Unsprung quiz 13th November

Post categories: AW Unsprung

Martin Hughes-Games | 20:24 UK time, Friday, 13 November 2009

Sniff... It's the last show of the series. Hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have.

A quick quiz this week... Can you identify this mystery object? Chris brought it in. He thinks it's the bee's knees (not literally).

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1. At 8:41pm on 13 Nov 2009, martinryan wrote:

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2. At 8:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, audraym wrote:
We have lots of mallard ducks who visit our garden to be fed every day.
We live on the shore of the Moray Firth and recently we seem to have a pure white mallard drake, not an albino, in amongst the usual bunch.
He has black eyes and orange legs and feet and an orange bill and completely white feathers.
Is he actually a mallard or something very similar? If he is a mallard, how rare is this colouration?

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3. At 8:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, Emsiecat wrote:
Looks like a carapace, need to see it in a bit more detail to see what of though. Might be wrong though =P

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4. At 8:50pm on 13 Nov 2009, martinryan wrote:
What is the bird seen in avimore 2 weeks ago my kids amy and thomas thought it was an parrot(see photo at martindonnaryan on autumnwatch flickr )

martin ryan

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5. At 8:55pm on 13 Nov 2009, wayne davies wrote:
message for unsprung

welsh viewers

if you have sky you can watch the shows on bbc2 eng, scot and ni sky channels 989, 990 and 992

it would be great if you give me a mention

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6. At 8:56pm on 13 Nov 2009, k wrote:
Can we have winter watch and summer too ...
We think the programme is wonderful

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7. At 8:58pm on 13 Nov 2009, Tom wrote:
Hi,

I have recently been walking in the peak district and have seen many species of fungi. I would like to know what the difference between a mushroom and a toadstool is?

Cheers,

Tom

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8. At 9:01pm on 13 Nov 2009, Em wrote:
Hi Guys, We would love get involved and plant some trees for The Tree O'clock on 5th Demcember 2009. Only thing is we don't have a garden, can you suggest any national parks or organisations that may be involved in this treemendous event?
Em & Nige in Cheshire

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9. At 9:01pm on 13 Nov 2009, Redsquirrel92 wrote:
Is it a wasp's nest??
Also, thanks Chris my mum was stuck on a crossword clue and you answered it, "low tide" - "neap"!! Keep up the good work! Great programme! Thanks!

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10. At 9:03pm on 13 Nov 2009, Jan wrote:
Love the programme but we were a bit concerned to see Chris handle a Portuguese Man-o-war without gloves. We've had over 200 wash up here in Cornwall this year - a record for us - and have been warning the public not to touch them, just in case. One little boy suffered a nasty sting, so please Chris and Kate back us up! Thanks! Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network. www.cwtstrandings.org.

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11. At 9:04pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dene Wyke wrote:
Is it a solitary bees nest. Great programme

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12. At 9:06pm on 13 Nov 2009, k wrote:
I think the mystery object is a taffeta dress for a beetle attending a christmas party

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13. At 9:06pm on 13 Nov 2009, Emsiecat wrote:
It's either a carapace of some sort or a bee's nest.

It'll be easier to tell on Unsprung I think =)

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14. At 9:10pm on 13 Nov 2009, Gary Churchill wrote:
Hiya, firstly great series. My daughter (Anya 10) and i like to go outside at dusk to see the bats flying around. Last week we were outside and it started to rain and Anya asked do bats fly in the rain and if so does the rain drops not interfere with their radar.
Thanks Gary Churchill from Grantham

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15. At 9:12pm on 13 Nov 2009, Peter Findlay wrote:
Dear All at Autumnwatch Unsprung,

At the start of July, one of Ireland’s rarest creatures, a Pinemarten started to come around, probably enticed by the fact that I've got a number of cats who live outside, and eat in the conservatory at the back door.

This single Pinemarten was coming around at times varying from 06:30 - 08:15hrs in the morning, and again from 20:12 - 21:30hrs in the evening.

Within one or two days you could see the Pinemarten appear anytime from dawn till 21:42hrs approximately. With many visits taken within this time.

I've read that Pinemarten are very secretive and solitary creatures, and are normally nocturnal, except when they are nursing females.

From about day three or four of paying our cats' food a visit, the apparent nursing female had started to have one and then two other Pinemarten in her company. These I presume were two of her young, despite being much the same size and length, just a bit lighter looking in weight.

