Ashford Hill Nature Reserve, located in the picturesque countryside of Hampshire, offers a dynamic blend of ancient woodlands, wetlands, and meadows teeming with life. This year, I’m thrilled to immerse myself in the beauty of the reserve, capturing its seasonal transformations and uncovering its hidden gems through my photography. I look forward to sharing my journey and insights on wildlife photography, landscape techniques, and mental health tips associated with outdoor adventures.
A follow on from this blog titled ‘Ashford Hill Wildlife‘ is also available to read.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect to see and read about in my upcoming blog posts.
Wildlife Encounters: From Deer to Woodpeckers
The reserve is a haven for wildlife, providing opportunities to capture a wide range of species in their natural habitat. I’ve already had the privilege of photographing Roe and Fallow Deer, whose graceful presence has added to the reserve’s allure. Most recently, I spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker—an exciting moment that has fueled my desire to explore the area more thoroughly in search of other elusive species.
If you’re interested in wildlife photography, you can explore my previous blog post covering tips and tricks for capturing animals in motion at Ashford Hill and beyond. For more in-depth insights, be sure to check out my dedicated WildlifePhotography Guide, where I share practical advice for beginners and seasoned photographers alike.
Table: Notable Species to Expect in Ashford Hill Nature Reserve
| Species | Best Time to Spot | Photography Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Roe Deer | Early morning or dusk | Use a long lens and shoot at dawn for soft, warm light |
| Fallow Deer | Late afternoon or evening | Capture their silhouettes during golden hour |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker | Spring and summer | Position yourself near trees and wait for activity |
| Common Buzzard | Year-round | Look for them soaring high above the reserve |
| Barn Owl | Dusk and dawn | Use a fast shutter speed to capture their flight |
(See Tables below for a full list of Flora and Fauna)
Seasonal Photography: Capturing Nature’s Changing Palette
One of the most exciting aspects of Ashford Hill Nature Reserve is how dramatically its landscape changes throughout the seasons. In winter, frost covers the fields, creating striking contrasts in the landscape, while the warmer months bring vibrant wildflowers and lush greenery. Every season has its own photographic magic.
I’ll be sharing posts that highlight these seasonal transformations, complete with tips on how to capture the essence of each season. For example, capturing the low, golden light of winter dawns or the vibrant greens and blooms of spring requires a keen understanding of light, angle, and timing. As I explore more, I will include techniques tailored for each season, whether that’s achieving the perfect bokeh or capturing foggy mornings in the woods.
Micro Walk Adventures: Creative Exploration for Mind and Camera
Ashford Hill will also serve as the perfect setting for my micro walk book series, where I combine my passion for photography with mental well-being tips and local history. These micro walks are designed to help you explore the reserve in small, manageable sections, each highlighting a specific area for photographic interest or contemplation.
In addition to showcasing some of the best photographic spots along these walks, I’ll be weaving in information about local flora and fauna, along with tips for photographers on how to make the most of these shorter, mindful walks.
Creative Techniques and Wildlife Stories
Throughout my time in Ashford Hill, I plan to experiment with creative photography techniques. From minimalist compositions to intricate macro photography of the reserve’s flora, I’ll share what I learn about capturing the finer details in nature. Each encounter, whether it’s with a quiet deer in the forest or an active bird in the trees, will be an opportunity to explore new ways of capturing the essence of the reserve.
I also look forward to sharing stories behind the photographs—describing not just the technical aspects but the narrative of the wildlife and moments I encounter in Ashford Hill. These stories will hopefully inspire you to visit and explore the area for yourself.
A Photographer’s Guide to Ashford Hill
As my exploration of Ashford Hill deepens, I will create a comprehensive photographer’s guide to navigating the reserve. This guide will include advice on where to go for the best photo opportunities, which gear to bring, and how to approach shooting in different light conditions. Whether you’re an avid landscape photographer or a wildlife enthusiast, this guide will offer valuable tips to help you capture the beauty of this remarkable location.
Explore Great Haughurst Copse
For those of you interested in more nature reserves and wildlife photography opportunities in Hampshire, I highly recommend exploring Great Haughurst Copse. It’s another hidden gem about the area, known for its diverse ecosystems and rare species. I’ll be visiting it in the future and sharing my experiences as part of my broader exploration of nature reserves this year.
Follow My Journey
I’m excited to share my ongoing adventures at Ashford Hill Nature Reserve. Stay tuned for future updates, in-depth guides, and photography tips that will help you make the most of your own nature walks and photographic explorations. For more inspiration and to learn about my approach to wildlife photography, be sure to explore my WildlifePhotography Guide.
