Irrepressible New Forest
28th November 2015
28th November
Irrepressible New Forest
Though it was a dull, grey day with strong winds and heavy showers, the natural beauty and peace of the New Forest shone through.
The wonders and qualities of the area are not as obvious as some other National Parks, but if you look closely you soon notice a wonderfully diverse mixture of wild life and a very subtle, varying landscape.
Today I saw large flocks of Redwinds and Fairfields, some scatty Marsh Tits who were completely immersed in their feeding to take notice of me and flocks of deer fading into the woodland. All around were the ubiquitous New Forest ponies who were particularly skittish as I saw many running across the open forest and occasionally flipping their back legs. Even as drove into the park a small herd of ponies were running along the side of the road, causing equal amounts of wonder and concern for drivers. I am not sure what was stimulating this behaviour as it was widespread (from Fritham to Linwood) but I suspect the windy conditions might have been at least part contributer.
Finally, after visiting the best pub in the park (The Royal Oak in Fritham) I came across a large black and white pig happily snuffling its way through the forest. It was not bounded by fences or walls and was free to roam wherever its snout led.
All of these experiences with the domestic and wild animals, along with the changing environments of mixed woodland, pine and wide open heathland make the New Forest a very special place. Every nook and cranny deserves investigation as all sorts of creatures may be found, a survey of every fallen tree should be made as wealth of moss and lichen will be encountered and all compass horizons have to be studied for the movement of deer.
It does not matter what time of year, or on the weather conditions, the New Forest is always an amazing place to visit. It's beauty is irrepressible.
Irrepressible New Forest
Though it was a dull, grey day with strong winds and heavy showers, the natural beauty and peace of the New Forest shone through.
The wonders and qualities of the area are not as obvious as some other National Parks, but if you look closely you soon notice a wonderfully diverse mixture of wild life and a very subtle, varying landscape.
Today I saw large flocks of Redwinds and Fairfields, some scatty Marsh Tits who were completely immersed in their feeding to take notice of me and flocks of deer fading into the woodland. All around were the ubiquitous New Forest ponies who were particularly skittish as I saw many running across the open forest and occasionally flipping their back legs. Even as drove into the park a small herd of ponies were running along the side of the road, causing equal amounts of wonder and concern for drivers. I am not sure what was stimulating this behaviour as it was widespread (from Fritham to Linwood) but I suspect the windy conditions might have been at least part contributer.
Finally, after visiting the best pub in the park (The Royal Oak in Fritham) I came across a large black and white pig happily snuffling its way through the forest. It was not bounded by fences or walls and was free to roam wherever its snout led.
All of these experiences with the domestic and wild animals, along with the changing environments of mixed woodland, pine and wide open heathland make the New Forest a very special place. Every nook and cranny deserves investigation as all sorts of creatures may be found, a survey of every fallen tree should be made as wealth of moss and lichen will be encountered and all compass horizons have to be studied for the movement of deer.
It does not matter what time of year, or on the weather conditions, the New Forest is always an amazing place to visit. It's beauty is irrepressible.