Silver Washed Fritillary in the New Forest. The largest British Fritillary. The Female has a wing span of up to 88mm. A group of 4 were on the wing.
Fritillary.
New Forest
Rainy day.
A walk in heavy rain in the New Forest today but despite poor conditions plenty of deer about.
Walking on Water.
The Gerridae are a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water skeeters, water scooters, water bugs, pond skaters, water skippers, water skimmers or puddle flies. Since childhood, I have called them water skimmers.
Dragons & Damsels.
Dragonflies and Damselflies are abundant at the moment around many of the New Forest ponds and boggy areas.
Keeled Skimmer (male)
Keeled Skimmer (female)
Beautiful Demoiselle (male) {Damselfly}
Beautiful Demoiselle (female) {Damselfly}
Common Darter (female)
Broad-bodied Chaser (male)
While looking for dragonflies spotted these young males Fallow Deer – now sporting their spotted summer coats. Their Antlers are still in velvet.
Frog.
Marsh Frogs are Europe’s largest frogs they are not naturally found in the UK. They were introduced to Romney Marsh in Kent in the 1930s and they have spread throughout the southeast. There are colonies in the New Forest.
New Forest Youngsters.
A young Robin and Donky in the New Forest this morning.
Animals of the Forest.
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.
Family.
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
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/
Continued Reflections from my World. 