#titchfield canal

[dansnaturepictures]

20/01/2024-Lakeside, Warblington, Titchfield Canal, Hill Head and home

Photos taken in this set are of; a gorgeous Glossy Ibis one of three seen at Titchfield my first of the year and a massive species one of my birds of the year so far which is my 100th bird species of the year, Common Gull on ice at Lakeside, lichen at Lakeside oakmoss I believe, another mega bird I was overjoyed to see today a Ferruginous Duck on Posbrook Floods which was amazing to see only the second time I've ever seen one this dashing brown male a delight to see my 101st bird of the year I am thrilled with this number, beautiful sunlit bramble leaves at Lakeside, a Fieldfare at Lakeside one of around six seen on a bonus walk at Lakeside today which got my day off to an amazing start as my first of the year of this wonderful species which I wanted to see soon I enjoyed marvelous views of them, Mallard on ice, Moorhen and nice cuckoo-pint leaves at Lakeside and a Black-headed Gull and Little Egret at Warblington.

Also today it was great to see at Lakeside Redwings, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Goldcrest, Goldfinches, Jackdaw, Green Woodpecker, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull. Pochard, Pintail, Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwits including flying nicely, Lapwing, Snipe, Turnstones, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff and Buzzard were also good to see at Titchfield and Hill Head. Little Egrets, Redwings, Robin, loads of Brent Geese, Starling, Blue Tit, Rook and a brilliant view of a Buzzard as we left like we got at Titchfield later on were highlights on the brief look at Warblington. Cleavers, ivy, daffodil shoots, gorse, teasel, fleabane and wild carrot seed heads and old man's beard and rose hips were other plant highlights across the day. Starling, Collared Dove and Long-bodied Cellar spider were good to see at home today with moss seen well on the green out the front.

[maypoleman1]

15th October

Titchfield Carnival

Titchfield Carnival. Source: Southern Daily Echo

During the week of the October half term holiday Titchfield in Hampshire holds its annual autumn Carnival. The carnival’s origins go back four hundred years to when the Earl of Southampton began to charge the local boatmen for use of the newly constructed canal which connected Titchfield to the sea, in 1610. The outrage the townspeople felt at this blatant act of exploitative profiteering led to the Earl being burned in effigy. The protest eventually evolved into the annual burning of the effigy of any hate figure, accompanied by much gleeful merry-making. These days the carnival closes Titchfield for the day and consists of a fancy dress procession, floats, stalls, games and charitable fund raising. In the evening, bonfires are burned and fireworks set off. The event’s political origins are reflected in the commentary that forms part of many of the floats’ decorations and mocking current ludicrous political figures is very much encouraged, which in 2023 probably includes the entire government front bench.

This time of year also saw ploughing matches take place, in which farm workers would make sport out of necessity by competing as to the straightness and depth of their furrows and their ability to control and direct their mighty plough horses. Allegedly the contests were supervised by the mysterious secret society of Horsemen, which apparently still exists.

[weehughie]

What a difference a day makes, sunshine after the rain... • • #canal #titchfieldcanal #canalwalk #cattle #cows #cowabunga #nature #naturereserve #solent #sea #beach #church #churchyard #graveyard #grave #graves #headstone #stpeter #stpeters #wilfrid #meonvalley #meonwara #680ad #ancient #ancientchurch #titchfield #hampshire #11promax #summer (at Titchfield Canal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHrMxqB0ZL/?igshid=igknu6i8671j

[gessvhowarth]

