Red Kites
The BBC news website reports that the Red Kite bird of prey population in Scotland has risen to its highest level in 200 years, having been hunted close to extinction during Victorian times. The Red Kite was once common across the UK, and yesterday our local BBC Yorkshire TV news reported an increase in numbers as well. I’ve observed a number of these birds over the past four months to date, in our own back garden—and while the bird’s success is to be celebrated, its presence has also been something of a concern and even upset for some poultry owners.
tags: bird of prey, birds, carnivores, chickens, extinction, nature, poultry, predators, Red Kite, survival, wildlifeSlug-eating slug
Having only recently reported on the new carnivorous slug that has arrived in the UK, I was shocked at the synchronicity of finding one in our own garden. But it wasn’t eating worms. It was huge, and eating a small ordinary slug, head first. It had a circle of incredibly tiny teeth rotating around its victim, slowly consuming it alive. Ugh. Anyone know who I should report the sighting to? It got its come-uppance: one of the chickens caught sight, and scoffed the fat horror in seconds.
tags: carnivores, new species, slugs
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