#titchfield

11th April 2021-Barn owl, snow, snipe and more along the Titchfield canal path 

We came back to the Titchfield Canal path today where we came on Easter Monday with the barn owls we needed to see this year reported again. We arrived at the canal path Titchfield end and walked the short distance along to the split tree where the owls can often be seen and we had seen them before. Above the white droppings stain on the tree trunk that had momentarily excited us in our fruitless quest for this bird on Monday, we were thrilled to spot one of the barn owls in the hole! We then spent a glorious few minutes watching this stunning and such a beautiful bird. I took the record shot the first picture in this photoset of this bird. I felt so honoured again to see this species, and so lucky I was so in aw of the bird. A brilliant view of on of our greatest species, with either January or February sightings of them the past few years here I had waited a little bit longer to see this species this year. What’s more this is the first time ever I have seen barn owl as a favourite bird of mine as I made it the 31st member of my list of favourite birds in March.

This was bird 131 of my year I continue to be thrilled with my resurgence and how I have started the month with getting year ticks and the calibre of what some of the birds have been and barn owl fitted in so well with that. It means I have seen three owl species in a year this year for the third year running. What’s more 2021 now has the prestige for me of being the first year I have seen both barn owl and tawny owl in which I am so thrilled with to see these iconic species of one of my favourite families of birds, both among my favourite birds. Little owl is the other owl we saw on 2nd January this year and we have never seen four species in a year. So you can be sure, possibly depending on how the pandemic goes from now and any required reapplying of restrictions down the line, that we’ll be trying very hard to see another of my favourite birds and the only other owl species we’ve seen short-eared owl as the year goes on. After our last tawny before this year’s March sighting three weeks ago yesterday in 2015, we saw the other three in one year in 2016 then 2017 and 2018 we saw two species the barn the only constant with the other swapped from short-eared to little between the years so I wondered if there was to be some sort of rota in a weird way obviously until 2019 and 2020 when I saw all three of the others to tawny so I wonder if we can see all four or if there is a new rota as some kind of weird imagined rule. All four of the birds I always think we are very lucky to see whenever we do they are all super birds so you cannot take them for granted and I know this is a big challenge what we are trying to achieve still but its great to have challenges. 

I took the second and third pictures in this photoset of a view and blossom and greenery in a smashing bit of sunshine as we walked down the path. Afterwards we got the fairly unusual for so far up the canal path away from Titchfield Haven national nature reserve at the other end and delightful sight of two shelducks flying and settling in a neighbouring field which looked great. As the walk continued we enjoyed spotting the snipe in the fourth picture in this photoset in a field. It was fascinating to watch its head down with its beak persistently drilling into the grass with great force. A wonderful piece of behaviour to see for a bird you don’t always get too close to or necessarily see for so long as they are - like one of a few brilliant and varied people we got to have fantastic conversations at a safe social distance today on wildlife, weather and other current topics an aspect of the walk I really enjoyed said - secretive. 

I took the fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of great wooded views along the canal as we walked on I have loved taking in beautiful woodland views a lot this weekend. I also enjoyed seeing the varied daffodils nestled in the woods the other side of the canal which I took the seventh picture in this photoset of. A beautiful scene and one of a few beautiful flowers it was great to take in today it really was a good walk for flowers. I took the eighth picture in this photoset of some coltsfoot which I loved seeing, very kindly identified during #Wildflowerhour’s #WildflowerID for me on Twitter tonight after I couldn’t quite seem to make it match on the PlantNet app as I continue to learn flowers. The coltsfoot glowed, shone and looked very beautiful in a touch of sunshine they are such beautiful and quite glossy flowers, similar in appearance to the familiar dandelion. I had seen some two weeks ago Tuesday at the fairly similar habitat wise river Itchen where I found them so beautiful and striking too so it was great to see them again. I saw and photographed as I tweeted nice nettles here today too. 

We walked on and the threatening dark clouds passed over us, not bringing (in the most part anyway) the not so expected rain but the even less expected (by me anyway) snow shower which really did immerse us. I saw a little bit of light snow at Lakeside last Tuesday but nothing like this for how heavy it was, its the first serious snow I’ve ever known in April my Mum does always say it can snow in April thinking back to her childhood more and its been proved that it still can happen this year. It really was such a breathtaking and memorable scene I just knew whilst I was getting my camera safely back into the dry of my backpack I just had to capture this too so I did get it back out for a few photos as the shower really engulfed us this included the ninth picture I took today in this photoset. A stunning and memorable moment.

