I had planned to meet up with my So'ton relatives whilst I was at my friend Tricia's, but when I phoned it turned out my aunty and uncle were going to be down in Exmouth that week, so instead I ended up having a lovely walk with my friend and her collie around Stanpit Marshes near Christchurch. It was a lovely warm day and it felt so good to get some sea air.
No Avocets or Waxwings were spotted, but we did see several Curlews, a Redshank and . . . excitingly, a Large White Egret. They are considerably bigger than the wee chaps we have been seeing (we even have them on the Welsh coastal margins now too).
Christchurch Priory.
How nice it must be to live right on the marshes, with lovely views across the estuary towards Hengistbury Head.
Sea Asters (above).
This might be Pickleweed . . .
My friend and I wondered how on earth planning permission was given for these modern houses . . .
Oystercatcher? in foreground, Curlew (I think) to the right) and great White Egret middle beneath the white yacht.
A far more positive ID of the Large White Egret. My friend has seen them here before, but I didn't know they were in Britain.
Some of the New forest ponies who were grazing on the marshes.
What a lovely little river boat. I was waving away, as I thought someone had waved at me, but it turned out to be their dog's tail wagging!!! Perhaps I need stronger specs . . .
Finally, a rusty old wreck which the Authorities had perceived as Dangerous, and put fencing up around it!
Tomorrow (hopefully) some photos of Llyn Brianne reservoir, where we went yesterday.
