New Forest

Along a stream.

/ Andy Finnegan / 5 Comments

On Monday, we walked along a New Forest stream that we regularly visit. There is always something to see and enjoy, and on a bright, warm morning with few people about, you can enjoy nature fully without the distractions of everyday life and have a chance to get into the “zone.”

This old forestry house is a good mile or so off the road, reached by gravel tracks. It is a great place to watch House Martins, as many nest under its eaves. They get an easy meal of insects swooping over the stream. Not the easiest bird to get pictures of due to their size and speed!

As well as the Ponies on the forest, there are cattle these came down for a drink.

A few dragonflies that the House Martins missed.

Along the stream were several Spotted Flycatchers. They are mostly grey-brown in colour with paler streaks, particularly on the head and wings. They has a creamy white breast which is streaked with pale brown.

A small bird, measuring just 14cm in length and weighing in at a maximum of 19g. Adept at snatching flying insects. They visit the UK during the warmer months and are often seen in woodland edges and clearings.

New Forest Hike.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

On another walk this morning, orchids were abundant in the Heathland.

I believe these are Common Spotted Orchids.

The Meadow Pipit is a small, brown, and streaky bird; they look very much like a small song thrush.

Liverworts are small flowerless plants with leaf-like lobes called a thallus. There were large numbers growing along the stream we walked along.

Common Frog and tadpoles

Male Reed Bunting.

The main highlight of the walk was a family of Redstart.

1st pictures are the male bird, followed by the female, then finally the juvenile.

Stonechat.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

A Female Stonechat in the New Forest this morning. Looking at the photographs, you can see how well these birds blend into their environment. A cuckoo can be heard calling in the background of my YouTube post.

Distant Cuckoo.

Antlers.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

Fallow deer bucks typically cast their antlers annually, usually between April and May. The regrowth of new antlers follows this process. They are initially covered in soft, velvety skin. This skin is later rubbed off, leaving a hardened antler by August or September.

I watched 4 bucks in the New Forest this morning. Three had cast their antlers. The one still with his antlers had taken the alpha role and was dominant in this small group.