Animals seen while cycling

In article <[email hidden]>, Geraint Jones
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Bath last weekend we were stopped astride our bikes watching a heron on the opposite bank of the
Kennet and Avon. While we were there

I've seen herons stalking fish in the shallower parts of the Thames near where I live (Fulham, or
Chelsea environs, as the estate agent puts it). On one occasion I was even on my bike, so it counts.

--
congokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... congokid.comcongokid.comOpen ↗

"congokid" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, Geraint Jones
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Bath last weekend we were stopped astride our bikes watching a heron on the opposite bank of the
Kennet and Avon. While we were there

I've seen herons stalking fish in the shallower parts of the Thames near where I live (Fulham,
or Chelsea environs, as the estate agent puts it). On one occasion I was even on my bike, so
it counts.

--
congokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... congokid.comcongokid.comOpen ↗

There are lots of herons here in Edinburgh, with some nesting in the Figgate Park and along the
Brunstane Burn (very populated areas) and the River Esk in Musselburgh. They fly away if I am out
running but hardly take any notice if I am on my bike - as if I am not perceived as a threat on the
bike. On the bike I can get to within 5 yards before they get twitchy.

"Chris Bardell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, a pretty frivolous thread, but I've enjoyed seeing various animals while out & about since I
started cycling again.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who've been to exotic places & seen very rare animals -
fire away.

Eagles soaring over the Rhine.

Weasels, stoats & mink in deepest Hertfordshire.

Roe dear in Surrey & Northamptonshire.

A snake (variety unknown) in Texas.

Several varieties of monkey, eagles, mongoose (I think) and a couple of flavours of dear in India.

Camels, donkeys, bullocks & elephants -- all beasts of burden so perhaps they don't count
-- in India.

Dragonflies in Northamptonshire & India.

Storks in Germany, Morocco & India.

But my favourites are still the kamikaze baby bunnies who attempt to run through my wheel each
spring here in England.

T

Herons, ducks, swans, grebes (well, one grebe), rabbits,voles, all on or near the canals round here
(West Midlands).

But the most interesting *action* I've seens was a few weeks ago on the Birmingham and Fazeley
Canal, near Minworth (ie. just outside the built up area), was a duck being hunted by an animal of
some sort. The animal was, from its shape, one of the stoat family - I think it was a bit small for
an otter, and perhaps a bit good on land (it preferentially got out onto the bank to move quickly
after the duck), but it had that humped shape when when running, and I don't know whether weasels or
stoats swim. It would run along the bank to near where the duck was, then slip into the water and
swim after the bird. The duck, being as intelligent as you would expect of a duck, quacked up out of
the water when it saw the animal approaching, flew a few feet, and landed nearer a whole group of
ducks and ducklings which were a bit further along the canal, thus luring the animal towards the
whole pack (flock? what do ducks come in?). (On second thoughts, it might have been a clever duck,
trying to get the animal to leave it and go after a duckling, which would probably have been easier
for it to catch, but the idea of a clever duck is quite frightening.)

Pete Barrett

Pete Barrett said:

But the most interesting *action* I've seens was a few weeks ago on the Birmingham and Fazeley
Canal, near Minworth (ie. just outside the built up area), was a duck being hunted by an animal of
some sort. The animal was, from its shape, one of the stoat family - I think it was a bit small
for an otter, and perhaps a bit good on land (it preferentially got out onto the bank to move
quickly after the duck), but it had that humped shape when when running, and I don't know whether
weasels or stoats swim.

Sounds like a mink. They can certainly swim as my dog found out one day when it ended up nose to
nose with one when it was paddling in a stream near my parents house some years ago. I suspect the
mink was a bit miffed to find a big mongrel drinking his swimming pool.

(nature.com010308 1.htmlOpen ↗ if you can get it)

For myself I usually see bats and owls when cycling. I think I even ran into a bat yesterday evening
at the bottom of a long descent. Certainly the impact on my face was a bit hefty (complete with
meaty *thwock* noise) to be a moth or other night insect and it didn't feel like a stone.

Worst of all my lid was no use at all. Fancy that... 🙂

Regards,

-david

I've seen 2 red squirrels with white tails, one dead. I've a photo of him.

<I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who've been to exotic places & <seen very rare animals -
fire away.

--
Mark

"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak"

In "]news:[email hidden], Andy P <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

"Geoff Pearson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

There are lots of herons here in Edinburgh, with some nesting in the Figgate Park and along the
Brunstane Burn (very populated areas) and the River Esk in Musselburgh. They fly away if I am out
running but hardly take any notice if I am on my bike - as if I am not perceived as a threat on
the bike. On the bike I can get to within 5 yards before they get twitchy.