They have quite happily allowed me to watch and photograph them -from as little as eighteen inches away!

A few weeks ago one of them even took food from my hand!

Is this normal behaviour for Pinemarten?

Two days ago I lost one of my prized Free-Range laying pet hens to one of the Pinemarten.

What does or can their diet normally include? As my mother and I have a few free-range pet hens? Are they likely to continue to attack them, despite my continuing to put food out for them? Are they like Mink, which we also have in the immediate area, who are known to kill indiscriminately -almost for fun?

How can I protect the Pinemarten as they are protected by law, while still protecting my chickens?

Please advise me.

Thanks,

Yours,

Peter Findlay
Co. Leitrim.
Ireland.
[Personal details removed by Moderator]

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16. At 9:15pm on 13 Nov 2009, abediv wrote:
That looks kind of straw like. Is it some kind of poo?

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17. At 9:18pm on 13 Nov 2009, rachel wrote:
Hi,

Whilst in the West of Scotland this year we came accross (accidently) an Osprey nest, and as we watched the chicks in the nest there were between 5 and 7 ospreys at any one time circulating. They would disappear and reappear at intervals as if they had been off catching food, then would circle around the nest. Was this normal behaviour and was this a lot of birds to be seen at one time?

Rachel, Bristol

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18. At 9:18pm on 13 Nov 2009, Emsiecat wrote:
Huh closer it looks almost like an owl pellet, this one's a puzzler.

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19. At 9:20pm on 13 Nov 2009, Tom wrote:
Hi,

I am currently attempting to film the wildlife in the peak district and would like to capture images of the Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus). Are they nocturnal or do they also forage in the daytime? Advice on the best habitats to spot Merlin would also be very useful!

Cheers,

Tom

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20. At 9:22pm on 13 Nov 2009, virtualDeanbug wrote:
I think this is a pellet of a gull, looks like fish bones are in it.

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21. At 9:24pm on 13 Nov 2009, madwaff wrote:
looks like a pellet... size is difficult... looks like fishbones maybe. osprey?

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22. At 9:26pm on 13 Nov 2009, JackieinLyndhurst wrote:
It looks like there is a bat in this pellet. It would have to be one of our largest owls that left it, the smaller ones do not eat bats. I'm guessing the Long Eared Owl or European Eagle Owl.

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23. At 9:26pm on 13 Nov 2009, Peter Findlay wrote:
Dear All at Autumnwatch Unsprung,

At the start of July, one of Ireland’s rarest creatures, a Pinemarten started to come around, probably enticed by the fact that I've got a number of cats who live outside, and eat in the conservatory at the back door.

This single Pinemarten was coming around at times varying from 06:30 - 08:15hrs in the morning, and again from 20:12 - 21:30hrs in the evening.

Within one or two days you could see the Pinemarten appear anytime from dawn till 21:42hrs approximately. With many visits taken within this time.

I've read that Pinemarten are very secretive and solitary creatures, and are normally nocturnal, except when they are nursing females.

From about day three or four of paying our cats' food a visit, the apparent nursing female had started to have one and then two other Pinemarten in her company. These I presume were two of her young, despite being much the same size and length, just a bit lighter looking in weight.

They have quite happily allowed me to watch and photograph them -from as little as eighteen inches away!

A few weeks ago one of them even took food from my hand!

Is this normal behaviour for Pinemarten?

Two days ago I lost one of my prized Free-Range laying pet hens to one of the Pinemarten.

What does or can their diet normally include? As my mother and I have a few free-range pet hens? Are they likely to continue to attack them, despite my continuing to put food out for them? Are they like Mink, which we also have in the immediate area, who are known to kill indiscriminately -almost for fun?

How can I protect the Pinemarten as they are protected by law, while still protecting my chickens?

Please advise me.

Thanks,

Yours,

Peter Findlay

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24. At 9:26pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dene Wyke wrote:
I now think it may be an Osprey pellet

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25. At 9:28pm on 13 Nov 2009, amylou1987 wrote:
Hey i recently went to Ashridge Forest near Dunstable, an i thought i would share some what i think are pretty kool photos!
a funky looking leaf
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/amzwick/IMG_0917.jpg[/IMG]
some of the funniest guys around!
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/amzwick/IMG_0916.jpg[/IMG]
some prickley pears! AKA chestnuts
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/amzwick/IMG_0914.jpg[/IMG]
A female deer,
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/amzwick/IMG_0921.jpg[/IMG]
and why is she running??....
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/amzwick/IMG_0923.jpg[/IMG]
a Male Deer!

hope you enjoy!

xxx

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26. At 9:29pm on 13 Nov 2009, Emsiecat wrote:
Ooh yes osprey pellet would be fitting as they were on the show.

