A Picture Post. This years local Great Crested Grebe chicks are growing fast. They are eating vast numbers of small fish.
Growing fast,
nature spots
Not a worm.
A New Forest Slow Worm – not a worm or a snake but a legless lizard.
The oldest specimen recorded in captivity lived for at least 54 years, so an adult in the wild may be more than 25 years of age.
Do not touch.
The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. They are a shy and secretive reptile. They live in woodland, heathland and moorland habitats. Here are 2 that I photographed in the New Forest today.
New month, a new bird.
There were 2 Little Gulls at Titchfield Haven this morning – I have seen a few social media posts popping up of this small gull along the South Coast. Someone near the entrance one of the volunteer wardens said there were 2 Little Gulls among the Black-headed gull at the far side of the lagoon I did not hold out much hope in spotting these small gulls a bird I had never seen before.
However, these birds stood out from the other gulls and flew much more erratically – more like Terns. Once seen not forgotten. Moving to a hide further inside the reserve a good view of these gulls was possible.
Some Facts about the Little Gull. from RSPB –
- UK passage200-700 (spring)
- UK wintering400-800
- Wingspan 70 – 78cm {A Black-headed Gull has a wingspan of 100-110cm}
100-110cm
This small gull in summer the adults have black heads, while young birds have a black mark on each. In flight, adults show a pale grey upper wing, with no black wingtips, and a very dark grey underwing.
They have a diet of Insects and fish. The picture below shows this bird had caught a small fish, I think due to their diet it explains why they fly and behave like a tern although they do not dive under the water.
Above and below the 2 different Little Gulls in flight.
Avocet season.
Avocet season has started their numbers are increasing in the South of England. At Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve, this is also the case and they are pairing up although conflicts for space are commonplace.
Avocet minding one’s own business then Mr Black-headed Gull takes offence, poto-session of Avocets over!
Humbugs.
Since last week the Great Crested Grebes have hatched and left the nest. They are now riding on the back of the parent bird, while the other parent is catching small fish that he passes to the young Humbugs.
South Downs.
A morning stroll on the South Downs.
Rainy Days.
Poor weather {again} with high seas and excessive rain here on the Solent and Southampton Water. This mornings bird watch was taking cover within one of the bird hides at Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve. Not many visitors today and as the weather deteriorated the reserve closed at lunchtime for safety reasons.
Northern Shoveler – the film catches these ducks using their large bills to filter water for their food.
Shovelers are surface-feeding ducks with huge spatula-shaped bills.
- UK breeding birds 1,100 pairs
- UK wintering 19,500 birds
Like many duck breeds the female is a fairly “brown” bird whereas the Drake is colourful with his dark green head white breasts and chestnut flanks making him very handsome.
Grebes.
Picture Post.
Great Crested Grebes . 6 individual birds spotted on a local fishing lake, one pair have nested and eggs are in the nest.
Take off.
Something I rarely see is a Great Crested Grebe in flight.
Continued Reflections from my World. 