With a lovely sunny evening I was itching to get to the New Forest to see if the Nightjars had arrived so I headed off giving myself enough time to wander from the Shatterford Car Park to get to Bishop's Dyke in time for the last light.
Stonechat and
Dartford Warbler sang from the Heather while at least two
Curlew 'bubbled' from the mires and four
Snipe drummed overhead. As I got to Bishop's Dyke at least five
Cuckoo were very active chasing one another in territorial dispute but the light was a little low for descent photographs despite the close views. As the sun set the sky burnt orange and mist formed over the valley mire of Bishop's Dyke. And on cue
Nightjar began churring with at least four birds in the Bishop's Dyke area chasing and wing clapping frantically as they set-up territory. Two
Woodcock were roding overhead and completed a great and atmospheric couple of hours.
Cuckoo - Bishop's Dyke
Mandarin pair in the mist - Bishop's Dyke
Cuckoo at sunset - Bishop's Dyke
Cuckoo showing the distinctive silhouette with raised tail and drooped wings
when calling - Bishop's Dyke
Bishop's Dyke at dusk
Bishop's Dyke at dusk
Bishop's Dyke at dusk
Nightjar - Bishop's Dyke
Nightjar churring from Scot's Pine - Shatterford
