Green!
birds
Family time.
The ancestor of most domestic geese, the greylag is the largest of the wild geese native to the UK and Europe. Nice to see some of this years 1st goslings.
Walking the Downs.
Another walk on the South Downs, paths are well marked and marked where not to go!
The land is well-managed and farmed fairly intensively but there are wildlife strips and borders but not an area where you can wander off the paths.
Tank rides and driving are available for those that want to make a noise.
Dunock in the oilseed rape flowers.
Red-legged Partrages – The red-legged partridge is a gamebird a member of the pheasant family. They were introduced to Britain in the 1600s by Charles II, and they are now relatively common and can be spotted in its favoured open scrub and farmland habitats. They often run rather than fly when disturbed.
This bird spotted something above.
A Red Kite. On the hunt.
The Red Kite feeds mainly on carrion and worms but is opportunistic and will occasionally take small mammals. Today the RSPB states there are an estimated 4,400 pairs in the UK. I recall 1st seeing these magnificent birds in South Wales in the 1980’s when there were only 25 pairs in the UK mainly in Wales.
This bird picked up something for lunch.
Good Hare country as earlier in the week.
Goldfinch.
Insects are starting to come out as the weather warms up. This Bee-fly landed on the path. At a glance, it’s easy to mistake one for a bee.
Around the Haven.
#Wordless Wednesday
Small birds.
Some small birds on the Itchen Navigation on my walk this morning – everywhere was very green after the recent wet weather.
A Long-tailed Tit.
A Chiffchaff.
Grey wagtail.
A Grey Wagtail on the Itchen Navigation near Eastleigh Hampshire
Views from the South Down’s
The South Downs Way is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. It stretches from the once capital city of England and the cathedral city of Winchester in the West, nearly 100 miles to the city of Eastbourne in the East.
Further to my post yesterday focusing on Hares here are some further Hare photographs, views and other wildlife on the South Downs Way.
Roe Buck crossing the farmland.
More Brown Hare shots.
Red-legged partridge.
Passing through.
The Osprey became extinct in the British Isles in 1916 but recolonised in 1954. Scandinavian birds migrate through Britain on the way to their breeding sites.
The Ospreys’ main UK stronghold is now in Scotland. In 2001, they began breeding in England in Cumbria, at Rutland Water. {here they were introduced}.
UK breeding:240+ pairs.
Birds are seen in our area on migration – We spotted this bird with fish today at Titchfield Haven which I expect stopped off for lunch on passage North.
Far off so zoomed in. A rare spot for me in the UK.
Canada goose.
Canada goose wash and brush up.
Crab fishing.
Wordless Wednesday.
Continued Reflections from my World. 