A photographic diary featuring my latest images
Friday 20th November 2009
Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve, Hampshire
This is such a fascinating place that I intend to visit more often. Getting out of the car I was greeted by a Stonechat flitting around near the road. Walking across the road bridge I was able to take photographs of a Little Grebe fishing below. Beneath the feeders by the visitors centre, several Sparrows were enjoying the Cotoneaster berries. In the reserve itself I added a new species to the list, the Shoveler who was feeding in front of one of the hides.
Stonechat
Little Grebe
House Sparrow
Shoveler
Wednesday 11th November 2009
Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve, Hampshire
This is one of my local reserves, it covers 369 acres of the Lower Meon Valley. At the southern end the River Meon meets the Solent, there is no estuary, as a seawall was constructed in 1611 and the water now escapes through tidal flaps under the road bridge. The reserve has so many different habitats, including the river, scrapes, reedbeds, ponds, ditches, scrub and willows, meadows and of course the bonus of the neighbouring Solent. The reserve has recorded over 200 species of birds, 19 species of dragonflies and damselflies, over 30 species of butterflies and is home to many mammals and reptiles. Before visiting the hides I spent some time in the viewing area overlooking the river and photographed Blue Tits in the reedbed.
Lapwings flew overhead and a Stonechat appeared and sat above the reedbeds.
From the hides I photographed a Wren, which illustrates how well these birds are camouflaged.
I used my two times convertor two photograph a Cormorant drying its wings and my first glimpse of Egyptian Geese. These geese were introduced to England and have established themselves mainly in East Anglia with only scattered records across lowland England. I have included the photograph as a record and will attempt to update it when I next visit East Anglia.
Cormorant
Egyptian Goose
Monday 9th November 2009
Pagham Nature Reserve, Sussex
I went to Pagham Nature Reserve today, this is a site I have not visited before and I had a very enjoyable few hours. The weather wasn't great but I did get some photographs of Wigeon and although I saw Teal I was unable to get close enough to photograph them.
The reserve was quite busy with Goldfinches feeding on the dead seed heads and flocks of Lapwing overhead. In the estuary there were Herons and Egrets and several Curlews.
Saturday 7th November 2009
Gosport Hampshire
I went to Gosport today and managed to add three new species to the site, plus some additional pictures of the Little Egret. The first "new" bird is one that is often unpopular, the Feral Pigeon, but the superb colours and variety make this bird one of my favorites.
Next up is the Mediterranean Gull, I found this one amongst a large number of Black Headed Gulls.
My final new addition is the Common Gull, which despite its name is not that common especially in inland areas. The RSPB estimates there to be 48,720 breeding pairs in the UK and 430,927 individuals that choose to spend their winter here.
This Little Egret posed beautifully for a number of photographs giving me the chance to obtain some pleasing reflections.