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27. At 9:32pm on 13 Nov 2009, BonkersBlake wrote:
I'm guessing some kind of rare yellow sea sponge?

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28. At 9:32pm on 13 Nov 2009, 13AnnieLoves wrote:
Hi again!
The whole family loves the show! Please say hi to me and my daughter, Kate! It'd make her day- [she's six]

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29. At 9:32pm on 13 Nov 2009, whosyamonkey wrote:
Osprey pellet i think

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30. At 9:32pm on 13 Nov 2009, huskytrainer16 wrote:

Can you tell us if there is any news on the beavers that were reintroduced into the british Isle and also do beavers hibernate.

Thanks for a brill show,

Huskytrainer and her daughter

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31. At 9:35pm on 13 Nov 2009, whosyamonkey wrote:
wasp/bee skeleton

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32. At 9:35pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dene Wyke wrote:
kingfisher pellet

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33. At 9:35pm on 13 Nov 2009, madwaff wrote:
Kingfisher pellet?

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34. At 9:36pm on 13 Nov 2009, Emsiecat wrote:
Otter spraint? =P

River bank inside the body of an animal.

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35. At 9:37pm on 13 Nov 2009, whosyamonkey wrote:
kingfisher pellet

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36. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dean wrote:
Kingfisher pellet ?

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37. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, BuzzardBuddy wrote:
Is it some kind of frog carcass?

Love the dogs!!

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38. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, julie wrote:
hi all you show is great... please lets have springwatch , autumn watch and a new show .... winter watch...... plsss the whole family love your show.
julie from leaminton spa

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39. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, BonkersBlake wrote:
Mongrel Poems

Mongrels are fantastic dogs
Like "Badge" owned by Kate Humble
They're cute and full of hybrid vigour
As their genetics haven't taken a tumble!

I've nothing against pedigrees however
Like Chris's Itchy and Scratchy
But If I had a choice I'd be sure to have
A mongrel standing beside me

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40. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, Emsiecat wrote:
Hm kingfisher pellet is a good answer too.

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41. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, danprice wrote:
a bird that has died inside the egg

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42. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, virtualDeanbug wrote:
It is a kingfisher pellet

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43. At 9:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, Peter Findlay wrote:
Dear All at Autumnwatch Unsprung,

I want to bring something most important to your attention! At the start of July, one of Ireland’s rarest creatures, a Pinemarten started to come around, probably enticed by the fact that I've got a number of cats who live outside, and eat in the conservatory at the back door.

This single Pinemarten was coming around at times varying from 06:30 - 08:15hrs in the morning, and again from 20:12 - 21:30hrs in the evening.

Within one or two days you could see the Pinemarten appear anytime from dawn till 21:42hrs approximately. With many visits taken within this time.

I've read that Pinemarten are very secretive and solitary creatures, and are normally nocturnal, except when they are nursing females.

From about day three or four of paying our cats' food a visit, the apparent nursing female had started to have one and then two other Pinemarten in her company. These I presume were two of her young, despite being much the same size and length, just a bit lighter looking in weight.

They have quite happily allowed me to watch and photograph them -from as little as eighteen inches away!

A few weeks ago one of them even took food from my hand!

Is this normal behaviour for Pinemarten?

Two days ago I lost one of my prized Free-Range laying pet hens to one of the Pinemarten.

What does or can their diet normally include? As my mother and I have a few free-range pet hens? Are they likely to continue to attack them, despite my continuing to put food out for them? Are they like Mink, which we also have in the immediate area, who are known to kill indiscriminately -almost for fun?

How can I protect the Pinemarten as they are protected by law, while still protecting my chickens?

Please advise me.

Thanks,

Yours,

Peter Findlay

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44. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, Adam L Canning wrote:
Kingfisher Pellet! He was a lad when he found it and he had to run to the spot where he found it!

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45. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, Shivonne Cracknell wrote:
Is it a kingfisher pellet?

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46. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, JackieinLyndhurst wrote:
I can only think that it's a vole or small rodent eaten by an otter and then re-gurtutated

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47. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, Maaike and Tom wrote:
Argh wanted to be first, but registration took a while! We think it's a Kingfisher pellet. :)

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48. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, martin97uk wrote:
Yes - I think it a kingfisher pellet too!

