Blashford Part II - Passerines

IN APPRECIATION OF 'COMMON' BIRDS!

The second part of our saunter down to Blashford a couple of days ago with, when the hubbub had ceased and the Birds came nearer, all of these images were taken from the sanctity of the Woodland Hide over a one hour period and presented in the order that they were taken.

 NUTHATCH

thought rather nice to see the undertail coverts.

  DUNNOCK

CHAFFINCH

(female)

 NUTHATCH

 CHAFFINCH

(male)

 GREY SQUIRREL

 GOLDFINCH

 NUTHATCH

 GOLDFINCH

 NUTHATCH

 BLUE TIT

 ROBIN

 GREAT TIT

 BLACKBIRD

(female)

 JACKDAW

 (male)

 SISKIN

 There were only c2 Siskin on the day

 this and a far more lively female

which never came to book.

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Russia	1275
United States	370
United Kingdom	354
Germany	104
France	28
Estonia	18
China	16
Canada	13
New Zealand	5
Australia	4

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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Russia	728 they're back!
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United States	370
Germany	92
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Spain	11
New Zealand	5

Sunshine of Your Love - Cream

Sunshine of Your Love (original) 

Never having been one for bright, sparkling sunny days, there is always an exception to every rule - it doesn't half bring out the colours of the Birds, especially the Ducks. Not always transmitted onto stills and video all we can do is our best! Yesterday was certainly one of them.

 The Rosy Glow of Dawn
and we are still catching the occasional Moth

DECEMBER MOTH

RUSTY-DOT PEARL
and something of a 'rareity' here a tiny

GLASS SNAIL 
clinging to the funnel.

Most of us have never seen
MEAN LOW WATER SPRING TIDE
at
PARLEY POND

and looks like the Contractors were taking advantage and starting
DREDGING OPERATIONS

in an effort to eradicate the Pond Weed mostly

PARROT FEATHER

Another big lump of Plant in association with the
Solar Panels

and a 'high flying'

CORMORANT
captured at the same time.

By no means a regular visitor here at the
Irrigation Pond

 a considered 'good find was this female

 SHOVELER

While at the Gravel Pit a bit more action with a

 MALLARD in company with a pair of WIGEON

and a 

 LITTLE GREBE

 Looks like "the man who fell to earth"

 as we seem to have caught up with the 'high flying'

CORMORANT

on the banks of the Moors River.
Also there was this

GREY HERON

until the silence was shattered by the

'thumping' rotors of this

CHINOOK HELICOPTER

 Back at the Irrigation Pond a

 MAGPIE

 had turned up as had a couple of

BLACK-HEADED GULLs

At the very last knockings we found one of the local

COMMON BUZZARD

at one of their favourites perches.

As we set course back to base these 3 young

ROE DEER

preceded us along the bridleway and reducing us to

videoing through the windscreen.

Busy Eh?
Sunshine of Your Love (alternate take) 

Royal Albert Hall 2005
Another healthy return on the Stat Counter yesterday

with Russia, one minute 'out of view' and the next

'in your face with a healthy 636 and Pole Position!

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Russia	636    They're back with a vengeance!
United Kingdom	452
United States	414
Germany	89
China	22
Estonia	16
Canada	15
France	15
Spain	11
New Zealand	5