Yes, I find the same with deer on the edge of tracks in the Forest of Dean. They very often just
stand and watch undisturbed as I go by on the bike quite close whereas if I'm walking they'll be
off like a shot.

Excatly the same in Ricmond Park. Quite scry someitmes cycling through groups of fully antlered deer
straddling the track. They just turn their head and watch.

pk

"Chris Bardell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, a pretty frivolous thread, but I've enjoyed seeing various animals while out & about since I
started cycling again.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who've been to exotic places & seen very rare animals -
fire away.

As far as in the UK, I've seen rabbits (millions of the suicidal buggers), hares (some HUGE, all
very fast), deer (big one), deer (small one), deer (youngish version of a big one), foxes. <snip>

My theme this month seems to be Green Woodpeckers. Cant seem to ride without seeing one at the
moment (Brighton area)

Stan Cox

[email hidden] (Chris Bardell) writed in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

OK, a pretty frivolous thread, but I've enjoyed seeing various animals while out & about since I
started cycling again.

Bats! One of my most memorable cycling experiences was in the Isle of Wight, one very hot summer
(t'was the year le tour came to England). I went out for a ride very late evening, and a group of
bats started flying above and alongside me - they stayed with me for about half an hour - wierd!

Mike Leicester

Chris Bardell was sufficiently re-animated to talk about Animals seen while cycling

Quoted message said:

Up here in Naaarf*ck last autumn I was going down a narrow lane one night with a car heading
towards me, so I was keeping a close eye on the car. Across my vision went something huge &
brilliant-white (got a fairly bright Cateye rechargeable headlight). Figured it was a barn or
tawny owl. Just unfortunate timing cos oncoming car meant I couldn't follow it with my eyes
(whatever it was).

Nearly hit the kerb watching an urban-based owl of some sort drift in and out of a street lamp's
light one night. I'm basically a sucker for raptors in general - lots of red kites round here (south
Oxfordshire), buzzards, kestrels etc. (bumper sticker - "I brake for raptors"?)

Love scaring bunnies who are soooooo used to cars but find a big bloke clad in red or orange
suddenly rushing at them a bit pants-filling (what, bunnies your way don't wear trousers?!!).

Nearly managed to hit a rat the other night. [censored] must have gone between my wheels.

Muntjac deer are a regular sight, and, like the bunnies, never seem to hear me coming🙂

Cheers,

Jon
--
Why does everything nice I buy at the moment keep @##*%ing breaking? [email hidden] NOT!!
nospam=defblade

In message <[email hidden]>, Peter B <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Occasionally, as in all good nature programmes, one encounters (strike out "comes across"😉
homosapiens engaged in procreation.

A few years ago we thought we'd watch the midsummer sunrise from the top of Streatley Hill. We rode
to the Bell, Aldworth and there spent as much of the night as the landlord'd let us, then rode to
the hilltop with bivvy bags etc. As we passed through the first field our off-road lights picked out
the bouncing buttocks of a quite surprising number of local residents.

--
Sue ];(🙂

Sue said:

As we passed through the first field our off-road lights picked out the bouncing buttocks of a
quite surprising number of local residents.

All training for the Hairy Legs Challenge? Thought not...

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗ [currently
offline awaiting ADSL transfer to new ISP]

I cycle a lot down on the Somerset Levels. I've seen lots of kestrels and buzzards, herons, swans
and assorted waterfowl and even a couple of kingfishers. I've seen deer as well (although only from
a distance) + rabbits and the occassional hare and a teeny little stoat thing. I'm still waiting to
see an otter! They are about apparently but are very elusive.

The wildlife is one of the great pleasures of cycling, sadly a lot of it ends up squished on the
roads, badgers seem particularly prone.

Regards Paul

I too have seen many types of birds and animals whilst out on the road but i think the worst thing i've had to do was whilst riding home on the back lanes near Markington, Harrogate i saw a young rabbit on the road and it had just been hit by a car. but worst of all was that it was still alive and both back legs were broken, the only option for the sake of the rabbit was to put it out of it's misery and pain, but it was not a task i would like to repeat unless i had to, no matter how humane. I hope you won't have to go through an ordeal like this on your travels.🙁 🙁

On my local rides I often see sheep (on the road), rabbits, kestrels, partridges. Whilst touring
Tasmania though I saw a couple of dead Tasmanian Devils.

"Chris Bardell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, a pretty frivolous thread, but I've enjoyed seeing various animals while out & about since I
started cycling again.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who've been to exotic places & seen very rare animals -
fire away.

As far as in the UK, I've seen rabbits (millions of the suicidal buggers), hares (some HUGE, all
very fast), deer (big one), deer (small one), deer (youngish version of a big one), foxes.

