefty fine.I am as we speak trying to find someone in charge to get permission.
On the way back i found some St.Georges Day Mushrooms,they are a bit early this year,i had them with my breakfast

I am thankful I have just had my sunday lunch, or your breakfast would have finished me. Sounds gorgeous!

Your Durlston Marine Project sounds brilliant. You have dolphins? I am so I was pleased to see the WWF logo up there on the site as a supporter etc. We are involved in so many projects, but scarcely get a mention. Our international work gets better recognition than that in the UK.

I can get up at 6am but going anywhere has to be on foot, as we have no car, and there are no trains or buses at that time. I keep promising myself a walk along our river at Dawn and Dusk. We have Kingfishers, which I have yet to see, and also Muntjac Deer, which I have not seen. I really must try this summer. I have had two brilliant nights watching the Badgers, but I am tired as a result. Daren't tell my other half or I shall get a ticking off!!

This morning at 7am I sat on my back doorstep eating my breakfast and enjoying the Spring sounds without a single human voice or noise. Heaven. Especially as it is the Easter holidays and it is bedlam for the rest of the day.

Let me know if you get closer to the pool etc. but don't get yourself arrested! There is already one lady of mature years fighting the Forestry Commission over the right to pick mushrooms on their land!! Don't add to the list.

Have a nice weekend,
Websailor

I know that lady very well.I go mushrooming in the new forest quite often,i don't think they liked the idea of it being part of her cottage industry.They can't be arsed to gather the fungi themselves.I think they have a total dog in the manger attitude.I suppose we wo'nt be allowed to pick blackberrys next
I am on my soap box again.Enjoy the rest of the weekend with the badgers.

Hi Again,I have been so busy wandering the country side and sorting out the garden i have hardly had time to put finger to keyboard.i love this time of year,so much happening!My daughter bought me a digital camera for my birthday,so i set up a blog thingamajig on yahoo 360.If you email me at, [email protected] i will post you the site details.I havn't been able to put my best photos on yet as my scanner is on the blink.digital cameras are very clever,but i do get better pics.with my old faithful cannon s.l.r.I put a photo of the badgers i watch,i made no comment as to where or when because at this time of year the 'travellers'have moved into the area again,i do not want anything to happen to them,the badgers i mean.I have also added to my journal a good recipe for a nice drink

Hi, Bluesue,

Wise thinking about the Badgers. We have baiters come around our area. It is a real worry. I think we may have four Badgers now, and I KNOW we have three as I have seen them together in my garden.

I will email you after the weekend as I am frantically busy with the Tolkien Weekend in our area, and haven't much time. I shall look forward to seeing your photos.

I could just fancy a nice drink right now I hav been drinking water today like it was going out of fashion. Actually that isnt' as odd as it sounds is it!?!?!

Must . Heaps to do and another long day tomorrow. Speak after the weekend.

Websailor

My! you have been busy,I got your email and duly responded.Over the weekend the Dorset wild life group had a field day,literally they were in a marquee in a field at Throop Mill.I spend a lot of time there.They told me something i had long suspected,we have ottersI joined in building an artificial holt.I will now spend even more timein the hope of a photo.
for Brigitte (the mushroom lady)At least she allows people the chance to eat the mushrooms.
It has been raining here since monday and i am sick of being indoors,I shall become an alcoholic with all that beech leaf noyau

I eventually found your Yahoo page, but it was garbled and all over the place, and the computer froze three times. It may be because my computer and web browser are a bit old.

I will try again when the Net is not so busy. That helps sometimes.

Websailor

sorry you are having trouble.Sounds like me...garbled and all over the place

Websailor