Wildlife

Blashford lakes nature reserve birds and a bunny from May

I am still in catch up mode with photo’s so this selection of birds and a bunny were found at Blashford Lakes nature reserve back in May.

The Tern Hide, that looks over Ibsley water, is a good location for a variety of birds.

From gulls including those that lose their heads!

Dont lose your head flying
Dont lose your head flying

waders like this Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius).

Little Ringed Plover on the move
Little Ringed Plover on the move
Little Ringed Plover profile
Little Ringed Plover profile

and this Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Redshank close to the shoreline
Redshank close to the shoreline
Redshank profile
Redshank profile

My brother also kindly lent me his Canon 500mm lens and 2x extender for this one which was further away

Redshank with Canon 500mm lens + 2x extender
Redshank with Canon 500mm lens + 2x extender

Wildfowl like Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus)

Face to face with an Egyptian Goose
Face to face with an Egyptian Goose
Egyptian Goose on water
Egyptian Goose on water

and divers like this Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) in its summer plummage.

Little Grebe summer plummage
Little Grebe summer plummage

I also spotted this young Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) on the left just after exiting the hide.

Yound Oystercatcher
Yound Oystercatcher

Birds can be sighted while wandering the paths to and from the hides located around the reserve, and at this time of the year you are likely to come across Blackbirds (Turdus merula), Dunnocks (Prunella modularis) and Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita) amongst others.

Blackbird sitting on a branch
Blackbird sitting on a branch
Juvenile Dunnock
Juvenile Dunnock
Chill out
Chill out
A Chiffchaff
A Chiffchaff

You will also find Sand Martins (Riparia Riparia) flying in and out of their nest holes in the wall just outside the Goosander Hide, and you may also be lucky enough to view the Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) performing their mating display.

Sand Martin
Sand Martin
Great Crested Grebe water ballet
Great Crested Grebe water ballet

Finally you may spot the Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) that flit between the reeds right in front of the Ivy South hide.

Singing Reed Warbler
Singing Reed Warbler
Reed Warbler on reed
Reed Warbler on reed
Reed Warbler landscape
Reed Warbler landscape
Reed Warbler portait
Reed Warbler portait

Pete

I have been shooting nature with Olympus digital & Olympus OM camera gear on film since 2004

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