Wednesday 13th March 2013
Whilst eating my dinner this evening I saw a heron fly over our house. We do see one about now and then but I haven't seen one for a little while. The last heron I saw locally was about 6 months ago just as it was getting light, it flew alongside and a little bit above the car and landed on a bungalow roof. It looked most odd standing on the roof!
The weather has been icy cold for the last two days but thankfully it was a bit warmer today and the wind has eased. There has been lots of bird activity in the garden, especially at the water saucers and bird bath - the cold doesn't seem to stop the starlings taking a vigorous bath.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Monday, 11 March 2013
Crabwood - It's FFFFFFreezing
Monday 11th March 2013
We went out for a bit of fresh air this morning and fresh it most certainly was - icy cold more like. According to the weather this morning it's the wind chill that's the problem. We went to Crabwood, west of Winchester, where we found a quite recently released geo-cache but it was too cold to stand around caching. It was far too cold for walking too, so it was a quick short walk.
Within sight of the car park there was another scene of devastation like the one we saw on Satuday in the New Forest with trees cut down all over the place. We found great log piles further into the woods too, this was a particularly impressive log stack.
Please note the very light dusting of snow on the ground, there were odd light flurries on and off during the morning.
We also kept coming across random lengths of fencing made from willow or hazel or something!! Some were quite impressive, here is one section that we found.
It was so cold we decided to cut the walk short and had a hot drink back at the car instead - very civilised.
We went out for a bit of fresh air this morning and fresh it most certainly was - icy cold more like. According to the weather this morning it's the wind chill that's the problem. We went to Crabwood, west of Winchester, where we found a quite recently released geo-cache but it was too cold to stand around caching. It was far too cold for walking too, so it was a quick short walk.
Within sight of the car park there was another scene of devastation like the one we saw on Satuday in the New Forest with trees cut down all over the place. We found great log piles further into the woods too, this was a particularly impressive log stack.
We also kept coming across random lengths of fencing made from willow or hazel or something!! Some were quite impressive, here is one section that we found.
It was so cold we decided to cut the walk short and had a hot drink back at the car instead - very civilised.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Southampton Common
Mothers Day - Sunday 10th March 2013
What a change after the warmth of yesterday, today it was back on with the scarf and gloves for a 2 mile walk around Southampton Common. As well as a lower temperature, the wind made it feel so much colder. We saw a fair few birds about and a heron flew over, it always amazes me that you see these big birds in the town centre, because although there are various lakes on the Common they wouldn't get any peace and quiet! There were lots of dog walkers out this afternoon and I could have done with an I Spy book of dogs to identify them all (I Spy - shows my age!!)
What a change after the warmth of yesterday, today it was back on with the scarf and gloves for a 2 mile walk around Southampton Common. As well as a lower temperature, the wind made it feel so much colder. We saw a fair few birds about and a heron flew over, it always amazes me that you see these big birds in the town centre, because although there are various lakes on the Common they wouldn't get any peace and quiet! There were lots of dog walkers out this afternoon and I could have done with an I Spy book of dogs to identify them all (I Spy - shows my age!!)
The Ornamental Lake.
The Boating Lake.
Saturday, 9 March 2013
Balmer Lawn to Pignal Inclosure
Saturday 9th March 2013
We had a 3 mile walk today from the Balmer Lawn car park, on the outskirts of Brockenhurst, round Pignal Inclosure and back. It was a fine afternoon and it was the first time this year that I ventured out without gloves on.
There was still plenty of surface water about but we only walked on forest tracks so there was no mud! We saw a buzzard quite close overhead almost as soon as we left the car park, I wanted to take a photo of it but it kept circling and I couldn't keep up with it.
I took a photo of a new forest pony and almost as soon as I had taken it the horse looked up and made a beeline for me and my coat pocket which had polos in it!! I got a bit of a wriggle on to get away from it but it kept up - obviously it fancied a polo - it didn't get one!
There was a grim notice and photo on the gate into Pignal Inclosure asking for help to track down a dog that has been worrying and killing deer in the area - not good. It was fairly busy this afternoon with walkers so we didn't see any deer, but we did see plenty of dogs.
At Pignal Inclosure there was lots of destruction, the forestry commission are thinning out the oaks and beeches I found it all a bit sad. Take a look.
On a more positive note, I was determined to find some frogspawn on our walk and after a bit of searching we found a small amount in a shallow pond not far from the car.
