Bring me sunshine

Woke up to a glorious day and arriving at Hillhead I look across the solent.

Not sure who was more startled me or the Mallard with her chicks. They must have been on the bank of the canal, then quickly headed for the safety of the water as I approached water spraying everywhere.

It's amazing how quickly the hedgerows and trees grow this time of year. The Hawthorn is now covered with blossom and the air is filled with birdsong and that faint , but, distinct smell of a lovely spring morning.

I saw this speckled wood catching the early morning rays of the sun-widespread woodland butterfly but common only in South England. Double- brooded April-June and July-September.

With the rain gone the path is firm under foot and I make my way towards Titchfield.

Even this early in the morning there are plenty of flies about and I can see the fish in the canal rising for an early breakfast. With a bit of patience I manage to get a shot of a wild brown trout. None of your protein fed farmed rubbish here.

Here the path opens up and gives way to fields and meadows.

I catch a glimpse of this sedge warbler singing amongst the reeds and bushes that now dominate the canal banks.

It is here in the fields and meadows where you will find the birds of prey patroling. Perched above me I spot this kestrel giving me the eye.

I decide to wait , hoping to get some good shots of the bird in flight. I was not disappionted.

It is now time to head back. This jackdaw is most displeased at my intrusion of his patch.

I decide to leave the canal path and walk along the small country lane that leads to the shore. Meadow buttercups align the verge

The tide is now receding and plenty of gulls are feeding.They pick up a shellfish, fly to about 30ft and drop it, hoping it will break on the ground as you can see in this shot.

A pair of oystercatchers rumage and search for food.

          

12th may-Morning sun

At last a lovely sunny spring morning so a few hours at my favourite spot, Titchfield Canal path, is in order. It's 5:30 am and, not surprisingly, the shoreline is deserted, apart from a lone angler. I check the estuary first- just the noisy black head gulls busy with their nests and eggs. I hear the familiar sound of beating wings and capture these two mute swans.

As I walk towards the canal path I can hear and see linnets flying from gorse bush to gorse bush. The path in places is, is still very muddy so a good pair of boots is a must. The dawn chorus fills the air as the sun breaks through the trees. I look across the first break in the hedgerow, and my luck is in. Two roe deer feeding in the early morning sunshine.

I leave the deer in peace and head on up along the path. There is quite a flow on the canal and in places has burst it's bank.I look up and notice a fluffy mass in the hedgerow- five fledgling long tailed tits.

Singing on the opposite side of the canal I spot this whitethroat.

Below is this lone morehen hugging the far bank.

Further on along the path my luck is in again- two blackcaps hopping from tree to tree. I take pictures of  both male and female. You can clearly see the difference between the two sexes, the male possessing the jet black cap and the female a brown one.

Not to be outdone a buzzard hugs the tree line then soars off into the distance.

I head home having enjoyed the first sunny morning in a long time.      


 

7th May- Nothing changes

Yet again the weather is not looking good-dark clouds and it is just starting to rain.Undeterred I grab my camera and binoculars and make my way to Hillhead. It's 6am and the morning is well underway.
As I arrive there are already a few birders doing a sea watch along the foreshore. I myself manage to get a quick shot of this Common Tern before I head off up the canal path.

The path itself is very muddy and in places just keeping upright is a bonus. I stop at an opening in the hedge row to view the meadows. I spot something sitting on a fence post way in the distance. After checking with binoculars I relise it is a Hobby.

After taking a few distance shots I carry on towards Titchfield village. On a dull morning this Marsh Marigold adds a splash of colour to the bankside.

One plant to stay well clear of is the Hemlock deadly to humans and livestock.

It's starting to rain now and not wanting to get too wet I decide to head back to the car. The rain did not seem to deter  these two Blue Tits 

As I reach the foreshore I notice four or five birds feeding in the grass by the car park. A common place to find Linnets.

Just before I leave I have one final scan of the reeds and brambles which produces this Whitethroat which for me is a season tick. 

     


  

May 6 Bank Holiday Blues

 

Another dull and miserable morning.Still i head towards Hillhead.I look across the solent and the sea is surprisingly calm.Plenty of yachts just ofrf the Isle of Wight.

I decide to try my luck in Titchfield Haven first.This time of year the scrapes are alive with nesting Black Headed Gulls.

As i walk along the east side of the river meon i can't help but notice the many badger setts that are here.

Plenty of swifts and swallows flying low over the frying pan , to far away for a decent picture. I do manage to capture this Grey squirrel and Pheasant.

I decide to head towards the canal path i look back and take this shot of the estuary, a popular place for families to feed the ducks and swans.

The canal itself has long been forgotten and is a mere shadow of its former self.

Due to the recent weather thev path is very wet and muddy, and the meadows very boggy. Singing just ahead of me was this Greenfinch.

Time to head for home and a bite to eat.

This blog will be a record of my travels through the hampshire countryside and the wildlife i come across.