A rabid vampire bat in England? Never.

The cameras are up and waiting. Now all I need is an otter. At the moment, the big gun cameras are in use so I have only my trusty trail cams to rely on. I'm confident in their ability though and am looking forward to Friday when I will be able to check the footage (and hopefully get something more than raindrops on water!). Until then I wait with bated breath.

Did you know that bat season is upon us? I'm sure you've all seen the shadows of pipistrelles and daubentons (amongst others) flitting through the night sky (so have worked this out for yourself). I, for one, have a bad mother of a bat hunting in and around my garden so the aim of the week is to find out what bat it might be, armed with just a bat detector and my (not so) wiley perception. If you've never been on a bat walk or heard the eerie sounds that a bat makes while flying and hunting, I seriously reccommend you try out a bat walk. For most of us (unless you are young and spritely), we can only 'hear' a bat with the aid of a bat detector and only the proffessionals or the wildly enthusiastic tend to have this kind of kit. I won't go into all the technical stuff of how the detectors work but check out the Northumberland and Durham bat group websites for a series of walks led by super knowledgable people or join WildPlaces (also super knowledgable)on 20th May for a walk through Harpley Woods. Honestly, its something you have to do at least once in your life and the window of opportunity will close in around October (depending on how soon winter wants to start). Hearing a bat blowing a raspberry is priceless. Just priceless.


Oh and dont be afraid of bats. The smallest species of UK bat (the pip) can fit into a matchbox. Now how can you be scared of that? The UK currently doesnt have any blood sucking (or otherwise) vampire bats and its even a bit of a myth that bats will give you rabies. In the UK, it is so so so rare for a bat to even have rabies (never mind transmit it) and its not the classical foaming-at-the-mouth-rabid-dog rabies that we all know and love. In fact, according to the Bat Conservation Trust, classical rabies has never been recorded in a native European bat species. Bats get something called European Bat Lyssavirus and since 1986, over 9000 bats have been tested and only 9 have been found to have the live virus. And you can avoid the risk by not handling bats unless you really, really have to (and I mean really have to) and to wear gloves if you do. Anyway, thats me off my soapbox and you hopefully learning something new.

An otter, CountryFile and those St Nix frogs

The hunt has officially begun. Against my better judgement I have resurrected the search for the Ouseburn Otter. Last week, I set two of my new ProwlerHD cameras up along the banks of the Ouseburn at Bob's, pointing directly onto the wall where the sneaky beggar sprainted last week. I will catch him this time. And do you know why? Today I am moving further upstream and setting up yet more cameras to catch the little blighter. He can't swim underwater forever and he can't always dodge my cameras. I plan to strategically position the camera upstream so that as he ducks under to miss my first batch of stealth cams, he will pop up from under the water, all self-satisfied and superior (or so he thinks), only to be hit - BAM! - by the gentle infrared glow of Prowler HD number 3. I'm not entirely sure that this plan will work as he's outsmarted me many many times but anything is worth a try, right? Right?! Here's a reminder of the King of the Flood, the Goose-Footed Prowler (in Bob's immortal words), the Conniving Trickster (in mine).

So, did you all watch Countryfile on Sunday (25th April)? If not, check it out on BBC iPlayer as it was really great to see the wildlife of the north east showcased as it was, and of course to see the wonderful Bob that I am always banging on about. If, like many of the people that have been emailing me, you have been inspired to purchase your own trail camera (or if you live in the North East, WildPlaces is always happy to share), then check out http://www.scottcountry.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsID=1008&link=head for details on many of the trail cameras on the market along with a handy 'how to' guide. I must point out now that I am an impartial writer here and am not favouring one company over the other - the people at Scott Country were kind enough to provide this information for the blog so I have put it up here. I may, however, be persuaded to be a little more partial to a particular place and/or company were that particular place and/or company do a little charity work and donate a few trail cameras to the project or, at the very least, sponsor me to do the Big Slide over the River Tyne (hint hint!). I must also point out that this is a light hearted blog and blackmail, corruption and/or bribery is not permitted. Thanks anyway, Scott Country for providing the info, I'm sure a lot of wildlife enthusiasts will find it super helpful.

Remember I mentioned the superhero assistant Paul? Well, he has been working on a lovely froggy video of the pond here at St Nicholas Park. It was amazing how many frogs you can fit into one relatively small pond and we all enjoyed watching their antics (not in a rude way of course). So now, for your viewing pleasure, I present the Frogs of St Nix. Bravo. Bravo.

Ooooh and since we are on the subject of frogs, I feel it is time for a little bit of education. Here we go.

Do you know the difference between a frog and a toad? And before I dive in and give you all the answers, I must thank Steve Lowe at the Northumberland Wildlife Trust for his spiffing amphibian training he delivered the other day and thus providing most of what I am now going to tell you ....