Soon after this it came over very dark over Will's mothers, so it was time to get back to the car, luckily the rain held off until we got to the M27.
We had a 3 mile walk today from the Balmer Lawn car park, on the outskirts of Brockenhurst, round Pignal Inclosure and back. It was a fine afternoon and it was the first time this year that I ventured out without gloves on.
There was still plenty of surface water about but we only walked on forest tracks so there was no mud! We saw a buzzard quite close overhead almost as soon as we left the car park, I wanted to take a photo of it but it kept circling and I couldn't keep up with it.
I took a photo of a new forest pony and almost as soon as I had taken it the horse looked up and made a beeline for me and my coat pocket which had polos in it!! I got a bit of a wriggle on to get away from it but it kept up - obviously it fancied a polo - it didn't get one!
There was a grim notice and photo on the gate into Pignal Inclosure asking for help to track down a dog that has been worrying and killing deer in the area - not good. It was fairly busy this afternoon with walkers so we didn't see any deer, but we did see plenty of dogs.
At Pignal Inclosure there was lots of destruction, the forestry commission are thinning out the oaks and beeches I found it all a bit sad. Take a look.
Soon after this it came over very dark over Will's mothers, so it was time to get back to the car, luckily the rain held off until we got to the M27.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
It's Been a Funny Old Day
Tuesday 5th March 2013
It has been a funny old day weather wise. I took the bird food out this morning and the bird bath was frozen solid, but by 11am the temperature in the car on the way back from shopping was 10c. The sun was out and the sky was blue - great stuff. I even ventured out without a coat!
It has been a funny old day weather wise. I took the bird food out this morning and the bird bath was frozen solid, but by 11am the temperature in the car on the way back from shopping was 10c. The sun was out and the sky was blue - great stuff. I even ventured out without a coat!
Monday, 4 March 2013
Squirrel Visitor
Monday 4th March 2013
Now then, we have had another infrequent visitor to the garden early this morning. A grey squirrel popped in for a snack on the sunflower seed feeder. I don't think he/she found it too easy to reach as he/she had to stretch the length of it's body to get to the food, so it soon gave up, had a quick mooch round the garden - which believe me doesn't take long as it's a very small garden - and disappeared over the back fence into our neighbours garden.
We probably see a squirrel in the garden once a year if that, so it was good to see it.
Incidentally, the thrush visitor that I blogged about not so long ago is still dropping in every now and then, despite the blackbird's continued efforts to see it off. It has even been brave enough to join the morning scrum for the bird food that we put out on the patio daily. Today it had quite a long drink from the bird bath that I had just removed the ice from. There has been plenty of bird activitity this morning as it has been a lovely sunny morning with clear blue skies - nice!
Now then, we have had another infrequent visitor to the garden early this morning. A grey squirrel popped in for a snack on the sunflower seed feeder. I don't think he/she found it too easy to reach as he/she had to stretch the length of it's body to get to the food, so it soon gave up, had a quick mooch round the garden - which believe me doesn't take long as it's a very small garden - and disappeared over the back fence into our neighbours garden.
We probably see a squirrel in the garden once a year if that, so it was good to see it.
Incidentally, the thrush visitor that I blogged about not so long ago is still dropping in every now and then, despite the blackbird's continued efforts to see it off. It has even been brave enough to join the morning scrum for the bird food that we put out on the patio daily. Today it had quite a long drink from the bird bath that I had just removed the ice from. There has been plenty of bird activitity this morning as it has been a lovely sunny morning with clear blue skies - nice!
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Dawn Chorus
Sunday 3rd March 2013
This morning, having got up at silly o'clock, was the first time that I have heard the dawn chorus this year. It was around 6am and I almost felt the need to open the window to let the sound in but it was just too cold. The chirping and singing didn't seem to last for long but it was definitely there.
Also, I have noticed a pair of blackbirds seem to be nest building in the trees in our front garden - must keep an eye on them and see how things progress.
This morning, having got up at silly o'clock, was the first time that I have heard the dawn chorus this year. It was around 6am and I almost felt the need to open the window to let the sound in but it was just too cold. The chirping and singing didn't seem to last for long but it was definitely there.
Also, I have noticed a pair of blackbirds seem to be nest building in the trees in our front garden - must keep an eye on them and see how things progress.
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