The Best Places In London To Celebrate Burns Night

Are you partial to the sound of the pipes? .thumb {width:160px;height:160px;margin:0px;margin-right:5px;margin-bottom:5px;} @media screen and (max-width: 400px) {.thumb {width:47%;height:auto;margin-right:3px;margin-bottom:3px;} } Some hae meat and canna eat, / And some wad eat that want it, / But we hae meat and we can eat, / And sae the Lord be thankit. Been brushing up your Selkirk Grace? Burns Night is fast approaching and we've gathered together the best places to honour the poet with a dram. Brown's Hotel The annual HIX Mayfair and Brown's Hotel collaboration is a Burns Night staple in London. This year Hix is partnering with his restaurant manager, Markus Savage, to serve up a menu of Scottish classics, including Black Face haggis and neeps, and red deer Wellington with braised red cabbage. Opinion's divided on the truest recipe for stovies - a Scottish dish of potatoes, meat, onions and anything else you might need to use up - but you can expect the Hix interpretation to be a high-end take on comfort food. Ditto the desserts: dropped scones with whisky cream and poached rhubarb. Date: 25th January at 7.30pm. Price: £75 a head for the set menu, starting with a drink in the Glenmorangie Library. 33 Albemarle Street, W1S Source Brown's Hotel London Source Brown's Hotel London Burns Baby Burns at St John at Hackney Church A Burns Night celebration in the hands of Burns Baby Burns is going to be a whisky inferno. Their three-day extravaganza comes with piping, banqueting, toasting, whisky-drinking, fire-throwing, literary recitation and a 'thundersome' ceilidh. Wear your dancing shoes. And your flame-retardant kilt. Date: 26th, 27th and 28th January, from 6pm. Price: Tickets start at £35 a head for the Paupers' Dining - a hot box of haggis while you watch the Burns Night ceremony from the balcony, a dram of whisky and entrance to the ceilidh after dinner. Full dining tickets with a three-course dinner start at £55 plus booking fees. Lower Clapton Road, E5 Source Burns Baby Burns Source Burns Baby Burns The Narrowboat Raising the stakes from Burns Night dinner to Burns Night Banquet, the Narrowboat in Islington is offering five courses, poetry recital and shortbread gift bag for guests - along with whisky sampling and canal views. It's surprisingly good value, and one of the cheaper Burns Night dinner options we've found. Date: 25th January. Price: £25 a head. 119 St. Peter's Street, N1 Source The Narrowboat Pub Source The Narrowboat Pub York & Albany They've gone trad for Burns Night at this Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Camden, with a set menu of smoked salmon, cock-a-leekie soup, and haggis, neeps and tatties. There's cranachan for dessert, and extra Scottish cheese available if four courses just aren't enough. Date: 25th January. Price: £35 a head for the set menu, with £15 extra for a matching whisky menu for each course. 127-129 Parkway, NW1 Source gordonramsay Source gordonramsay The Ceilidh Club at Hammersmith Town Hall Why go with a fairweather ceilidh group, cropping up just on Burns Night? The Ceilidh Club are stalwarts of London's Scottish dancing scene, hosting regular ceilidhs in Camden. Their Burns Night events rack it up a notch, though, with a bigger venue, a buffet, a ceilidh band, dancing, piping in the haggis, and more dancing. There's the opportunity to take back the mic, with guests invited to get in contact if they'd like to recite a Burns poem or song. And they don't restrict themselves to just the one night, with six dates to keep the spirit alive over January and into February. Date: 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th January, and 3rd and 4th February. Price: £34.50 and tickets can be booked through the Ceilidh Club. 169 King Street, W6 Source Plum + Spilt Milk Fittingly for a restaurant named after the dining livery of the Flying Scotsman, this King's Cross restaurant is hosting a four-course Burns Night dinner, including dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties, a fillet of beef, and Arbroath Smokie, leek and whisky soup. Dessert will be cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert - usually a mix of raspberries, oatmeal, whipped cream, honey and whisky - and they'll be serving matching whisky and cocktails to wash it down with. Date: 25th January. Price: £70 a head, including a matching whisky or cocktail for each course. Great Northern Hotel, N1C Source Plum + Spilt Milk Source Plum + Spilt Milk Mr Fogg's They're turning the Victoriana at this Bruton Lane bar in a Scottish direction for Burns Night, with guests encouraged to kilt up for the event. There'll be Glenfiddich, in both dram and cocktail form. There'll be piping. There'll be haggis canapes, poetry recitals and a lot of toasting. A night worth dusting off your best sporran for. Date: 25th January. Price: Free entry, but you need to reserve a table at Mr Fogg's Residence. 15 Bruton Lane, W1J Source Source Mac and Wild Burns Week at Mac & Wild starts on 23rd January, with a series of events and a Burns Night dinner on 25th January. The Scottish team that brought you the Venimoo - venison and beef - burger are celebrating hard in the run-up to Burns Night this year, with a haggis-making masterclass on the 23rd (for £40 a head at the Devonshire Square branch) and a whisky and beer matching evening on the 24th (for £45 a head at the Fitzrovia restaurant). On the big night itself, book into either of their restaurants for their Burns Night set menu, including haggis, neeps and tatties, a venison Wellington and shortbread with whisky icecream. Date: 25th January for the Burns Night dinner. Price: £35 a head for the set menu, with an extra £30 per person for a menu of matching whisky. 65 Great Titchfield Street, W1W Source instagram Source instagram

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/londonist/sBMe/~3/04G4zj1xmHg/best-places-in-london-to-celebrate-burns-night

[runfreelivehard]

http://bit.ly/1525OKj Yet another reason why i love to run.  I discovered this old Canal in Titchfield, UK the other day after it was suggested to me by a friend.  6 miles of great running there and back, perfect for a super sunny day as its nice and shaded but you can still feel the heat.

