The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

Two for the price of one! What a great thread from both Peters! Excellent narrative, too.

Thank you John.

Peter's (Artframes) visit was at very short notice and was very welcome. We visited a number of sites to give Peter the opportunity to see the some of my favourite sites. The old chalk quarry and the oysterbeds were the only places we actually got out of the car to visit. It's not too bad a haul from the day but you could spend a day in each. There were many other local sites that we did not have time to see properly. I said to Mara (my wife) we would be out for a couple of hours, in truth, we were out more than twice that!

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

I want to say Thank you Peter's! for showing all these nice photos. I especially like the first peregrine shot. You are so lucky to have them readily available like the proverbial 'sitting duck' - I am jealous!

The Newts
Well, I just released a full dozend of Triturus vulgaris into my neighbours pond. When you live at a place where Newts (or Toats etc.) are present, make sure you search all the man made 'traps' for several times in late winter, early spring and fall respectively.
Going to and fro hibernation there are always some who will blunge into my cellar and need to be collected and set free again. I also get small numbers of Triturus alpestris - males in mating colors are almost unreal beauties.

Thank you Falk for your kind comments

The Peregrine have been nesting at this site for about 4 years now. What is unusual is that they have accepted the passage of people and dogs below their nest site at the foot of the cliff. They are loved and admired by residents and visitors. Each year they bring up 3-4 fledglings. Protection of these birds is a very high priority. All my images are taken from public footpaths which the Peregrine are used to and accept.

The newt pond was created by the Portsmouth City Council Rangers some years ago. They saw a damp area under the cliffs and excavated to create the shallow pool. What a great success story
I have googled the Alpine Newt (Triturus alpestris) and wow! they are really beautiful. We do not have these in the UK.

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

Great thread Peters. The standout shots for me are the very last of the Godwit shots and the Newts.

Thank you John

The newt shots were taken with the Bigma without any polarisation. I had hoped that they would come out but was not too sure.

[Ray Shotter]

Re: The Oysterbeds, North Hayling

PeterD,

I like the Oyster Catcher and Egret shots - both very sharp and capture lots of detail.

Ray.

[PeterD]

Re: The Oysterbeds, North Hayling

PeterD,

I like the Oyster Catcher and Egret shots - both very sharp and capture lots of detail.

Ray.

Thank you Ray. The E5 and Bigma make a great combination.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

WOW to both Peters Thank You for sharing these awesome photos!
I am tempted to save up for an E5 - they are SO SHARP !

I do so hope that the Perigrine Falcons have a round the clock team of people to protect them from the PF THIEVES of eggs and chicks?

This is an awesome sight and one fo these days - I shall get there!

[DerekW]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

Peter D - How do you reccomend getting to the chalk quarry on Portsdown Hill. Looking at Google maps it looks as if it is to the south of the old ASWE now QuineQ building and that one approaches it from the south on Chalk Pit Road - is that correct

Thanks

Derek

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

WOW to both Peters Thank You for sharing these awesome photos!
I am tempted to save up for an E5 - they are SO SHARP !

I do so hope that the Perigrine Falcons have a round the clock team of people to protect them from the PF THIEVES of eggs and chicks?

This is an awesome sight and one fo these days - I shall get there!

Thank you for your reply Chevvyf1

Peregrine falcons are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act - basically, it is an offence under Section 1(5) of the Act to disturb Schedule 1 birds while they are building a nest, or while they are in, on or near a nest containing their eggs or young. This is another reason my photographs are strictly taken from public paths which the birds are used to seeing people walk on. Apart from the measures taken by others, I keep an eye on what is going on whilst I am on-site.

Next month the little blue butterfly will emerge in the quarry so another good reason to visit. I would be happy to show you round if that would help.

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

Peter D - How do you reccomend getting to the chalk quarry on Portsdown Hill. Looking at Google maps it looks as if it is to the south of the old ASWE now QuineQ building and that one approaches it from the south on Chalk Pit Road - is that correct

Thanks

Derek

Hi Derek,

Yes, you approach the site through the Paulsgrove estate and Chalk Pit Road. The nest site area is to the right of the pylon at the entrance.

Please note my reply to Chevvyf1. Photography should only be done from the field below the cliff face. The cliff face is fenced off.

[DerekW]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

Peter - thanks for confirming the access - now that I can walk a bit I will give it a go - today would have been good - tomorrow not so according to the forecast.

Thanks

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

Peter - thanks for confirming the access - now that I can walk a bit I will give it a go - today would have been good - tomorrow not so according to the forecast.

Thanks

Good luck Derek. Sometimes I find that cloudy days are better for photography than bright sunny ones. Strong light creates very deep shadows.

[DerekW]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

It is the rain that puts me off even with a weather tight camera

[PeterD]

Re: The Old Chalk Quarry - Portsdown Hill

It is the rain that puts me off even with a weather tight camera

Hi Derek,

It is dry, overcast but bright down here at the moment