#bbc winterwatch

2/2/19-Blackwater, New Forest: Finches, flakes and a Fallow 

I had been itching to get into the New Forest National Park proper (not coastal Lymington-Keyhaven or outskirts reserve Blashford Lakes where I have been a lot lately) for the first time in a while, and the place was Blackwater today. I had initially suggested stopping at nearby Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary as I had not yet seen any type of deer this year. I was also so inspired by the film about them on BBC Winterwatch’s finale last night that I really wanted to see a Fallow Deer today. We didn’t need to do Bolderwood too though and backed out with temperatures dropping tonight a bit anyway as I was granted my wish as we drove through the forest on the way as I caught sight of a beautiful Fallow Deer from inside the car. This is one of my favourite mammals and a sixth species for me this year. 

When at Blackwater there was still a bit of snow around as shown in the first three pictures I took today that I included in this photoset. It looked beautiful and especially being kissed by another feature of Winterwatch this week the winter light. I got a bit experimental in terms of usual pictures I might take in the snow and sun this afternoon. 

I had wanted to do Blackwater to try and see the birds it’s good for we didn’t on a similarly sunny day to today last month the Crossbill and Hawfinch. When walking beneath trees past one of the areas we have often seen Crossbills on the opposite side of the road to the arboretum we were talking about finches we had seen this year so far. I then looked up and saw a bird high in a tree. It was a brief view but I made out it was a Crossbill. It was a smashing bird to see, one of my greatest of 2019 as my first year tick of February. I saw my first of these here 10 years ago now and didn’t see my second elsewhere in the New Forest until 2015. So I have a huge respect for this bird which it took me a bit longer to see than any year since 2015, but I am so proud to have seen this bird on five consecutive year lists of mine now. 

When we walked over to the other side of the road we got a similar brief glimpse of a finch high up in a tree. But I made out this one was a Hawfinch as shown in a record shot the fourth picture in this photoset I took today. I was so happy to see this bird which I know I am lucky to have the New Forest and especially Blackwater to have chances to. It was only the third time I had seen Crossbill and Hawfinch on the same day here. As we got into the arboretum we saw bits of their roost which this place is quite famous for and it was brilliant to see five or six more Hawfinches high in trees and flying over. They are stunning birds too. I was seeing this in once again that winter light and I felt the peaceful and magical atmosphere I first felt when seeing my first of this bird here a year before my first Crossbill. My bird year list is now up to a milestone 120. 

As many of you know, I am a massive fan of SpringWatch (and Autumn and Winter Watch!) and luckily for everyone, WinterWatch began again this week and has given me some food for thought while I’ve been unwell.

In a section of episode four, Martin Hughes-Games linked into a short piece of footage captured by one of their wildlife photographers, Sophie Darlington. The footage that was then played could have been a short film as not only was it her footage that she captured, but her friends brought out the ‘lyric’ of the landscape.

The film was beautiful, filming the variety of birds within the landscape of sedgemoor alongside everything else that was going on in the moor too, including the the rivers, the grass and even a train. I really loved the concept of adding the train and discussing it within the lyric as just another modern part of the moor. It wasn’t described as good or bad. It was just there. Everything that was filmed was just there too, not just the train. Everything lived side by side in the moor and that was captured beautifully by film and lyric.

Once the film finished, we were taken back to Micheala Stratton and Martin to discuss the nations favourite nature book. Michaela began the link by discussing how Nature has a brilliant way of inspiring almost everybody, in whatever creative path they take. She spoke about her own experiences with dance, while Martin spoke about books.

I thought more about the research I did for me presentation, and about humanities relationship with nature and the environment. Although in most instances ‘nature must be read humanly to be read at all’, that is not always negative. The film that we were shown and the nature book - the winning one by presenter Chris Packham, told us personal stories about relationships with nature. Chris Packham has asperges, and his book Fingers in the Sparkle Jar was inspired by his film Asperges and Me, telling the story of his childhood and ongoing relationship with nature and how much it has helped him.