[dansnaturepictures]

12/01/2025-View of ivy clad trees, one of three stunning Glossy Ibises which it was enthralling to watch one of my best birds of an amazing week off and the year so far, purple loosestrife seed heads, views including bits of creamy sky at the Titchfield Canal and Grey Silverfish at home this evening.

It was also amazing to see two Marsh Harriers, Egyptian Goose, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon, Cormorant, Great Tit, Jay, Stonechat, Wren, Grey Squirrel, petty spurge, red deadnettle, snowberries and teasel seed heads as our fantastic week off of many wonderful birds, other flora, fauna and fungi, so many great and beautiful places explored including new places for us and memories made to start the year.

[dansnaturepictures]

20th August 2023: The Titchfield Canal and Hill Head

Photos taken in this set: 1, 2 and 10. Beautiful views at Hill Head out to sea and looking into Titchfield Haven, it was so great to be out in the sun with the bright blue sky and sea on a lovely day. 3. Alluring Banded Demoiselle which it was great to watch at the canal. 4. My first Common Nettle-tap moth of the year, one I saw last year a distinctive minute one that caught my eye in a bindweed flower though they're known for being found around nettles which there was an abundance of here. A good species to add to my year list to allow it to overtake my 2021 moth year list total to make this year my second highest ever. 5. A great feeding scene with Mallards and a Mute Swan cygnet at Hill Head. 6. A sumptuous male Common Darter which it was a delight to observe flying and still today, a dragonfly I always enjoy seeing. 7. Views at the canal which was an vibrant emerald scene in the sunlight, I enjoyed a great rich approaching late summer light today. 8. Scarlet hawthorn berries looking nice against the bright blue sky. 9. One of a few gorgeous Turnstones seen at the harbour, one in fine plumage. I relished seeing these birds and photo opportunities against the sea sparkling in the sun. I felt sweetly nostalgic as these birds you so often see here were one of the very first birds I saw and my first wader early in my birdwatching days on our really life changing visits here in 2007 to Hill Head and into the haven as the key moments to get me hooked in the time of my fledgling bird interest by allowing me to watch them. This place and species are so special to me, I enjoyed seeing some on a raft with Black-headed Gulls in the haven too.

We got some amazing views of one of my favourite birds Buzzards soaring through the blue sky at the canal and getting stunning views of them sat in a tree and hearing their constant sharp calls for a bit which was great. A powerful wild moment this weekend. Here also I enjoyed seeing Kingfisher, Raven, possible Sparrowhawk, Black-tailed Godwits, Egyptian Goose, Teal, Swallow and Lapwing and hearing Green Woodpecker well. On the way at the bridge there was a Moorhen in the water as there always seems to be, and Coot, another strong Sandwich Tern view of late, Great Black-backed Gull, Starlings on the boat masts as I've seen here before and Sand Martin great to see at Hill Head with Cormorant seen at both. At the canal Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, stunning Southern Hawker flying around and Nursery web spider were other marvelous insects to see. Key flowers seen whilst out today were a wet area trio comfrey, purple loosestrife and hemp agrimony, black medick or hop trefoil, common mallow, rock samphire and field sow-thistle by the shore, nightshade and yarrow. Rose hips were nice to see too. Another captivating and varied wild weekend centring on two similar areas.

[dansnaturepictures]

Looking back on some amazing moments watching owls for International Owl Awareness Day. I saw the Long-eared Owl my first ever at Cley Spy, Glandford in Norfolk earlier this year meaning I've seen five owl species in my life, and I can't help but think back to books in my early birdwatching days especially the sticker book that got me into birds and these were the five British owl species in them and longing to see them and it feels so thrilling that I have now seen all five. Especially over the last few years I have been very fortunate to have amazing times seeing these iconic birds.

[dansnaturepictures]

Ten of my favourite bird photos from a memorable week for it over the past week of; Collared Dove at home, Greylag Goose at Lakeside Country Park, Black Swan at Riverside Park, Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe at Lakeside, Barn Owl at the Titchfield Canal, Little Grebe at Farlington Marshes, Grey Wagtail at Titchfield, Cattle Egret at Warblington and Peregrine Falcon at Winchester Cathedral.

[dansnaturepictures]

20/01/2024-Landscape and sky photos at Lakeside Country Park, Warblington, the Titchfield Canal and Hill Head in Hampshire including ice, reflections, the sun going down and the moon.

[dansnaturepictures]

29/01/2024-Day off at the Titchfield Canal, Farlington Marshes, Lakeside Country Park and Riverside Park

Photos taken in this set are of; Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lakeside, Dunnock at Titchfield, Greylag Goose at Lakeside, views at all four locations including the moody mist at Farlington Marshes and old man's beard at Lakeside, Grey Wagtail at Titchfield, the Barn Owl at Titchfield which it was amazing to see for an eighth consecutive year an iconic and wonderful species that we got splendid views of a fantastic addition to my year, the Barnacle and white goose at Farlington Marshes and a gorgeous Black Swan at Riverside Park which I enjoyed seeing.

