On a Sunday lunchtime, many people will be at home, gathered around a roast dinner, or at a restaurant for a carvery. However, at just gone midday, a group of young people was gathered on the banks of Eyeworth Ponds, near the village of Fritham, in the north of the New Forest National Park. TheyContinue reading “Eyeworth Ponds”
Author Archives: Henry Jones
New Forest Ringing Session
The morning dawned bright and early, and as we set off up through the woods, smoky breath settled like mist above us. The New Forest National Park is a picturesque place, full of unique habitats and special species. And the Wild New Forest Wildlife Camp was a brilliant way to experience it. It was aContinue reading “New Forest Ringing Session”
The Wild New Forest Camp
The Autumn Wild New Forest Wildlife Camp took place from the 25th October to the 27th, 2024, and it was an absolutely brilliant experience. Easily as good as the Spring camp, the activities took a completely new perspective as the season changed, with many of them remaining the same, like the Bio-Blitz, but looking forContinue reading “The Wild New Forest Camp”
Murmatory Mutterings: The Science Behind Murmurations
Many people regard the Common Starling as a rather common bird, swarming garden bird baths before anybody else can get a look-in, and crowding out electricity pylons on many an evening. But one thing they do sets them apart from all other birds and animals. They produce one of nature’s most awe-inspiring, beautiful, confusing phenomena.Continue reading “Murmatory Mutterings: The Science Behind Murmurations”
Autumn Birding
Its the time of year when the avian world once again begins its twice annual journeys, heading for and from places across the globe. It is one of nature’s greatest spectacles, and yet the autumn migration always tends to be a little less noticeable than Spring, but no less breath-taking. Even now, influxes of ArcticContinue reading “Autumn Birding”
Ospreys and the River Exe
The Osprey is an iconic fish eating raptor, one that mate for life and returns to the same nest site every year. But recently, they’ve been randomly sighted at different spots across the country, in places you wouldn’t exactly expect to find them. The Osprey breeding strongholds of Scotland, the Lake District and more recentlyContinue reading “Ospreys and the River Exe”
The Farewell Flight is now Open
Hello! This post is all about hirundines, that family of birds whose exploits on the wing are almost unchallenged in the natural world. I thought I would write this post while many of these birds are making preparations for their return migration back to Africa. So this post is to explain what they’re doing, beforeContinue reading “The Farewell Flight is now Open”
It’s Bird Moulting Season
Have you ever noticed a bird looking completely different in the winter, after you’d seen it in the summer? Different colours, patterns and plumages are actually completely normal. Or have you suddenly realised that you’re not seeing as many birds as usual in your garden? There’s likely a few reasons for this, but one ofContinue reading “It’s Bird Moulting Season”
Hyde Park Birding
Hyde Park is a patch of green among the greys of city life, a wonderful space in the heart of the English capital. The Serpentine Lake, so named for its snake form, slithers through its heart, populated by birds and pleasure boats alike. A popular spot with the inhabitants of London, the lightly wooded grassContinue reading “Hyde Park Birding”
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre Exhibit
This weekend’s journey to London had began with a birdy purpose. That purpose was to visit the Natural History Museum’s new exhibit – ‘Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre’. The Museum has partnered with the RSPB to create an unforgettable experience, its main aim to showcase how amazing our natural world is. Both adjectives mentioned in theContinue reading “Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre Exhibit”
The Bovey Birder 