Lakeside

I am sure these fellas didn’t sit up and take notice simply because they liked the look of me or the half dozen other people by the water at Eastleigh’s Lakeside Country Park. Much more likely that despite the notice saying don’t feed they were much more interested in the possibility of food from countryside visitors.

Remember that the area was once gravel pits, and since its transformation into lakes and apart from these fellas contains an array of habitats including lakes, a wetland area and semi-improved grassland with woodland margins. This site provides a haven for flowers, butterflies and waterfowl alike.

They tell me that wildlife ranges from birds, insects and small mammals to fox and deer and several species of bats and although I did not spy any of these during my visit there were seagulls jostling in among these fellas. And oh yes, I did spot some cattle grazing.

They have two new centre buildings for conferences and meetings.

But seems these inhabitants were far more interested in whether food was in prospect from the likes of me and other visitors.