Also of note in a very packed and fun day out were my first Water Pipit of the year at Titchfield and my first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year at Farlington Marshes. Other highlights at Titchfield were Nuthatch, Stonechat, Great Tit, Little Egret and Wigeon and it was also good to see Little Grebe, Lapwings, Avocet, Brent Geese, get great Marsh Harrier views and Shelduck at Farlington. Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Jackdaw and Goldfinch were other Lakeside highlights. Common Gull, Teal, Pintail, Redwing, Green Woodpecker and Jay were other highlights across the day. Other plant highlights today were beautiful golden crocuses at Riverside Park, mistletoe, daisy, violet, hazel and alder catkins, red deadnettle at Titchfield, rose hiper and Alexanders leaves at Farlington. It was good to see Rabbit well at Farlington. A phenomenal end to a magical long weekend of wildlife watching, walks and photos, one I will look back on as pivotal to my year. Woodpigeon was nice to see at home today too with Grey Silverfish seen well before bed last night.

[dansnaturepictures]

28th June 2020: Osprey and more at Fishlake Meadows and Titchfield Canal path 

This morning and into early afternoon we went to Fishlake Meadows in Romsey in search of the regular Osprey that had been there. I took the first, third and fifth pictures in this photoset of views here today. We got four great natural moments in a walk around the reserve, seeing Purple Loosestrife beside the canal my first time seeing it this year I took the second picture in this photoset of some at a different part of this reserve today, seeing a Blue-tailed Damselfly land right in front of my face on the wood at the viewing screen and hear a very loud Cetti’s Warbler calling beside us there which was great. Additionally as we walked back along the canal path I was thrilled to spot a massive Stag beetle making its way across the path onto grass I took the fourth picture in this photoset of that. This was the first time I had ever seen one of these and it looked surreal and extraordinary to see. They are really rare too. This was such a special moment for me what a brilliant surprise of something to see today. It’s one I have put on my updated beetle life list that I’ve started up again this year and certainly comes in the right year with me not only taking a greater interest in beetles this spring and summer but seeing some amazing ones like Swollen-thighed, Green Tiger and this added to them so well. I submitted my sighting just now into the Great Stag Hunt Stag beetle survey: https://ptes.org/campaigns/stag-beetles-2/ by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. 

We found out to see the Osprey we’d have to go to a little viewing area beside the main road overlooking the reserve so we walked there. Looking over we were happy to see a Marsh Harrier and then a Red Kite alongside a lot of water birds. Then all of a sudden and it was remarkable to see it having an aerial fight with the similarly sized Red Kite the Osprey flew out! We marvelled at watching it in the air with the Marsh Harrier up at times too a special raptor fest with two of my favourite birds, and then the Osprey settled on the one of many dead trees here that it had been frequenting. It flew up again later but then perched in a different spot lower down the tree. I took the sixth and seventh pictures in this photoset record shots of it. We watched it for about half an hour, speaking to more great like-minded people this week at a distance of over two metres away about the Ospreys and general natural history topics which was great. 

It was a true honour to see an Osprey for so long here today, my fifth of the many year ticks this week I’ve got now great for this time of year that is one of my favourite birds. That means it’s my 22nd of my current list of 30 favourite birds that I have seen in 2020. After a surge in seeing them this spring into summer following a drought of favourite bird year ticks during lockdown that will probably be what a finish on. A pretty decent return considering of the eight of my favourite birds I have yet to see in 2020 - Puffin, Kittiwake, Chough and Dipper just aren’t geographically possible for me to see this year now not helped but the need to not do our Anglesey holiday of course this week due to the pandemic. And Golden Eagle, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl and Black Guillemot are among my favourites because I dreamt of seeing them and it was an amazing moment when I finally did so I accept I won’t see them every year. Furthermore I have seen eleven of the thirteen bird species on my B list of favourite birds this year with one of the other two a maybe and the other a probably not this year. 

This has the distinction of being my earliest ever Osprey sighting in a year as we normally see this bird at Rutland Water in August when we go for the Bird Fair with the exception of one year where we saw one somewhere else first. Obviously that has been cancelled in its physical form due to the pandemic this year. We had already cancelled the hotel we had booked but did toy with the idea with nights away currently possible from 4th July of finding somewhere to still go up I still have annual leave around that weekend and try to see the Ospreys. But now we have seen this one so well here I’m not sure we’ll need to but I don’t know that for definite. It is interesting this Osprey is said to be a Rutland born bird the place where this iconic species made its big population comeback to England with that amazing reintroduction programme so it’s still very much tapping into that inspirational story this year in the wake of what is probably gonna be my first year since 2007 not visiting Rutland in the summer. Seeing this Osprey meant its 13 years running I’ve seen an Osprey in now which without Rutland and none seen anywhere else would have been a record for me under threat.

