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Red Legged Partridge - Alectoris Rufa aka French Partridge
The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a gamebird in the pheasant family.
It is sometimes known as French partridge, to distinguish it from the English or grey partridge.
This partridge breeds naturally in southwestern Europe (France, Iberia and northwest Italy). It has become naturalised in flat areas of England and Wales, where it was introduced as a game species, and has been seen breeding as far north as Cumbria and eastern Yorkshire and the western Isle of Man. It is replaced in southeastern Europe by the very similar rock partridge (Alectoris graeca). It is a non-migratory terrestrial species, which forms flocks outside the breeding season.
This species breeds on dry lowlands, such as farmland and open stony areas, laying its eggs in a ground nest.
The natural range of the red-legged partridge is France, Spain and Portugal. However, it was introduced from France to Great Britain in the 18th century, and has since become an important gamebird there. As it is a mediterranean species, it thrives in hot, dry areas with sandy soil. The ability to breed two clutches simultaneously has led to it being extensively reared in captivity, and released for shooting. The breeding of chukars (Alectoris chukar) and red-legged/chukar hybrids is prohibited, due to its impact on wild populations of red-legs. The red-legged partridge is believed to be in decline across its range.
Grey squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, are a type of rodent who mostly live on trees. Grey squirrels are native to North America but are found in Europe and Africa too. They are an important species as natural forest regenerators.
Grey squirrels belong to the class of mammals, as they give birth to offspring like other mammals.
The exact number of grey squirrels in the world is difficult to find as they are found in varied regions. The eastern grey squirrels have adapted well to urban regions too. In certain regions in Europe, eastern grey squirrels are considered an invasive species.
The grey squirrel or eastern grey squirrel is found in the eastern region of the United States from west of the Mississippi River in the south to Canada in the north. The eastern grey squirrel has been introduced to many western states, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Female eastern red squirrels are also introduced in western Canada, southwest British Columbia. In the United States, they are introduced in Oregon, Washington, and California. Later they were introduced in South Africa, Hawaii, Bermuda, Madeira island, the Canary Islands, the Azores, Italy, and Cape Verde.
Kudu, also known as the Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), is a magnificent antelope species found in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a large and majestic animal, renowned for its unique and striking appearance.
Physical Characteristics:
The Kudu is one of the largest antelope species, with males, known as bulls, weighing up to 600 kg (1,300 lbs) and standing around 1.5 to 1.7 meters (5 to 5.5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Females, known as cows, are smaller and lighter.
Both males and females have long, spiral-shaped horns. The horns can grow up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length in males, while in females, they are shorter and slimmer.
Appearance:
Kudus have a beautiful coat with distinctive white stripes along their sides. These stripes are believed to act as a form of camouflage in their woodland habitats, helping them blend in among dappled sunlight and shadow.
The coat coloration varies, but they are generally reddish-brown with a tinge of blue-grey in some areas. The undersides are usually pale.
Habitat and Behavior:
Kudus are found in a range of habitats, including woodlands, savannas, and dense bush areas. They are adaptable animals but prefer regions with enough vegetation for cover.
These antelopes are mainly browsers, feeding on leaves, fruits, and shoots. They have the ability to reach high branches to access food that other herbivores might not reach.
Kudus are predominantly nocturnal, which means they are most active during the night, helping them avoid predators and the heat of the day.
Males are typically solitary or found in small bachelor groups, while females form small herds, often accompanied by one dominant male.
Conservation Status:
The Kudu population is generally considered stable, but some local populations face threats due to habitat loss and hunting for their meat, hides, and horns.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving their natural habitats, implementing anti-poaching measures, and promoting responsible tourism to protect this iconic African species.
Kudus are not only remarkable creatures for their physical beauty but also for their role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats. As such, efforts to safeguard their existence are crucial for the overall health of Africa's biodiversity.
The Long-eared Owl is associated with coniferous woodland and tall scrubby habitats during the breeding season, favouring sites where dense nesting cover is located close to open areas that are used for hunting. Although widely distributed across Britain and Ireland, the Long-eared Owl remains a scarce breeding species and one that is easy to overlook. The species appears to be more abundant in Ireland than it is within Britain, perhaps because of reduced competition Tawny Owl, which is absent from Ireland (Courtesy BTO).
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this warbler species is also known as Eurasian Blackcap
zwartkop
sylvia atricapilla`
fauvette à tête noire
Mönchsgrasmücke
Nikon Z7 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF and TC14E III
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( Parthnocissus quinquefolia , its blue fruits are toxic )
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Eastern Chipmunk.
Between 8 1/2 to 11 3/4 inches in length. Reddish brown above with a white belly. 1 white stripe bordered by 2 black stripes on sides ending at the rump. 2 white stripes on back nuch thinner than side stripes. Dark center stripe down the back. Pale facial stripes above and below the eyes. Tail brown on tip and edged with black. Prominent ears.
The Eastern Chipmunk's habitat includes open deciduous woodlands, forest edges, brushy areas, bushes and stone walls in cemeteries and around houses.
They range from southeastern Canada and the north-eastern U.S. east from North Dakota and eastern Oklahoma and south to Missisippi, northwest Carolina and Virginia.
Kensington Metropark, Livingston County, Michigan.
This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland. Red kites are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act. What they eat: Mainly carrion and worms, but opportunistic and will occasionally take small mammals (Courtesy RSPB).
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American Goldfinch
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