Murray’s passage in the New Forest is a safe crossing across a boggy valley of Backley Plain – It is named after Admiral Murray who, in 1901, was killed whilst out hunting on 17th September 1901. The construction of the passage was paid for by monies donated to his memory. It is commemorated on a nearby engraved stone.
Roe Deer and Beekeeping on Backley Plain.
Small Copper Butterfly.
Fallow deer New Forest.
#Wordless Wednesday
A walk in heavy rain in the New Forest today but despite poor conditions plenty of deer about.
Spotted this Roebuck in a local private car park!
What it does demonstrate is the size of a Roe deer, he is standing directly in front of the white ford.
A local evening walk back to local woodland where we spent a lot of time in lockdown when we were only allowed out to exercise. Our exercise was not jogging up and down the road but walking down the road and exercising by monitoring the local nature. Exercising the brain as well as the body.
A local Roebuck.
I am not sure if we spotted him 1st or if he spotted us 1st but I think he was the winner! This good buck is an animal we regularly see and we are sure he is the alpha male in the local woodland.
Far off across a field a family of foxes, playing in the evening sun in the open 6 cubs with mum. We watched them playing for 10 minutes Mum had spotted us quickly and kept an eye on us while the cubs played. When it was time to go she barked telling them it was time to go – and off they ran into the woods.
Some animals of the New Forest. (and some other observations).
Cattle & Ponies roam the forest they are owned by local people called “commoners” they have the right to graze their animals on the open Forest throughout the year (part of the year in the case of pigs). Agisters police the system of this grazing system in the forest, these agisters supervise the welfare of the stock, ensure that stock pounds are in good order, and attend to road traffic accidents involving stock. They take action should commoners’ animals be in poor condition.
Deer are wild animals in the forest and can be observed if you know when and where to look. They are best approched up wind and under cover.
Roe Dear doe, Roe have very large ears and move them to tune into who is approaching!
The Fallow Deer is probably the most seen deer in the forest their numbers are managed by the forestry commission – Originally introduced by William the Conqueror King of England after he proclaimed a “New Forest ” a royal hunting forest which was recorded in the Domesday Book.
Quiet broken by RAF Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
Greenfinch ground feeding on grass seeds.
So with a hot weekend forecast and today being a Bank Holiday, we decided to walk locally and make an early start. So at 05.00hrs, we were out in the fields. Picture quality is not too bad given the slow shutter speed needed for the low light.
We had seen a Barn Owl locally on a couple of evenings and had hoped to see him hunting in the morning but sadly he was a no-show.
We did see several foxes and a Roe Buck and Doe.
A Green-woodpecker
Local roebuck a deer we have seen locally for a number of years so nice to see him again.
The South Downs Way is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. It stretches from the once capital city of England and the cathedral city of Winchester in the West, nearly 100 miles to the city of Eastbourne in the East.
Further to my post yesterday focusing on Hares here are some further Hare photographs, views and other wildlife on the South Downs Way.
Roe Buck crossing the farmland.
More Brown Hare shots.
Red-legged partridge.
Continued Reflections from my World. 