Dorset - Affpuddle and Oakers Woods - Crossbill and Crests!

After spending yesterday at Lychett Bay looking for the Ring-billed Gull I decided to change habitats today visiting Affpuddle Woods and Oakerswood. My quarry for the day was Common Crossbill which had been reported in recent times.

I had also received a couple of pin drops from Brett indicating starting points for my quest. It turned out that the challenge was over within a few 100 metres into my search. A flock of ten birds which included at least four males popped into the pines just off the main track. Mission Accomplished!

However this was not a tick and run exercise and I continued on to explore another vast habitat that was on my doorstep. I spoke to a couple of local birdwatchers who were very forthcoming with the gems that this area holds throughout the year!

I ventured on towards Culpepper Dish locating a second and slightly larger flock of Crossbill. These birds were easier to photograph with the sun behind me. Happy with my photos (above) I took the track up to the Dish.

As I was negotiating the muddy track I was stopped in my tracks by a single call of a Firecrest. The bird did not take long to show itself as it flitted over the low scrub and then back onto more suitable habitat. Fantastic a bonus bird! It did take a while to get shots but birding is also a game of patience!

After visiting the Dish which incidentally was caused by a sink-hole I returned to the crossroads stopping to photograph a Treecreeper that was part of a Tit flock.

I made my way down to Oakerswood which is another haven for woodland birds. There were plenty of Tit species in the area along with Nuthatch, Treecreeper and a small flock of Siskin.

I took the roadside walk back to the car more to familiarize myself with the area. I returned with the car to log another favourite place on the SatNav! 

I am amazed at variety of habitats that are only a few clicks from home!

Dorset - Silverlake - Fieldwork Pays Dividends!

The day started with raptor activity on the River Piddle floodplain. The low flying Sparrowhawk and swooping Buzzard was shaking up the wildfowl on the ground below. The plus from this was Green Sandpiper that was buzzing around the floods. They eventually came to rest and then quickly split up to continue feeding in the margins.

The next phase of the day involved a field patrol looking for the flock of White-fronted Geese that have been frequenting Silverlake. The lanes were flooded in parts but arrival at Silverlake was in the nick of time as the birds were resting on the “wetland” area on the East pit. From my vantage point they were dots and having bumped into Brett I decided to catch up with him in Knighton Heath Woods to get a decent view of these birds.

I trudged my way up the hill to hear the news from Phil and Brett that the birds had flown N towards the fields. This was becoming a familiar story but I had had scope views on previous visits but no decent pictures to support the observations.

Brett and I headed for a search of the fields. I was definitely overdressed for trudging around but after a short drive and a long walk we had hit the jackpot! At last and some decent pictures of the flock feeding in a random field which had a good food source!

The flock is using Silverlake as a roosting and resting area and will visit on most days. Moonlight will allow the birds to feed after dark but on an overcast day they will no doubt be present on the reserve at the East End.

A very satisfying end to the day!

Dorset - River Piddle Puddletown - White Fronted Christmas!

The watchful eye I have been keeping on the River Piddle seemed to have paid off this morning with a lone White Fronted Goose washing up on the flooded fields. I checked out the birds credentials but could not find anything that would suggest that it was an escape or even a hybrid.

I did manage some photos but again distance seemed to affect the quality of the image. The adult bird remained on its own washing up before venturing closer to dry land.

The area was also loaded with wildfowl, Wigeon, Teal, Canada and a couple of Greylag Geese. There was also a sizeable flock of Lapwing Little Egret and Grey Heron. There was a spattering of Herring Gulls and the regular gathering of corvids in the fields on the higher ground.

I think this is the first time I have been out with the birds on Christmas Day!

Dorset - River Piddle & Silverlake - Whitefronts Interrupt a Piddle!

The River Piddle rises next to the church in Alton Pancras and runs through several villages one was originally known as Piddletown until the Victorians re named the village to Puddletown. Incidentally the former name of the village was still cited into the 1950’s. The river runs south and then south east running parallel to the larger River Frome. Both enter Poole Harbour via the Wareham Channel.

The Piddle is currently in flood which is presenting the local birdlife opportunities to congregate in areas that are not available in the summer months. I have been keeping a close eye on bird numbers and took another journey along the River course:-

Athelhampton had the highest concentration of birds with Little Egret and Canada Geese amongst the numerous corvids and pheasant in the flooded fields. A male Kestrel was suitably positioned on the wires to catch any struggling mammals! Mallard were the only duck I could find and a lone Herring represented the Gulls.

Burleston held the highest number of Little Egret with a Mute Swan, Collared Dove a Song Thrush and a band of House Sparrow adding to the days tally.

Tolpuddle featured a small flock of Fieldfare and Starling. The corvids were again well represented. There was a small flock of Black Headed Gull, with a couple of Common Gull amongst them. A Buzzard kept a watchfull eye overhead.