It also interestingly makes Fishlake Meadows only the fifth location I have ever seen this very special bird for me at after Rutland Water (at most usually Lyndon but also sometimes Egleton bits the other reserve there), Porthmadog where we saw our first of 2016 that July, Arne looking into Poole harbour and Farlington Marshes into Langstone harbour. It was very important to see one at Fishlake Meadows for me as this one often visits and lingers here now it’s such a strong habitat for this bird we didn’t get to go here last year to see it. Fishlake Meadows is quite close to home really so this is excitingly the closest to home I have ever seen an Osprey a bird that has captivated and fascinated me since I first ever heard of them in my very early birdwatching days. So this all felt very great and I was happy. Fishlake Meadows continues to be a rising star of a nature reserve of an urban setting I am so impressed with how the Wildlife Trust run it and just the sheer biodiversity of birds and other creatures there are here as today showed well for me. I am very proud of this place. 

This afternoon we then did a walk with Missy and my Mum’s husband at the Titchfield canal path quite a similar habitat really. Here it was nice to end my week off seeing a decent selection of butterflies and a few species with mini swarms of them as the sun and some heat well and truly emerged as expected this afternoon after brief showers earlier on and other wildlife such as more House Martins over Posbrook flood and lovely bronze plumage looking Black-tailed Godwits there. I took the final three pictures in this photoset there two landscapes and some nice goats we came across in a field. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: (Fishlake Meadows) My first Osprey of the year, my first ever Stag beetle, five more of my favourite birds the Buzzard, Red Kite, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and Great White Egret flying in towards the end, one of my favourite butterflies the Red Admiral, Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Marsh Harrier, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Large White, Blue-tailed Damselfly and I heard Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Warbler. (Titchfield Canal path) Two of my favourite butterflies the Large Skipper and Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and Meadow Brown it was those and the Commas that did a little bit of swarming, Blue-tailed Damselfly, House Martin, Swift, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit and Black-headed Gull. 

Well that is the end of my week off then. It was amazing. We packed in some of the best locations locally, regionally and nationally to walk whilst social distancing, take in breathtaking views, watch incredible wildlife and take so many photos each day with most of these places in surrounding counties to Hampshire so nice to get chances to go to them safely. The weather really was perfect for the week off with the amount of sunshine and soaring temperatures. Three of my year lists proportionally to what they are for me grew massively my bird, butterfly and mammal year list. I saw dragonflies, damselflies, flowers and more too. It was an unforgettable week with so much joy taken from it for me. I think supporting the wildlife seen and strong places visited it was just nice to be out for so much of the day in line with current restrictions each time. And when travelling and inside it was great to really have some quality family time and spot on moments of relaxation and doing things at a more gentle pace after working at home for three months so far. My feet may be looking forward to the usually 23+ hours inside whilst working from home a day tomorrow after all the exhausting walking we have done but mentally and physically this week was just what I needed and did a lot for me. Thank you for all your amazing support for my huge amounts of photos and long posts this week. Have a great new week all or as good as it can be.

[dansnaturepictures]

27/01/19-Riverside Park, Weston Shore, Titchfield Canal Path and Hill Head 

With our dog Missy injuring herself yesterday and me having stomach pains possibly due to a pulled muscle along the way into today, our usual go to place to do a relatively long walk and bird/wildlife watch and take photos was not an option on this rather lovely Sunday. So instead we did a whistle stop tour spending minutes standing around at these places across Hampshire we knew particular birds had been seen at or where we usually see certain ones some which we needed as year ticks. 

Our first stop was Riverside Park in Southampton on the River Itchen where it was lovely to see the Black Swans one shown in the first picture I took today in this photoset that are there and seem to be increasing in numbers. There are probably a lot of different feelings about these birds living and populating in wild areas in the UK, but I certainly think they are very beautiful. They make something unique to see in this environment and the black/red colour scheme is one I love. It was nice to see a cygnet that we probably saw last year here getting bigger with the adults. I took the second picture in this photoset of Coots there. As the sun reappeared we headed to Weston Shore, where I took the third and fourth pictures in this photoset of views. 

As we did in a dart about Hampshire packed Sunday which I dubbed Super Sunday when I first saw the Black Swans at Riverside Park last year in February we headed a bit further away from our home base to Hill Head. But just like that day first we stopped at the Titchfield Canal Path to see if we could see the Barn Owl we had here the last two years. We walked down to the area we had before and were delighted to see it sitting high in a split in the tree. I took the record shot the fifth picture in this photoset of it. 

