Login
You're viewing the mastodonapp.uk public feed.
  • CosmicGoat 🐐CosmicGoat@universeodon.com
    Aug 8, 2026, 12:50 AM

    As I watched birds while riding my bike this evening, I realized I wasn't entirely sure I could tell chimney swifts apart from bats as it was getting darker.

    After seeing what felt like swift after swift and wondering if any were bats, I eventually started spotting the bats very clearly. Glad I cleared that up.

    I've heard of people putting up bat boxes, sort of like birdhouses for bats. I think I'd really like to have more bats around, so now I'm curious whether one would work in my yard. Something to look into.

    #bats #chimineyswifts #birding #birds #wildlife #nature #urbanwildlife #backyardwildlife

    💬 2🔄 0⭐ 0

Replies

  • jendeferjendefer@dice.camp
    Aug 8, 2026, 3:35 AM

    @CosmicGoat I used to live in a neighborhood with bats. Now I live in one with chimney swifts. I found myself wondering at dusk recently whether some of them actually were bats. I shall have to try to observe them more.

    💬 1🔄 0⭐ 0
  • CosmicGoat 🐐CosmicGoat@universeodon.com
    Aug 8, 2026, 12:50 PM

    @jendefer
    that's basically what I was l was feeling. As darkness encroached, I was second guessing myself, knowing that I should be seeing bats. Clearly these flying cigars are swifts, right? But maybe I'm wrong. And then finally I noticed the fluttering fight patterns and articulation in wing silhouettes.

    I know next to nothing about bats, but... now I find myself wanting to learn to identify them too. There doesn't seem to be a lot of opportunity to observe them though. But what do I know. 🤷🏽

    Learning time!

    💬 0🔄 0⭐ 0
  • 💬 1🔄 0⭐ 0
  • CosmicGoat 🐐CosmicGoat@universeodon.com
    Aug 8, 2026, 6:54 PM

    @threeforks
    When I notice things now, I just tend to presume that I was too oblivious to notice before. 😅

    Example: I was recently kayaking on the Rainbow River down there in Florida. I've spent a lot of time on the water there and only this time did I see and identify common gallinules. They looked completely unfamiliar to me. I saw some juveniles goofing around on floating grass. And then I saw some adults on the water. It's weird to go so many years without noticing. Haha.

    I'm getting better and being present in the moment and paying attention now. 😁

    Only in the last few years did I realize bat boxes were a thing, so it's definitely something to learn about and maybe try.

    💬 1🔄 0⭐ 0
  • His Churlessness Himselfthreeforks@mastodon.social
    Aug 9, 2026, 4:30 PM

    @CosmicGoat My spouse and I walk the trails around East Central Florida. But for years, we also include in the hikes what we refer to as ‘slow-walking’. Not for ease, but to listen, watch, and carefully observe the full scene. Frequently we are rewarded with a new discovery.

    Like you mention, paying attention pays off.

    💬 1🔄 0⭐ 0
  • CosmicGoat 🐐CosmicGoat@universeodon.com
    Aug 9, 2026, 9:12 PM

    @threeforks
    This 100% When I slow down, pay attention, take photos, listen, identify things... I always come away feeling my healthiest and best. 💜

    💬 0🔄 0⭐ 0