birdman
Орнитол&
I took the opportunity of a visit to friends, to take myself off to the New Forest for a bit of birding.
For the the benefit of those whose are not familiar with the area, and for overseas members, the term "Forest" is used in the sense of "Hunting Ground" and "New" in the sense of "Old".
Of course, it was new once, but that was about 1000 years ago when it was set up as a Royal Hunting Ground for King Mumble the Somethingth - or whoever!
Anyway, from those beginnings, the Forest has survived until the present day, to give what I believe is a unique habitat, certainly within these small isles.
As I arrived within the Forest, my first notable bird sighting was a feeding flock of around 50 Rooks.
Driving further in, I became aware of numerous very sleepy foals. (Oh yes, the New Forest is famous for its horses. I believe all are "owned" but are essentially free to roam anywhere.)
Shortly, I saw the first of many Stonechats, looking absolutely superb in colour.
I decide to park at Bolderwood, but rather than take to the trees, I walked north to the heath, in the hope of finally tracking down a Dartford Warbler or two.
There was a large flock of Tits clost to the car-park, mostly juvenile blues, coals and long tails (maybe it was three flocks in the same place!).
And in the trees, a Chiffchaff.
As I turned from the road to the actual heath, I saw a couple of Woodpigeon, and became aware of many many birds around.
This Northern part of the Forest is not exactly tranquil, with the A27 tearing across it, but the background roar couldn't disguise the fact there were lots of birds about.
After sighting numerous Pipits (Trees I think - but I must remeber to check my video), I notice a flock of birds twittering in a clump of trees.
As I sat, and tried to id them (at least some were Whinchats) a grey hawk (Sparrowhawk) weaved between the trees.
It didn't appear to be on a hunt, but the trees cleared very swiftly indeed!
So I moved on and noticed a Buzzard soaring high overhead (V-shaped wings), and then in the next wooded section came across at leat 10 Treecreepers.
The walk back to the car gleaned juvenile Robin, Blackbirds Great and Blue Tits a Magpie or two, and Pied Wagtail - and maybe, just maybe the call of a Green Woodpecker.
Oh, but no Dartford Warbler!
I decided to move on to Beaulieu Road Station, parking at Shatterford - one of the most reliable locations for Crossbill.
And within five minutes I had seen numerous... House Martins! (And a Greenfinch).
OK... out to the heath again, and a walk around Bishop's Dike.
Although next to the South Coast Main Line, this part of the Forest is much further away from the cars, and as I reached Denny Wood, and the trees formed a wall, the air became quiet of unnatural noise, and all I could hear was birds.
Once again, the Tits were all around, and the long tails were particularly bold, as these little beauties can sometimes be.
Another Treecreeper was added to the list, and a Pheasant in the distance calling, but nothing else until returing to the car, and realising that at least some of the House Martins were Swallows.
Oh... and still no Dartford Warbler - but a really pleasant day out.
Anyway... I'm going back in a few weeks - anyone guarantee me one???
(PS. I've now got a cold and feel terrible - and of course, being a man, I'm really suffering! Harumph!)
For the the benefit of those whose are not familiar with the area, and for overseas members, the term "Forest" is used in the sense of "Hunting Ground" and "New" in the sense of "Old".
Of course, it was new once, but that was about 1000 years ago when it was set up as a Royal Hunting Ground for King Mumble the Somethingth - or whoever!
Anyway, from those beginnings, the Forest has survived until the present day, to give what I believe is a unique habitat, certainly within these small isles.
As I arrived within the Forest, my first notable bird sighting was a feeding flock of around 50 Rooks.
Driving further in, I became aware of numerous very sleepy foals. (Oh yes, the New Forest is famous for its horses. I believe all are "owned" but are essentially free to roam anywhere.)
Shortly, I saw the first of many Stonechats, looking absolutely superb in colour.
I decide to park at Bolderwood, but rather than take to the trees, I walked north to the heath, in the hope of finally tracking down a Dartford Warbler or two.
There was a large flock of Tits clost to the car-park, mostly juvenile blues, coals and long tails (maybe it was three flocks in the same place!).
And in the trees, a Chiffchaff.
As I turned from the road to the actual heath, I saw a couple of Woodpigeon, and became aware of many many birds around.
This Northern part of the Forest is not exactly tranquil, with the A27 tearing across it, but the background roar couldn't disguise the fact there were lots of birds about.
After sighting numerous Pipits (Trees I think - but I must remeber to check my video), I notice a flock of birds twittering in a clump of trees.
As I sat, and tried to id them (at least some were Whinchats) a grey hawk (Sparrowhawk) weaved between the trees.
It didn't appear to be on a hunt, but the trees cleared very swiftly indeed!
So I moved on and noticed a Buzzard soaring high overhead (V-shaped wings), and then in the next wooded section came across at leat 10 Treecreepers.
The walk back to the car gleaned juvenile Robin, Blackbirds Great and Blue Tits a Magpie or two, and Pied Wagtail - and maybe, just maybe the call of a Green Woodpecker.
Oh, but no Dartford Warbler!
I decided to move on to Beaulieu Road Station, parking at Shatterford - one of the most reliable locations for Crossbill.
And within five minutes I had seen numerous... House Martins! (And a Greenfinch).
OK... out to the heath again, and a walk around Bishop's Dike.
Although next to the South Coast Main Line, this part of the Forest is much further away from the cars, and as I reached Denny Wood, and the trees formed a wall, the air became quiet of unnatural noise, and all I could hear was birds.
Once again, the Tits were all around, and the long tails were particularly bold, as these little beauties can sometimes be.
Another Treecreeper was added to the list, and a Pheasant in the distance calling, but nothing else until returing to the car, and realising that at least some of the House Martins were Swallows.
Oh... and still no Dartford Warbler - but a really pleasant day out.
Anyway... I'm going back in a few weeks - anyone guarantee me one???
(PS. I've now got a cold and feel terrible - and of course, being a man, I'm really suffering! Harumph!)