After the shower we were thrilled to see another snipe in soggy grass behind the fence which I took the tenth and final picture in this photoset of. Seeing two seperate snipes in a day that were clear and long enough views for a photo was smashing stuff and quite something I loved seeing them. I had only taken a handful of pictures of snipe before not so many at all. This was a great moment too and behind the snipe were two gigantic by comparison Canada geese with some of the other side of the canal from here too which was quite interesting to see with them flying around too and it was these birds and the snipe we showed them they had seen the geese which prompted the conversation with two of the wonderful people we talked to today. I took a picture of a snipe at Titchfield Haven nearby in 2016, its where I have taken and possibly over my life seen most snipes, and around that time I created a new playlist for music I listen to. The time I listen to music most is on car journeys so I have a few playlists named after the places we are going or animals/species, I have New Forest and as we go there so much an Alternative New Forest playlist for example. So inspired by the recent experience then I named that one my snipe playlist which is one of the ones I use when we travel east from home as this is where Titchfield Haven is and I was listening to it today on the way there and back so it was fitting I had a smashing day for snipes. 

As the sun re-emerged we left feeling very satisfied by another brilliant and quite packed day of birdwatching, wildlife and photos on a really good walk. We did get a brilliant moment seeing swallows so clearly right over our heads getting cracking views of these wonderful spring migrants. By the Posbrook flood area earlier on as we did on Monday we saw lots of swallows and a sand martin flying over which was great. I saw and photographed great birds, flowers and sky scenes at home today too as I tweeted on Dans_Pictures tonight it was great seeing a house sparrow on a hanging basket in the garden I’d not seen any perch on one of these before. Today brought to an end another brilliant and relaxing weekend, I hope you all had a good one. 

18/01/2020-Titchfield Canal Path and Fort Cumberland: Brilliant birds and mammals seen

This afternoon we darted about to two locations east to us where we knew we could see certain birds to add to our year list. The first was Titchfield Canal views from it shown in the first three pictures in this photoset where we had seen a Barn Owl every year since 2017 in one certain tree this the place we saw our first ever in 2008. As we walked along I was delighted to see in the fields my first deer species of the year one I had seen here before and thought I had a chance to today as two Roe Deers munched in the field. What a start I thought and I took the fourth picture in this photoset of one of them. 

Then we were delighted as we looked at the usual tree and could see a Barn Owl sitting in its usual spot. I zoomed in with my bridge camera taking the fifth picture in this photoset the one I took forward from this batch and could make out a second bird next to the main one we could see in the tree. I was so happy to see this and thrilled to record Barn Owl on my year list for the fifth consecutive time. What a stunning bird to see. As we walked down a bit more I was happy to get another mammal year tick my fifth species this year as a Fox was around on a fence line in a field the other side of the marshes I took the sixth picture in this photoset of this. This is always a precious mammal to see and possibly the same one that I had photographed well and had a big moment with in front of a hide at nearby Titchfield Haven nature reserve last September. That was the first I saw in 2019 I don’t usually go that long without seeing one in a year whilst it was my best ever view of one probably so I was happy to secure this mammal sighting for 2020. 

As we walked back up to the car though things got even better for the Barn Owls as we saw one out in the open in front of the hole in the tree and the other more clearly in the tree hole. I took the seventh picture in this photoset of them. Then one flew off and started hunting by flying around and round two fields either side of the tree line. This was wonderful to witness and something I had a smile fixed on my face doing so. It really was sensational to see one flying in the lowering sunlight of a glorious and bright day. To make the whole thing even more magic we saw it go down in the field that the two Roe Deers were still moving about in and return to the tree probably with food. 

We’d rarely been here for this bird on a mid-afternoon on a winter’s day before so not really had the opportunity to see one fly here since that very first of the species we saw in 2008 early one Sunday morning. Today I got closer than I ever have done to a wild Barn Owl I think which was thrilling. It was so amazing to watch two together and capped off a wonderful week of birds of prey for me with Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and two Peregrines at times during my working days seen the last few days and two Buzzards I spotted from the car on the motorway on the way out today. To add to a really classy few minutes of wildlife watching a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. This was one of the most exceptional times wildlife watching I’ve ever had I think so feel good. I really do love the Barn Owls so much an iconic English and British species and what a joy and exciting time it is to see this regular bird for us which makes us so lucky now seemingly with a mate. 

