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Hornets Nest: |
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anguscrobertson Member Joined: 20 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 2  View other posts by anguscrobertson |
Posted: 20 Aug 2005 I feel really privileged to have had a nest of Hornets in my attic this summer. I've not been a fan of Wasps in the past so when I realised these giant wasps were there I had severe reservations - but knowing the scarcity of the species I left them. I am so glad I did. It has been fascinating watching these lovely insects in their busy activity. We have had four come into the house and it has given us, as a family, a chance to see close up how marvelous these creatures really are (I am getting very good at capturing them and releasing them). It is such a shame they are so persecuted due to irrational fears. Angus |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369  View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 20 Aug 2005
I found some hornets under my reptile refugia - here is one building a nest on the under side of one of the tins in the survey in hampshire 21st May 2004 - they are great animals!
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 20 Aug 2005 I've always loved them, when I was little we had one build a nest in our shed and I was totally fascinated by it. We find them in the house fairly often too, I guess they nest in the attic but nobody has been up there for years. I've heard female broad-bodied chaser dragonflies are often mistaken as giant hornets and persecuted.. I can't see it myself, but judging by the number of male chasers that go after the hornets visiting our pond, maybe there is something in it! Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Peter Vaughan Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2005 No. of posts: 170  View other posts by Peter Vaughan |
Posted: 20 Aug 2005 The numbers of Hornets out and about around my local Reserve increases this time of year and last summer I was able to observe one of their nests near the base of a tree. I agree they are handsome creatures and understand they are increasing their range northwards. They are not rare where I live (in North East Hampshire) - although, in my experience, tend to be seen out in the countryside rather than in urban/sub-urban locations. I think however that, like the adder, they should be treated with respect when it comes to handling. I've heard them described as the UK's least aggressive wasp (towards humans) but also read somewhere that a sting from a Hornet could kill a horse. That may be an over-exaggeration - but I'd expect if they were provoked to sting that would be a more serious affair than that of a common wasp - in any event it is not something I'd like to put to a test! Peter Vaughan |
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Suzi Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 No. of posts: 860 View other posts by Suzi |
Posted: 20 Aug 2005 Peter, Coincidence! I was talking to a neighbour the other evening and then we started to watch a hornet. I remarked that they were considered less aggressive than wasps and he said he'd heard that but his dad had been a farm manager and one of the farm horses dropped dead when stung by 2 hornets. I'm not sure how you could tell if this had happened but he assured me it was true. Suz |
- Hornets Nest |
