I just got back from THE most incredible sit in Oslo. I absolutely loved every moment of it from start to finish. It literally ticked every single box for an amazing experience!
Not only did I have the pleasure of taking care of the most wonderful dog, I also got to see some rather unexpected wildlife while I was there!
Here is a deer I saw just casually trotting down the street on my way back from the local Co-op! What a treat to see this.
I also saw the tiniest frogs in the local forest that I’ve ever seen. They were absolutely adorable and literally only the size of a finger nail. I couldn’t cope with the cuteness! 
I also saw a couple of non-venomous snakes that looked like giant worms. I was fascinated!
I was told there were moose in the local forest but sadly I didn’t catch a sighting but that would’ve been amazing.
This got me thinking, have any of you ever spotted any other creatures on your sitting adventures other than the pets you were caring for?
7 Likes
I’ll try a frequency order:
Flies, all sorts of birds, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, cockroaches, spiders, fish, squirrels, foxes, cockatoos, bearded dragons, blue tongue lizards, other types of lizards whose name I ignore, cane toads, possums, flying foxes, kangaroos…
Oh, And I was attacked by a magpie, they’re vicious!
3 Likes
On my current sit: bats, which I enjoy watching as they fly at dusk across the living room windows (they are as high as the trees where the roost is) - the HO comment on how difficult they are to catch if they get inside (the room has a very high ceiling) so I make sure the windows are closed at bat flying time. Also pheasants (bred for shooting) and hares.
4 Likes
Oh wow! What an incredibly diverse list. I remember seeing cockatoos in Australia just outside Melbourne on the Mornington peninsula. They were as common as pigeons! Stunning birds they are!
Wow! Flying foxes! Where can you see such fabulous creatures as these in the wild?
You’ve certainly seen plenty of lizards. I remember seeing geckos spread across the walls in Cairns, Australia. They had these incredibly bulging, rotating eyes!
That’s a very eclectic mix of creatures you’ve seen. Fascinating. Appreciate you sharing.
3 Likes
Wow! I love seeing pheasants. The last time I saw one of those was in the highlands of Scotland!
Where can you see bats? I’ve never actually seen one in the UK? I do remember seeing a whole load once in Rome, including a very random vulture that sat in the same spot for most of the day and woke us up early every morning! 
It’s amazing the range of wildlife we can end up seeing that we weren’t expecting!
2 Likes
Pheasants are quite common in the countryside here in the UK, especially in areas where shooting parties happen but also around where the birds escaped both enclosure and the shoot. They aren’t really a pest, but there are people concerned about the impact on the indigenous birds. I don’t know how I’ve not struck one when driving - they are fairly stupid.
Bats are a delight, although I’ve not seen them in great numbers, just individuals flitting around. They roost in trees, old railway tunnels, roofs of old buildings and are a protected species here so if any work is planned the bat inspector comes and inspects, and can actually halt works until alternative roosts can be found - which might mean a permanent halt.
I loooove vultures - did you know that 7th Sept is International Vulture Awareness Day? I am a member of a great organisation that works to protect vultures in the wild, and have a successful breeding program for those which are Critically Endangered in the wild so that they can be reintroduced to the wild when the time is right. If ever you are near Andover in the UK it’s worth spending a day at the Hawk Conservancy where you can encounter vultures from around the world - they have flying displays and the birds are free to fly away should they choose (and they sometimes do!) - it’s not far from a busy route from east to west and I often wonder what drivers think if they see an unexpected bird fly past!
4 Likes
So Vulture Day is coming up very soon! They are definitely a very valuable bird with an important job to perform. That’s great you’re involved in protecting them.
I didn’t know we had any in the wild here in the UK. I’ve seen the odd hawk out in the countryside in the north east of England when I was out dog-walking. They always look so impressive and so majestic.
I used to be absolutely fascinated by pretty much all birds when I was a child. A real amateur ornithologist/bird-geek I was. Loved listening to the owls hooting away at night when I lived on the outskirts of Durham. Such a distinctive sound!
2 Likes
Sadly no vultures in the Uk, apart from those in places like the Hawk Conservancy.
1 Like
Nothing rare, because I choose urban / suburban sits and avoid rural ones.
Deer, squirrels, rabbits, sheep, horses, eagles, humming birds, various types of birds I’ve not seen before.
Saw dolphins on the way to Catalina Island while sightseeing when I was sitting nearby.
At home, we have tiny frogs, too.
1 Like
I’d love to see a hummingbird and an eagle. That to me would be very special indeed.
I was very captivated by the miniature frogs. I actually never knew they could come in such a tiny form. The ones I’ve seen in the UK are much bigger.
I would never get bored of seeing dolphins! The last time I saw them was in a place called Berwick upon Tweed right on the border between England and Scotland. It’s possible to see an occasional orca too!
2 Likes
We live across a lake, so see various types of frogs. The large ones are more common. Sometimes, large and tiny frogs show up outside our house, apparently exploring. We get deer, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, too. I also saw a snake in our backyard, luckily in time to pull our dog back. We look out for everything, because our dog will try to pounce or chase.
At a previous home, we backed up to a park with wetlands, so at various times of year, we’d hear loud croaking from the frogs if we went outdoors or opened our windows. I found them enjoyable to hear.
3 Likes
That must be amazing to look out across a lake. Must be very soothing for the soul I imagine.
I have to say, I too find frogs quite charming and I love the sounds they make. You’ve definitely seen your fair share of fascinating wildlife, that’s for sure, Maggie!
2 Likes
@Chatsetchiens
The first time I saw hummingbirds was last year on a sit in North Carolina. The HO showed me how to fill the hummingbird feeder and it was a treat each day to watch them enjoy the nectar.
I think this one was a frequent visitor…so small and cute:
6 Likes
How beautiful to be able to see a hummingbird everyday. Just lovely.
4 Likes
Wow! That’s a broad mix of British wildlife. I’m sure you could’ve done without some of those rodents being gifted to you mind you!!!
I absolutely love voles. I’ve only ever seen one and that was in Berwick amongst the overgrowth at the side of the road. It was utterly adorable just munching away quite happily on grass and not remotely bothered by my presence.
I often see a few badgers just ambling along the roadside in Edinburgh which is something to see.
That’s great you had deer in the garden. They can be very timid so kudos to you for making them feel that safe. You must definitely be giving out very trustworthy vibes in order for that to happen!
2 Likes
I spotted the fastest Siamese cat ever, hotly pursued by the little dog we were sitting 
.
How the cat got through the fence at that speed I’ve no idea!
4 Likes
Needs must and all that!!!
I was pegging out the washing, oblivious to the upcoming pandemonium!
2 Likes
We are blessed with moose and bear, elk and fox and a myriad of other creatures. We are in the mountains of Colorado in the US. Our sitters often send us photos of them when we are gone. Moose seem to be the most intriguing to our sitters.
3 Likes
(they set of the security lights at dusk)
)
