A Little Egret in the Mill Pond at Ashlett Mill on Southampton Water.
Little Egret.
nature spots
Woodland birds.
Picture Post. Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Robin, Great Tit.
Beside the sea.
Today was a bright sunny day that made it a joy to be by the sea at Lee on Solent, paddling in the retreating tide all be it in Wellington boots!
The Sanderling looks great in the sunshine.
When the tide is in the Oystercatchers roost on the island within Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. As the tide starts to fall they take off and move out to the beach and follow the tide as it goes out. When the tide turns and starts to come in they make their way back to the reserve. Without looking at the tide table I knew the tide was going out as when I arrived the Oystercatchers were flying out.
4 Buzzards were circling – I have noticed these high soring groups of Buzzards group together at the start of the breeding season the 4 birds were soon joined by 2 more. 6 was quite a sight. 50 years ago to see a Buzzard I would have to travel to Exmoor in the West Country to see a Buzzard. These large birds of prey have quadrupled in number since 1970. Their wingspan is around 4 feet.
Turnstone.
Wood Pigeon enjoy the sun.
Through the trees.
On a deer walk in the New Forest again today. Most views through the trees but a few clear shots.
Fallow Deer “hinds”.
Fallow “Buck”.
Sika “Hind”.
Mandarin.
Another established non-native bird.
Mandarin Ducks were introduced from the Far East, They escaped, or were deliberately released, from captivity in the UK. A rather shy bird, often seen hiding beneath overhanging bushes, they form small flocks. The male bird has very elaborate and decorative plumage with distinctive orange feathers on the side of the face, a purple chest, and large orange feathers which look like small sails on its back. The female is not brightly coloured, with a grey head, white stripe behind the eye, brown back, and mottled lower sides. There was a flock of 10 birds today on the pond I visited today {the most I have seen there.}
These ducks nest in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water. After the ducklings hatch, the female will coax the young to jump from the nest. Once they have left the tree make their way back to the water. The Drake will return to the family and help to protect the ducklings
Snipe.
The snipe is a medium-sized wader, they are found in marshes, wet grassland and on moorlands, they use their long, probing bill to find insects, earthworms and crustaceans in the mud. There were a good number of Snipe at Titchfield Haven this morning.
The Snipe is another bird that is so camouflaged that it blends very well into its habitat. They are often invisible until they move. There are 3 birds in the picture below I only saw 1 when I took the picture.
Greylag
Our commonest native goose, the greylag. They are found around gravel pits, lakes and reservoirs all year round in southern Britain. These tend to be semi-tame birds. The native birds and wintering flocks found in Scotland these truly wild geese.
A bit of a flap
Canada Goose making a flap.
Deer.
Back to the New Forest for a walk today but in rather damp conditions – several groups of Fallow Deer spotted and a single mature Roebuck with a good set of antlers in velvet.
I spend a lot of time considering natures camouflage – some of the Fallow Deer in the forest are very pale in colour as this young buck is – he was easily spotted at quite a distance the 3 other darker deer are well hidden. I would not have seen any deer if the pale buck was not there!
This group of hinds has a white member
Roebuck.
A hole hunt.
“So should we find a nest hole?”
” Well, I saw one over there”. “So let’s take a look”.
With the sun out I thought it was a good morning to make a visit to take a look at the local Ringed-necked parakeets to see if they were looking for nest holes.
The birds had found a hole which they were checking out. The male bird watched on as the female checked out the hole. ( the male parakeet has the neckband).
I hope this will be the chosen hole to nest in as I will be able to monitor it during the nesting season.
Continued Reflections from my World. 