6th May - I Just Hope Blue Isn't the Colour!

After a weekend away in which the sun shone on us, we decided when we returned home, that we would see if the warm sunny weather had produced any changes around the patch.  As we walked along Brislands lane a green Woodpecker called out in the distance, and this meant after our time this morning in the New Forest that in the day I had heard all three British woodpeckers, something I haven’t done for a long time.

Looking down the lane the leaves emerging on the trees has finally changed the scene, with the sun light being dappled through the branches.  It seemed we were not alone in taking advantage of the lovely weather.

Rather than follow the lane down to the wood, we turned off onto Gradwell, and came in via the footpath there.  The ground was very dry, and it was so much different from the last time we had walked here.  In the wood the larch trees were now showing some lovely colour, the leaves a beautiful lime green against both the blue sky and the dark of the wood.

  We wondered along the perimeter path, the floor under the trees now has a good display of Wood Sorrel.  It has a delicate petal, and the colour varies from almost all white to a pink hue, the petal also has very fine dark pink veins.

We walked past the owl tree, but there was no sign of the owl.  We then made our way to the main path.  It was nice to hear bird song, and to see colour everywhere.  As we walked along the main path back to the crossroads, a Treecreeper flew up in front of us, and proceeded to investigate the moss on the tree, as usual it did not want to come into the sunlight.

After a short interlude to return a dog to its owner we carried on towards the north perimeter.  The Bluebells here were not that pronounced, but it shouldn’t be long, the little clumps of Wood Sorrel were around though, and looked lovely as the sunshine picked out the delicate flowers.

Turning onto the perimeter path, it was clear Bluebell season has probably now started.  Five to six weeks later than last year, but it seems as if they have benefited from the early flowering last year followed by the drenching they received after.  The floor is covered and the leaves and flowers look tall and strong.  So here goes that start of an unrelenting series of pictures of this wonderful sight.  If you are reading this and live around here, go and enjoy and take only pictures, while you doing so, take the time to look at the wild life here too, and to listen to the sound of a spring wood.

We stopped in a certain area where last year there had been some orchids, and I picked out a lovely Early Purple Orchid amongst the bluebells.  Last year we had found it as the bluebells died off.  This year it stands out amongst them in a lovely purple colour.

Last year there were two specimens here, but we couldn’t find the other.  We walked on, coming out of the wood at the west end.  Both Large White and Peacock butterflies were seen on the edge of the wood, the Peacock preferring to sun bathe on the field, while the Large White patrolled the dead nettles.

We walked down the paddock, to see if the lamb was still about, he was and after a bit of coaxing he came over to us.  Looking back at the wood you can see that the Beech trees are now well developed, but the Oaks still have some way to go, this shows in this photograph, the oaks being the grey brown patches.

Back into the wood we walked down the main path.  Solomon’s Seal are getting taller, and there are signs of the small flowers beneath the leaves, and the Ransomes or Wild Garlic is just beginning to flower

As the path winds back up hill towards the crossroads, there was a sunny patch of bluebells and emerging bracken.  This was attractive to butterflies, and we saw four different species here.  The Orange Tips were not very helpful, and very rarely stopped on the flowers, and when they did they were gone before I could get a picture, this was the best.

A rather tatty Brimstone was a little more helpful, it taking a likening to this bluebell

As did this Peacock

The other butterfly seen was a Large White which did not settle at all.

On the other side of the path, the bluebells were looking wonderful.  They are not completely out yet, but they look very impressive already.  Once again forgive my indulgence.

We walked around the west perimeter back to the main path.  The Bluebells will probably reach their peak by next weekend if it stays warm and sunny.  Everywhere you look in Old Down Wood you will find them, a wonderful sign that spring is finally here.

