She was pretty independent but a bit too friendly. Somebody nearby reported to Wiltshire Wildlife that an 'overly tame magpie' was visiting her garden and stealing the cats food. They came and took her away and that was that. Bit annoying because someone told her where it came from, but she didn't bother telling us, just called the animal police.
This video is more about the distinctive call of a Red Kite that was in a tree behind our house this morning. You can just make it out in the background but it could as well be a chicken for all the detail you can see. He was up there making that din for about 1/2 hour, quite likely a youngster calling the adults or something like that.
Saw a bustard today, just standing by the side of a road. Wasn't able to stop or get a photo but is the first one I've ever seen.
I remember last year we were driving from Wimborne to Holt . Came across a young Buzzard feeding on road kill in the road . We parked up and I walked back past the Bird to warn oncoming traffic , in the hope that I could hopefully move the roadkill onto the verge ( the bird was not shifting for anyone or anything ) . All the drivers were fine until one white van driver ( insert rude word here ) , young looking bloke smiled and gave me the thumbs up . Just as he passed me he swerved and drove straight over the Bird . I’m not ashamed to say I was in tears , angry and honestly saddened . Why do some people do these things ? Sorry just had to share this .
Was just outside Ludgershall. I'm not sure where the original site is where they released the first reintroduced ones a few years ago but I'd imagine there's been some spread. The one I saw looked like a juvenile female
Same. There are a lot in Northants and I regularly see them hovering. Also get a lot of Sparrowhawks in the back garden and this little fella was kind enough to hang around long enough for me to fetch my camera. He (or she) appeared out of nowhere to enjoy his catch whilst I was making coffee in the kitchen so this one was taken through the window.
I saw a Hummingbird Hawk Moth at Hillier's Arboretum yesterday . Was staggered how late thst was. Also saw 2nr Speckled Wood butterflies.
I had a hummingbird hawk moth in the garden on Sunday. It seemed to spend most of its time dodging common darters around the pond. They were busy mating so I suppose they get a bit territorial and protective
So as if there aren't enough things that we are taxed and charged for, and just existing is already expensive enough and a real struggle for a lot of people. They are now taking a very healthy free activity that we can do in the area away from us. Car parking charges for all New Forest car parks are coming in from the Spring. I pretty regularly drive from work in Southampton to the Forest to park up and go for a run, or drive over early on a weekend to get a longer run in, or a long walk. I do it because it's a beautiful place to be, it's good for the soul, it's nice not to always run alongside traffic fumes, and there are thousands of routes to take. It will now have to be a rare treat. I wonder at what point we'll be charged to breathe.
Absolutely and this does the opposite. Limiting the accessibility of the forest is so short sighted. Getting out in nature is a fantastic thing for physical and mental wellbeing. Both of which are in a pretty severe decline in todays society.
To play the devil's advocate I checked which national parks and whether the national trust charges for parking and it seems the the majority do. E.G. the Peak District and Pembroke coastal parks and the NT is free for members only. This the common reason for introducing charges by the various managers. "Forestry England who manage the forest's Crown lands, said it was necessary because of increasing costs in repairing car parks and trails." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62l1199016o It's a users contribution with annual permits available that gave access to all Forestry England car parks.
To play the devil's advocate I checked which national parks and whether the national trust charges for parking and it seems the the majority do. E.G. the Peak District and Pembroke coastal parks and the NT is free for members only. Forestry England membership costs £94 covers the whole household for a year and includes. free parking at all Forestry England car parks where parking charges apply.* a beautiful welcome pack. special benefits and discounts with a range of partners.** quarterly e-newsletters and access updates. the knowledge that you’re supporting the future of our forests. https://www.forestryengland.uk/national-membership https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62l1199016o
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news...ational-park-landmark-nature-recovery-project A pioneering nature recovery project has reintroduced 19 pine martens to Exmoor National Park — marking the official return of a native species lost for over a century. 9 female and 10 male animals were released during September at secret locations owned by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority. The releases mark the return of an animal which was once common locally, but which was lost due to hunting and the decline of its favoured woodland habitat.
We are members of the NT , our membership provides far more than free parking . It’s £160.80 for joint membership per year . We go to Kingston Lacey and Mottisfont at least twice a year . £40 for the two of us if we didn’t have membership . so at least 2 visits to each place a year is about half our membership fee . we easily get our moneys worth when you include all the other places we visit . Bit of a ramble , but the free car parking is not even on the radar .
