Corvus corax.

The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a large all-black bird. It is massive – the biggest member of the crow family. This lone bird was using a dead tree as an observation post so hence I could not get very close across the open heathland.

These pictures are cropped in so much more grainy than I would have liked. Spotted New Forest.

  • UK breeding birds -7,400 pairs
  • Weight800-1,500g
  • Wingspan120-150cm

Not for the shops!

Well, we did not go far today a couple of hours into the City. Not for the shops but for a walk around one of Southampton Parks.

Berlin Express leaving the container port. Wishing her a safe trouble free trip. This German-flagged containership is heading for Algeciras in Spain.

Some views of Southampton Water from Mayflower Park.

City Birdlife.

Winter birding.

I always find on a winter morning when the sun is out it is good to watch small birds today was again good for Long-tailed Tits. Also, a few Duncocks were about and a well-puffed-up Blue Tit obviously feeling the cold!

Magpie.

There are many variations of the Magpie rhyme, but one of the most common versions is the version that I know :-

One for Sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss.
Eleven for health,
Twelve for wealth,
Thirteen beware it’s the devil himself.