#Tichfield Haven Nature Reserve

Dragongfly spotting.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

I spent a couple of days concentrating on getting pictures of dragonflies, both at Titchfield Haven and in the New Forest, it will not be long before they are gone until next year they do not survive the fall in temperatures as we move into autumn.

Southern Hawker [female.]

Migrant Hawker.

Southern Hawker [male.]

Male Kingfisher.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

The bottom of the beak is a different colour for females. The male Kingfisher’s beak is entirely black. The female’s beak has a pinkish-orange tinge on the bottom.

To remember it is a female, many people say she is wearing lipstick.

Goosander.

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

These diving ducks are a member of the sawbill family, named for their serrated bills, that they use to catch fish. A largely freshwater bird, they first bred in the UK in 1871. It built up numbers in Scotland and, since 1970, it has spread across northern England into Wales, reaching south-west England. Its love of salmon and trout has brought it into conflict with fishermen. This bird seen today in Titchfield Habour is a female (the male has a green head).

Favourite spot.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

At the Little Bridge at Titchfield Harbour where the River Meon reaches the sea, there is a favourite spot under the bushes where a Grey Heron likes to fish. Often people miss him! If you wait for a while he may come out into full view.

Tufted Duck

/ Andy Finnegan / 5 Comments

Smaller than a Mallard the Tufted Duck is a medium-sized diving duck the male is black on the head, neck, chest and back, and white on the sides. It has a small crest and a yellow eye. In winter, numbers increase because birds are moving to the UK from Iceland and northern Europe {The female is entirely chocolate-brown, with yellow eyes }.