Sanderlings on the beach on Southampton Water. One of my favourite small waders and were in an area where I have only seen the odd bird in the past. Sanderlings were feeding as the tide went out and making a splash this morning.
Making a splash.
Hamble Point Oystercatchers.
Some Oystercatchers on the beach at Hamble Point on Southampton Water. This film is worth watching with the sound on as it shows the birds antics off to their best.
A ringed Oystercatcher. – details reported.
Footnote. This bird was first ringed in 2007.
| FP45535 | N | O+R//RW | 31 Dec 2007 | Hamble Point, River Hamble, Warsash, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 13 Oct 2008 | Hook-with-Warsash LNR, Fareham, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 27 Oct 2008 | Hook-with-Warsash LNR, Fareham, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 2 Jan 2009 | Hamble Point, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 17 Sep 2010 | Hook Spit, River Hamble, Warsash, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 28-Mar-12 | Hamble Point, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 15 Apr 2012 | Hamble Common Foreshore, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 4 Jan 2013 | River Hamble, Warsash, Fareham, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 24 Aug 2014 | Chilling, Warsash, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 9 Feb 2018 | Hamble Point, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 14 Feb 2019 | Hamble Point, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 21-Jan-20 | Hamble Point, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 22-Jan-21 | Hook Spit, River Hamble, Warsash, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
| FP45535 | S | O+R//RW | 17-Jan-23 | Hamble Point, Southampton Water, Hampshire, S England |
Policing the water.
Hunting Forest.
In 1079 when William The Conqueror named the area his ‘new hunting forest’, close to 1,000 years later his ‘New Forest’ remains as a National Park. The ancient systems established by William The Conqueror to protect and manage the woodlands and heaths are still in place today.
Hunting Deer required planning, good horsemanship and the ability to handle weapons. It was dangerous. King William’s second son, Richard, and third son, William, were killed whilst hunting in the New Forest as was his grandson, Richard. Hunting was seen at that time as a method of practising many of the skills required for battle.
Fallow deer are today the most commonly seen deer in the New Forest. Numbers are maintained at about 1,300 on the Crown lands. Although not a native species to the UK, they have been present since Norman times and have the longest continuous lineage of any deer species in the Forest.
This time of year the Deer keep in their herds – Stags together separate from the young female deer.
Local male Muntjac.
Chinese muntjac deer was introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire at the start of the 20th century. A very small, shy stocky deer, the muntjac deer is about the same fox. It is gingery-brown, with a pale underside, darker stripes in its face, and small, single-pointed antlers. It also has a short tail. It is now considered a common animal across southeast England and can be found in woodland, parkland and even gardens. Muntjac deer are also known as ‘barking deer’ because of their dog-like calls.
We have filmed this Male deer a couple of times over the last 2 years on our trail cameras – we are yet to see him in the flesh!
Grebe.
Great Crested Grebe in toned down non-breading Winter plumage.
Then it was gone! Great Crested Grebes dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land, they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies.
Blue Tit.
Blue tits are common in woodland and gardens birds They’re widespread and found across most of the UK.
Female Marsh Harrier.
After my post about the Male Marsh Harrier at the end of last year this morning I got the chance to take some pictures of the female bird with her distinctive cream head cap.
Link to Male Marsh Harrier post below.
Short film of the female bird flying past full speed and then in slow motion.
Whirlpool!
#Wordless Wednesday
River Meon by the sea.
Cattle (Belted Galloway and Highland Cattle) are on loan at the top part of Titchfield Haven Nature reserve to help maintain the pasture land. Both breeds are Scottish and are well-adapted to living on poorer soils and scrubland.
Graylag Geese heading up river with Canada’s heading down river watched by Lapwing!
A Cock Pheasant started by keeping low but soon decided he could show off his colours.
Spot the Warbler in the Bullrushes.
Long-tailed Tit.
