Seeing one of the white Fallow Deer in the New Forest this morning was nice.
White Fallow.
Author: Andy Finnegan
Ratty.
A walk later in the day paid off yesterday when I spotted a Water Vole in the reeds at Titchfield Haven. Water Voles were once widespread and common in the UK. They have undergone a serious decline in Britain, which has continued in the last 10 years. They are our fastest-declining mammal. They were given full legal protection in 2008 including protection of their habitat. In 1900 there were some 8 million Water Voles in the UK today their numbers are said to be less than 100,000. Ratty is one of the four main characters in the 1908 book “The Wind of the Willows”. He is referred to as a water rat in the book who lives on a riverbank in England. One spring day, he meets and befriends Mole, who had left his underground home to explore the outside world after getting bored of spring cleaning. Mole goes on to become Ratty’s housemate and meets his other friends Otter and Mr. Toad.
Lymington Quay.
Lymington Quay on the Beaulieu River on the edge of the New Forest hints at its fishing past but now meets up with the modern leisure sailing world.
Faces of the forest.
The number of animals killed on New Forest roads has shown a downward trend following high-profile safety campaigns in recent years. Although in 2023 there were 92 accidents involving animals up by 10 in 2022. I saw a sign up last week saying 52 animals have been killed on the Forest roads to date this year.
Shore line.
Eider Duck and Little Egret from Meon Shore.
Hamble River.
Little Egret Hamble River.
Turning tide.
The weather this December so far has been very poor. I had several very damp walks where I took no pictures.We have another weather warning today with a storm due tonight. After rain all last night a brightish morning gave a few hours respite at Meon Shore and Titchfield Haven and a bit of bird watching. With the weather warning the Haven is planning to be closing to visitors this weekend.
These Sanderling and lone Black-headed Gull are holding on as long as they can to a little island on the shore as the tide comes in.
A pair of Northern Shoveler looking their best out in the sun.
Early start.
An early start for a walk in the New Forest.
There are lots of young Fallow Deer about. The deer were introduced by the Normans. The deer have been in the UK so long that they are considered naturalised.
Cold feet.
Art of War.
A visit to Fort Nelson and a closer look at some of the fine art on canons at the Royal Armourers Museum this morning. Guns made to kill but are a work of art!
Continued Reflections from my World. 