This week, Stonechats – Male – Female – and Juveniles are abundant in the New Forest, many Juveniles have now fledged and left their nests.
Males.
Females.
Juveniles.
The UK breeding population is 65,000 pairs
Family.
New Forest
Dung Bettle.
I believe this beetle is Geotrupes Stercorarius – It is commonly known as the Dor Beetle or Dung Beetle. A large beetle up to 26 mm long. This beast was in the New Forest.
Redstarts(the male.)
Further to my post last week (see link) focusing on a female Redstart, returning to the same spot in the New Forest this morning I caught up with a male bird.
skylid.travel.blog/2023/05/12/redstart/
Redstart.
A female Redstart in the New Forest. I did spot some Male birds but did not get any photos. The male bird is more striking and more colourful
Chats.
Male Stonechat New Forest.
7 UP.
Not the well-known fizzy drink but the number of relatively newly hatched Mute Swan cygnets on Hatchet Pond in the New Forest.
I will say no more and let the photographs do the speaking – the only words I could find were ” just so cute.”
Cuckoo.
Wordless Wednesday.
“Tree duck”.
What is odd about Mandarin ducks? They nest in trees often high above the water. Two drakes spotted today but no female ! not even up in the trees so they must be well camouflaged.
The Mallards on the pond were not amused!
Vocal Oystercatcher.
Trail camera footage.
OK it is not a David Attenborough production but our trail camera footage from the New Forest has griven us some interesting results. This post gives further clips of life around New Forest badger Setts, I hope you have time to take a look.
One clip shows good interaction between 2 badgers I hope some youngsters may be about later in the season. There is also a clip in day time of a passing herd of Fallow deer.
Continued Reflections from my World. 