We left the wood and walked along the road to the pond.  The water level is once again quite low, and you could see the carp just under the surface.  We walked around the pond, checking the water for tadpoles.  Every so often we would see one or two, but we remarked on how little there was this year.  At the jetty we looked again, and realised that there were quite a few about but they had probably on just hatched, and were using any piece of vegetation as cover.  This created little towers of black just under the water, looking like the scene from a sci-fi movie.

As we left the pond I noticed a clump of Arch Angel in flower.  This is similar to the Whit flowering Dead Nettle, but the flowers are yellow.  These looked wild, but sometimes you do get the cultivated types with the greyer ornamental leaves.

After taking the decision not to cross the field back to the wood, we started down towards the school.  Almost immediately Helen stopped me and pointed out this lovely male Bullfinch in the sun.

Last time I remarked about the numbers of Dandelions there are this year compared to last year.  The Dandelion will close up in poor wet weather and it seems this stopped them from pollinating, this year there are already loads of these lovely vibrant yellow flowers, and with them come the seed heads, and the beautiful delicate parachute seeds.  As a result we decided to have a go photographing them doing what they have to do to spread even further.  A first attempt and I hope we get more chances because it will mean the weather has been kind.

We made our way back home, still in the warm sun, with Blackbirds and Song Thrushes singing.

1st May - Winter? What Winter?

Human beings tend to have selective memories that will filter out normal events choosing to remember those things that have an impact on your life.  For instance who remembers the bad weather when you were a child?  Summers were always hot and sunny, not like they are today.  Are we falling into the trap when we compare the last two years?  Last year by now all the trees were in leaf, and we had seen most of the early insects by now.  Contrast with this year and only now the leaves are coming out, and the butterflies and insect are beginning to be seen.  Which is the real situation?  Is this Spring so late, or was last year exceptionally early?

I was thinking this as I walked around the patch today, there was Dandelions everywhere, and the leaves are now showing lime green everywhere.  Everything felt as it should, the first of May, and it was feeling warm.  As I walked along Brislands I noticed a strange stone on the lawn of a house, something made me look closer, and the stone turned into a Mistle Thrush that seemed to be either sun bathing or anting on the lawn.

A little further on, I found a Honey Bee inspecting a Dandelion flower, there was in fact several on the yellow petals, but only one per flower.

I was going to walk around Old Down again, so I headed past Gradwell, pausing to see if the Bullfinches were around.  They didn't show today, but as I turned to walk on a shadow came over and looking up there wee two Buzzards making the most of the sunny weather as only buzzards can.

I walked out into the field again, wondering if the Wheatears had stayed, only to find a tractor coming over the hill, so it was with not much hope I scanned the field. there was nothing.  I headed into Old Down, where a Chiffchaff was singing, and by the crossroads a Blackcap burst into song, but that was about all.

I could hear Buzzards calling above me, and there was a Raven honking somewhere, but I couldn't see either.  Maybe there was a dispute over nest sites, its possible.  I swung by the owl tree, there was no one at home, so I wonder where he had gone.  I walked back to the main path, and hoped maybe for a butterfly in the clearing.  I found one, it was a Comma, a first for the year, but it like the Peacock yesterday looks a little worse for wear.

As I walked out of the wood towards Swelling Hill, a Robin followed me along the path, and a Chiffchaff was catching fly around the style.  The path was now almost dry, which was a pleasant change as I walked out of the wood.

I had hoped for some butterflies by the pond, and on the flower bank, but all I could find was a couple of Bee Flies searching the flowers of the periwinkle.

You can see the proboscis, which if you didn't know what the insect was could be rather off putting.  The pond was very quiet, and I struggled to see any tadpoles or spawn around the edges of the pond. 

From the pond I walked along the road towards Kitwood.  I could hear a Blackcap singing, but struggled to find the bird.  I eventually found it, unusually at the top of the tree, typically they sing from well within the bush or tree.

From Kitwood I took the footpath down to Hawthorn Road.  The owner of the land has partitioned off the fields with electric fences, I am not sure if this is to keep the horses in, or to keep people out.  There are signs up telling walkers where to go, and to follow the path shown on the OS maps.  I am perfectly OK with this, as at least the path is preserved.  It is when the footpaths are obstructed or removed without any legal  notice I am not happy.

