#Wordless Wednesday
Mr Deer.
Deer
Nature spots at Bratley View.
5-mile circular walk into the New Forest from Bratley View.
We started the day ringing Forestry England to report fly-tipping of Kitchen White goods into the National Park from the car park sadly this year there seems to be an increase in this anti-social behaviour. As we are out early we see what has been dumped the previous night, at least once a week we see something. People even dump cars and set them on fire this buggy was reported a few weeks ago!
Below a young Fallow deer she was very interested in us so I was not sure if she had seen people before.
Male Stonechat.
Spotted a few distant Red Deer.
Fritham Plain.
A walk from Cadnams Pool uphill to Fritham Plain and Hiscock Hill in the New Forest.
Most of the deer I spot have spotted me before I have spotted them! A good-looking Roebuck in the Bracken.
Further up the hill, we came across a Fallow Buck who was looking in really good condition and would be a formidable animal in the coming rut.
The Roe deer is a native deer to the UK where the larger Fallow deer was introduced by the Romans and then reintroduced in the 11th century, they were kept in parks as their populations increased they became an important source of venison on aristocratic tables. By the 15th century, many parks fell into disrepair and these medieval escapee deer are the foundation of the wild population in Britain today.
Passing New Forest Ponies. When a large herd gallop towards you at full speed and you are on an open plain there are not many places to hide.
Red Admirals enjoying the late summer sun. They were first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 book. They were then known as the Red Admirable.
A good number of European Hornets were on a Silver Birch tree taking sap.
A Wheatear this female bird was probably a juvenile as it allowed a close approach.
They spotted me.
Fallow deer New Forest.
Crossing the water.
#Wordless Wednesday
Rainy day.
A walk in heavy rain in the New Forest today but despite poor conditions plenty of deer about.
My parking spot.
Spotted this Roebuck in a local private car park!
What it does demonstrate is the size of a Roe deer, he is standing directly in front of the white ford.
Evening walk.
A local evening walk back to local woodland where we spent a lot of time in lockdown when we were only allowed out to exercise. Our exercise was not jogging up and down the road but walking down the road and exercising by monitoring the local nature. Exercising the brain as well as the body.
A local Roebuck.
I am not sure if we spotted him 1st or if he spotted us 1st but I think he was the winner! This good buck is an animal we regularly see and we are sure he is the alpha male in the local woodland.
Far off across a field a family of foxes, playing in the evening sun in the open 6 cubs with mum. We watched them playing for 10 minutes Mum had spotted us quickly and kept an eye on us while the cubs played. When it was time to go she barked telling them it was time to go – and off they ran into the woods.
Animals of the Forest.
Some animals of the New Forest. (and some other observations).
Cattle & Ponies roam the forest they are owned by local people called “commoners” they have the right to graze their animals on the open Forest throughout the year (part of the year in the case of pigs). Agisters police the system of this grazing system in the forest, these agisters supervise the welfare of the stock, ensure that stock pounds are in good order, and attend to road traffic accidents involving stock. They take action should commoners’ animals be in poor condition.
Deer are wild animals in the forest and can be observed if you know when and where to look. They are best approched up wind and under cover.
Roe Dear doe, Roe have very large ears and move them to tune into who is approaching!
The Fallow Deer is probably the most seen deer in the forest their numbers are managed by the forestry commission – Originally introduced by William the Conqueror King of England after he proclaimed a “New Forest ” a royal hunting forest which was recorded in the Domesday Book.
Quiet broken by RAF Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
Greenfinch ground feeding on grass seeds.
An early start.
So with a hot weekend forecast and today being a Bank Holiday, we decided to walk locally and make an early start. So at 05.00hrs, we were out in the fields. Picture quality is not too bad given the slow shutter speed needed for the low light.
We had seen a Barn Owl locally on a couple of evenings and had hoped to see him hunting in the morning but sadly he was a no-show.
We did see several foxes and a Roe Buck and Doe.
A Green-woodpecker
Continued Reflections from my World. 