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49. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, Pete wrote:
Is it an Otter pellet?

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50. At 9:40pm on 13 Nov 2009, Shivonne Cracknell wrote:
Oops, I should have read the comments above!

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51. At 9:41pm on 13 Nov 2009, errandir wrote:
Osprey pellet

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52. At 9:42pm on 13 Nov 2009, Trevor wrote:
Answer to the quiz Otter Spraint

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53. At 9:42pm on 13 Nov 2009, tim gage wrote:
kingfisher pellet. that must have been hard to find. they normally rid them in streams and rivers and will break up in the water immediately. so that must have been tricky to find, maybe it precariously landed on a branch?

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54. At 9:42pm on 13 Nov 2009, bigmark wrote:
could be a pellet from a Kingfisher

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55. At 9:42pm on 13 Nov 2009, jimmyleedscastle wrote:
Yes its a Kingfisher Pellet Chris did a talk where i work and showed us it, by the way very good talk! I was the Lucky Keeper who got to show him round the avairy at Leeds Castle keep up the good work Chris

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56. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, Badgerbob71 wrote:
Kingfisher pellet?

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57. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, ChloeChihuahua wrote:
Is it a bezoar?

Loving the dogs tonight.

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58. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, samantha wrote:
mmm, think its an owl pellet of a mole maybe?

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59. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, Toadletfan wrote:
I think it's a kingfisher pellet - good find Mr P!

Full of bones, scales and hard fin rays..

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60. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, roxthefox wrote:
I think Chris's "thing in the box" is a bee or similar insect that was eaten by a frog...???!!!

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61. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, fiona dixon wrote:
Hi Unsprung

I wanted to ask why groups of birds attack herons in flight? I have seen this many times with about 5 or 6 crows diving at the poor heron when it is flying. I recently saw the same thing but it was parakeets. Why do they do this?

Many thanks
Fiona

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62. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, Redsquirrel92 wrote:
To add to my previous comment, it's definitely NOT a wasp's nest!! The object looked much smaller on the picture!!!! Haha! Haven't a clue what it is now!

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63. At 9:43pm on 13 Nov 2009, pencallow wrote:
Could this be a kingfisher's pellet containing bones and skin of fish?

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64. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, Jonathon Bartle wrote:
In tonight's show (13/11) there was a wondeful piece on otters. Right at the end a small bird zipped across the screen from left to right. I thought it may have been a kingfisher, but my daughter disagrees. She thinks it was too yellow. Can you tell me what it was please and settle our dispute?
Thanks.

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65. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, Richard wrote:
Is this a kingfisher pellet?

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66. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, Joe Seymour wrote:
The RSPB at Fairburn Ings West Yorkshire would be very grateful if you showed the 3 photos on your flickr page of Broady the Bullfinch. She turned up the day England won the Ashes in August and is still around now.
Thanks an RSPB volunteer.

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67. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, RK-BLAST wrote:
Dear Autumnwatch
On a Caravan site in Snettisham, we have a little lake/ large pond and on that pond we have a pair of Egyptian Geese. Does anybody know how they ot here and why. They do not appear to be ringed and nobody has reported to have lost any. Help please!

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68. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, TinyNatureMad wrote:
I think it's definatly a kingfisher pellet

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69. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, Tony Colla wrote:
My take on the object is that it is a Kingfisher pellet

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70. At 9:44pm on 13 Nov 2009, davsyl wrote:
We were interested in the clip of a Sparrowhawk drowning a magpie ... we have seen exactly the same thing in our garden pond with the victim that time being a pigeon. Do you think this could be more common than is generally thought ???

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71. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, anthony brandreth wrote:
its definitely a Kingfisher pellet and contains pharangeal teeth from a carp!!

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72. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, samantha wrote:
maybe not?!!

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73. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, bingobongerton wrote:
I'd say it was a King Fisher pellet.

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74. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, sam ball wrote:
owl pellet of some unfortunate creature? my girlfriend has fallen in love with kate's dog...

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75. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, Joe Seymour wrote:
oops should have emailed the number 66 comment

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76. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, ELTRENDO wrote:
I think it may be a regurgitated water vole pellet...just an un-educated guess.
Tim from Poole, Dorset...love the show !!!

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77. At 9:45pm on 13 Nov 2009, colin wrote:
Well its got lots of small bones in it. It does not look like otter scat, at the moment Kingfisher pellet seems as likely as any.

