A photographic diary featuring my latest images
Tuesday 27th October 2009
New Forest Hampshire
I went to the New Forest today in search of the Mandarin Duck, there is a lake in the forest which is home to several feral birds. Mandarin ducks were originally from Japan,China and Eastern Russia and the British feral population stems from birds released in the Home Counties in the 1920`s and 30`s. I encountered a pair earlier in the year on the River Wye in Wales but they were very wary and I failed to get close enough to photograph them. I expected the New Forest birds to be more used to human intrusion but found to my cost that this is certainly not the case! The birds were on the far side of the lake, well away from the easy access points and after a walk through a very boggy stretch of the Forest I managed just three barely usable photographs, which for the time being will have to suffice, but I will return and spend more time photographing these beautiful birds.
Monday 26th October 2009
River Hamble
Curlew in flight.
Wednesday 21st October 2009
Titchfield Haven
On Monday I spoke about my intention to streamline the images added to the site, well today I visited Titchfield Haven and I am able to add images which show both behaviours, and identification pitfalls. The next two photographs are both Black Headed Gulls, the first bird is a juvenile and the beak and legs are yellow and there is a distinctive black band across the tail feathers, the second image is an adult bird in winter plumage with red beak and legs and no tailmarkings.
Here are the two side by side.
I thought the swan fight I witnessed earlier in the year was violent, well this scrap between a Lesser Black Backed Gull and a Herring Gull was every bit as violent and at one point it appeared the Herring Gull was going to be completely overpowered. The Lesser Black Backed Gull landed on a groyne and a few minutes later the herring Gull turned up and landed in the sea nearby. The Lesser immediately attacked and the struggle lasted for two minutes with Black Headed Gulls wheeling above obviously enjoying the spectacle, finally the Herring Gull broke free and the two birds sat within five feet of each other for a further five minutes before, the Lesser flew off.
Friday 16th October 2009
Dulverton, Exmoor
A new species today, I was walking in the woods near Dulverton and I saw a pair of these Dor Beetles on the muddy path. One of them was burrowing into the mud and after a while the slug popped out, I am not sure if this was a coincidence or if the Beetle was burrowing for the slug. These beetles do eat slugs but once the slug was on the surface the beetle showed no interest in it.
Tuesday 13th October 2009
Ilfracombe, Devon
Rock Pipit photographed in Ilfracombe, this is the closest I have got to one of these birds, this one was in the car park adjacent to the harbour in Ilfracombe.
Monday 12th October 2009
Tarr Steps Exmoor
Just two photographs today, another Robin and a female Pheasant. Exmoor as usual is full of Pheasants, but I resisted the temptation to photograph the handsome males as I only want to add images to the site if; 1. They are a new species. 2. The opposite sex of an existing species. 3. The image aids identification. 4. The image shows a new behaviour. 5. The photograph is technically better or more appealing than an existing image. This approach will lessen the number of new images added to the site, but hopefully improve the overall quality and usefulness of the photographs.
Friday 2nd October 2009
River Itchen Eastleigh
A beautiful sunny day gave me an excuse to revisit the River Itchen, and I was delighted to add two new species to the website, a Gold Ringed Dragonfly and a Dark Bush Cricket.
The Gold Ringed Dragonfly is said to be common in southern,western and northern England, but this is the first one I have seen. I added more photographs of the Red Admiral and Comma today, two of my favourite butterflies.
There were very few opportunities for bird photography today, but I did manage one shot of a Moorhen enjoying the sun.
Thursday 1st October 2009
Hamble River Warsash
What a quiet September, the bird feeders in my garden have been largely ignored, the Lavender and Wild Fennel are over and the insects have gone elsewhere, the butterfly sightings are slowing and I have taken very few photographs. I thought as it was the 1st October I would wander through the woods and down to the River Hamble. The grey squirrels were very active in the woods and I saw Great Tits in the trees, but it is still very quiet. The river was no better, an Egret flew over the marshes and there were one or two Black Headed Gulls along the edge of the river. I am visiting Exmoor later in the month and hope for better things! I couldn't resist a couple of shots of this gull which was in perfect condition.
