#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]

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]

2nd January 2023: Blog 1 of 2-Woolston, Weston Shore, Titchfield Canal and home

We had a packed day today visiting a few places to look for birds, and saw lots more for the first time this year and some crackers. Firstly it was something we did on the bank holiday day at the start of last year too funnily enough, have a look at a building site at Woolston to unsuccessfully look for a Black Redstart that has been there. It was nice to see Starling, Feral Pigeon and a few Pied Wagtails here. I also enjoyed seeing pretty groundsel which the second picture in this photoset shows, spurge and some possible shepherd’s purse or mustard in the way of plants as well as some lovely leaves.

It was then onto nearby Weston Shore to see if we could see a Great Northern Diver there and we managed to, this shiny bird seen out to sea a jewel in the crown of my young year. We ticked Lesser Black-backed Gull here as well and saw a Common Gull on the sea. Also here it was entertaining to see a group of Mute Swans young and old at the car park enjoying the puddles I took the third picture in this photoset of three of the younger ones with grey feathers still, and the usual mob of Carrion Crows one shown in the fourth picture I took today in this photoset and Feral Pigeons were good to see with a feel good moment seeing hoards of pigeons on a feeding tray on someone’s car as well. Here we also saw; some of one of my favourite birds the Brent Goose and another the Little Egret, Cormorant, Oystercatchers nicely, a lovely bright Curlew and Black-headed Gulls. Some in flower gorse was good to see here too and I liked taking in beautiful coastal scenery with the welcome sun today painting the sea golden. I took the fifth picture in this photoset of a view here today. 

The next location was the Titchfield Canal to try and see the Barn Owls and for a seventh year running we saw one and also part of another next to it in the split tree. This is an amazing and stunning bird to see and a key moment of my year what a pleasure to see this favourite bird of mine so soon into the year again. I took the seventh picture in this photoset of them. There were three more year ticks here, a neat Gadwall on the water, excellent views of a charming Kestrel so close by on wires and structures shining in strong light and exhilarating views of it flying I took the ninth picture in this photoset of it and an unexpected pair of Egyptian Geese in flight from by the car park. In a raptor fest here we saw a Buzzard well in a tree including picking up a stick. Other birds seen here were another Common Gull on the water what a start to the year I’ve had for them for a third year running; as well as Black-headed Gull, Wigeon, Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot, Cormorant seen really well again, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit and Great Tit with Robin heard.

Cleavers or possible hedge bedstraw leaves and teasel seed heads shining in the sunlight as well as nettle leaves were nice plant sightings here. The sun was powerfully out whilst here which created fantastic winter sunlight partnered well by soft clouds that I enjoyed seeing well across the locations today. There were beautiful views of the green and blue landscape with a fair bit of water around. I took the sixth, eighth and tenth with the sun at the back of trees pictures in this photoset of views here. We got talking to some lovely people here as we did at Woolston.

At home today I enjoyed a sunny morning with silver moisture on trees outside, grass in a plant pot on the balcony lit stunningly, distant mistletoe the first picture I took today in this photoset shows this, flowers, a lovely spider in the hallway, Woodpigeon kissed by the sun on the roof visible from my room and House Sparrow in the buddleia bush out the front looking good. On the way to Woolston I ticked Mute Swan seen from Cobden Bridge at Riverside Park with Black Swans seen too and on my old school and college field by home we saw our first Rook of the year I saw a few well later in the day from the car too. I enjoyed seeing a lovely moon at home tonight too. 

Part 2 of today’s posts is here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/705367750898532354/2nd-january-2023-blog-2-of-2-warblington-and

[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]

7/1/23-Titchfield Canal and Hill Head and bits at home 

We had a good walk along the Titchfield Canal today coming here again after Monday to walk further down and see if we could see the Glossy Ibis that had been reported on Posbrook Floods earlier in the day which have been around a lot lately. I am thrilled to say we saw these four birds from the wooded path close to the edge of the field and water’s edge, and we spent a few glee filled minutes watching these admirable birds and getting astonishing views of this precious species. It was stunning to see them so close, some of the best ever views we’ve got of this star bird that we’ve now seen five years running having only seen one once before 2019. As a shower came on, standing beside a flooded Hampshire field in the rain felt like being beside an African swamp such is this species’ exotic aura. I took the third, fourth and fifth pictures in this photoset of these birds. A perfect addition to a packed week of birds on my birthday in an area so key in our early birdwatching days.

Also nice to see at the canal was Pintail, Wigeon, Coot seen well, Black-headed Gull, Cormorant, Woodpigeon, Robin seen well, delightfully calling Great Tit and a cracking view of a gorgeous Redwing in a tree a key bird of my birthday two years ago. Cleavers and nettle leaves were nice plants to see.