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78. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, laineyw wrote:
I have to say I know what this is and recgonised it as soon as it was mentioned. But I won't ruin people's fun- I only know because I've heard Mr Packham enthusing about this before- at a Springwatch event a few years ago!

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79. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, George Smity wrote:

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80. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, WildlifeTours wrote:
It'a pellet thrown by a BELTED KINGFISHER

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81. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, james thatcher wrote:
Is it a kingfisher pellet?

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82. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, julie wrote:
is it an osprey pellet.

julie xxx

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83. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, kingfisher wrote:
I think it is a Kingfisher pellet. My partner Chris saw one do this whilst sitting on the end of his fishing rod.

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84. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, runner123 wrote:
it's a kingfisher pellet

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85. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, chris blake wrote:
its a kingfisher pellet

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86. At 9:46pm on 13 Nov 2009, whosyamonkey wrote:
definitely a kingfisher pellet

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87. At 9:47pm on 13 Nov 2009, jlw wrote:
Regurgitated kingfisher pellet?

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88. At 9:47pm on 13 Nov 2009, JackieinLyndhurst wrote:
Not sure if last comment got through but I believe it's a pellet from an Otter containing a vole or similar regurgitated by the Otter

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89. At 9:47pm on 13 Nov 2009, JAMES YOUNGER wrote:
IS IT A KINGFISHER PELLET?

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90. At 9:47pm on 13 Nov 2009, David wrote:
A food pellet of Kingfisher.

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91. At 9:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, ChloeChihuahua wrote:
Kate, somebody wrote a poem about a mongrel...

POEM
Mongrel Heart

by David Baker
Up the dog bounds to the window, baying
like a basset his doleful, tearing sounds
from the belly, as if mourning a dead king,

and now he’s howling like a beagle – yips, brays,
gagging growls – and scratching the sill paintless,
that’s how much he’s missed you, the two of you,

both of you, mother and daughter, my wife
and child. All week he’s curled at my feet,
warming himself and me watching more TV,

or wandered the lonely rooms, my dog shadow,
who like a poodle now hops, amped-up windup
maniac yo-yo with matted curls and snot nose

smearing the panes, having heard another car
like yours taking its grinding turn down
our block, or a school bus, or bird-squawk,

that’s how much he’s missed you, good dog,
companion dog, dog-of-all-types, most excellent dog
I told you once and for all we should never get.

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92. At 9:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, toby abrehart wrote:
lOOKS LIKE A kINGFISHER PELLET TO ME

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93. At 9:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, Colin Smale wrote:
Kingfisher pellet

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94. At 9:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, giderz wrote:
Is it a Kingfisher pellet?

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95. At 9:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, chris blake wrote:
Its a kingfisher pellet, Chris has had it since he was a child.

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96. At 9:48pm on 13 Nov 2009, PAul Adams wrote:
Hi I think that Chris's prize possesion is a pellet of fish bones from a Kingfisher.

Am I right?

Paul Adams
Redditch

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97. At 9:49pm on 13 Nov 2009, Shaun wrote:
I think it is a Kingfisher pellet.

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98. At 9:49pm on 13 Nov 2009, Jack wrote:
Kingfisher pellet?

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99. At 9:50pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dean Armstrong wrote:
Kingfisher cough-pellet

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100. At 9:50pm on 13 Nov 2009, Theresa wrote:
hi all at autumn watch, i just wanted to know approximatley how many animals hibernate in the uk?

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101. At 9:50pm on 13 Nov 2009, no1chrism wrote:
Kingfisher Pellet made of fish bones

Chris in Jersey

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102. At 9:50pm on 13 Nov 2009, eastyorkshirebird wrote:
Otter pellet?

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103. At 9:51pm on 13 Nov 2009, RK-BLAST wrote:
Dear Autumnwatch.
On a caravan site in Snettisham we have a small lake/ large pond, and on that pond we have a pair of Egyption Geese. They do not appear to be ringed and nobody has reported then to be missing. What are they doing here and why? Please help! Thank you.

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104. At 9:51pm on 13 Nov 2009, francis young wrote:
hi team , i was at work a few weeks ago and i would like to know if a black fox is common or rare.

i see this fox in brent and i am 100% sure it was a fox

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105. At 9:51pm on 13 Nov 2009, Shane White wrote:
Otter spraint?