I was escorted through Affpuddle by a hedge and scrub hopping male Bullfinch. I then made my way up to The Watercress Company where the fields were once again loaded with Egrets. I parked up and my phone buzzed which had me heading for my final destination Silverlake (Warmwell Gravel Pits) slightly earlier than planned!

On arrival I started looking along the East side and quickly located a few White-fronted Geese that were with Canada’s along one of the spits. Most of the birds I saw were adults but I could see other heads suggesting there were more birds on the other side of the spit. I had good scope views (left hand birds, Canada's right and Greylag on the water). I turned my attentions to getting pictures which was a tad tricky at this range with a 300mm lens!

As it turned out moving position would not have secured better views as the birds flew off North over the pines and quickly out of sight. A quick update and I was off checking the fields doing a loop through Moreton and Crossways. I did not re-locate the Whitefronts but there were plenty of areas they could have dropped into along the way.

I later caught up with Brett at the top of the woods as we both staked the pits out on the off chance the birds would return to roost on the site! In the mean time good numbers of Goosander and a few Pintail were spied on the East pit. The Long tailed Duck was still present by the causeway!

Thanks Brett for the tip off. I would have surely have missed them if I had continued on my schedule!

Dorset - Silverlake and Environs - Fieldwork!

I have been trawling the fields of late looking for Grey Geese. I have noticed the water levels rising in the area resulting in several fields flooding. Flooded fields particularly surrounding water courses means an influx of Swans and other wildfowl. I also stumbled on The Watercress Company site which looked suitable for attracting wildfowl. I added this location to my trusted SatNav (We do fall-out from time to time!)for future reference.

In addition to my local observations a group of 16 Whitefronts dropped into Silverlake (Warmwell Gravel Pits) a while back. I noticed that a similar group had also been reported at the Lower Test Marshes Hampshire a couple of days back. I contemplated if this group were the same birds there were certainly grey geese moving around in the next shire! The long Tailed Duck is still in residence and a very confiding male bird it is too!

Three Dunlin was also present with the regular Goosander but something kept spooking the mixed Lapwing flock which gave brief opportunities to get shots of the shorebirds!

The days have progressed and the fields have become muddier with some flooding on the roads. Mute Swan numbers have been increasing along with Grey Herons 

and Little Egret.

I had passed The Watercress Company on the B3390 near Waddock and noticed the fields were heavily flooded with a mass of white bodies moving around the margins. I found a suitable spot to view the fields spooking a Green Sandpiper from the edge of the swamp of a field. 

Four Cattle Egret were feeding with Little Egret, Mute Swans and a couple of Egyptian Goose. Not quite the geese I was after but I guess it’s a start!

More rain is forecast and the car is looking a tad muddy but who knows what the fields will lure in next!

Dorset - Lodmoor RSPB - Commuting Ducks!

 

Today I went in search of Aythya marila at Lodmoor RSPB a species that is a regular winter visitor at this site. The Scaup did not disappoint with three males on a pool with Pochard at the Preston side of the reserve. Two first winter birds were identified from photos the group were very active moving around the water in front of the reed-beds. 

These birds have been commuting between Lodmoor and Abbotsbury Swannery since November and were joined by another male this month viz Steve Groves.

On the other side of the reserve a couple of Marsh Harrier stirred up the healthy numbers of Snipe on the reserve. Sadly I have not found a Jack Snipe to date but I am hopeful that I will find one before the end of the winter months. A Dunlin joined the fray early afternoon.

The water levels were high and a Pheasant looked marooned on one of the small islands!

I keep an eye on the Gulls that visit the reserve but there was not much to choose from today. There was the usual mix of Black-headed and Med Gulls. There were only a handful of larger gulls a Greater Black-backed Gull performed well in front of the shelter.

Dorset - Rodden Hive - Wild Goose Chase!

An action packed weekend on the turf had an interesting twist to it as White Fronted Geese had been seen on an enclosed section of Clapham Common. The very place I was heading for with confirmation from Pete Alfrey that the Geese were still present. I took a quick detour to see the birds that were in the NE corner with Greylags resting near a lone tree.

I returned to Rodden Hive today where there had been a large gathering of Brent, Barnacle and Canada Geese. Unfortunately with the end to lockdown has bought back the wildfowlers and pest control merchants. It was no surprise when I arrived today there was a distinct lack of Geese and the ones that were on The Fleet exited stage left pretty sharpish as I reached the viewing corner!

There was still plenty of wildfowl on The Fleet, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Mutes in good numbers. A spied a couple of Marsh Harrier one taking a fly by the first bird that was perched on the hedgerow.

I guess the Harriers were looking to take advantage of any scraps or felled birds that had not been scooped up by the dogs! I have witnessed this activity in Batumi and Bulgaria and can’t say I understand it and will leave it at that!

