An example of coastal erosion at Baton on Sea on the edge of the New Forest.
Erosion.
New Forest
Stonechat.
Female Stonechat Stoney Cross New Forest.
Grey Heron.
Little Egret.
A Little Egret in the Mill Pond at Ashlett Mill on Southampton Water.
Woodland birds.
Picture Post. Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Robin, Great Tit.
Through the trees.
On a deer walk in the New Forest again today. Most views through the trees but a few clear shots.
Fallow Deer “hinds”.
Fallow “Buck”.
Sika “Hind”.
Mandarin.
Another established non-native bird.
Mandarin Ducks were introduced from the Far East, They escaped, or were deliberately released, from captivity in the UK. A rather shy bird, often seen hiding beneath overhanging bushes, they form small flocks. The male bird has very elaborate and decorative plumage with distinctive orange feathers on the side of the face, a purple chest, and large orange feathers which look like small sails on its back. The female is not brightly coloured, with a grey head, white stripe behind the eye, brown back, and mottled lower sides. There was a flock of 10 birds today on the pond I visited today {the most I have seen there.}
These ducks nest in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water. After the ducklings hatch, the female will coax the young to jump from the nest. Once they have left the tree make their way back to the water. The Drake will return to the family and help to protect the ducklings
Deer.
Back to the New Forest for a walk today but in rather damp conditions – several groups of Fallow Deer spotted and a single mature Roebuck with a good set of antlers in velvet.
I spend a lot of time considering natures camouflage – some of the Fallow Deer in the forest are very pale in colour as this young buck is – he was easily spotted at quite a distance the 3 other darker deer are well hidden. I would not have seen any deer if the pale buck was not there!
This group of hinds has a white member
Roebuck.
Colour on a dull day.
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
Continued Reflections from my World. 