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106. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, Raddyrose wrote:
Level Headed Joe, we think you're great! Well done for some excellent entertaining on a Friday night. We hope you get some of that cake on the table because you deserve it.....!

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107. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, Alan Johnson wrote:
Coypyu droppings!

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108. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, ross wrote:
watching the footage of the magpie and sparrow hawk, I watched a magpie being very friendly with a young kestrel in manchester city centre recently. They where very clearly closely attached and the magpie appeared to be teaching the kestrel how to fly and how to search for food in the grass and soil. Has this been heard of before from two species normally deadset as enenmies?

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109. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, The Digbys wrote:
I have noticed an ubundance of berries on bushes in our area, there is a saying that this means a harsh winter - is this true, will I need to buy thermals this year?

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110. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, Ian shiner wrote:
I have seen a seagull dancing on a lawn. It was apparently doing this to cause worms to come to the surface because the tapping of the gull's feet mimicked the sound of rain. The bird would step rapidly from foot to foot for about thirty seconds then pause to see the results. If nothing was forthcoming it would move a little way and then start again.

This went on for about 15 minutes. Is this common behaviour for gulls or has this bird developed a new method of locating food?

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111. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, Richard Green wrote:
Quiz Answer:
The mystery item is a kingfisher pellet. Tell Chris I can take him to a site on the A66 in Northumberland where there are dozens of these on an otter ledge through a large culvert where the birds are perching.

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112. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, janet wrote:
kingfisher pellet

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113. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, Freya wrote:
I think it might be a small owl pellet, Mum thinks it's otter poo.

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114. At 9:52pm on 13 Nov 2009, RK-BLAST wrote:
I think it is some sort of tiny owl pellet.

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115. At 9:53pm on 13 Nov 2009, George Smity wrote:
the mystery object is a Kingfisher pellet

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116. At 9:53pm on 13 Nov 2009, joanna wrote:
I think its a Kingfisher pellet?

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117. At 9:53pm on 13 Nov 2009, Shaun wrote:
We think this is the best Autumn/Springwatch there has ever been ( sorry Bill) the addition of Chris has balanced the programme so well and everyone just gets on so well together.
Please don't change a thing, we look forward to Springwatch.
Shaun & Katherine.

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118. At 9:53pm on 13 Nov 2009, Ramoth wrote:
Left overs from a Tale from the Riverbank or a picnic with Ratty, Mole and Mr. Toad?

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119. At 9:53pm on 13 Nov 2009, derek ward wrote:
is it a dipper pellet ?

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120. At 9:54pm on 13 Nov 2009, huskytrainer16 wrote:
is it a kingfisher pellet

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121. At 9:54pm on 13 Nov 2009, Ian Atkinson wrote:
I think the object is a kingfisher pellet.

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122. At 9:54pm on 13 Nov 2009, chamboshouse wrote:
i think its a king fisher pellet from b.chamberlain of warrington cheshire

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123. At 9:54pm on 13 Nov 2009, Alistair Hannan wrote:
Hi
is it an osprey pellet?
Peter, aged 11

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124. At 9:54pm on 13 Nov 2009, daniel armitage wrote:
I think you quiz item is a kingfisher pellet

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125. At 9:55pm on 13 Nov 2009, WildBoy4444 wrote:
king fisher pellet?

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126. At 9:55pm on 13 Nov 2009, julie wrote:
good one chris had us there that was my next guess:)

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127. At 9:55pm on 13 Nov 2009, Ewalotta wrote:
Just wanted to say, as a comment to last week, if you want to cook squirrels you have to put a warning an them: "may contain nuts".

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128. At 9:56pm on 13 Nov 2009, Louise11 wrote:
Hi guys, I sail on a lake in my Local area but a resident in the next one is of the reptile kind. It's a foot long snapping turtle, i'vee never seen it but would love to learn more about it. Please can you tell me more about it. It looks like an old family pet that was released into the wild.

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129. At 9:56pm on 13 Nov 2009, joanna wrote:
yer i was right, thats magnificant, wonderful story.

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130. At 9:56pm on 13 Nov 2009, IndyStarling wrote:
Rooks standing in smoke might also be anting to get rid of parasites with the smoke.