Flora and Fauna to be discovered at Ashford Hill and Surrounding Countryside
The nature reserve has the following flora and fauna; lists taken from wikipedia.
| Flora Category | Species |
|---|---|
| Invertebrates | High Brown Fritillary |
| Orange Tip | |
| Purple Emperor | |
| Pearl-bordered Fritillary | |
| Green Hairstreak | |
| Mother Shipton Moth | |
| Burnet Companion | |
| Emerald Pot-bellied Beetle | |
| Brimstone | |
| Narrow Bordered Bee Hawkmoth | |
| Peacock | |
| Four-spotted Chaser | |
| Small Copper | |
| Small Yellow Underwing | |
| Scorpion Fly | |
| Green-veined White | |
| Common Blue | |
| Speckled Yellow | |
| Straw Dot Moth | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Yellow Meadow Ant | |
| Birds | Common Kingfisher |
| Common Buzzard | |
| European Goldfinch | |
| Eurasian Treecreeper | |
| Common Reed Bunting | |
| Red Kite | |
| Common Chiffchaff | |
| European Green Woodpecker | |
| Eurasian Bullfinch | |
| Water Rail | |
| European Turtle Dove | |
| Garden Warbler | |
| Dunnock | |
| European Greenfinch | |
| Common Chaffinch | |
| Common Blackbird | |
| Common Wood Pigeon | |
| Eurasian Blue Tit | |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker | |
| House Sparrow | |
| Western Jackdaw | |
| Common House Martin | |
| Goldcrest | |
| Common Kestrel | |
| Eurasian Blackcap | |
| Eurasian Wren | |
| Eurasian Siskin | |
| Western Yellow Wagtail | |
| Tree Pipit | |
| Eurasian Woodcock | |
| Great Tit | |
| Eurasian Jay | |
| European Robin | |
| Song Thrush | |
| Common Moorhen | |
| Mandarin Duck | |
| Snipe | |
| Eurasian Nuthatch | |
| Common Whitethroat | |
| Eurasian Magpie | |
| Common Raven |
| Fauna Category | Species |
|---|---|
| Trees | Alder |
| Hawthorn | |
| Blackthorn | |
| Plants | Yarrow |
| Bugle | |
| Garlic Mustard | |
| Marsh Foxtail | |
| Meadow Foxtail | |
| Bog Pimpernel | |
| Wood Anemone | |
| Wild Angelica | |
| Sterile Brome | |
| Sweet Vernal Grass | |
| Cow Parsley | |
| Fool’s Water Cress | |
| Lesser Burdock | |
| Daisy | |
| Hard Fern | |
| Marsh Marigold | |
| Wavy Bitter-cress | |
| Cuckooflower | |
| Lesser Pond-sedge | |
| Spring-sedge | |
| Brown Sedge | |
| Star Sedge | |
| Glaucous Sedge | |
| Hairy Sedge | |
| Oval Sedge | |
| False Fox-sedge | |
| Carnation Sedge | |
| Pale Sedge | |
| Greater Tussock-sedge | |
| Pill Sedge | |
| Remote Sedge | |
| Wood Sedge | |
| Bladder Sedge | |
| Common Knapweed | |
| Common Mouse-ear | |
| Greater Celandine | |
| Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage | |
| Enchanter’s Nightshade | |
| Creeping Thistle | |
| Meadow Thistle | |
| Marsh Thistle | |
| Pignut | |
| Beaked Hawk’s-beard | |
| Crosswort | |
| Crested Dog’s-tail | |
| Broom | |
| Cock’s-foot | |
| Heath Spotted-orchid | |
| Tufted Hair-grass | |
| Foxglove | |
| Field Horsetail | |
| Marsh Horsetail | |
| Common Cottongrass | |
| Hemp-agrimony | |
| Red Fescue | |
| Lesser Celandine | |
| Meadowsweet | |
| Heath Bedstraw | |
| Lady’s Bedstraw | |
| Wood Avens | |
| Marsh Cudweed | |
| Floating Sweet-grass | |
| Dyer’s Greenweed | |
| Yorkshire Fog | |
| Water Violet | |
| Bluebell | |
| Cat’s-ear | |
| Slender St John’s-wort | |
| Square-stalked St John’s-wort | |
| Yellow Iris | |
| Toad Rush | |
| Soft Rush | |
| Bitter-vetch | |
| Perennial Rye-grass | |
| Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil | |
| Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil | |
| Heath Wood-rush | |
| Hairy Wood-rush | |
| Gypsywort | |
| Common Cow-wheat | |
| Wood Melick | |
| Water Mint | |
| Three-nerved Sandwort | |
| Water Forget-me-not | |
| Hemlock Water-dropwort | |
| Greater Broomrape | |
| Marsh Lousewort | |
| Green Alkanet | |
| Mouse-ear-hawkweed | |
| Ribwort Plantain | |
| Rough Meadow-grass | |
| Solomon’s-seal | |
| Meadow Buttercup | |
| Bulbous Buttercup | |
| Lesser Spearwort | |
| Creeping Buttercup | |
| Great Yellow-cress | |
| Wood Club-rush | |
| Tall Fescue | |
| Water Figwort | |
| Figwort | |
| Red Campion | |
| Ragged Robin | |
| Woody Nightshade | |
| Bog Stitchwort | |
| Lesser Stitchwort | |
| Greater Stitchwort | |
| Marsh Stitchwort | |
| Devil’s-bit Scabious | |
| Large Thyme | |
| Lesser Trefoil | |
| Red Clover | |
| Marsh Arrow Grass | |
| Bulrush | |
| Gorse | |
| Marsh Valerian | |
| Common Valerian | |
| Brooklime | |
| Germander Speedwell | |
| Wood Speedwell | |
| Heath Speedwell | |
| Thyme-leaved Speedwell | |
| Bilberry |
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