Fallow deer are looking good in the New Forest at this time despite the drought conditions.
Fallow Deer.
Countryside UK
Wood Ants.
The southern wood ant is the UK’s largest ant species, with workers reaching up to 10mm in length and queens growing even larger at 12mm. These ants are easily identifiable by their distinctive reddish-brown colour and a contrasting black head and abdomen.
Wood ants are known for their formidable large mandibles, which they use effectively for foraging and defence of their nests. When threatened, they have a unique defence mechanism that involves spraying formic acid at potential predators. This acid not only acts as a deterrent but also serves to communicate alarm signals to other members of their colony.
They live in large colonies, which can number in the thousands, and exhibit complex social interactions that help maintain the health and functionality of their community.
River bird walk.
Birds from this morning’s walk along the River Itchen and Itchen Navigation near Winchester.
Sedge Warbler.
Reed Bunting. (male)
Grey Heron.
Goldfinch. (juv)
Goldfinch.
Chiffchaff.
Moorhen.
Blackcap (male).
Manderin Ducks. (juv)
Ratty!
Ratty is the nickname of the Water Vole character in Kenneth Grahame’s classic 1908 novel, The Wind in the Willows.
Water voles are one of the UK’s most endangered mammals. A common sight in my childhood, their numbers have plummeted by over 90% since the 1960s. Due to habitat loss and predation by invasive American mink, many of which were deliberately released by animal rights activists. They are classified as endangered on the UK’s Red Lists
The water vole has chestnut-brown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail. It is much bigger than other vole species.
Water voles are primarily herbivorous rodents that consume waterside plants, including reeds, roots, grasses, and fallen fruit. Because their plant-based diet is low in nutrients, they must eat about 80% of their body weight every day,
A 0600hrs start this morning along the River Itchen and the old Navigation near Winchester paid off, as we spotted a Water Vole. Pictures were a bit difficult as he was into the morning sun.
White-legged Damselflies.
Parenthood.
Yesterday’s New Forest walk was a bit of a surprise as we found another Raft Spider stronghold. We found a nest full of newly hatched spiderlings. What was different about this nest was that it was being guarded by a parent spider. I had not seen this before.
Adult on guard.
Raft spiders do not spin webs to catch insects; they grab and catch their prey.
Red-veined Darter.
A hot walk in the New Forest during a “heatwave” and spotted a new dragonfly, 1st for me. Red-veined Darter. According to the British Dragonfly Society, this dragonfly is a fairly frequent migrant, principally to southern Britain, with scattered sightings elsewhere. Numbers spotted have been increasing since the 1980s. Breeding has been observed regularly, but the colonies are not yet stable.
Golden-ringed Dragonfly.
A striking, large black dragonfly with yellow rings along the length of the abdomen.Breeds in acidic rivers and streams of all sizes. Can also be seen away from its breeding habitat over the heathland. One of our regular dragonfly spots in the New Forest at this time of the year.
| Scientific Name | Cordulegaster boltonii |
|---|---|
| Status & Distribution | Widely distributed in Scotland, Wales, and north and west England. |
Badger Record.
This morning, I picked up a trail camera I had left in one of the many Badger Setts I am aware of in the New Forest. Footage on my YouTube postings.
Silver-studded.
Silver-studded Butterflies. A small butterfly is found mainly in heathland.
