A montage of great photos.

Monday 31st July 2023

The Fishlake Meadows Osprey. Photo by Pete Appleton. 

Though I am not birding today, I have noticed how many superb photos there have been on various social media sites by some of my birding pals. I am really lucky to have such good birding friends who are more than happy to put their superb photos on my blog and so, enjoy this montage of brilliant photos.

Another superb shot of the Fishlake Meadows Osprey. Photo by Pete Appleton.

The Osprey was still on Fishlake Meadows this morning and I have learnt since that this individual, which is sporting a blue ring on one of its legs, was actually ringed at Kielder Forest, in Northumberland and now spending late summer at this superb reserve. It certainly has its steady stream of admirers, judging by the excellent photos on Facebook. The returning Pink-footed Goose has returned to the northern end of Hampshire, Tundry Pond, where it is associating with the Grey Lag Geese again. Whether this is a genuine wild individual, we will never know, but again, it is getting a steady stream of admirers who want to ‘tick it’ off for their respective year lists. Will I go? Possibly, as I have never seen a Pink-foot in Hampshire. If you can ‘tick off’ the Ruddy Shelducks, then why not?

Above, a Swallow in the rain and below, a Privet Hawk Moth. Both photos by Emma Parkes.

Birding pal, Geoff Farwell, went birding down Farlington Marshes yesterday and notched up the following sightings: Marsh Harrier, 2 Ravens, 40 Gadwall, 5 Avocets and 2 Little Ringed Plovers.  

Above, this juvenile Reed Warbler was at Titchfield Haven from the Meonshore Hide. Photo by Christine Whiffen. Below, a Great White Egret stands proud. Photo by Andy Dickety.