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.
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.
Garden Spider.
Garden spiders are the most common orb-web spiders in the UK. I start seeing small ones in our garden in late summer as the season moves into autumn, the spiders mature, and by late autumn, they are at their largest (approximately 13cm). Orb webs are spiral wheel-shaped webs.
Wasps.
Many people only see the pest in wasps. However, like bees, they are important pollinators and pest controllers. They live in large colonies in gaps in houses and trees. Their nests are built of ‘paper’, which is formed by the queen chewing up wood. feed on food like nectar, rotten fruit, whilst their young are fed on small insects, which are often pests. They come into conflict with humans as they are attracted to our food tables, both inside and out.
Heavy rain continues, and the forecast predicts ongoing showers most of the day, so the advantage at Titchfield Haven is that you can dodge the showers and keep dry in the bird hides.
Finally spotted a Kingfisher, although some 60 metres away, they have been avoiding me for the past couple of months.
Another first for me and a rare sighting in the UK. A very distant Grey Phalarope.
An Arctic-breeding wader that sometimes arrives on UK coasts after storms. Under 200 birds are seen each year.
I also saw a Ruff, one of two that are at the Haven at the moment, now in their winter plumage; they are still a good-looking wader.
Below is a post showing the Ruff in summer plumage.https://skylid.travel.blog/2025/06/17/ruff/
Ruff’s are a member of the sandpiper family – some Common Sandpiper were also at the Haven this morning.
Today I decided to leave the long lens at home and take a macro lens on our walk, following a stream on the lookout for bugs.
Housefly.
Honey Bee.
Mint Beetle.
Raft Spider.
This morning, I made an early start with the aim of spotting some Kingfishers from one of the hides at Titchfield Haven. There are several well-placed posts which are often frequented by Kingfishers.
As nothing goes to plan, there was not a Kingfisher in sight. However, a Sparrowhawk decided to land on one post. Then, within a few minutes of the Hawk leaving, a Little Egret landed on another of the posts.
Juvenile Spotted flycatcher, New Forest.
Between showers today, this Snipe came out into the open for a few minutes during my morning walk . Also spotted a Water Vole, but he was too quick for me to get a photograph!
Spotted the Leucism Oystercatcher today at Titchfield Haven, see old blog – he has been around since 2017. So nice to spot him again.
Continued Reflections from my World. 