We had a quick look at the shore at Hill Head also getting a brief in flight view of as hoped our first Sanderlings of the year, a pleasing 112th bird species of my 2023. I also here saw Turnstone, Oystercatchers nicely, Canada Geese flying, Mallard, Mute Swan and Black-headed Gulls. I seem to recall Herring Gull at some point this afternoon too. It was nice to see Carrion Crows in a field nearby and by the River Hamble on the way back. At both spots today it was interesting to see the blustery and wet scenes with sweet creamily lit sky scenes in the changeable weather. I took the second picture in this photoset showing Posbrook Floods and sixth and seventh pictures in this photoset of views at Hill Head not for the first time this week for the seventh picture a Black-headed Gull was nicely in shot to add a memorable moment of feeling to the scene. 

Hoards of Starlings seen on nearby roofs with some in the garden alongside Goldfinch, Blue Tit and a handsome male Blackbird flitting around in the garden were at home highlights today I took the first picture in this photoset of the Blackbird. It was wonderful to see the still quite full looking moon as clouds cleared to reveal its magnificence as we got back tonight. It was great to enjoy the wolf moon, that’s one thing that sticks in my mind for our opening week off of the year this year is the amount of times I’ve seen the brilliant moon building to the full moon at the end of the week at home and at various places on trips out and whilst away for the night of course. Such a beautiful thing to see as always in the afternoon and night’s sky. I took the eighth and ninth pictures in this photoset of the moon tonight. I also enjoyed seeing the spider in the tenth and final picture in this photoset quite a pretty one in my en suite tonight possibly a False Black Widow. 

[dansnaturepictures]

10/12/2022-Part 2 of 2: Lee-on-the-Solent

Following on from my previous post, we then today went to Lee-on-the-Solent near the Shack to look for the Velvet Scoters which had been around. We had a great time scanning through Common Scoters on the sea and managed to pick out a least a couple of Velvet Scoters. Our first of the year, a bird I do really admire and another wonderful species to add to my year list of late in a strong run I’m having as we get towards the end of the year that’s four weekends in a row I’ve got a year tick now. It’s my 205th bird of the year. Seeing both them and Common Scoters for the second time this year after some seen from Thornwick Bay in Yorkshire in June another of my birds of the year was a treat.

Also here we saw a fair few of one of my favourite birds the Great Crested Grebe on the water, a neat male Eider which was so lovely to see too, Cormorant, lots of Black-headed Gulls, bold Carrion Crows in the air and on the beach and delightful Pied Wagtails flitting around with a few flying down the beach towards dusk possibly coming into roost somewhere.

There were some excellent views of pristine and calm blue sea, immersive beach, dark green pine trees and fascinating cloud formations in the sweet winter sunlight here this afternoon. It was also lovely to watch the sun - that trickled a golden trail across the sea from the Isle of Wight which was lovely to see today too over to us as the second picture in this photoset shows - set and make the sky creamy and pink. There is something so stirring about a setting sun over the sea for me at any time of year I’ve had a good year for that this year and it’s a good atmosphere at this time of year with the sun setting on our walks. I liked seeing some leaves on the stoney beech too. I took the first and third-tenth pictures in this photoset of views and sky scenes here today. It was interesting to see people out enjoying themselves this afternoon including a couple braving the water on this cold day.

The journey to here and home was interesting with top and quirky views of an Oystercatcher by the road side and a Buzzard on a post. Coot, Mallard, Black-headed Gulls and Woodpigeon near and at a place we love Hill Head on the way back was nice to see, and there was something I’d never seen here; the water in Titchfield Haven and water by the Titchfield Canal that the road crosses frozen. It was funny we went past Titchfield Haven as like I’ve said before Titchfield Haven was the first nature reserve we ever visited in 2007 so it was an instrumental place in those early years of birdwatching for me and this brilliant reserve and great wild area is a key place for us. We first ever discovered it when I was just starting to get into birdwatching as we went to Lee-on-Solent quite a bit and we noticed the sign for Titchfield Haven on the way back once and checked out Hill Head seeing our first ever Turnstones before going into the reserve on a later date which I have fond memories of and was a key factor in starting it all for us to see birds. Sadly the visitor centre which is a key part of this site is under threat from closure and being sold off, and it’s sad to think of this useful space for the community and a key part of a reserve that inspires many to enjoy and protect nature is at risk. There is this petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-our-haven-centre against this which it was nice to see advertised here today. 

It was nice to see the River Hamble looking pretty post sunset and some mist coming over the University of Southampton sports fields I believe on the way back and frost visible rather ending the day as it had begun. Today was a memorable winter day for me, part 1 of today’s posts about a frosty morning at Lakeside and home is here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/703277251984277504/10122022-part-1-of-2-frosty-morning-at-lakeside

[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]

Reflections on my week off to start the year 

I felt like doing a post looking back at our time off over the last week. It was an amazing week packed with bird sightings and photos at Lakeside/home, on walks and visits across Hampshire, a day trip to Dorset for Portland and the trip away for a night to visit WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire with two call ins to lakes in Oxfordshire on the way. With 112 bird species seen thus far in 2023, the highest I’ve ever seen after one week and a fair few sensational species seen it has been a fantastic start to the year. What blows my mind with birdwatching and doing year lists and the amount of species there are to see is we are in this pattern now of having time off in the new year usually with my birthday incorporated and the last few years dates falling has meant that has joined up to New Year’s Day and any substitute bank holiday day and we try to see as much as possible, yet there is still a decent sized list of species I’ve not yet seen this year and some may be things to give more specifically dedicated time to at weekends but there is still a chunk of birds to aim for before the spring migration starts in about three months time or so which is exciting.   