We then went to Fort Cumberland where we had seen Little Owls last year, but no luck with them today. From the off though we did see the other bird we saw really well that day last March here as a group of Sanderlings were flying close to the shore throughout the visit. I took the eighth picture in this photoset of them. Always a bird I find beautiful and special to see. This was a year tick today which was great another big bird for me this year so far. One I often see at Hill Head where Titchfield Haven is situated so certainly the last two years I had seen them for the first time in the year the same day as the Barn Owl. It was perhaps the other big wildlife moment for me today watching Sanderlings fly around in the binoculars and see them flash their exciting white plumage now and again a very great thing to see. 

As we looked over into the fort area to try and see the Little Owls we did get a bonus bird year tick when we saw a couple of Stock Doves around. These were very nice to see as my 115th bird of the year, a bird I have a real soft spot for. They’re a common but no so easily seen bird too so you never know when, where or if you will see one in a year. I have seen one four years running now. We watched the sun set here with it just going down as we arrived and the sky getting redder and redder as it beautifully lowered over the sea as our walk went on. I took the final two pictures in this photoset of this. A wonderful end to a wonderful, packed and wild Saturday for me. I was so happy to have the experiences I did. 

27/01/19-Riverside Park, Weston Shore, Titchfield Canal Path and Hill Head 

With our dog Missy injuring herself yesterday and me having stomach pains possibly due to a pulled muscle along the way into today, our usual go to place to do a relatively long walk and bird/wildlife watch and take photos was not an option on this rather lovely Sunday. So instead we did a whistle stop tour spending minutes standing around at these places across Hampshire we knew particular birds had been seen at or where we usually see certain ones some which we needed as year ticks. 

Our first stop was Riverside Park in Southampton on the River Itchen where it was lovely to see the Black Swans one shown in the first picture I took today in this photoset that are there and seem to be increasing in numbers. There are probably a lot of different feelings about these birds living and populating in wild areas in the UK, but I certainly think they are very beautiful. They make something unique to see in this environment and the black/red colour scheme is one I love. It was nice to see a cygnet that we probably saw last year here getting bigger with the adults. I took the second picture in this photoset of Coots there. As the sun reappeared we headed to Weston Shore, where I took the third and fourth pictures in this photoset of views. 

As we did in a dart about Hampshire packed Sunday which I dubbed Super Sunday when I first saw the Black Swans at Riverside Park last year in February we headed a bit further away from our home base to Hill Head. But just like that day first we stopped at the Titchfield Canal Path to see if we could see the Barn Owl we had here the last two years. We walked down to the area we had before and were delighted to see it sitting high in a split in the tree. I took the record shot the fifth picture in this photoset of it. 

This is one of my greatest birds this year and as always an honour to see this species. I think it’s always so cool to have this or any Owl appear on a year list of mine. That is now four consecutive year lists of mine the Barn Owl has appeared on and six consecutive for an Owl of any description so it was great to just fit that into month 1 of 2019 too. Seeing this bird today really made me so happy. 

When arriving at Hill Head we saw the birds we saw there that same February Sunday last year and are often there the Sanderlings. It was great to pick out the gleaming white plumage of a few of these beautiful birds. I spent a great few minutes with them and other smaller birds on the shore as the sun headed down, as shown in the sixth picture in this photoset of Sanderlings with Ringed Plover and one Dunlin and the seventh in this photoset of Turnstones. 

This took my bird year list to 118, one ahead of what I had on this date in 2018 making it my highest ever amount of birds seen after 27 days of the year. This will be short lived as I know 2018 climbed to its January ending number 121 a year ago tomorrow and obviously barring any miracles on my working days this week this will be my January total. It’s set to be my second highest ever amount of birds seen after one month then which I am thrilled with. But to be only three behind what I ended January on in 2018 my highest ever year list overall I am really pleased with as 2019 has kept pace and has done it without the big year tick grabbing Scotland trip of last January and at mostly humble its fair to say and local places so it’s been a month where I have had to work hard to cover different habitats available to me to see so many species. There have been so many wonderful species seen today’s included and I have had such a great time. Thank you for all your support in what felt like a very quick January for me.

11/02/18-Super Sunday at Titchfield, Hill Head, Riverside Park, Hawkhill and St. Leonard’s Barn in the New Forest

With me looking after the dogs next Friday and Saturday so my Mum and her husband can go away for his birthday and not being able to take any pictures on Saturday as I’ll only be walking the dogs over Lakeside and will need to focus on that doing it on my own, we had a super Sunday today to pack lots in. Instead of only going out in the afternoon like every usual Saturday and Sunday me and my Mum darted about to five different locations in Hampshire seeing so much and producing eleven photos in total on a mostly sunny winter’s day. I got three more bird year ticks and one mammal year tick along the way, I continue to be in dreamland as my bird year list reached 129 already something I didn’t achieve until early April last year.