I cross Hawthorn Road and started up the hill towards the garden centre.  Again the fields are used for ponies, and they clearly alternate the grazing.  The first field was covered already in dandelions.  Last year because of the rain there was hardly any of these lovely, enigmatic flowers, it is good to see a lovely show this Spring.

The rest of the walk was quiet, even the rooks at the rookery were silent.  As I crossed the field towards Blackberry Lane a single Swallow flew around the field.  The work done here has been dramatic, I can't see the field turning out the wild flowers and insects it has produced over the last few years, but we shall see.

I made my way back to Reads Field, and as I came down the lane a pair of Long-tailed Tits were calling from the bushes, I stood and waited and then right alongside me one popped out onto the branch by me.

As soon as they appeared they were gone and I walked on.  As I came to the bars I saw a male Orange-tip Butterfly flitting over the daisies and dandelions on the grass.  I waited but it never settled, I shall have to wait for another chance to photograph one.  As I left the Orange-tip, a Large White drifted by, but it too just kept on going, as did I home.

I have managed to post two more episodes from the India adventure, go here to see

30th April - This Is Why We Have to Have Footpaths!

While not being spring like in temperature, it has at least been dry, and there has been sunshine over the last few days of April.  The year ticks continued to arrive on Sunday, when a pair of Canada Geese flew over Oak Green Parade as I went to get a paper, they probably hang out at either Alton or Alresford, where there are sizeable ponds.  I never thought I would get excited about Canada Geese.

As it was a sunny evening I set off in the hope that something else may have dropped in.  The winds have been in the north, and a kind of blocker, but when they are from the south the birds seem to go straight through.  Saturday’s Redstart though had returned the enthusiasm that good birds can turn up on the patch.

At the horse paddock on Brislands I stopped as usual to scan the area.  Wood Pigeons and Blackbirds made up the bird community, but at the back of the field there was a female Roe Deer lying down, enjoying the sunshine.  Not something you see all the time, maybe she was coming to the end of her pregnancy and wanted to rest.

As I approached the turn to Gradwell I saw a pair of Swallows flying around the field, from their behaviour it looks like this is the resident pair that nests in the horse shed.

Just past the turn to Gradwell on the right hand side, a pair of Bullfinches have taken a liking to the bird feeders in the front garden.  I have been able to get some good views recently, but they are very mobile, and difficult to photograph.  As I stopped I found the female, and then shortly afterwards the male appeared, and this time perched conveniently in an open position in the birch tree.  The sun caught the crimson breast, and I was able to get one of the best pictures of a Bullfinch for a long time.

I intended to go through Old Down, but as always when I approached the footpath, I debated whether or not I should walk out onto the field.  I could hear Skylarks singing, and I saw one take off from the ground, so decided to walk along my own footprints, that for me now served as the footpath across the field.

As I headed out towards the middle of the filed, I noticed two birds ahead of me.  At first I thought they were more Skylarks, but the upright posture demanded a closer look.  They were in fact a pair of male and female Wheatears.  The male was closer to me, and I quickly took some pictures.

I then stood and watched them as they moved around feeding in the field, the female always keeping a further distance away from me.  I did though manage to get a record shot of both of the birds close together.

I had two very brief views of Wheatear last year, one very distant with no picture last April on Lye Way, and an extremely distant bird unusually in a tree last Autumn on Plain Farm.  It was then really good to have these lengthy excellent views.  The short growth of the crops in the fields has proved beneficial, and an obvious attraction to them.  The male always stayed close, but they began to move away from the “footpath” area.  I took some final pictures as the sun came back out.

It is a huge field, and what are the odds of them turning up on the "footpath".  I have gone on about the neglect of this footpath for some time, but if the path hadn't have been there, then I would have missed these very smart birds.