Saw one deer (Hare Warren wood -?- near Wilton, Wiltshire). Beautiful thing - guessing a 'teenage'
deer cos it was a big sod, but was still doing that 'tamping' (?) thing where it kicks its hind
legs out & jumps about, just for the sheer fun of it. Saw me (150m+ away on the bike) & was GONE
in under a second.

Up here in Naaarf*ck last autumn I was going down a narrow lane one night with a car heading
towards me, so I was keeping a close eye on the car. Across my vision went something huge &
brilliant-white (got a fairly bright Cateye rechargeable headlight). Figured it was a barn or
tawny owl. Just unfortunate timing cos oncoming car meant I couldn't follow it with my eyes
(whatever it was).

Frivolous thread as I say, but any nice animal-spots in the URC house? In the UK or abroad? Anyone
seen the legendary / mythical 'big cats' in Norfolk or round Bodmin way?

PS: with perfect timing I also saw a bull mounting a female cow as I rode by
(Stratford-sub-Castle, nr. Salisbury). Naturally I shouted him some encouragement :-) Go on my
son, etc.

zyro-pete said:

... the only option for the sake of the rabbit was to put it out of it's misery and pain, but it
was not a task i would like to repeat unless i had to

Well, you've earned my respect for managing to go through with it.

Quoted message said:

I hope you won't have to go through an ordeal like this on your travels.🙁 🙁

Me too. With the number of bunnies and squirrels I come across I often think that this is something
I might have to do some day, but thankfully I haven't had to do it yet.

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

zyro-pete said:

I too have seen many types of birds and animals whilst out on the road but i think the worst thing
i've had to do was whilst riding home on the back lanes near Markington, Harrogate i saw a young
rabbit on the road and it had just been hit by a car. but worst of all was that it was still alive
and both back legs were broken, the only option for the sake of the rabbit was to put it out of
it's misery and pain, but it was not a task i would like to repeat unless i had to, no matter how
humane. I hope you won't have to go through an ordeal like this on your travels.🙁 🙁

I ran over a cat once on Hills Road, Cambridge. It wasn't dead so I had to wack it over the head
with my Stop Lock. I wanted to apologise to the owner, but had no idea who to apologise to, so I
tied a luggage label to the cat's tail with the message "Sorry!".
--
remove remove to reply

I have had a few close encounters, but none as close as last week..happily whizzing along at good
25mph on the way to the station(6.30am), when all of sudden a pheasant flew out the hedge and I
headbutted the bloodly thing...I don't who was more shocked. Luckly the bird seemed unharmed,
after gathering itself it took off again....should I change my helmet, does bird stike rate as
damage to a helmet?

[email hidden] (Chris Bardell) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

OK, a pretty frivolous thread, but I've enjoyed seeing various animals while out & about since I
started cycling again.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who've been to exotic places & seen very rare animals -
fire away.

As far as in the UK, I've seen rabbits (millions of the suicidal buggers), hares (some HUGE, all
very fast), deer (big one), deer (small one), deer (youngish version of a big one), foxes.

Saw one deer (Hare Warren wood -?- near Wilton, Wiltshire). Beautiful thing - guessing a 'teenage'
deer cos it was a big sod, but was still doing that 'tamping' (?) thing where it kicks its hind
legs out & jumps about, just for the sheer fun of it. Saw me (150m+ away on the bike) & was GONE
in under a second.

Up here in Naaarf*ck last autumn I was going down a narrow lane one night with a car heading
towards me, so I was keeping a close eye on the car. Across my vision went something huge &
brilliant-white (got a fairly bright Cateye rechargeable headlight). Figured it was a barn or
tawny owl. Just unfortunate timing cos oncoming car meant I couldn't follow it with my eyes
(whatever it was).

Frivolous thread as I say, but any nice animal-spots in the URC house? In the UK or abroad? Anyone
seen the legendary / mythical 'big cats' in Norfolk or round Bodmin way?

PS: with perfect timing I also saw a bull mounting a female cow as I rode by
(Stratford-sub-Castle, nr. Salisbury). Naturally I shouted him some encouragement :-) Go on my
son, etc.

Andrew Sweetman said:

round here (cotswolds) - Badgers (~8 a year), Foxes, Fallow Deer, Roe Deer, Muntjac, Stoats,
Weasels, Hedgehog, Hares, small critters (shrews/mice/voles), Grass Snake, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl,
Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Sparrowhawks (sometimes chasing them down the lane), Red Kite....

There's voles and voles. F'rexample, meeting the water vole or genuine Ratty on the Oxford canal
towpath by the A44 was quite a treat.