The first stop off which I didn’t even have room to include its full name in the title so it didn’t become too long was the Titchfield Canal Path this morning. Here we were aiming to see if the Barn Owl was around in a certain tree we had seen it in last year and we looked in the binoculars and it was. This is such a well respected and special bird and it was a real honour to see it. I managed the record shot the 1st picture in this photoset of it. The Tawny is my favourite but I like all Owls a lot really so to now have got Owls on eight consecutive year lists made me happy. 

Next it was to Hill Head with Sanderlings the target. We arrived and the beach looked good in the sun so I took the 2nd picture of Titchfield Haven (Hill Head is the area in front of the reserve so I always refer to my trip as that when we don’t actually go into the Haven) and 3rd picture in this photoset looking out to sea and in doing so spotted some small glowing white waders out of the corner of my eye. I’d seen the Sanderlings a bird I have a lot of respect for too, waiting years to see my first but thankfully I’ve seen them each year since 2013, and I managed another picture of them this year like I did last year the 4th in this photoset. I’d take more pictures than anywhere today at Hill Head as we walked up and looked around seeing the Sanderlings again further up after they had flown off. I also took the 5th picture in this photoset. 

Before heading home to pick up my Mum’s husband due to seeing the Barn Owl and Sanderlings early in the call ins we decided to call into Riverside Park beside the River Itchen as shown in the 6th picture in this photoset I took today in Southampton. One thing we saw there were seven Black Swans swimming quite close, I got the 7th picture in this photoset of one. What struck me today was how lovely and elegant these small swans look and it was interesting to hear their honking calls which reminded me of Trumpeter Swans one of my favourite wildfowl species that we see in the WWT reserves’ collections of birds. It was also interesting to see two possibly performing courtship actions, summing up a slight feeling of spring in the air despite the cold. I took the 8th picture in this photoset of a Feral Pigeon near where we watched these Black Swans.

As we walked back to the car we knew a Common Sandpiper had been seen around the area. We saw something fly but it was just going too far along the river to tell what it was. We’d seen Redshanks in the area (which surprised me for such an urban location) and I did sense a glint of red about this bird so didn’t want to make that mistake. However just before crossing the road at a bit of the river where there was a shore we saw the Common Sandpiper. Another year tick being a lovely bird today and I do like the Common Sandpipers and its one you never know where one will crop up. Funnily it was my 140th bird of my record 2017 year list and Barn Owl was my 150th so two big milestone birds last year were ones I saw today and I love those little quirks of seeing things.

In the afternoon we had a walk at Hawkhill in the New Forest and then moved onto St. Leonard’s Barn to try and see some Little Owls which we didn’t. On the way to Hawkhill I finally saw my first Fallow Deers of the year which had made me wait this year, being beaten onto my year list by Red Deer, Red Squirrel and Mountain Hare in Scotland which was surreal. I have now seen twelve mammals this year and I saw thirteen in total last year with some I still expect to see over the course of a year to be honest. The highlight at Hawkhill was a flock of Fieldfares as we drove out and a Buzzard soaring above the woods. It was my only favourite bird I saw today and certainly was a star in my Super Sunday seeing a few on route to and at different places. 

20/01/2024-Lakeside, Warblington, Titchfield Canal, Hill Head and home

Photos taken in this set are of; a gorgeous Glossy Ibis one of three seen at Titchfield my first of the year and a massive species one of my birds of the year so far which is my 100th bird species of the year, Common Gull on ice at Lakeside, lichen at Lakeside oakmoss I believe, another mega bird I was overjoyed to see today a Ferruginous Duck on Posbrook Floods which was amazing to see only the second time I've ever seen one this dashing brown male a delight to see my 101st bird of the year I am thrilled with this number, beautiful sunlit bramble leaves at Lakeside, a Fieldfare at Lakeside one of around six seen on a bonus walk at Lakeside today which got my day off to an amazing start as my first of the year of this wonderful species which I wanted to see soon I enjoyed marvelous views of them, Mallard on ice, Moorhen and nice cuckoo-pint leaves at Lakeside and a Black-headed Gull and Little Egret at Warblington.