Leaving the Wheatears I walked back in my own footprints, and then into Old Down.  I decided to walk around the edge of the wood, where the trees were in the sunshine.  A Peacock butterfly flew up from the ground where it had been sunning itself, then almost immediately flew back down again.  It looks quite a tatty individual, so probably suffered either last autumn or during hibernation.

There were several Peacocks alongside the wood, all taking the opportunity to sun on the dry soil, I counted 6 in total.

Leaving the Peacock I had a scratchy song from the copse by the mobile aerial, so I walked back.  The bird kept singing, and I was certain it was Garden Warbler.  When a Blackcap sang from behind me along the path to the wood, I was convinced that was what it was.  I searched the area, but the bird had gone quiet and I couldn’t find it

I walked back around the north perimeter, and back into he sunshine. The White Flowering Dead Nettles have started to flower, and were proving an attraction to the bees.  Several were visiting the newly opened flowers.  This one is I think Bombus Humilis, the Brown Banded Carder Bee, but as I have said many times before, I find these very difficult to identify, and any help or encouragement is welcome.

I walked down through the paddocks, and four or five swallows flew north past me.  There were lambs in the next field, and you get used to them bleating as you walk past, and then running away back to their mothers.  As I walked along the path, I noticed one on its own, it had a black patch on its shoulder which was very distinctive.  It of course was bleating, however as I got closer it started to run towards me, and continued to bleat.  It came right up to the fence, and allowed me to stroke it, something I have never experienced before.  As I finally walked off it continued to bleat at me as if it did not want me to go.  An adult sheep seemed to return the bleats of the lamb, but the lamb made no effort at all to go back to the possible parent.

From the paddocks I walked up Andrews Lane.  I checked the fields on either side but there was nothing moving, it was quiet.  At the gate where you can look over the paddocks I was amazed to count 16 Magpies feeding in the field.  This picture shows 8 of them.

At the top of the lane a Blackcap sang, and a little further on two Chiffchaff called from the Horse Chestnut tree, I managed to find one but it was very mobile.  I walked around by the farm, and disturbed Yellowhammers and Chaffinches from the small pond.  Along the lane where the verge faced the sun, there was plenty of flowers.  Barren Strawberry, the smaller strawberry plants were in flower, and in places there were large clumps of Cuckoo Flower or Lady’s Smock.

As I photographed the flowers I heard a brief snatch of Whitethroat song, and then the alarm call.  I stood and waited, and managed to hear it once again, but I couldn’t find it.  I had found one here about the same time last year, this year the hedge has been cut and is a lot thinner, and you would have thought it would have been easier to find, but I had to give up.  I think if I hadn’t seen those two on Saturday I might have searched a little harder.

Movement in the field caught my eye, and I saw a Hare slip out of view.  I walked a little closer, and could see that the Hare had obviously seen me, and was trying to get as low behind the crops in the field as possible

It soon realised that this was not working as it could obviously see me so it reverted to the next best tactic, run off at speed

Time was pushing on, so I continued on down the lane, and then along Lymington Bottom and home.  Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were singing, as they do at this time of year, but I have noticed that there does not seem to be so many singing Chaffinches.  Over the last few years one has constantly sang by the house, but so far this year there has not been any sign of it.  Maybe because of the late season, he hasn’t warmed up yet, we shall have to see.



27th April - Top, Top, Bird!

For those of you who are interested I have started to post the events from our adventure in India

 here.  

Just when you thought Spring was here, the weather turned once again.  Yesterday saw a lot of showers, and overnight the temperature dropped to near freezing, and when I set off this morning there was definitely a bite in the air. I walked along Brislands, and was surprised to see three Black-headed Gulls fly over. They are usually seen at the beginning of April, but not at this time of the year, another sign of the strange weather and late season.