This is one of my greatest birds this year and as always an honour to see this species. I think it’s always so cool to have this or any Owl appear on a year list of mine. That is now four consecutive year lists of mine the Barn Owl has appeared on and six consecutive for an Owl of any description so it was great to just fit that into month 1 of 2019 too. Seeing this bird today really made me so happy. 

When arriving at Hill Head we saw the birds we saw there that same February Sunday last year and are often there the Sanderlings. It was great to pick out the gleaming white plumage of a few of these beautiful birds. I spent a great few minutes with them and other smaller birds on the shore as the sun headed down, as shown in the sixth picture in this photoset of Sanderlings with Ringed Plover and one Dunlin and the seventh in this photoset of Turnstones. 

This took my bird year list to 118, one ahead of what I had on this date in 2018 making it my highest ever amount of birds seen after 27 days of the year. This will be short lived as I know 2018 climbed to its January ending number 121 a year ago tomorrow and obviously barring any miracles on my working days this week this will be my January total. It’s set to be my second highest ever amount of birds seen after one month then which I am thrilled with. But to be only three behind what I ended January on in 2018 my highest ever year list overall I am really pleased with as 2019 has kept pace and has done it without the big year tick grabbing Scotland trip of last January and at mostly humble its fair to say and local places so it’s been a month where I have had to work hard to cover different habitats available to me to see so many species. There have been so many wonderful species seen today’s included and I have had such a great time. Thank you for all your support in what felt like a very quick January for me.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: (Riverside Park) Mallard, Coot, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon. (Weston Shore) Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon and Black-headed Gull. (Titchfield Canal Path) My first Barn Owl of the year, one of my favourite birds the Buzzard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Redshank, Teal and Shoveler. (Hill Head) My first Sanderlings of the year, Dunlin, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Cormorant, Black Headed Gull and Pied Wagtail.

[dansnaturepictures]

New Year’s Day 2022: Blog three of three-Razorbill and more at Fort Cumberland and a quick look at Hill Head 

Following on from my last two posts, we then went to very nearby Fort Cumberland to look unsuccessfully in the end for another owl species today, the Little Owl. We shall aim to try again for it as the year goes on. But we were very happy to see its other specialty bird, another fine and sparkly little wader, with a Sanderling trotting along the shoreline and three flying past too. Always a beautiful bird to see and it excited me today. Stonechat and Reed Bunting were lovely birds to see and tick here too, both birds I haven’t seen on New Year’s Day many times before.

When looking for the Little Owls and also looking out to sea one of the moments of the day occurred when we were stunned to look onto the sea and see a splendid seabird, a striking winter plumage Razorbill. We saw it so amazingly close first of all, saw it a few times after that and some of a few lovely people I spoke to today saw it too which was lovely. Not a New Year’s Day newbie for us as we saw one similarly in Portland Harbour eight years ago today another extraordinary New Year’s Day, but it was just like it’s cousin Guillemot which we saw at Hayling Island two weeks ago my first of these birds I’ve ever seen from in Hampshire. This was a truly special moment with one of my original three favourite birds and I really felt so good to see this. Guillemot and Razorbill had been reported here recently so it wasn’t a great shock but if I was to see one I would have predicted the arguably commoner Guillemot so it was a big moment right at home in an extraordinary start to my year today. 

I am so glad Fort Cumberland which we first discovered for the Little Owls three years ago has become a big part of our years now especially towards the beginning with birds we need to see in years there as it’s such a beautiful spot. The Isle of Wight visible as well from here as it was from Southsea looked gorgeous with bits of sunlight penetrating through the clouds caressing it. There were also lovely views down the beach and a beach with dunes the other side of the water over on Hayling Island, and it was lovely to see people out and enjoying being out including some horse riders which was a great sight. I took the first two pictures in this photoset of stones and shells on the beach which looked nice and a wave coming in, and the third-eighth pictures in this photoset of views here.

We then called into Hill Head obviously where we were very near to earlier in the day at the canal path, and as hoped we saw some Oystercatchers on the mudflats which was lovely and was my 50th bird species of the year a figure I am over the moon to reach on day 1 of the year. I took the final two pictures in this photoset of views here. This ended well a phenomenal New Year’s Day, it definitely followed the trend of the last couple of years of a blockbuster really high amount of birds seen and so many amazing species with some really fantastic memories too. This year alongside the last two all had little differences with each other and some things the same too and they all felt amazing. It was just so lovely and rewarding to spend so much of the first day of the year outside and really enjoying nature.

Wildlife Sightings Summaries:

Fort Cumberland: My first of one of my favourite birds the Razorbill this year, my first Stonechat, Sanderling and Reed Bunting of the year, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeons well, some midges and I heard Meadow Pipit.

