Scat/Poo ID and Killed Bird ID Help

[Scots_Charles_River]

I made a determind effort to go out today, to my local wild woods, and ID as much -

• game trails, what made them
• poo and ID what laid them
• find Hazel (bows), Elderflower (for whistles) ID any other trees

As I could, taking some guides. Phone to be used as a web search backup. Although the battery was low.

Just as I started the wander, the peace was shattered by scramblers, who frequent some of the woods. Also a dog walker, whom I had a chat with and she had her spaniels off lead but not a Doberman 1yr old. She said it takes off and has just started sighting/scenting deer. She headed off and five minutes later, just as I was about to get my brew kit out, a large hind hammered passed me and had a Doberman chasing. I called it over and took it back up to where it saw the owner.

I would appreciate it if any 'experts' could ID any of the pics for me, either on the post or preferably via 'Comments' on the actual flickr images. I have my guesses from the Hamlyn Tracking guide, but would like confirmations.

I was shocked how much I did observe, deliberately walking slowly and scanning certainly helps.

These seemed to be put on slight rises/mounds on top of the rabbit poo.


???? by Scotstechy, on Flickr



Tunnel entrances 3m from Kill Site 2 feathers by Scotstechy, on Flickr


Kill Site 2 feathers by Scotstechy, on Flickr



Large Feather by Scotstechy, on Flickr


Near kill site 2


Scat/Poo by Scotstechy, on Flickr



Near kill site 2


Scat/Poo by Scotstechy, on Flickr




Kill Site 1


Bird Kill by Scotstechy, on Flickr

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I think the LARGE FEATHER above, is a Wood Pigeon's ?

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I realise now I should have taken a wee ruler or right angle ruler, would help ID.

 

[British Red]

I suspect fox for the twisted, fur laden scat

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I suspect fox for the twisted, fur laden scat

Ok, ta. Would it take a wood pigeon ?

 

[British Red]

Oh yes - if it can catch one.

If the feathers are bitten off its usually a mammal kill, if plucked out, its the sign of a raptor kill

 

[harryhawk]

Brown feathers with horizontal barring look like a female Sparrowhawk's feathers. Shame but it has been a tough winter.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Brown feathers with horizontal barring look like a female Sparrowhawk's feathers. Shame but it has been a tough winter.

Interesting, as they were brown and white and quite big I thought they were not a guls, pigeons etc.

 

[harryhawk]

As there's nothing to scale the feather against I went with my gut feeling of a Spar.

 

[harryhawk]

This is a female I used to fly. You can see the barring on her feathers.
We had a good flight on a Magpie that day...To the the victor, the spoils
Pound for pound they are the pyschos of the bird world. She'd take out feral cock pigeons 4 times her own body weight, granted I'd make in to help her out. But to see her come from under her prey, roll onto her back & bind to her quarry never ceased to amaze me

 

[Elen Sentier]

Interesting ... useful pix for me

 

[harryhawk]

She used to fly at 232 grms (8 1/4+ozs). Not big for a female. Captive bred, as all the birds I've flown were.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

As there's nothing to scale the feather against I went with my gut feeling of a Spar.

it was about 8inches long.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Definitely fox scat in varying forms. Very typical to find them on a slight raise in the ground.
I'm going to go for Tawny Owl on the feather - *actually, scrap that - the bars ain't thick enough!

 

[Firelite]

I thought hen pheasant on the feathers(?)

 

[Dave]

Definitely fox scat in varying forms. Very typical to find them on a slight raise in the ground.
I'm going to go for Tawny Owl on the feather - *actually, scrap that - the bars ain't thick enough!

The fox who comes into our garden is some sort of gymnast. He balance's his terds on top of apples on the lawn.

 

[Bushwhacker]

The fox who comes into our garden is some sort of gymnast. He balance's his terds on top of apples on the lawn.

Haha, Good skills!

 

[Bowlander]

I think the spar tail feather is incidental, it probably came off when it killed the Woodpigeon - from which the wings and feathers came from. The fox likely scavenged the carcass (no sign of a sternum which a spar couldn't consume) or at very least had a sniff of the remains and took a dump near them.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I think the spar tail feather is incidental, it probably came off when it killed the Woodpigeon - from which the wings and feathers came from. The fox likely scavenged the carcass (no sign of a sternum which a spar couldn't consume) or at very least had a sniff of the remains and took a dump near them.

Hmm, good CSI there !

 

[Bowlander]

Thanks. If I were there I'd have a sniff of the hole - a fox earth with cubs doesn't smell particularly foxy, to me they smell of a well used Gents toilet at a pub!