Shortly before sunrise a wall of storm clouds passing to the east of Winchester...         All Photographs © David Packman

...fortunately the clouds kept going east and the day turned into one of the few fine days we've had so far this year. This being so I took the opportunity for a stroll arounds Winnall Moors Wildlife Reserve.

The reserve is situated a half a mile from Winchester City centre. The River Itchen flows throughout its length, providing much needed water for the wet grasslands, reedbeds and ponds. At the southern end of the reserve a circular walk leads along the riverbanks. The water meadows formed in 1670 have wet grasslands to the north of the reserve, important for their wetland plants and breeding birds. In the foreground a Dabchick (Little Grebe) makes for the security of the reeds...

...safe at last...

...while a Moorhen has a wash and brush up.

Considering that January is likely to be one of the wettest in recent years the path that surrounds the reserve is suprisingly good apart from a few boggy areas.

Homeward bound.                                                                                                   All Photographs © David Packman

Caption details are based on the latest available information and are accurate to the best of my knowledge. Although the images are heavily compressed you are welcome to use them for your own non-commercial use.If you do please credit  Hampshire  Cam and add a link to these pages.  For hi-res images please contact me below.                           All photographs copyright David Packman © 2002 - 2008 (All Rights Reserved)