Rheinfield, New Forest & Stanpit Marsh nature reserve

February 23, 2014 Pete

This is a selection of photographies taken at two different locations, Rheinfield in the New Forest and Stanpit marsh nature reserve, over the last two weekends.

The shots from Rheinfield were taken within the Blackwater Arboretum, a short stroll from the car park. You may be able to spot Hawfinches (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) at this time of year, usually seen on the top of the pines in the late afternoon (expect some neck strain from constantly looking up!)

These two are not the best of images (cropped a lot) but will give you a rough idea of what to look out for.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG at F6.3.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG at F6.3

This is also a good location to spot Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) & Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) which will be lower down you will be pleased to here. I did see both but only managed to get a good shot of the Goldcrest.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG at F6.3. Image cropped

These next images are from the second location Stanpit marsh nature reserve. I find this nature reserve a good place to see Stonechats (Saxicola torquata) very close up.

The Male

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG at F6.3

The Female

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG at F6.3. Image cropped

and again, this being my favourite shot from the day.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG at F6.3

The last photograph of this post is of a Redshank (Tringa totanus), which decided to stick around close to the path as we made our way back to the car park.