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131. At 9:56pm on 13 Nov 2009, JackieinLyndhurst wrote:
I did think it was a Kingfisher pellet. What I shame I did not write this down. Jx

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132. At 9:57pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dean Armstrong wrote:
Piranhas in the bath

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133. At 9:59pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dean Armstrong wrote:
Well done gang, it has to be once a week all year,we've really enjoyed it

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134. At 10:00pm on 13 Nov 2009, julie wrote:
you have all made wildlife more enjoyable to all thanku xx

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135. At 10:01pm on 13 Nov 2009, no1chrism wrote:
Bye Bye you chaps.....

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136. At 10:02pm on 13 Nov 2009, Lynne wrote:
My husband and I watched a cormorant today unable to take off. It ran along the road in front of our car unable to take off until it dropped about 3 fish. He was "full up". It was incredible to watch. We could hardly believe our eyes, amazing.

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137. At 10:04pm on 13 Nov 2009, leg1ndyoll wrote:
I know it's too late for the show, but here's another version of the Magpie Rhyme. One for sorrow: two for mirth: three for a wedding: four for a birth: five for silver: six for gold: seven for a secret, not to be told: eight for heaven: nine for hell: and ten for the devil's own sel(f)

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138. At 10:10pm on 13 Nov 2009, s smith wrote:
Hello ive just seen a red admiral is this normal? Its quite cold up here in Shropshire!

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139. At 10:11pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dene Wyke wrote:
check comment number 32. I won the teddy :-)

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140. At 10:14pm on 13 Nov 2009, madwaff wrote:
snap! timeshare on the teddy!

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141. At 10:14pm on 13 Nov 2009, martin wrote:
hi level headed jo.....you must get loads of requests but nothing ventured nothing gained...would you like to go for a drink some time.........martin a total stranger but an avid fan of the program......

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142. At 10:15pm on 13 Nov 2009, Dene Wyke wrote:
go on then share 'n' share alike

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143. At 10:19pm on 13 Nov 2009, cameron wrote:
My daughter Emma has a butterfly farm kit. In it she has approx 15 chrysalis. This is in our unheated conservatory. Will they survive the winter then hatch out in the spring now?

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144. At 10:33pm on 13 Nov 2009, madwaff wrote:
hey Dene Wyke - high5 & well done you too! :grin:

maybe next time they'll put in something to give an idea of scale..!

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145. At 10:39pm on 13 Nov 2009, wildwatcher wrote:
Louise11 (comment128) wrote about Snapper Turtles in a lake. These and other relatives are quite common in 'Natural' type lakes and large ponds due to the fad of Ninga Turtles and the pets outgrowing their tanks. Like most wildlife they are hard to see but can survive our winters as they 'hibernate' in the mud when the water freezes over. They feed mainly on fish,reptiles and insects but can reach 'dinner plate' size and can be vicious.

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146. At 08:23am on 14 Nov 2009, andy miller wrote:
Such a shame its called autumwatch , it ought to be called `all seasons watch',perhaps not but you know what i mean, then we could enjoy this magnificent programme year round.

Kate ,Chris ,Martin ,Simon and of course level headed Jo , you do a fabulous job ,as do the rest of the crew , it really is enjoyable viewing

Fantastic to see people being so enthusiastic about there job.

i could watch unsprung till the cows come home

More please

cheers Andy

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147. At 09:03am on 14 Nov 2009, rocketdog wrote:
I have seen every other bird baring a robin in my garden, is there anyone out there that can answer. Rocketdog

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148. At 10:48am on 14 Nov 2009, wildaboutdevon wrote:
Dear Autumnwatch Team,

I have been supplementing the diet of the hedgehog in the garden with a few hedgehog biscuits every night. I would be expecting it to hibernate very soon, but my camera footage, which is on a sensor, suggests that it is still very active, even though it seems to be of size large enough to make it through hibernation. I know that hibernation is a way of making it through the times when food is scarce, so I was wondering, am I delaying the hedgehog's hibernation by feeding it? Is there a point at which I should gradually reduce the amount of food?

Many thanks,

Denise.

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149. At 10:53am on 14 Nov 2009, John Stewart wrote:
The object appears to be a pellet of a bird whose diet is primarily or exclusively fish. The size of the pellet excludes all of the usual predatory birds I can think of so I believe it may be that of something odd like a kingfisher. Unless it is from a marsh harrier (the size is similar to that of a hen harrier pellet) although I dont think that marsh harriers take fish exclusively.

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150. At 11:58am on 14 Nov 2009, Mick de Brou wrote:
Dear Autumnwatch,
Can you tell me how you manage to give a figure so accurate when counting bird populations? It would seem impossible as they are constantly moving.Perhaps 'Science Geek' might know?

