A short visit to Swanwick Lanes this afternoon, Swanwick Lakes, once clay pits for a Burseldon Brickworks, now a mixture of woodland, lakes and meadows. A nature reserve managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust since 1991.
Grey Heron.
Coot.
Canada Goose.
Greylag.
Moorhen.
A couple of close encounters on this morning’s walk.
Perched high in an oak tree, this Kestrel is a male bird; males have blue-grey heads and tails with a single black band, while females are brown overall with barred tails.
Oystercatchers are a fascinating group of waders forming the family Haematopodidae, which has a single genus, Haematopus. These striking birds are renowned for their long, colourful bills and distinctive black-and-white plumage, which makes them easily recognisable. They inhabit a variety of coastal environments, from sandy beaches to rocky shores, and can be found on coasts worldwide, {apart from the polar regions and some tropical regions of Africa and South East Asia.} Oystercatchers’ feeding habits are primarily molluscs, such as oysters and clams, which they expertly pry open with their specialised bills. Their social behaviour often includes foraging in groups, and during breeding season, they exhibit strong territorial instincts, defending their nests against intruders while also participating in elaborate courtship displays to attract mates. These birds were in Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve this morning.
Tuffted Ducks are a diving duck and a bit smaller than a Mallard. This pair were on North Pond at Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire.
Black-headed Gulls are nesting, and the sound of gulls calling is filling the air, one sound in nature I find quite irritating after an hour or so!
A lone Male Reed Bunting on a high perch singing in this morning’s sun at Titchfield Haven this morning.
From yesterday, the Forestry Commission has introduced parking charges for cars parking in the New Forest, so no longer a free day out when we visit the forest.
Nuthatch.
In spring, bluebells create a stunning blue carpet in woodlands across the UK, Almost half the world’s bluebells are found in the UK – they’re relatively rare elsewhere.
Continued Reflections from my World. 