A splendid male Bullfinch put in an appearance but as is traditional they are very difficult to photograph!

I am still on the look-out for Whitefronts down here but despite road closures and diversions the fields did not produce any today!

Dorset - The Fleet - Hen Harrier in a Hurry!

I returned to The Fleet today in search of White-fronted Geese. Kent and Sussex have recently had a good return of this species. There is also a flock in Surrey at the moment. Wow! I have been told some some good parking spots allowing good coverage of the East Fleet without crossing swords with the Farmer of Dusky Warbler fame!

The drake Velvet Scoter put in a good appearance along with a female Common Scoter, a Slavonian Grebe (3 reported today) and numerous Brent Geese. I noted a couple of likely candidates for the Pale- bellied hrota race from Greenland and a likely Black Brant which is the North American version nigricans. I noted the broad neck patch with white flanks but was there enough blackish in the upper-parts. The majority as expected were Dark-bellied bernicla from Russia.

News of a large gathering of geese at Rodden Hive with some Barnacle Geese thrown into the mix had me venturing into the West Fleet for the first time. After some maneuvering and help from the local people I had parked up as was making my way towards and over the ridge to the viewing corner. The Fleet was loaded with Wigeon and Pintail and other wildfowl. The mass of geese were grazing in the field and included Barnacle (three dots middle bottom of picture), Canada and masses of Brent Geese.

Red-legged Partridge were heard “kaking” from behind the trees. Little did I know at the time these birds were going to prove their worth later on in the afternoon! But before that came the mizzle type rain which had me turning tail only to turn back again as it stopped as I had reached half way point up the hill!

I worked my way through the wildfowl just in case there was something else secreted within the masses and as the light was beginning to fade I trudged up the hill. The silence was broken by panic in the field to my left screaming partridges and pheasant who had ventured out of cover to feed were now scrambling to reach cover! I looked to the skies and an interesting Harrier honed into view to my left.

The bird did not seem that interested in a meal as it headed across the field. I noted key features to firstly age then identify the species BRC style! Ok a Monties or a Pallid was extremely unlikely but this is how we were trained as raptors piled over the stations in Batumi Rep of Georgia. The bird was an adult male Hen Harrier with broad black band through the outer primaries and overall grey appearance with a white tail-band. I even counted the five fingers!

In what seemed like a flash in time the bird had gone over the ridge. I made my way to the top and hung around for a while just in-case the Harrier had changed its priorities from roost to meal! It did seem to be on a mission to get somewhere in a hurry leaving me wondering if this bird had just found our shores!

The only slight disappointment (if that's possible here!) was this species is not a description species in Dorset but Black Brant is so does this trump the Harrier! But it was a nice bonus to end the day on. Thanks Brett for the information on the species distribution within the county!

Dorset - Tidmoor Point The Fleet - Dot to Dot!

The soccer season is about to resume for the man in the middle and my phone was busy for most of the morning sorting out the weekends fixtures. I eventually got out taking a brief birding skirmish to Tidmoor Point which overlooks The Fleet. A Velvet Scoter, Slavonian Grebes and a Common Scoter had been circulated by @freddyalway on Twitter.

These birds were all still present but getting pictures was another matter. I think dot shots are the best way I can describe my efforts. Sometimes I could not even see the bird having just fixed on a landmark behind it. I gave up with the Slavs in the end having attempted get some shots using my old Samsung phone attached to my scope!

There were numerous Brent Geese on The Fleet and a group of Greylag’s with a lone Canada took a mid level fly-by. The skies were getting darker and I headed for the hills mid afternoon a bit disappointed but with a couple more winter visitors under my belt!

I have met numerous people during my time here and excluding the farmer on East Fleet everyone has been very helpful in getting the new boy settled into his new county! Even the Tottenham fans are friendly down here!! Thank You all!

Dorset - Nothe Fort - Stake-Out Nails Iceland Gull!

There has been an Iceland Gull that has frequented Porland and Weymouth Harbours over the last few days. I have been keeping an eye out for the bird on my travels around the harbour and have always been in the wrong area when the bird has been spotted! The bird does not stick around in the same area for long either making it even trickier to nail the bird which incidentally is a fairly rare white winger to frequent the county.

Having collated the information surrounding the birds movements I decided it was time for a stake out! I gathered enough supplies and warm gear to see me through the day and returned to Nothe Fort which is at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour. My arrival had been delayed by a Blackcap in a berry tree in my garden but conditions were bright and sunny good despite the glare!

I picked up the bird some way out from the harbour but due to the light could not be certain of the id and a couple of shots I took were almost sun blocked. I noticed a fishing boat heading into the harbour from near the breakwater with this gull joining it mid way. As the boat came closer the Gull dropped down out from behind the sun like a fighter pilot would stalking enemy aircraft and boom the Iceland Gull was in clear view and at close range.

