Hares galore

Being back in full-time employment may help pay the bills, but it doesn't half impact on wildlife-watching time! At least the sunny evenings this week have meant that we've been able to get out & visit a few of the local spots after work, to get a bit of a nature fix! 

Driving around the country lanes through the downs in the hour or so before dusk has proved particularly productive this week, especially for mammals. On Friday evening we had at least 25 Brown Hares within a 3 or 4 mile radius, with up to 8 in the same field. Returning about the same time yesterday, we again saw over 20 in the same area - including one or two very close up. 

Can't see me

Into the sunset!

Both evenings we also saw lots of Roe Deer - approximately a dozen on Friday, and 7 or 8 on Thursday - all in small groups. The females are now looking heavily pregnant- although several still had last year's fawns with them. We also spotted one that had recently given birth as we could hear a fawn calling. Most of them are in the process of shedding their dense winter coats, so are looking a bit moth-eaten at present. However a pair of young bucks were looking quite smart in their reddish summer coats. 
We had a close view of a mature stag - still with velvet on his antlers - grazing with his mate. We  also spotted a trio of young Fallow Deer bucks grazing along the edge of a small copse. Their antlers have still got a fair bit of growing to do - just nubbs at the moment!

Roe Deer - Doe

Roe Deer - Pair (Doe very pregnant)

Roe Deer - Doe (Fawn in the Grass)

Lots of bird life to be seen, too. On Friday, we saw our first cuckoo of the year - although as it was in flight it took us a few minutes to work out what it was! The usual Red-legged Partridge & Pheasants were plentiful - although interestingly I did see a very dark, melanistic female pheasant; possibly the offspring of a blue-black male bird we spotted last year? As usual, plenty of raptors around too; several Red Kites, Buzzards and a pair of Kestrels.

On my day off on Thursday, I spend an hour or two watching the Water Voles again. The babies were out - still very small and surprisingly dark-coloured. It was fun seeing them splashing around, under the watchful eyes of their mum.

Water Vole

I also took a drive around the Aldbourne area, and was pleased to come across the main herd of Fallow Deer - over 45 of them, including one of the leutistic does & tan bucks. It's been a while since I've seen them together in such a large group!

Fallow Deer

Other interesting sightings this week included a Grasshopper Warbler, Pipestrelle Bats and a probable Honey Buzzard (in flight). Lou and Hurley also had a close encounter with one of the local urban foxes last night... it seemed quite interested in Hurley; maybe huskies look like a giant fox?

Seeing red

The Red-necked Grebe we saw last weekend has still be hanging around at Farmoor Reservoir, so as the weather was a bit sunnier on my day off on Thursday, I decided to pop back for another look at it. 

While it didn't come quite as close this time, I'm not about to complain. In the sunlight, it was looking quite stunning in full breeding plumage.

Displaying its small crest

 Joining him were large number of Great Crested Grebes;  the fishing is obviously good! There were also quite a few Swallows zipping around, and several terns - although only distant views of these. Down on the watermeadows by the river, a big mixed flock of geese were feeding; there were a mix of Barnacles, Greylag and Egyptians all present. 

With wall-to-wall sunshine forecast, we decided to visit Brownsea Island again today, for another go at getting Red Squirrels before the canopy blocks most of the light from the forest floor. 

It was an absolutely glorious day; we couldn't have asked for better weather. More of the summer-breeding seabirds have returned since our last visit a couple of weeks ago. We saw Sandwich, Common and Artic Terns - as well as lots of House Martins and Swallows flying in. The Oystercatchers are looking rather dapper at present, too.

Oystercatcher

However, the Red Squirrels were very definitely the #1 target for the day, so we spent most of our time in the woods , armed with lots of hazelnuts! After meandering around for a few hours & staking out a few spots, we'd seen several squirrels, but not had much luck getting any foraging on the ground. Sending Lou ahead to scout proved to be worse than useless, since she merrily made sure she got her own shots ( full-frame, beautifully posed on a mossy tussock, no-less!) before alerting us! 

 Around lunchtime, we struck gold; finding a trio foraging on the ground along the crest of a ridge. Two of them were amazingly tolerant of us, especially once they realised that we were bringers of nutty goodness. Slightly aggravatingly, the most bold & cooperative beastie had a big lump on his nose - so I was mainly focusing on the other. However the manky-nosed one was hard to ignore, since he was practically running up our legs - and investigating our bags! 

Lump on its nose - Its best side

We had a good hour or more with them, so as normal, I was trying to think of different shots. I rather like this cheeky one of him peeking over a mossy hillock.

Back at the pier, the little flock of Turnstones kept me amused while we waited for the ferry. I always like watching these funny little birds scurrying along the strandline.

Turnstone

To finish the day of nicely, this evening Lou saw the first of our local bats hunting in the park.