Saturday 17 January 2015

Skater's Waltz - Émile Waldteufel

The only Frost for 2 or 3 weeks arrived last night, but while of a fairly 'hard' one it was also very short lived. By 08:00 you might have thought it Spring, with the sun peeking above what remain of the banks of the Stour and a cacophony of bird song (Robin, Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush to name but a few) but the long range forecast predicts that will be quickly curtailed too.
On arrival at Harbins Tennis Court
the surrounding Trees and
Parley Pond
seemed to be regenerating Christmas but not much to the liking of
 the local 'tame' Duck population.
 Had the thaw not been in progression we may not have offered any
Barley, we don't want any stranded birds in Ice Holes not even from among this
Mötley Crüe
MUTE SWANs
of the Ice Breaker type.
 Pond Side Vegetation
 also looking good.
So, back to Blashford, ostensibly to visit the woodland, but
there was firstly a little unfinished business to attend to at the Tern Hide.
This time there was little difficulty picking up on the
 LONG-TAILED DUCK
but then something that hadn't even occurred to me, a dozen
 PINTAIL
 
 slowly paddled their way across Ibsley Water feeding en-route.
Moments after the hide was vacated, except for myself, with one of the 3 male
 RUDDY DUCK
appearing from nowhere before heading for the woods.
The sole occupant of the Ivy Hide was quick to point out a
most obliging and extremely vocal
 WATER RAIL
My informant left at which point a Black-headed Gull 'flushed' a
Green Sandpiper from a mid-water boulder and enter 2
Hampshire Hogs doing a day 'Twitch' (seeing how many species they
could record in a 24 hour period). They were delighted with the news
of the Rail and Wader then went on quickly to locate the
 BITTERN
 concealed in hardly enough reeds to cover the area of
Slight Return II - nice one!
A full house at the Woodland Hide which seemed to be overhung
with discontent at the absence of the usual Siskin and Redpoll flock.
Buzz seemed to be there were 'none' on the reserve but only a short walk
away the Alders (full of fruit) and gunwales under with
 SISKIN
and on closer inspection a few Goldfinch and
 LESSER REDPOLL
I do love this place and just a 15 minutes drive from my current caravan site.
HEAVEN!
It is only occasionally that I return via the Matchams Road, mainly to
check the riverside and water meadows and ALWAYS take the wrong
turning under the flyover. However, partway to Verwood stands the archetypal
Hansel and Gretel Cottage.
and one from just a little further afield, a newly 'ringed'
SNOW BUNTING
at Seaton Snook, Cleveland
thanks to Dave Foot's recent visit there.
Did you bring one back with you Dave?
Entry            Pageviews
United Kingdom
                 429
United States
                 178
Germany
                 163
Czech Republic
                 100
France
                   44
Ukraine
                   20
Estonia
                   19
Ireland
                   15
Canada
                   14
China
                   13

2 comments:

  1. And...The little bit of rain we had at 8 o'clock...
    Made the roads a sheet of ice.
    I went off to Wimborne at 8:300..Just the other
    side of 'Badbury Rings' three separate cars, were
    in three separate ditches...On the way back a
    breakdown lorry was heaving one out...!
    Still, bit of good news...I picked up a rabbit in the
    Rings...Tomorrows lunch, sorted! :).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes Willie same here. One of our lady horse riders had a shunt at Avon Causeway, one of 3 that day. Hope you enjoyed the Rabbit Pie we sticking to Pheasant here at the mo. Best Wishes - Bagsy

    ReplyDelete