New Forest

Trail Camera.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

Last week, I decided to charge up the batteries on my trail cameras and head deep into the New Forest to hide one near a location where we had found a Badger set last year. It is always a risk that someone will steal my camera if they come across it. I lost one camera in the local woodland during lockdown. The New Forest is a public National Park, so camera loss is always a risk.

Upon collecting the camera, it had captured a passing Badger. So yesterday, with my brother, we set up 4 cameras around where the badgers may pass. We aim to pick them up next week, so a further post will follow if we successfully capture any images.

Crossbills again.

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In search of Crossbills in the New Forest. Sadly, the weather was dull and the light was poor. However, the day was successful with several large flocks spotted high up in the pine trees and flying overhead. I managed to get a few record photographs, but I hope to try again on a brighter day to get some better shots.

Male birds are Red and females Green. I spotted a couple of Crossbills earlier in the year (when they were a first for me), link below.

Crossbills.

European Kestrel.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

After a morning’s walk in the New Forest with little about. We headed back to the car park and spotted a Kestrel hunting. She was using a dead tree to eat her catch. This gave a photo opportunity.

Male and female kestrels are different.  How to Spot the Difference – Males and females have distinct plumage. The male has a blue-grey tail and wings, and a chestnut-brown back with black spots. The female has a brown tail and wings, with darker brown streaks on the feathers.

  • Length: 32–35cm 
  • Wingspan: 71–80cm 
  • Weight: 156–252g 

Look down.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

The fungi season has started, and now every walk I look down as well as up!

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric, is always a thrill to see, adding colour to the woodland floor.

Flycatcher.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

This year has been the best year I can remember for Spotted Flycatchers in the New Forest. Almost on every walk, I see at least one. I think this year, the number of young birds that have fledged has helped boost the numbers on several occasions. I have seen family groups of at least 6

birds.

Beefsteak Fungus.

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Fistulina hepatica

Another common name for this parasitic bracket is the Ox Tongue fungus. If you cut through the flesh, it does look like a slice of prime beef; however taste is said to be not as good as the appearance. They grow on broadleaved trees, especially oaks and sweet chestnuts, from late summer into autumn.