I decided to walk around the playing field, as the bushes and hedgerow can sometimes attract migrants.  As I entered the BMX area a Blackcap was singing, and in the clearing a wren rattled out its song.  As well as the wren three Dunnocks were chasing each other around the scrub, clearly there was love on their minds.  Dunnocks though are promiscuous birds, so you can never be quite sure what is going on.

Walking back out a lovely Mistle Thrush was feeding on the football pitch.  The spots on the breast are very dark, and completely in contrast to the lighter brown of the Song Thrush.

As I turned back onto Brislands, I got the chance to compare the two thrushes as a Song Thrush flew up into the bush alongside the road.

As you can see they are completely different, the Song Thrush having brown gentle spots, and the overall plumage is browner than the grey of the Mistle.  I walked along Brislands towards Old Down, but once again decided to walk out into the middle of the opposite field.  Several Skylarks were singing overhead, and a Buzzard was disturbed form the area that has become a tip.

I walked back and into Old Down. 

Despite the time of year the wood was very quiet, probably due to the temperature, and strong wind.  I walked to the crossroads, and then around towards the east.  I heard a Chiffchaff singing but couldn’t find it.  I checked the owl tree, but it wasn’t there, I searched around the area, but there was no sign.  I made my way to the main path, then took the track towards the west end.  Where there was more light getting through to the floor of the wood the bluebells were beginning to come into flower.  It wasn’t many, but it was a start.  I estimate they will be at their best by the middle of May.

As I came around by the ash trees, and Great Tit was moving through the grass and bramble alongside the path.  It allowed me to get quite close.  They are quite striking birds, and we do not appreciate how lovely they look.  If this was a rarity, everyone would be drooling over what a stunning bird ot is., well it is a stunning bird, enjoy it!

I came out of the woods and walked down through the paddocks.  All was quiet, even the lambs were keeping quiet.  As always I check the posts and fences, and noticed something on the fence.  A closer look revealed that they were Swallows, and they looked very cold indeed

I walked to the road, then up Andrews Lane.  I scanned across the fields, but there was nothing, and at the Larches nothing moved other than Wood Pigeons.  Blue Tits called from the trees, but that was about all.  I came out at the top of the lane and walked alongside the field.  This time last year the rape was in bloom, today it looks like a cereal crop has been planted, but they have hardly grown.

The area at the top of the lane faces south, and I could hear at least one Chiffchaff calling.  I decided to stand and just watch, and I quickly located a male and female Blackcap, a little after the Blackcap burst into song.  As I watched the Blackcaps at least 4 warbler type birds flew up into the Horse Chestnut tree.  I waited and was able to get some good views of a Chiffchaff.

Then I found a Willow Warbler, but it was not so confiding, however you can see the pale legs, and longer wings in this photo.

I hung around the area for a while, and the warblers would call, and fly catch when the sun came out.  Every so often they would be a small snatch of song.  From here I took the road to Lyeway, and as I came to the “T” junction I thought I heard a Whitethroat sing.  There is a gate that leads to a footpath that crosses the field, but the song I heard was coming from the hedge.  I went through the gate, and walked slowly along the side strip.  A Whitethroat definitely sang again, and I searched the hedge.  A bird flew out, but it was not the bird I was expecting.  It had a bright red tail, and grey black, and flew up into the hedge, and flicked the red tail.  A spanking male Redstart, I couldn’t believe it, so now I had to get some pictures.  It was very flighty and kept its distance from me.  Every so often it would drop to the ground to catch something, and then would fly off away from me.  I would creep up taking photos as I went.

It never came close for a really good shot, but there is no doubting the bird.  One I had hoped I would find on the patch, but to get a male in spring is really special.

The Whitethroat kept singing, and I saw it briefly again as I walked back to the road, but I couldn’t get a clear view.  I decided to leave it and set off back down the road.  As I approached a small copse I heard a very feint bird call, at first I thought it was my phone, but finally I located the owner, another Whitethroat, and this bird was much more confiding.

