Saturday 14 March 2015

Lorraine - Bad Manners

Not her you understand!
Tuesday was a day to meet up with an Old Flame and still dear friend Lorraine, but she knew very well that if we were to visit the New Forest for lunch, then there would have to be a bird or 2 to look at first. Not wrong, as being so near to Nomansland, there was always a chance of a Goshawk. Better still, as we took up position on the hillside a
RED KITE
flew into view, and while its only telescope views from such a distance,
it is from the archive we pluck the images.
Next up was a 
GOSHAWK
in fact 2 trying to get into the displaying mood but not quiet succeeding.
There were plenty of
WOODLARK
there as well and all seemed to be vocal.
So to lunch and we had agreed on the
LAMB INN
at Nomansland
and strongly recommended it is if your down that part of the
New Forest.
A platter for 2 seemed in order along with a little catching up.
Wednesday, and it was back in harness, no rest for the wicked here!
A trio of macro Moths joined the extremely short (as yet)
Year List
 CLOUDED DRAB
 OAK NYCTEOLINE
and
DOUBLE-STRIPED PUG
and as you know 'we don't do Micros'
so here are a couple anyway.
 AGONOPTERIX ALSTROMERIANA
and
 DEPRICARIA DAUCELLA
It was the Irrigation Pond that caught most of my attention and while only
'common birds' were seen it is a joy to watch this tiny watercourse
become attractive to birdlife after all the disturbance of the Solar Panel Works.
 First up were not quite so common here as only about a dozen have
entered the log since my first visit in 2006.
 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
this seeming 'pair' were in the first instance just content preening,
 but there was more to come.
 That's when the marauders arrived
 as usual proceeded by their rasping calls.
 Prepare for landing.
 They don't seem to cause the others any bother so
Live and Let Live!
 A 'second winter'
BLACK-HEADED GULL
 and the now 'resident'
 LITTLE GREBE
which was being particularly confiding swimming to the near bank.
 Back to the
 Lesser Black-back who had taken to a bit of wing stretching
 while the younger Black-headed joined an adult on the Island.
If it's good enough for the bigger birds,
 then it's good enough for us!
 It is though that the also 'resident pair' of
COOT
might have got cracking by now, but not a single sign of interest,
 There were c3
COMMON BUZZARD
on the wing at this moment, along with a Raven giving them a bit
of grief but weren't up for all getting in shot.
 It cannot be seen why this, and other, helicopters have to fly over
Merritown Heath
but I'm not going to lock horns with that lot now I'm Low Profile!
 PHEASANT TRACK
in the Sand Trap this morning and on return to the IP a
 HERRING GULL
 had turned up, just stole a mouthful of water
 and then flew off.
 This solitary
 LAPWING
may well have been overlooked at the first visit, but is the 'first'
ever recorded here.
LAPWING
crouching.
CELANDINE
CHINOOK
and a little run-in with the
RICH

How would you fancy going shopping in one of these?

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