So, lets start with our little froggy counterparts

Smooth skin - check. Pointed snout - check. Brown patch behind the eye (for the common frog) - check. Barring on hind legs;ie stripey legs (common frog again) - check. Spawn laid in clumps - check.

And Mr Toad, well he (or she, i'm no sexist) has ....

warty skin, a copper coloured iris and a horizontally split pupil. And guess what, they lay their spawn in clumps rather than strings (or necklaces if you prefer), which you would know had you watched Paul's video.

But, perhaps the most obvious difference between the two (and the best I think) is that frogs JUMP while toads can only CRAWL. You do of course have to have them out of the water to see this but its a good difference between the two. Not that you should fish these poor amphibians out of the water in order to see them go - don't do it.

Oh, and have a happy happy bank holiday everyone - good times.

Mr O is back back back

Tonight is the night. i have just spoken to Bob who was out watching the badgers last night and they saw a whooping 4 badgers, 2 roe deer, a fox and, of course, the customary rat. Good times. Lets hope tonight is just as successful (please please please). Oh, and, in true style, Bob has been on yet another DIY spree and constructed a wee wall along the edge of his part of the Ouseburn river. More exciting than this is the fact that the Ouseburn Otter has deemed this wall mighty enough to claim for himself and has left some lovely fresh spraint to taunt us all. I fear the hunt may be back on. Who would've thought that some poo on a wall could get me so riled up. There's no plan as yet, but mark my words there will be. And hopefully, this time, it will be a successful one.

Picture of the newly filled pond at Byker too, as promised. Not as exciting as an otter or badger I know but just as important to WildPlaces. Didn't the volunteers and the firemen do a lovely job!

Now this bit is only for the most adventorous of readers ....

How do you fancy whooshing across the Tyne River on a really thin piece of wire with nothing but a harness holding you in place? Sound good. It's going to be! Northumberland and Durham Wildlife Trusts are doing a spot of fundraising and we need you to help. On September 11 2010, there will be a sponsored zipline taking place from the top the Baltic and over the Tyne. It costs £30 to register your place and then all you need to do is raise £120 sponsorship and you'll be speeding across the river like a flash of lightening. If this sounds like your kind of thing (and it should), drop me an email (kara.jackson@northwt.org.uk) and I will send you all the details to get you started. And don't worry, this Big Slide is super safe and super super fun. Even if you only do it for the reason that you will get to see Cheryl, WildPlaces project manager, nipping across the Tyne in a badger suit (and possibly me in a squirrel suit but that is still under discussion!). Thats got to be worth it, surely?!

WildPlaces on TV

Lately there has been very little (or none as the case may be) blogging activity from yours truely. This is not down to laziness or lack of exciting things to say but rather down to my favourite favourite pasttime - holidaying! But now I am back and have already had a super busy week. The most exciting part of which was filming for Countryfile. WildPlaces has reached the dizzying heights of television (excluding the features on the news of course!). Please please please check out the feature on urban mammals on Countryfile on 25th April. Its going to be great. Not least because the loveable Bob will be playing a starring role. It was Bob who was my greatest aid in the hunt for the Ouseburn Otter and his garden provided the first images of this elusive creature for the project. Bob built me camera plinths, fish island and became chief spider killer while the cameras were set up at his house so I am really pleased that he got to show off his footage and his garden to Katie (the Countryfile presenter) and the rest of the film crew. It was marvellous. Since my last visit to Bob's, he has taken on the massive task of building himself a hide at the bottom of his garden (which was done in no more than three days) and what a hide it is! Fantastic. Its a perfect spot to watch the kingfisher and roe deer from and I bet you could have a lovely close up of the badgers if you were quiet enough. That garden is a marvel.



On the subject of Bob, he has offered to take me badger watching next week which I obviously said a huge fat yes to. Can you imagine, the girl that has been staking out badger setts (in the non-illegal way of course) and capturing footage of badgers for the last year might actually get to see a real live one in a weeks time. I am so excited. Its laughable really that I'm yet to spot a real badger so maybe by next Friday I will have a little more dignity to hand. We'll see. I of all people know how wildlife loves to scupper the best laid plans and it never ever plays nice, no matter how cordially you may ask.



So anyway, those are my favourite highlights of the past week or so. Ooooooh and the pond here at St Nix was absolutely jumping (literally!) the other week. The pond became a writhing mass of frolicking frogs as they all came to the surface to enjoy a bit of spring sunshine, fun and games (wink wink). The superhero WildPlaces assistant Paul has been filming their antics so I will get that on here as soon as he's done editing it.



So now for some footage ....
Thanks to Val for the use of her beautiful garden - we got some fabulous stuff

And since I will be seeing a real badger next week (fingers crossed), here is some more Geordie badgers having a great old time with only the camera watching.

Dont forget that theres always lots of footage on our YouTube and FaceBook site (www.urbanwildplaces.co.uk for links) and that we always have lots of great activities going on which you are always welcome to attend (hint hint).

HD Cams Away!

