Tuesday, 15 December 2020

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.

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