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Hi Kathy - thank you for your kind thoughts (big hug) we are still in limbo here as often happens in these cases but I do try and loose myself for a while on the forum.  We have not been bird watching at all this month but I have made a list of targets for December and am determined that we shall achieve them!   Garden movement has been slow to return but is finely getting there - this morning a large black cat managed to climb a thin wooden pole to try and get the blue tits - but he fell off!  I love my cats but not on my bird tables!  A male pheasant visited us a couple of days ago which was a nice moment.  Two coal tits feed everyday - they only take one seed at a time which seems a very slow way of eating - do they hide it I wonder?  My two Dunnocks are becoming quite tame and will actually come out from the undergrowth and take feed at my feet - thrilled with that!

Well I hope all is well with you both - I will catch up with everything on the forum after lunch (my tummy is rumbling)

Sally

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the reply.   As to your question of the new forest - I have to admit I felt so completely at peace there, I would hope to get back there soon.  Rich and I love our travels and have gone to many places near and far, we're very much geared to the quieter side of things so find it ironic we found somewhere only a short distance from where we live!.  The new forest offered all of that and only 3 hours from home - Rather  it would have been if we hadn't been caught up in the roadworks of the M25 going and coming back which added another 3 hours to the journey - oooh I hate that road!.

Hi Kathy,

Am okay thanks.  You sound like you have been having a lovely time even if it was because of your car!  Glad it passed it's MOT!  Really loved your photos and your narrative.

We had a lovely week in the New Forest, saw lots of deer, and birds (alas couldn't catch any on camera, barring a few blurred ones).  Plenty of robins galore, chaffinch and blue tits.  Heard owls but couldn't pinpoint them.  We even saw buzzards but again couldn't get a photo.   I've decided I am really taken with the New Forest so hope to go there more and more.  We walked and walked, the weather was kind to us and the hotel we stayed at was really reasonable and quite nice.  I just loved the colours of the trees, very uplifting and everything peaceful.

One day after walking for miles, we came upon a pasture with lots of deer and a few stags.  The afternoon was late and as I stepped back to get a shot, I literally tripped over a young guy in full camouflage gear and a zoom lense so long he could have poked the deer in the eye! lol.  He and his friend (cannily hiding behind a tree also in full camouflage!) was waiting for the rut to start.  It was really unfortunate for us but as we had parked so far away, the light was getting dim, we had to head off and miss it afraid we would get caught in the dark with no torch.  I have posted some photos on my page and also on the gallery (nothing great but will do).  I have lots more to put but it takes so long for me to load them that I will save doing that for a rainy afternoon.

Hope you are well, speak to you soon

Kerry, x

Hi Kathy - sorry haven't been in touch - we have a close relative on life support at the moment - things not looking at all good - so can't concentrate too well but decided to try and have ago this evening to take my mind off things - am going to try and post some pictures in a minute!  Glad to say the birds are all coming back to feed in the garden now which again cheers us up - will write again when I have some good news preferably from a good day out birdwatching.

Best wishes

Sally

Hi Kathy!

Thanks for the update! Great to see the water rail! They might be common but my goodness they're hard to see! I'm ok thanks! Looking forward to my next wildlife spotting opportunity whenever that may be! (Limited to mornings on way to work and weekends currently!). Hope all is well with you too! Look forward to the 'reportage' from the weekend!! ;-)

Best wishes

Maria