The wrong bird

I have had a wonderful time today.  Braved the frost for a very early start down to Lymington and had my longest walk yet through and round Pennington Marshes.  By 10am I was getting quite hot, even in the breezes along the sea wall.  Next time I go on a balmy day I now know I shall be able to get to Keyhaven and perhaps even catch a boat out to Hurst Castle - my long term walking target.

My blip idea for today was another water bird, but there had been a very low tide and they were far out from the sea walls.  I did see eider duck, oyster catchers, redshank, dunlin, etc., but rather distantly, and it was on my way home, passing a stand of the short, twisted, lichen-smothered oaks they grow on the Marshes that I found my blip for the day - this lovely male chaffinch (already in his summer colours, appropriately).

However, I did want to show you a little of why I love this area so much, so in Extras is a view across the water to the lighthouse and Hurst Castle, with the Isle of Wight beyond.

Okay, that's me for now.  Happy Tuesday evening  xx