RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by AndyS:

[QUOTE=st rick]Yes, it makes a change to see young and enthusiastic folk on this forum.  And they said it was just miserable old gits droning on about how things ain't what they used to be back in the old days......

I have no idea how Baby Sue gets here icons to do those things?


[/QUOTE]

Its due to that new fangled thing called err ........... oh yes the Interweb  Go here for Smileys  http://www.funfilesandsmiles.com/

Hi IÆm new to the site, just joined the other week so I thought IÆd make a post

Installed a small pond ( only 32 gallons) late February this year, let it settle for a month and then added plants etc, acquired  a dozen tadpoles from one of the lads from work.

All seemed to have changed to froglets ok (no fish in the pond) and since the pond was installed have had 3 adult frogs take up residence.

A little about myself ( as there doesnÆt seem to be a new user introduction thread)

Have always been into wildlife, reptiles have been one of my all time favourites in my early years (early/mid 70Æs) I used to keep the odd couple of sand & common Lizards the odd Grass snake, newts, frogs and tadpoles from the ôlocal small ponds at Deepcut rangesö now covered by a Golf course, then slowly moved into the exotics, BoaÆs, Pythons, Lizards of all shapes and sizes and even a spectacled Caiman! Now sadly all gone Due to WWW  wine , woman and worst of all work!

Well I'll have to try and get out ,to see whatÆs about, as I normally frequent wildlife parks these days (mainly Marwell) might have to try the Portman ravine? As that seems like about a mile from my nephews place.

Well being new here, might as well get this in the open

In my last year at school (76?),I was keeping BoaÆs and pythonÆs and various other reptiles

And had mentioned it too the Biology teacher, can you bring one In he asked!

Following day arrived at registration  ( Boa Constrictor in bag) Linda the girl sitting in front turned around and noticed the bag moving! So she thought sheÆd take a peek

Almighty scream and she runs out of the room, Our teacher Mr Thatcher, known for blowing his top at the slightest thing came storming over Red face, cheeks blowing like a bull frog, Demanding what have you got in your bag Scammell!!

Err I replied a Boa Constrictor Sir! Which I showed him, at Which he promptly went very quiet and white faced and returned to his desk .

As too GemmaÆs Goldfish buying, yes I also had to do a bit of that to feed my Caiman

But luckily during the fishing season I just use to go ôRoach bashingö thatÆs just catching lots of small roach from the frimley lakes and transporting them home in the cooler box.

Hi Peter

Really nice Pictures,I'll really have to go and vist my Nephew as he lives in Boscombe and make a trip to the ravine

Any Idea what might be causing all the tail damage? Kids!, gulls, cats and dogs

Well St Rick, much as I would like to partake I Bly well have to cover for 3 Guys at work this week

Maybe I could phone in      Oh well

Of course if someone turns up in a black Astra with Iguanas on a tee shirt that will be Me!!

Hi Jason, have you got a larger picture? looks to me like a gecko of some type just going by the pads on its feet and large eyes.

But I expect someone more knowledgeable will put me right

[QUOTE=Alan Hyde]At 1.30pm today while out with my friend at ash ranges I was bitten with one fang by an adult male adder.

" SNIP"

Spent the afternoon at frimley park hospital but am now home. No AV was administered just painkillers anti-inflamitorys and a tetnus jab. 
 [/QUOTE]

If I'd have known earlier I would have tooted my car horn as I came passed Frimley Park this afternoon, hope you recover soon.

so is that time off work to do more herping?

Never been bitten by a venomous snake just pythons and Monitor lizards

Here's another link that's quite interesting, of course Alan might not like to look at the picture half way down the right hand side  ( no Pun intended )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_venom

I presume that the Adder's venom is Hemotoxic? which would explain the Blue hand.

And don't take any chances if you feel unwell get back down the Hospital, that's why you pay your National insurance for!!

We also have a good population of Common Toads, also since sticking in a Wildlife pond earlier in the Year the Frogs have started to arrive.

Here's one from last year.

Here's a Picture of a common frog that frequented a large Tin Bowl last year before we put in a Wildlife pond ( as in a post or two above)

[QUOTE=AGILIS]hi Jeroen I presume as you stated its a four spotted chaser got a better pic but having a prob sizing them not sending any one have any ideas  keith [/QUOTE]

What Software are you using? 

Well you could try reinstalling the Fuji software, if not before you download your pictures from your Camera, you could re-save them as a Smaller image whilst still keeping the Original one for further use.

Normally done in View/Edit images section of your Camera

If not send them to Me!

Edit: Hope you don't Mind? I'll remove it later if you want.

Hi Kate

below is a cut and paste from world of water:

Wildlife and nature pools have become increasingly popular as we all become more aware of the environment around us and want to encourage wildlife into the garden. These ponds are not only truly beautiful, and very educational for children but you will also be helping the eco system of your whole garden... Did you know having a pool encourages frogs and toads, which eat slugs! You will also be visited by more birds and wildlife some you may not have seen before.

To ensure a good balance in these pools you will need to ensure ample planting areas are built into the pool to support plants which in time will cover up to two thirds of the poolÆs surface area. Although these ponds will support some fish stocks, it is important to avoid fish such as Koi and Orfe. Fish should also be introduced very gradually as the plants grow and mature.

Over a period of time, as the new plants mature and, along with naturally occurring helpful bacteria, which absorb and digest any toxins left by fish and rotting organic waste, the pool will begin to balance and the water to clear. It must be remembered that this could take up to eighteen months to achieve. However the end result can be magnificent, attracting a host of wildlife along with a splendid display of aquatic plants.

Usually these ponds do not require full filtration as described on the next page, however they will benefit from being circulated by a pump to maintain oxygen levels. This assists in the maintenance of a healthy balance of helpful bacteria and avoids the water becoming stagnant.

also looking on the web site your size pond could cope with a maximum of 12, 75mm ( 3") fish which of course will grow and breed putting you in the same boat as your neighbour trying to get rid of Fish, If you want a Wildlife pond just say NO! to Fish

  well set to record ,I presume its in Welsh?

well I'll find out later I expect  as the only Welsh I know is

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

Actually managed to watch the entire program  twas a very nice program very interesting,( pity it was the last one!) the sand lizards got about 4 minutes at the end, so Paul which one was you? if they said your name I missed it. I will keep it on Sky+ for a while and have a longer ( less interrupted) look.

 well a bit late!! ( hey I'm new and still looking through the forums)

but it might still be relevant to others, if you're sure they are American signal crayfish and not our native crayfish, then where possible should be removed and disposed of e.g a number nine boot or as Lee suggested, cooked  washed in fresh water for a couple of days before eating is best just to flush them out

They breed prolifically and eat almost anything they can lay their claws on and also carry a virus which also infects and kills our native crayfish

over the past couple of years along the Basingstoke Canal they have trapped well over a 1000Kg of them with traps. and of course not being a native species if caught can't be put back.OK

Wow Nice close up what camera are you using?

Was the head shot a close macro shot or a zoom in shot?

[QUOTE=Vicar]
- any high quality picture donations of terrestrial newts would be very welcome !
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How about this very rare Greater Great Crested Newt! local to the Windlesham ponds I believe

Luckily not that common and haven't got across to Lightwater yet