Hill Head: My first Oystercatchers of the year, Black-headed Gull, Mallard and Moorhen in the harbour, Canada Geese in a field on the way out, great views of Carrion Crows and a flock of finches possibly Goldfinches.

Parts one and two of my day: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/672210783338414080/new-years-day-blog-one-of-three-year-ticks-at and https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/672212074190995456/new-years-day-2022-blog-two-of-three-titchfield

[dansnaturepictures]

11th April 2021-Barn owl, snow, snipe and more along the Titchfield canal path 

We came back to the Titchfield Canal path today where we came on Easter Monday with the barn owls we needed to see this year reported again. We arrived at the canal path Titchfield end and walked the short distance along to the split tree where the owls can often be seen and we had seen them before. Above the white droppings stain on the tree trunk that had momentarily excited us in our fruitless quest for this bird on Monday, we were thrilled to spot one of the barn owls in the hole! We then spent a glorious few minutes watching this stunning and such a beautiful bird. I took the record shot the first picture in this photoset of this bird. I felt so honoured again to see this species, and so lucky I was so in aw of the bird. A brilliant view of on of our greatest species, with either January or February sightings of them the past few years here I had waited a little bit longer to see this species this year. What’s more this is the first time ever I have seen barn owl as a favourite bird of mine as I made it the 31st member of my list of favourite birds in March.

This was bird 131 of my year I continue to be thrilled with my resurgence and how I have started the month with getting year ticks and the calibre of what some of the birds have been and barn owl fitted in so well with that. It means I have seen three owl species in a year this year for the third year running. What’s more 2021 now has the prestige for me of being the first year I have seen both barn owl and tawny owl in which I am so thrilled with to see these iconic species of one of my favourite families of birds, both among my favourite birds. Little owl is the other owl we saw on 2nd January this year and we have never seen four species in a year. So you can be sure, possibly depending on how the pandemic goes from now and any required reapplying of restrictions down the line, that we’ll be trying very hard to see another of my favourite birds and the only other owl species we’ve seen short-eared owl as the year goes on. After our last tawny before this year’s March sighting three weeks ago yesterday in 2015, we saw the other three in one year in 2016 then 2017 and 2018 we saw two species the barn the only constant with the other swapped from short-eared to little between the years so I wondered if there was to be some sort of rota in a weird way obviously until 2019 and 2020 when I saw all three of the others to tawny so I wonder if we can see all four or if there is a new rota as some kind of weird imagined rule. All four of the birds I always think we are very lucky to see whenever we do they are all super birds so you cannot take them for granted and I know this is a big challenge what we are trying to achieve still but its great to have challenges. 

I took the second and third pictures in this photoset of a view and blossom and greenery in a smashing bit of sunshine as we walked down the path. Afterwards we got the fairly unusual for so far up the canal path away from Titchfield Haven national nature reserve at the other end and delightful sight of two shelducks flying and settling in a neighbouring field which looked great. As the walk continued we enjoyed spotting the snipe in the fourth picture in this photoset in a field. It was fascinating to watch its head down with its beak persistently drilling into the grass with great force. A wonderful piece of behaviour to see for a bird you don’t always get too close to or necessarily see for so long as they are - like one of a few brilliant and varied people we got to have fantastic conversations at a safe social distance today on wildlife, weather and other current topics an aspect of the walk I really enjoyed said - secretive. 

I took the fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of great wooded views along the canal as we walked on I have loved taking in beautiful woodland views a lot this weekend. I also enjoyed seeing the varied daffodils nestled in the woods the other side of the canal which I took the seventh picture in this photoset of. A beautiful scene and one of a few beautiful flowers it was great to take in today it really was a good walk for flowers. I took the eighth picture in this photoset of some coltsfoot which I loved seeing, very kindly identified during #Wildflowerhour’s #WildflowerID for me on Twitter tonight after I couldn’t quite seem to make it match on the PlantNet app as I continue to learn flowers. The coltsfoot glowed, shone and looked very beautiful in a touch of sunshine they are such beautiful and quite glossy flowers, similar in appearance to the familiar dandelion. I had seen some two weeks ago Tuesday at the fairly similar habitat wise river Itchen where I found them so beautiful and striking too so it was great to see them again. I saw and photographed as I tweeted nice nettles here today too. 

We walked on and the threatening dark clouds passed over us, not bringing (in the most part anyway) the not so expected rain but the even less expected (by me anyway) snow shower which really did immerse us. I saw a little bit of light snow at Lakeside last Tuesday but nothing like this for how heavy it was, its the first serious snow I’ve ever known in April my Mum does always say it can snow in April thinking back to her childhood more and its been proved that it still can happen this year. It really was such a breathtaking and memorable scene I just knew whilst I was getting my camera safely back into the dry of my backpack I just had to capture this too so I did get it back out for a few photos as the shower really engulfed us this included the ninth picture I took today in this photoset. A stunning and memorable moment.

