Birds settling down for Winter

Posted on 5th November 2017 by Richard

Dungeness and Conningbrook

Late October and early November is a great time for spotting the smaller birds; the leaves are almost off the trees making things more visible and most of our feathered friends are now returning to their favourite Winter residences.

Stonechat

A trip down to the area around Dungeness Old Lighthouse produced the ever present Pied Wagtails on the Nuclear Power Station wall and in amongst the Gorse were the usual Robins, Starlings, Dunnocks and Meadow Pipits.

Meadow Pipit

Over the fields from here to Conningbrook showed some nice views of the Stonechats on North Field and on the fence posts beside the Great Stour, as indeed the Goldfinches did as well all be it they were only there for a couple of days before moving on.

Pied Wagtail – Goldfinches

As always, the unexpected seems to happen when I return home, a few days ago it was a Sparrowhawk and today, a Reed Bunting in the bushes of the front garden.
Garden wise we’re getting a lot of Long Tailed Tits who in a pack of around a dozen, flip along the trees before going on their way somewhere else. The Feeders have produced one Goldfinch and the Greater Spotted Woodp[ecker is back feeding at least three times a day.

Male Reed Warbler

It’s about now the Fieldfares along with Redwings return to the fields here. The challenge will be taking a photograph of them, they have a habit of wanting to be two trees ahead of you all the time !!

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Trip to Arne Day 3

Posted on 18th October 2017 by Richard

White Deers and Cliff Top scenes

Waking up to a cold, damp and misty morning wasn’t easy so rather than heading off over the Heathland to Arne I thought I’d take a trip over to Durdle Door.
I’d been there before, about 15 ‘pre Camera’ years before and remembered seeing Kestrels hovering along the cliffs below, so this encouraged me to try and get an overhead shot of one.

No such luck, not a Kestrel to be seen, just a few regular Gulls and one Rock Pipit which was too quick for me, but a nice walk down to the Beach and a somewhat struggling walk back up again.
Rather than post a picture of Durdle Door which must be one of the most photographed parts of the Dorset coastline, I settled for the view looking west with a brave Artist wearing shorts. I had five layers on, freezing !

After that it was back to Arne to see what was about. Other than loads of Goldfinches there were no Spoonbills, Dartford Warblers. I did briefly catch a glimpse of two Seals though. Again, they suddenly vanished before I could take a shot.

It was then I noticed something white quite a distance away and spotted the White Deer. Speaking to one of the Wardens, these are not Albinos, just genetical ‘errors’, there’s about six of them scattered about apparently.

Even so, made for another day finding something different.

Speaking of different, I couldn’t be staying at a Campsite close to Corfe without going to see the Norden to Swanage Steam Train, so stopped off to duly take a few photos and Video !
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Woodland at Hook with Warsash

Posted on 14th March 2017 by Richard

Just a mile on from Warsash and where the River Hamble finally flows into Southampton Water, is Hook with Warsash.
There are a number of walks around and about, one to the water’s edge going through semi Woodland and Reeds, another into Woodland and finally open field and heath.

Chiffchaff in early Spring noisy mode!

I usually do a little of them all and for those who think miles, it’s not, the three areas can be done by walking probably just a mile and a half and all walks have their own character and tundra.

Goldfinch

Again you will be subject to the passing dog or Cyclist but the area is large enough for you to find your own little corners and angles.
On this walk I went for the Woodland section and was surprised at how many birds I saw.

Greenfinch – Goldcrest

I didn’t have to look far to see Nuthatches and Goldcrests, two fo the not so easy to spot birds.
There were many Green Woodpeckers in the long grass of the open land, but too quick for me this time, pity.

Nuthatch

The other nice thing about this area is that it can be quite windy along the water, but most of the Woodland and Heath is protected from any cold breezes which may be apparent.
Other things to look out for are the occasional Weasel and Curlews feeding in the Fields when the tide is in, also a place where 100’s of Geese can take a rest.

I always enjoy it there. Even if I see few birds, the scenery is splendid and the tall trees give the Woodland areas quite an ancient feel.
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New year down the Lane

Posted on 1st January 2017 by Richard

Due to a heavy cold and an unwanted episode with my herniated disc, I got myself into action today for the first time in 2 weeks.
That’s to say, no further than a 50 meter distance of my Garden, but it was nice to get outdoors, brush the dust off both myself and the Camera and look to see what’s going on.

This Blue Tit has certainly taken a liking to my Carved Cat on top of the Feeders. Good job it’s not a real Cat!!

Around the Garden Bird Feeders were the usual visitors; Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Robins, loads of Blackbirds, House Sparrows Starlings and Dunnocks with the occasional visit of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long Tailed Tits, Goldfinches and the ever watching Collared Doves.
One surprise of the Winter thus far is the lack of the ‘Shoplifter’ Squirrels, because not much has been cut back here and abouts, they appear to have ample natural food sources.
I have no doubt I’ve given it the kiss of death and they’ll be all over the place tomorrow! There’s enough of them to break the Bank!

One Squirrel running off with a Walnut from the tree over the Lane

For some reason ‘Daphne’ our visiting Fox is coming in the middle of the night nowadays, up to a few weeks ago it was before dark, often early afternoon and sitting patiently for Luncheon to be served.
In the early hours about 10 days ago I heard foxes fighting in the front garden and noticed the following day she had a limp. Having been away for a while I’m yet to pick her up on the Camera to see if she’s OK now. If not I’ll contact the RSPCA and see if they can do anything.

A lucky photo of a Goldfinch coming in to perch

Other than the above, life is pretty much the same, but at the back of my mind is it’s now only a matter of weeks before the action starts taking place, then Spring will be upon us and it all starts all over again.

Would we have it any other way !

Hamble calm and still

Posted on 29th March 2016 by Richard

29th.March 2016
With my daughter and family away in the USA, I’m doing the House Sitting, sad they’re not there but a chance to pop out on daily adventure around the vicinity – today it was Hamble.

It couldn’t have been better, the tide was low which gave possibly the last chance to see our Winter migrants go off on their summer jaunts.

Black Tailed Godwits

Hamble is blessed with both Black Tail and Bar Tailed Godwits, today it seemed to be the Black Tailed showing their faces.
There wasn’t much happening really, beside the above a few Turnstones, Mallards and the odd Teal.

Some Redshanks did eventually turn up however and this gave a reasonable photographic opportunity.

Goldfinch – Chiffchaff – Greenfinch

After that I popped along to Hook-in-Warsah where again not much about, just the normal but a Chiffchaff and female Blackbird did make for a good shot.
Much noise from Buntings in the Reeds and Skylarks were obviously in attendance somewhere.

Nothing else to do I had a slow stroll along the Lane, some Goldfinches appeared and that was that.

Male Teal

Should you ever go to Hamble and would like to see a Kingfisher, try walking about 100 meters north of the Pink Ferry, there’s a bend in the Path with a Bench. Sit there and look across the pools in an easterly direction and you may well catch a glimpse of one, or two, p[erched on th fence poles or sitting on a mud bank as the tide comes in.

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