The Cellar - Wildlife, living next to nature

LEARNING THE ROPES

Sir, The swans teaching their young to ring the moat bell for food at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells (photograph, Aug 21) follow a long tradition: the first swan was taught the skill by a daughter of Lord Auckland, the Bishop of Bath and Wells (1854-69).

It is now encased in the Wells and Mendip Museum. As cygnets fly away and parents die, it is the palace administrator who actually keeps the tradition alive, training new pairs of swans.

Grace and Gabriel, introduced in May, quickly learnt the technique and have produced eggs, ensuring that another generation will delight visitors.

Peter Saunders

Curator emeritus, Salisbury Museum

I think it fair to say that the Bishop of Bath and Wells mentioned above, probably isn't the same chap who featured in an episode of Blackadder.

Gravdigr

08-24-2019 12:28 PM

I saw a thing on tv years ago where a man had trained his goldfish to ring a bell, rigged in a similar fashion as above, when it wanted food.

Please don't let my squrls see either of these...

Griff

08-24-2019 03:36 PM

Check out the Nova on squirrels, them smrt.

Undertoad

08-26-2019 09:24 PM

Ah yeh, this gentleman saw a log across a stream in remote mountains of Pennsylvania, and wondered what critters were using it to cross. So he set up a wildlife cam.

He shows us all the various critters that have used it, critter by critter. (A list of all the critters appears at the 5 minute mark.)

monster

08-26-2019 09:48 PM

That was cool, thanks

BigV	08-26-2019 10:38 PM

whoa, deja two!

Gravdigr

08-27-2019 07:57 AM

Whoa, deja two, too.

fargon

08-27-2019 01:00 PM

Me also.

Undertoad

08-27-2019 01:11 PM

Ugh sorry!

Pretty amazing that we both shared it and it only has 6000 views though

glatt

08-27-2019 04:05 PM

I saw it on facebook in a private group, but didn't know how to link to a FB video, so I looked for it on Youtube. It had around 5000 views then, I think.

It's a great video, and I'm glad you found it too.

Undertoad

08-27-2019 04:28 PM

Yessir I found it through the FB group for the Hanover Eagles.

I have been busy with stuff and haven't paid close attention here!

Gravdigr

08-28-2019 03:28 PM

The previous year on the log is pretty good, too. Not sure if same log.

xoxoxoBruce

09-10-2019 12:00 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Ms Coon in her palace with her children...

xoxoxoBruce

09-14-2019 11:45 PM