Early fog and frost gave way to sunshine
and a light mist as 14 assembled for a 2.5 mile stroll from the National Trust
car parAk by the sand pit at Moyles Court. Nearby stands an ancient, craggy, oak
tree: a contender with the Knightwood Oak for the oldest tree in the Forest. This
hilly region was not part of the New Forest until 1964. Before then, and for a
while afterwards, extraction of plateau gravels created a large depression that
remains today, but is now reclaimed by heathland. Public rights of way criss-cross
the area where dwellings, large and small, are scattered in isolated spots
reached only by rough tracks. The habitat comprises mainly open heath and moorland
with small streams and patches of woodland.
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A cold and frosty morning
© Richard Coomber
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We headed south-east, steeply uphill along
the edge of properties where stocky oaks still cling to a high, eroding bank. At
the top, the site of the gravel workings came into view: a large bowl several metres
deep, now grassy with small trees and Gorse. A short detour gave a hazy view
westwards down to the lakes at Blashford and the Avon valley. Back on track we
turned north-east along the south rim of the workings then down to Little
Whitemoor Bottom. Passing a small cottage, we headed into
woodland where a muddy path led up to Rockford Common. A left turn through Gorse
led down to a small stream that comes and goes with the season in Big Whitemoor
Bottom. From here it was an easy track westwards on the rim then down to the floor
of the old gravel area and back to the cars.
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© Richard Smith
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| © Chris Robinson |
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Apart from a few clusters of lichen, Ganoderma sp and Stereum sp on rotten branches, birds were the main interest. We
watched a solitary Goldcrest (see above) swinging in a small conifer then, obligingly, in a
bare tree for several minutes, completely undisturbed by our presence. Also of note
was a flock of 50+ Redwing, a Buzzard, Peregrine and an elusive Woodlark, or
possibly more than one, calling but not spotted. In addition, the following
were seen or heard by at least some of the group: Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion
Crow, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Long-tailed tits, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch (heard
only) and Robin. MW/SP
