Animals and Birds

Happy Fence Friday!

Happy Fence Friday!!

HFF! Welland Viaduct, Harringworth Viaduct or Seaton Viaduct,[3] crosses the valley of the River Welland between Harringworth in Northamptonshire and Seaton in Rutland, England. The viaduct is 1,275 yards (1.166 km) long and has 82 arches, each with a 40 feet (12 m) span. It is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the United Kingdom.[4] It was built by contractor Lucas and Aird and completed in 1878 and is now a Grade II listed building.[5] The Welland Viaduct is on the Oakham to Kettering Line between Corby and Manton Junction, where it joins the Leicester to Peterborough line. The line is generally used by freight trains and steam specials. In early 2009, a single daily passenger service was introduced by East Midlands Trains between Melton Mowbray and St Pancras via Corby, the first regular passenger service to operate across the viaduct since the 1960s. The viaduct is on a diversionary route for East Midlands Trains using the Midland Main Line route. See www.ipernity.com/doc/2247998/48386436

I just do, OK!!!!!!

The location rejoices in the name of "The square of the storks" (ie Storks Square), adjacent to St Nicolas church. The stork is an icon of this region!

Sightings of black swans have become reasonably common. They could be found on almost any water body. They have similar habitat requirements to mute swans and are often found in the same areas. Black swans are native to Australia and are the state bird of Western Australia. They were brought to the UK as ornamental birds like peacocks and golden pheasants. Like many other captive birds, they occasionally find their way out into the wild. They are similar in size to the closely related mute swan. They appear all black when swimming but they have white primary wing feathers, which can be seen in flight. The bill is red with a broad white band on the tip. Black swans were also introduced to New Zealand where a feral breeding population has become well established. The New Zealand population increased dramatically because they faced very little competition or predation. There have been occasional reports of successful breeding attempts in the UK but they have not become established. They face competition from our native swans so it is unlikely they could become as well established here as they have in New Zealand. Read more at www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/ask-an-expert/previous/blackswans.aspx#5XYPh7hOkvmIRGAJ.99

Thank you Steve for the identification that this is a Green Crab Spider. pestproapp.com/bug-guide/52-green-crab-spider