It’s been a long time since my last blog. All of June was just so amazingly hot and sunny that my time was spent outdoors at the wonderful beaches along the Swedish coastline or enjoying the numerous outdoor swimming pools and water parks near us.
The wildlife also made the most of the glorious weather.
Meanwhile lakeside……
I have watched the gulls nesting lakeside being terrorised by Raven, Goshawk, Buzzard and Hen Harrier this summer. The repeated attacks led to many chicks fleeing their nests in fear. Some remained hiding in our fields while others perched precariously on rocks out in the lake. No quiet life for them, but a real wildlife spectacle to behold.
Sadly, for the second year running parenthood was not to be for the pair of cranes that return to us each year and breed in the same spot near our house. They cast a rather forlorn sight and it is as if you can hear sorrow in their calls. The same is true for the second pair that nest near our river and the third that nest on our neighbours land. What is going wrong?
What about the owls?
A very warm winter and spring meant that the snow melted and refroze numerous times. This refreezing blocked the rodent tunnels under the snow that mice and rats use to move around and find food. The rodent numbers plummeted, thus reducing the food source of Great grey, Hawk and Ural owl. Initial studies have shown that areas surveyed that traditionally carried 300 to 400 rats were found to hold just a handful of rats this year.
I do have knowledge of a Great grey owl that was found starved to death and likewise have knowledge of successful Ural and Great grey Owl nesting sites this year.
But, due to the pressure these birds are under that is as much as I shall recount here online.
Indications are that these wonderful big owls of the North are vulnerable to rapid climate change. More and more people wish to see them; perhaps before it is too late. They need to be protected for future generations…..I am sure you understand.
What about the larger wildlife that live here? Well they have been busy as well.
As ever, Moose come and go. They get close, they walk across the road, they eat and they stare.
The Beaver remain super shy but with luck you get more than a loud splash as they flee. Our boat provides the best chance to see them.
BEAR ATTACK
Meanwhile, 45 minutes drive away near Lycksele a chap was out collecting berries in the forest when he stumbled upon a bear cub. Mother Brown bear was not pleased and promptly snarled, charged and mauled the chap! A nasty bite to the thigh caused worries about infection and difficulties walking, while a lesser head wound was inflicted. Scary stuff.
See the news link below for full details.
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/mRX8Ll/bjornattack-i-lycksele-bet-mig-i-laret
WOLF ATTACK
Vindeln municipality (which we are part of) was the scene of a wolf attack last week.
Nine sheep were killed and saliva samples have been taken to use in finding where the wolf came from (Finland, Russia, Sweden or elsewhere?) and to garner details about the wolfs parentage.
One resident took photos and film of a wolf walking along the road in the middle of his village at 2am! It is believed that wolf is the culprit.
For full details see the news link below:
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/vasterbotten/varg-dodade-atta-far-i-vindeln-lansstyrelsen-ovanligt
SO…..visit with us. Stay safe and see the good stuff. That’s all for now folks.
Craig at sweden fishing and birding.