Blashford Part I - Waterfowl

My first visit to Blashford Lakes, a fairly large Wetlands Wildlife Reserve just across the Dorset border into Hampshire, was at its inception a good few years ago now. It still holds an attraction for me but, like most other places of the ilk, the hides and footpaths have become Debating Chambers rather than a place of peace and tranquillity. Traditionally, women have borne the brunt of being chatterers but their jabbering pale compared to that of predominantly male gossipers relating tales of where they saw their first Water Rail or "there were more Brambling here when I came here last time"! Woe betide he or she that politely issues a "I have come here to sit quietly in the hopes that the Birds may approach a little closer", for surely you will be branded anti-social as was found, to my chagrin, on the day! The morning wasn't ALL 'down', not by any means, but it can be reported that on personal experience there have never been fewer Birds here on any Winter's Day. 

GREYLAG GEESE
flying in

and slowly

getting closer.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE

CANADA GOOSE

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

POCHARD

LITTLE GREBE

EGYPTIAN GOOSE

Only a single pair of

GOOSANDER

a pair of
GOLDENEYE
female foreground.

MUTE SWAN
Part II to follow.

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