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Click on the images to the left to find
out more about the world around us in November
Starlings - Starlings
have black glossy feathers with purple and green
highlights and a speckled breast. They flock together
in large numbers and can be seen swarming in the
evening before roosting for the night. Starlings
copy the sounds of other birds which they then use
in their songs.
Rooks - Although
rooks and crows look similar, rooks can be identified
by their grey coloured bills and "kaah" sound. Rooks
build their bulky nests high in treetops in groups
called rookeries. They are always seen in large groups
often feeding in open fields.
Brown Rat - Brown
rats have coarse brown fur and a long tail. They
are pests because they damage property, destroy food
and spread disease. Rats are commonly spotted running
between buildings and on rubbish tips or down tunnels
and sewers. They live in groups and will often fight
with rival rats over territory. After the fight the
losing rat is bitten on the rump and chased off.
Stoat- Stoats
can be seen during the day or night. They often travel
a long way from their den to look for food. They
are excellent hunters and can kill birds and mammals
as large as rabbits by biting them on the back of
the neck. In most countries stoats have a white winter
coat called ermine. However, in Ireland, stoats remain
brown all year round.
Ivy - Ivy is
an evergreen, woody vine with shiny, green veined
leaves. Its roots can grip onto different materials,
allowing it to scramble over buildings and trees.
Ivy provides food and shelter for wildlife with its
dense foliage and winter berries. Both the leaves
and berries are poisonous to humans.
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