So the HD cameras have been tested and I'm sad to say, two of them are not very well. Nevertheless that means that three of them are so I'm hopeful for the StealthCam HD future. This is some of the raw footage gathered at our testing bonanza. Hopefully there will be lots more to come including otter, red squirrel and those loveable badgers in the scary, scary woods!

So did I tell you about all the hard work that went on at Conservation Week? We built and installed an otter holt, chopped down many trees (in the name of conservation of course) and renovated a lovely pond. A great week all in all - thanks to everyone who gave up their time and came along to help! Paul made this cool video of himself and Dan constructing the recycled plastic holt. Check it out. And turn up that volume!

And here it is, installed, waiting to be covered up and just begging for an otter to visit it. The Ouseburn Otter perhaps? It might just grace us with its presence!

And this is the pond ... TA DA!!

It might not look like much at the moment but once this baby is filled up (by hunky firemen no less!!), its going to be a beaut!!

A badger up a tree - almost

Somewhere in the misty recesses of my post holiday mind, I remember promising some new badger footage for your viewing pleasure. Now, I hope you haven't been holding your breath to see this as I know that I have taken a bit of a dawdle getting it on here. Never mind, badgers up trees in all their glory await you.

So tree climbing critters seem to be all the rage nowadays, what with the otters and the badgers, even squirrels are at it nowadays! Has all the never ending snow coupled with the prospect of being famous gone to their heads? I think its more a case of good old animal behaviour, pretty interesting none the less. Some weird animal behaviour for you to ponder ....

Robins in urban areas are now singing at night because it is too noisy during the day.

Or how about a chicken-eating cow in West Bengal. When 48 chickens went missing in a month (thats a lot of chickens for any animal, never mind a cow) from a remote West Bengal village, everyone blamed the neighborhood dogs. But the owner eventually solved the puzzle when he caught his cow gobbling up several of them at night. "We watched in horror as the calf, whom we had fondly named Lal, sneak to the coop and grab the little ones with the precision of a jungle cat." Local television pictures showed the cow grabbing and eating a chicken in seconds and a vet confirmed the case.

Or imagine sleeping on your heels like a baboon or do as some birds do and sleep with one eye open.

Its on the internet so it must be true .....

Yep, animals are pretty strange creatures with some weird and wonderful behaviour but I guess they probably think the same, if not worse, of us.

But now onto the means of capturing this wonderful wildlife. I have a new camera. 5 new cameras in fact. HD cameras. Prowler HD cameras. I've hit the big time. Sadly, I havent had time to try these cameras out (or even to buy batteries and memory cards for them) but I will. Today. As well as my excitement at having new cameras to set up (and thus new adventures to be had), a new WildPlaces Assistant, Paul, started on Monday so one has become two. Oh yeah. I now have faith that between the two of us we have the means to become a wildlife-on-film busting superpower.

I'm not sure who the fat bloke on the end is, but its not me, alright?! Just not to be done on copyright infringements, this wonderful portrait is courtesy (unbeknown to them) of ippiki.wordpress.com. SSsshhh, dont tell.

Hedge Planting and Otter Acrobatics

Well, well, well. There certainly have been many exciting going ons in WildPlaces land these last few weeks. I ventured back into the scary woodland, I got some otter acrobatics on film and I did a little bit of wildlife hedge planting at Moorside Allotments in Fenham.

First, lets talk practical work. The other week, WildPlaces and my super helpful team of volunteers were lucky enough to be joined by Trai Anfield from the BBC and some keen conservationists in the making from Byker Primary. The weather was absolutely freezing (surprise surprise) and at one point I think we all lost feeling in our feet but the job got done, we had a good time (well I did anyway!) and we hopefully saved some wildlife while we were at it. Or to be more precise, we enhanced the habitat and reduced fragmentation for future generations of wildlife. Grow little hedge. Grow with all your might.

Good times. Next up, I'm going all out on an entire week of conservation (aptly named Conservation Week) to take place at the Ouseburn Farm in Newcastle. Check out the website (www.urbanwildplaces.co.uk in case you forgot) and come along and help out if you fancy it. You may become famous like me and the gang at Moorside who were featured on Look North (if you can call 10 seconds a feature!) and in the Go Green supplement in The Chronicle. Check us out. Celebrities in the making.

So, next to the scary woodland. This time, I didnt get lost and I didnt get scared but I did get some cool badger footage. So as not to spoil you, you can see that footage in my next update. I can't have you lot expecting 3 lots of pictures/film in every post. Sorry.

But you can see my little acrobatic otter if you like. I set up my trusty stealth cams on the Derwenthaugh pontoon again but this time it was on the opposite side to where I normally site it. At last, the otter climbed up the ladder and I caught it on film. I have been pursuing this show of agility for ages and am very very happy that it is now in my possession. Maybe its not as exciting as it could be (no baton twirling or somersaults) but I do still think its pretty cute. Hope you do too.