fieldherping.eu

Hi gang!

I just returned from a short birding trip in the rain on my local patch, and of course i just could not resist to flip some cold, wet rocks.


The find of the day was this uber cool critter - the Pygmy Shrew.

And here is some herpy by-catch, all in situ:
Bombina bombina

Pelophylax ridibundus

Lacerta agilis


Cheers!
Vlad

Looks like the Lacerta agilis is hibernating ?

Yeah, kinda looks that way, but all the herps were pretty much awake. I did not handle them, but they sure were moving.

Nice pictures!

But if you love your habitat immediately destroy Ailanthus altissima, very invasive plant.

In part, you're right: the Ailanthus altissima tree is a nightmare for me, I can not permanently eradicate from my garden, but I think that in nature compact the soil: may be it's better than having a barren desert ..... .

But if you love your habitat immediately destroy Ailanthus altissima, very invasive plant.

Aleksandar, i think maybe you got the wrong idea about the place i went birdwatching...
''Local patch'' is a term used by birders to describe a place that we visit on a regular basis, that is close to home, and not very big. The idea is to watch it as often as you can, and thus increase your chance for seeing a rarity.

My local patch, is a wasteland that`s neither state owned, nor private propriety; although there are some recent rumors about people making claims. But it`s definitely NOT mine. I like the place, the herps and the wildlife there, but i am quite aware that sooner or later i will no longer be able to visit it, and i made peace with that.

Anyway, i love that habitat, but i just can`t go marching in and destroy the shrubbery. Besides, i`ve recorded 77 bird species there, many of them perched on Ailanthus

Vlad

Hi Vlad,

I know what you mean, but Ailanthus is very bad, we have huge problems in lower parts of Stara planina, they are expanding like hell, birds dont like that tree, not a single nest on Ailanthus and we destroyed more then 10 000, my colleagues ornithologist and botanists hate that tree, in that parts we make regulary every year voluntary camps for destroying Ailanthus.

Best regards