This was my last visit before Christmas to our local nature reserve, Titchfield Haven. A couple of hours’ break there today, but the reserve is closed on Christmas Day.
Common Buzzard on his observation spot.
Lapwing landing.
Teal a pretty small duck.
Roe doe.
Mute Swan.
Fishing with no luck!
A walk later in the day paid off yesterday when I spotted a Water Vole in the reeds at Titchfield Haven. Water Voles were once widespread and common in the UK. They have undergone a serious decline in Britain, which has continued in the last 10 years. They are our fastest-declining mammal. They were given full legal protection in 2008 including protection of their habitat. In 1900 there were some 8 million Water Voles in the UK today their numbers are said to be less than 100,000. Ratty is one of the four main characters in the 1908 book “The Wind of the Willows”. He is referred to as a water rat in the book who lives on a riverbank in England. One spring day, he meets and befriends Mole, who had left his underground home to explore the outside world after getting bored of spring cleaning. Mole goes on to become Ratty’s housemate and meets his other friends Otter and Mr. Toad.
Moorhen at Titchfield Haven.
I spent a couple of days concentrating on getting pictures of dragonflies, both at Titchfield Haven and in the New Forest, it will not be long before they are gone until next year they do not survive the fall in temperatures as we move into autumn.
Southern Hawker [female.]
Migrant Hawker.
Southern Hawker [male.]
Today’s Dragons of the air from Titchfield haven.
The bottom of the beak is a different colour for females. The male Kingfisher’s beak is entirely black. The female’s beak has a pinkish-orange tinge on the bottom.
To remember it is a female, many people say she is wearing lipstick.
These diving ducks are a member of the sawbill family, named for their serrated bills, that they use to catch fish. A largely freshwater bird, they first bred in the UK in 1871. It built up numbers in Scotland and, since 1970, it has spread across northern England into Wales, reaching south-west England. Its love of salmon and trout has brought it into conflict with fishermen. This bird seen today in Titchfield Habour is a female (the male has a green head).
Continued Reflections from my World. 