In the same copse, there were at least six Goldfinches, a pair of Great Tits, and four Blackbirds.  The walk took me around the fields towards Charlwood.  As I walked close to the field I flushed a pair of Grey Partridges, the first time I have seen them away from Plain Farm, which is a good sign.  Chaffinches and Yellowhammers sang from the trees as I walked along Charlwood, but that was about it

I crossed into the Palin Farm area, and stopped to have a coffee, although I got the mix wrong and it didn’t taste that good.  After the break I headed off down the path, and Linnets were singing from the hedge and wires.  In the fileds there was quite a bit of a commotion being caused by Rooks and Crows.  As I watched a large black bird flew across the path carrying something.  It laned in the field, and I could see that it was a Raven, but I couldn’t see what it had caught.  As I picked up the camera, it flew off, and was mobbed as it flew away by a crow.

As well as the corvids, there was a pair of Lapwing flying around the fields, going back and forth across the lane and a Skylark flew up from the field launching immediately into song as it rose ever upwards.

I came by the tree in the field, and of course there was nothing there at all, but as I came past the tree by the workshops I noticed something amongst the branches,  It was a Kestrel, and for once it stayed still

I decided to spend some time in the quarry, birds were singing, there was a Chaffinch, and several Goldfinches, and a Chiffchaff at the top of the trees, and a pair of Song Thrushes chased each other through the bushes.  I had decided to check out the area around Colemore.  I had been given a tip that there was a good opportunity to see Little Owl.  It is moving a little further away from the patch, but I considered that if I walked from home to get there then it counted.  As I set off down the road towards the A32 I noticed a buzzard over the trees, but something made me look closer, and it turned out not to be a buzzard but another Raven.

To get to Colemore you cross the A32, and walk along Shell Lane, this goes under an old railway line, and then along a road that was lined thickly with Wild Garlic or Ransomes.  They were beginning to flower, and the scent of garlic was everywhere.  The detour did not prove to be successful, but it is a very pretty little village, and I did manage to capture an ahhh moment with this little fella

If I had looked at the map I could have followed the footpaths to East Tisted.  As it was I retraced my steps, sheltered in the railway tunnel from the rain, and then walked along the A32 and up the road to the Rotherfield Estate.

A Buzzard flew over the path as I walked towards Plash Wood, and as I walked through the wood, I disturbed two Roe Deer who ran off at some speed.  I then made my way to Newtown Farm, and around the path towards the plantation.  In the hedge near the houses a pair of Bullfinch called, however it was only the female that showed long enough to get a picture

In the field alongside the path as I walked down towards the road I heard the familiar twittering of Swallows, but with them were my first House Martins of the year.  There was about a dozen House Martins but I only managed to get one!

I went to look at the fence post which over the past few years has been a nest for Great Tits, there was nothing in it, but the location was a little higher than the path, and looking back over the field I saw a Hare that I could not have seen from the path.  It was having a wash, and then rolled over on the ground obviously rubbing itself in some scent.  It rolled back and forth.

Then it got up, and just sat and almost looked at me.

I carried on across the road, and along the bridleway.  The sun was warm here, as it was sheltered from the wind, but despite this there was no sign of any insects.  As I walked up towards Kitwood another Chiffchaff sang out.  Cock Pheasants and there mates were in the fields alongside Kitwood, but that was about all.  I took the footpath across the field into Old Down, but away to the north west the sky looked very threatening again, I was not sure I was going to get home dry.

Back in Old Down I checked from a distance to see if the owl was back, and he was, I could see an eye watching me.  I wonder where he had been, and how did he get back to the tree without attracting any mobsters?

It was now very dark and suddenly it started to rain, which quickly turned to hail.  Another sign of our wierd weather was the sight of the hail stones laying on the ground, normally they melt quite quickly, but the temperature today was so low they stayed for quite a while

The rain did not last for long, and I made my way back in the sunshine.  A long walk, but a good one,  several year ticks and a new top bird in a male Redstart, can’t be bad.