Some Birds From February

Greattit
Marshtit
Bluetit
Nuthatch
Greater spotted Woodpecker

It snowed!

The Forest is so pretty in the snow and Missy is loving it. We did not get very much ,although they are still forecasting more.

Snow in the Forest

Birdwatching Again

Its been a while since I updated the blog. I seem to have a lot of problems with blogspot.
We are back birdwatching now that the Autumn has arrived and the Forest is less busy. We have been very lucky to find a familly of Woodpeckers that allow us to get very close. Whilst we are waiting for them to arrive we have a variety of tits , chaffinches and nuthatches to entertain us. Some of the Ponies and squirrels are a bit of a pest as they steal the food. If a pony finds it , it is all gone with one mouthful. The squirrels are less greedy and are very entertaining.

Bird Watching

Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Woody again
Robin

A Plethora of Dragons and Butterflies

I have not seen many butterflies this year so it was a lovely surprise to go for a short walk in the Forest on Monday and find so many Butterflies and dragonflies flitting around enjoying a sunny afternoon.

Butterflies

Brimstone
Small White
Meadow Brown
Painted Lady
Peacock
Large Skipper
Common Blue
Silver washed Fritillary

Dragonflies

Keeled Skimmer Male
Common Darter on Fleabane
Keeled Skimmer Female
Common Hawker
Southern Hawker

Houghton Lodge

Yesterday we decided to go to Houghton Lodge.
An 18^th Century Grade ΙΙ* listed Gothic Cottage Orné, idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test. The House is set in extensive grounds, with fine trees and lawns sweeping down to the banks of the River.It was a sunny afternoon although a little breezy. It was good to see so many butterflies on the flowers and we had an enjoyable outing.
There is a small self servic cafe. You make your own tea and help yourself to the delicious homemade cakes.

Redtailed bumble bee on Globe artichoke
Red Day Lily
Houghton Lodge
Alpaca
Peacock Butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell
Red Admiral
Painted lady
PaintedPink Dahlia

Emer Bog

Emer Bog is a small nature Reserve just outside of southampton. It is not that easy to find . It was rather dull and overcast but it was a pleasant walk and part of it is on a new boardwalk over the bog. We saw quite a few gatekeepers and skippers and we could hear the constant chirping of crickets and grasshoppers. A ruddy darter posed for us on some old silver birch logs. We caught a brief glimpse of a Red Admiral.

Ruddy Darter
Rowan berries
Ruddy darter
Grasshopper
Gatekeeper

Lower Test Nature Reserve

We took a quick trip to the local nature reserve yesterday in between showers.No sign of the Kingfishers but there were plenty of little egretsand sandpipers.
There are still very few butterflies around , a few gatekeepers , speckled woods and we did see a comma Today it has rained and I had a nasty surprise when I took Missy for her morning walk . I had left the sun roof open and the front seats were soaking wet!
This is my first post since getting the new computer up and running. it was certainly much quicker uploading the photos!