After a relaxed New Year’s Eve where I reflected on my incredible 2022 for wildlife and photos a lot and also took the third picture in this photoset of a view at a wet Denny Wood in the New Forest, 2023 began with me seeing my favourite garden bird Goldfinch before double woodpecker delight Green Woodpecker and the Great Spotted Woodpecker in the fourth picture in this photoset and a memorable Mistle Thrush on my traditional walk at our local Lakeside Country Park to begin the year and Slavonian Grebe and Kingfisher views headlined a New Year’s Day afternoon walk at Lymington. 

Monday 2nd was one of a few super days of the week off in which we went so many places and saw so much; Great Northern Diver at Weston Shore, Barn Owl along the Titchfield Canal, Cattle Egret and Warblington and stunning raptors Short-eared Owl and Marsh Harrier with White-fronted Goose too at Farlington Marshes some of the species seen as well as the Kestrel at the Titchfield Canal in the fifth picture I took in this photoset. A bit quieter was Tuesday but still combining multiple locations, the New Forest’s Eyeworth Pond, Cadman’s Pool and Blashford Lakes as the sixth picture in this photoset shows picking up woodland species like Coal and Marsh Tit and the duck theme of the week really took off with my first Mandarin Duck, Goosanders and Goldeneye of the year across the locations. Another big trip on Wednesday saw us visit Portland Harbour and Portland Bill as well as another part of the isle where Gannet, Kittiwake, Purple Sandpiper, Common Scoter and Black-throated Diver were some of a few key birds encountered this week on a glorious day. I took the seventh picture in this photoset of the moon at Portland, a key feature of this week as I said yesterday. 

On Thursday we approached the pinnacle of the week really travelling to near to Gloucester to stay in a hotel before a day in WWT Slimbridge on Friday, visiting Oxfordshire’s Tar Lakes and Dix Pit along the way seeing the Mute Swan in the first picture in this photoset and Pochard and Great Crested Grebe memorably at the former, and as well as the latter too species at Tar Lakes seen again here my first Chiffchaff and Great White Egret of the year the latter. I took the second picture in this photoset of a view at Tar Lakes. Then Friday 6th arrived and Slimbridge a new year week off tradition of ours now delivered and more once again, with seeing specialties there such as Bewick’s Swan, Common Crane and Golden Plover and standout ones we’re not guaranteed to see there always Water Rail, Ruff and Scaup and just the sheer volume of amount of species with nearly fifty seen overall I think I counted on the night and also enjoying wonderful photo opportunities including of the captive wetland birds and mammals from around the globe there. It was an amazing day. I took the eighth picture in this photoset of a view there and ninth of a Bewick’s Swan. 

On my birthday yesterday a relaxed day precious time spent out again re-visiting the Titchfield Canal area and walking further along to Posbrook Floods and looking at Hill Head allowed us to see two bonus birthday presents to the many brilliant ones I got this year, Glossy Ibises at Posbrook Floods as the tenth and final picture in this photoset shows and our first Sanderlings of the year at Hill Head. 

As well as obviously the landscapes at all these top places to take photos of plants supported the birds this week well and fungi with a sort of bit of hang on from the peak season in a sense of some great bits being around still. For plants it went beyond the this and that of bits of things in flower that I noted again and again in December and probably November too with things like the snowdrops we often see at Slimbridge and winter heliotrope at Lakeside flashing forward to what’s to come in the year and hopeful days of spring not being so far away. I forgot to mention in the blog about Thursday my Mum spotted a butterfly from the car on the journey, by the time I’d seen something in the direction she said I’m not sure I could have really been sure it was and certainly couldn’t begin to guess which of the few species that might awake from hibernation briefly at this time of year it may be but it was interesting to know, and spiders have kept me entertained at moments at home this week too.

We shall go for some kind of walk this afternoon before I go back to work tomorrow, and in between have the Lakeside lunch time walks and time in Winchester to look forward to and of course trips to different spots at weekends. It has been a week full of cherished wild memories, as well as precious family time and great bits of relaxation. It seems we all had our second bout of Covid (after late March 2022) before and during the Christmas period and there was obviously the heartbreak of losing Missy at that time (whilst I still managed a few really memorable walks and wild trips out over that time and had the relaxation and family time too); so coming into the week off it was a bit of the unknown of whether we might have to do things a bit differently this year. In the end I would say we were all well enough for it to have been the week we wanted especially as it went on, and all the places visited and wildlife seen was a tonic in a tough time in the wake of losing Missy. The changeable weather also gave a degree of uncertainty about the week but whilst naturally for this time of year we have seen a fair bit of rain there were many great times for the weather too with lots of sunshine as well. Thank you for all the support for my photos and posts and interactions this week, have a good new week all.

[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.