Little Grebe

Za · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:31 PM

Today I went for a walk along the Itchen Way,from Eastleigh in Hampshire,to Winchester.It was longer than I thought, but it was worth it.Thousands of banded demoiselles all over the place for miles, quite a few dragonflies, but they wouldnt stop for a pic.
I saw something sitting quietly on the opposite bank of the river, it was a little grebe

I havent seen one for years.
then I found this proud mother

I also saw reed warblers who didnt hang around waiting for me to focus, but got a pair of tufted ducks

and what for me is a good shot of a wagtail

I saw a Water Vole as well but he didnt hang about to pose.
I have sore feet now but it was a great walk,over 10 miles and it is all riverbank.
Za

goosey · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:43 PM

It sounds as if you had a really rewarding day out Za - you were a bit far from home weren't you? Nice photo's aswell to top off the day

.

Za · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:58 PM

Thanks goosey, yes I had a great day, saw 3 sets of wren fledglings,one bunch had what seemed like about a dozen of them in a hedge all peeping away, the hedge seemed alive.
Lots of moorhen chicks, mallard chicks, jackdaw and crow chicks,they were everywhere,I`ll definately need to get back down there soon.I love to get out of London at every opportunity.
Za

Ann2 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:59 PM

Yes, great pic of the wagtail.

There's no way I'd put myself through a ten mile walk in this weather though - far too hot. I would have needed to cool off in the river.

Ann

Za · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 07:17 PM

Most of the way I was in the shade of the trees on the riverbank, and there is a nice air conditioned pub in Shawford, about half way through the walk

Ollie · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 07:39 PM

Some nice photos and it sounds like a great walk along the river bank. I only walked about four miles today photographing or more like trying to photograph butterlies and that was quite far enough in todays heat. Wish there had been a river on my walk I would have had no hesitation in cooling off in it.
Roger