Regards Mick and his wife

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151. At 2:58pm on 14 Nov 2009, les haden wrote:
Refering to the mistery of the webbing on the tree (ie program broadcasted 13th nov 09), I have read the countryman wildlife book (David Charles Series), which includes an article by J.A.L. Cooke. The article refers to spiders that exude webbing in Autumn, in order to fly from A to B, sometimes there is not a favourable warm air to waft it so it runs up and down the sewerage bed in which it catches insects. Therefore, forming a white gossom sheet over it. When the wind blows, it blows this sheet skywards. These spiders are: Lessertia dentichelis, Erigone arctica and Porrhomma convexum (Latin).
Therefore, probably trapped by the tree. There is a picture of this in the book, page, 85.

-Les Haden.

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152. At 7:13pm on 14 Nov 2009, Alun wrote:
Watching the re run because of the rugby in Wales Well done boys!I think the mystery item is a kingfisher pellet

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153. At 7:14pm on 14 Nov 2009, hayley luke wrote:
the competition is it an owl pellet?

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154. At 8:33pm on 14 Nov 2009, Beachdrifter wrote:
Hi Guys,
You did a big thing about Marine Conservation on Friday but failed to mention one of my pet hates. BALLOONS !!! Every year so many are let loose at school or summer fetes all attached with a name tag to see whose can get the furthest, or the release of hundreds of balloons at a sports event or concerts. These cause so much damage by these ending up in the sea around the uk and being eaten by marine life as they are mistaken for jellyfish etc, (the same goes for plastic bags). I seriously think there should be a law and a petition started the have this banned. I'm not a killjoy and always in support of raising money for charity but not like this!!

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155. At 7:31pm on 15 Nov 2009, cosper wrote:
Dear AW team,
Question: Mostly for 'Science geek' but the whole team must be able to throw some light light on this... Where have all the Eels gone, (thats a 99% loss over the last 30 years) and what, if anything, is anyone doing to bring their numbers back up????

Cosper

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156. At 7:43pm on 15 Nov 2009, Britta Saffron Holmes wrote:
I have just seen a number of Jackdaws and Carrion Crows gathering in a field for roosting together, plus I am 95% sure a couple of Ravens as well. I didn't realise that different species of corvids roosted together, does this usually occur?

Thanks,

Britta

Dartmoor

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157. At 10:01am on 16 Nov 2009, Kenny wrote:
Watching BBC Scotland feature a white Deer which they commented as being rare. I myself spotted a white Deer a while back. What has brought me to write this E-Mail is that last night ,in the same area I spotted not one but five white Deer. Surely this must be quite rare. Can it be that a herd of deer can evolve with the gene which makes them white?

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158. At 11:16am on 16 Nov 2009, rocketdog wrote:

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159. At 11:22am on 16 Nov 2009, rocketdog wrote:
Dear Autumnwatch Team
I love to attract our feathered friends into my garden, and would love to put up a nest box for them, I have been told that you have to put it facing a certain direction otherwise they will not nest in them,this I have never heard of before, so can you tell me which way and when is the best time to put one out for them.
Yours
Rocketdog.
PS: also what about a winterwatch as well that I think would be fantastic. keep up the good work

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160. At 1:02pm on 16 Nov 2009, Chris wrote:
I think its an Osprey pellet

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161. At 11:41pm on 16 Nov 2009, Duncan wrote:
Does anyone know where Chris Packham got his black puffer jacket from that he was wearing on the last episode? I've been looking for something similar but can't quite find something I like.

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162. At 10:08am on 18 Nov 2009, Danny Marfleet wrote:
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could help me solve a mystery.

On wed (11th Nov) of last week my brown lop ear rabbit went missing.
Then this tues (17th Nov) morning i woke to find its decapitated body on my lawn .I also found fresh paw prints in my flower beds about the size of a tennis ball maybe a touch smaller, beneath them was my rabbits front paw, heart and other inner parts. I'm thinking a fox did this but the weird part is that all the rabbits fur had turned white apart from a destinctive black band running across its back.

I hope its a simple explantion.

Thanks
Danny
Manchester

P.S

R.I.P
Poppy

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Welcome to the Autumnwatch Blog. It's the place to be for extra insight into some of Autumnwatch's big stories, news and views from the presenters and your chance to pitch in. Watch this space...

Unsprung quiz 13th November

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