The bird did sit on the sea for a few moments before doing a fly-past of the boats mast. 

The fisherman was oblivious to what was happening above him! The camera was in full swing until old Icy had disappeared up the harbour.

I did not see it fly out the harbour and put out the news. I was joined by Brett and Edmund (WeymouthBirder). The bird went missing for a good hour but I picked it up again on the far deck which was welcome news for the latter who had missed the bird a couple of times.

My impression in the field was a medium sized and overall pale bird unlike the biscuit brown of a juvenile. The bill had a black tip with pink base which had me thinking of a second winter bird but first winter birds can appear very pale with feather wear. The eye was dark and the patterning on the bird also seemed fairly even, consistent with a first winter bird!

The tricky bit was not with the bird but locating my Gulls of Europe Asia and North America by Olsen and Larsson. Now which box is it in! I have a kindle version but it is not the same as thumbing through pages when comparing print with photos!

There was also a couple of very obliging Great Northern Diver at the entrance.

A Razorbill was also surprisingly close in.

The local Turnstone was also in close attendance particularly when lunch came out the bag!

Dorset - Silverlake - Long Tails of a Duck!

 I spent the day at Silverlake which is the former site of the Woodsford Airfield and is also known as Warmwell Gravel Pits. It is a former landfill and waste collection site which was run by our good friends Viridor Waste Management!

I have visited this site many times but usually at the end of the day as its a few clicks from my home. I have noticed that it turns up some interesting birds including a Long Tailed Duck which is in its fourth day in residence. The pink on the bill indicating a Male bird!

The duck gave me a good excuse to have a thorough walk around the site and establish the best vantage points to view the mix of wildfowl, gulls and passerines that frequent the area. 

The site has public footpaths that lead through Knighton Heath Wood where the airfield memorial stone is situated. Warmwell (Woodford) Aerodrome opened on May 1st 1937 and was used as an armament training station No.6 ATC and during the war coastal patrols were flown by Avro Anson's from this airfield. In 1940 it became a satellite fighter station for Middle Wallop. Fighters based here forming No 10 Group  played a significant role in winning the Battle of Britain. The airfield was also a target for bombing raids during this period. (ref:Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust)

Before I reached the memorial I noted a couple of female Goosander on what I call the main pit. There was a large gathering of Egyptian Geese the most I had seen but no sign of the Ruddy Shelduck. The gulls were facing into the wind which made sifting through them tricky with a face on wind.

A Peregrine was stirring up the wildfowl and in particular the Lapwings who were present in good numbers.

Over head a Raven was konking its way across the site. This must be a local bird as I saw it several times during the day!

This site oozes birds and features on if I was to adopt another patch this could be on the this is it list! The welcome problem with Dorset is there are many sites that fall into this category and in complete contrast to SVC17 where the top sites are inaccessible which creates a patch situation if you are lucky enough to have access to one! Which I was!

In Dorset I would always be wondering what I was missing elsewhere if I was entrenched in one place! The other side of the coin is I am less likely to find good birds if I am regularly jumping between sites but I guess I will have to work out the weather patterns if I carry on in this vein!

There is still plenty of time to sort out a battle plan and for now I will continue to scoop up the wintering birds that stop of around Portland, Weymouth and closer to home!

When all is said and done It is a good problem to have and the mixture of heath, woodland and gravel pits and paths certainly has put Silverlake firmly on my radar!

Dorset - Portland Harbour - Diving Around The Harbour!

I had another blitz on Poole Harbour today pacing along the Rodwell Trail with eyes firmly fixed on the harbor. The flying people were out in force today so I started further up the trail locating a Red-necked Grebe which was feeding off a group of Mergansers that had been pushed into an area off the boatyard / sailing club.

I have missed a Red-throated Diver a few times in my travels but I spied a bird just off Smallmouth Beach between some flying people. I had the camera at the ready and waited for it to re-surface once again in the same area.

I had a good chat with Charles a lifetime Portland birder who gave me some tips on covering the vast area. A Seal popped up in front of us and probably wondered “Who are you looking at!” I then made my way around to the East side of the Harbour and Portland Castle.

Portland Castle was built from Portland Stone by Henry VIII in the 1540s as part of a defense system to protect the area from invasion. It was originally armed with eleven pieces of artillery that would be used against enemy shipping.

I found a suitable spot out of the wind which incidentally had been battering me all day! A Black Redstart buzzed about the rocks in front of me as I searched for divers on this side of the harbor. A Black Throated Diver was the best offering with several Mergansers in tow. The pictures were terrible and I could have got closer shots from the leisure centre car-park!

Tomorrow the wind completely drops therefore there may be a better photo opportunities!