The Little Egret is a small, white heron. They feed on small fish and crustaceans. Once a very rare visitor from the Mediterranean but today they are a common bird in the UK. I often see more Little egrets than Grey Herons on a trip out.
White.
birdwatching
Return of the Snipe.
The numbers of Snipe have started to increase as we approach winter. In winter, birds from northern Europe join our resident birds. The RSPB states there are around 80,000 breeding pairs of these birds in the UK this numbers increase to over 1 million birds.
Willy Wagtails.
Pied wagtail
UK breeding: 470,000 pairs
Grey Wagtail.
UK breeding: 38,000 pairs
Bird feeding post.
Nuthatch feeding post in the New Forest.
It is worth watching the film with the sound on.
Marsh Harrier hunting.
#Wordless Wednesday.
Turnstones on the shore.
These little waders like rocky shores as well as sandy and muddy coastal beaches. Here on Meon Shore, they feed between the rocks they look in the seaweed, and will feed by picking up food from under stones. They eat small insects, crustaceans and molluscs. These birds are known as just Turnstones here and in Europe but worldwide they are known as Ruddy Turnstones.
Ibis on the beach.
#Wordless Wednesday. {posted Tuesday evening!}
Runway walk.
RAF Beaulieu was also known as USAAF Station AAF 408. It is located near the village of East Boldre, and about 2 miles west of the village of Beaulieu. The area had early links with flying. During the First World War, a Royal Flying Corps training airfield, RFC Beaulieu, at East Boldre was established this was closed in 1919. The World War 2 RAF Beaulieu was built on the opposite side of the road to the aerodrome it opened in 1942. During the war, it was used as a bomber and fighter airfield. After the war, it was used for experimental work before it was closed in 1959.
The area around the airfield is heath and made a good circular and flat walk this morning. Some areas of the runways remain but much has been removed.
Lots of Fungi were starting to show.
Kestrel. We later watched this bird catch a snake and fly off with it.
Coot.
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family they are common in the UK.
Length:36-38cm Wingspan:70-80cm Weight:600-900g
Ibis.
Finally able to get some fairly close pictures of a Glossy Ibis in Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve.
These birds breed in parts of Southern and Southeast Europe and are only occasional visitors here. In recent years sightings here have become more common. This year I have seen up to 4 birds at one time in a couple of locations on the Hampshire coast.
Statistics
Length: 55-65cm
Wingspan: 88-105cm
Weight: 630g
Continued Reflections from my World. 