After the shower we were thrilled to see another snipe in soggy grass behind the fence which I took the tenth and final picture in this photoset of. Seeing two seperate snipes in a day that were clear and long enough views for a photo was smashing stuff and quite something I loved seeing them. I had only taken a handful of pictures of snipe before not so many at all. This was a great moment too and behind the snipe were two gigantic by comparison Canada geese with some of the other side of the canal from here too which was quite interesting to see with them flying around too and it was these birds and the snipe we showed them they had seen the geese which prompted the conversation with two of the wonderful people we talked to today. I took a picture of a snipe at Titchfield Haven nearby in 2016, its where I have taken and possibly over my life seen most snipes, and around that time I created a new playlist for music I listen to. The time I listen to music most is on car journeys so I have a few playlists named after the places we are going or animals/species, I have New Forest and as we go there so much an Alternative New Forest playlist for example. So inspired by the recent experience then I named that one my snipe playlist which is one of the ones I use when we travel east from home as this is where Titchfield Haven is and I was listening to it today on the way there and back so it was fitting I had a smashing day for snipes. 

As the sun re-emerged we left feeling very satisfied by another brilliant and quite packed day of birdwatching, wildlife and photos on a really good walk. We did get a brilliant moment seeing swallows so clearly right over our heads getting cracking views of these wonderful spring migrants. By the Posbrook flood area earlier on as we did on Monday we saw lots of swallows and a sand martin flying over which was great. I saw and photographed great birds, flowers and sky scenes at home today too as I tweeted on Dans_Pictures tonight it was great seeing a house sparrow on a hanging basket in the garden I’d not seen any perch on one of these before. Today brought to an end another brilliant and relaxing weekend, I hope you all had a good one. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary at the Titchfield canal path: My first of one of my favourite birds the barn owl this year, three more of my favourite birds the buzzard, shelduck and little egret we saw them well today too, shoveler, gadwall, mallard, black-tailed godwit, redshank, moorhens seen very nicely, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, magpie, woodpigeon, blue tit, long-tailed tit, great tit one of the birds of the tit species nearly flew right into me at one point too another great intimate wildlife moment today, robin, great view of a dunnock, wren, swallow, sand martin and I heard another of my favourite birds the green woodpecker. 

[dansnaturepictures]

20/05/17-Barn Owl and more along the Titchfield Canal path 

We headed here today if I’m honest as it was a good place to still be out looking for things but also provides some shelter, however after a wet week the rain didn’t persist much beyond midday and it became a lovely afternoon. I enjoyed this by capturing the landscapes in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pictures in this photoset and wildlife highlights of the walk included; seeing some early Southern Hawkers my second dragonfly species this year, seeing many Roe Deers out in the fields, seeing a Kestrel carrying a rodent and hearing many lovely Cetti’s Wablers throughout the walk. 

But the main highlight came right at the end of the walk as we were nearly back in the car. We had been told there was a Barn Owl about this way, this was the place where we saw our first ever one in the late noughties, a bird that I had only seen once more again in the first week of 2016. We saw some people looking at the area we had been told it was at and when we asked them and they confirmed it was the Barn Owl and very kindly let us have a first glimpse in their telescope. I later got the very distant record shot of it in the 1st picture in this photoset. This sighting made me very happy as its such an iconic and wonderful bird, its only my third ever and not only that very fittingly it becomes my 150th bird species of 2017! 

I am absolutely thrilled to reach this milestone as whenever I do it makes a year list untouchable in my eyes and no matter how the rest of the year goes it has been an amazing one for birds after reaching 150 species seen. Only my record 2016 year list and 2nd highest ever 2014 year list reached 150 as early as May so that just shows what an amazing year for birds 2017 is for me and how much of a brilliant start I’ve had to it. Its funny I saw a Barn Owl today as I went to a football match on Wednesday evening and when it got dark and Herring Gulls were flying against the black sky I jokingly through “oh its a Barn Owl” and this morning I was thinking about the one I saw in 2016. I didn’t know I’d see it today and thought it quite unlikely when my Mum mentioned the sighting reports to me so it just feels like I foreshadowed it intriguingly and it was like I was driven by something I didn’t know about to come and see this bird. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first Barn Owl of the year, my first Southern Hawker dragonflies of the year, three of my favourite birds the Buzzard, Shelduck and Little Egret, Swift, Swallow, Kestrel, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Mallard, Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Common Tern, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Small White and Peacock butterflies, Roe Deers and I heard Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Warbler.