Dorset - Weymouth Harbour - Ton Up With Iceland Gull!

 

I recorded my 100^th species of the year today and it was fitting that the Iceland Gull that I had staked out at the end of last year filled that slot. The bird was showing more feather fading and wear through the primaries and secondaries than the last time we met.

The reunion was a good one this glorious Gull posing at times at close range so that I could take some shots. It paid particular attention to a fishing boat that was unloading its catch at the quayside. The local fish and chip shop was also open should the gull require seconds!

I returned a favour that had me bag the pair of Red Crested Pochard that was spending their second day at Longham Lakes. This species was shown as category A,E but is also has been added to category C with self sustaining population it Wiltshire. This species rare in Dorset and is also kept in collections further east. There were no rings or feather clipping on either bird therefore their origins could be favourable.

The pair did get some respite but this was only after a couple flights around the fishing lake in an attempt to shake off their attackers in the form of Black Headed Gull.

I walked to the south lake where a couple of Great White Egret was tucked into the island before returning to Weymouth and the prize of the day!

A late walk through Radipole RSPB resulted in a couple of more additions to my January challenge. I do not know when soccer will return therefore have to make the most of my time in the field!

Dorset - West Dorset - A Day of Two Halves!

Today was spent in the West side of Dorset beginning at West Bexington where a female Cirl Bunting was found by the two ardent patch-watchers. The conditions today were pretty grim with sporadic rain and a full on wind which was going to make identifying this bird tricky for one who has not had much experience of this species.

I found the area of hedgerow courtesy of Mike who waved me into the area. Despite both of their efforts I decided to abandon ship even though the bird had been seen by Mike. My internal records committee discouraged a tick and run scenario therefore I retreated gracefully to hopefully return another day in more favourable conditions!

I bumped into Roly on the way back across the shingle and after a catch-up an independent plan was devised to visit the River Lim the home of the Dipper. It did not take too long for one to be found. I always stand in ore at the wonder of this river specialist. The bird even posed for the paparazzi before flying off upstream!

The last call of the day was back in Lyme Regis where the wind was howling making viewing difficult. An adult male Eider was also struggling with the conditions and had been pushed inside the breakwater that adjoins the small harbour/boatyard.

Dorset - Portland and Maiden Castle! - Usual Suspects!

Today turned out to be a collection of bits and bobs. I started out at stupid O’clock checking Radipole RSPB for gulls before light which incidentally only had a handful of gulls on the car-park. I swiftly moved on to Portland Bill where I hankered down behind the rocks but still managed to get a tad cold despite the extra layers!

I only saw a single Purple Sandpiper but I guess any sensible Sandpiper would have be hidden in the rocks to maintain body heat!

There was a cast of regular species that went through the bill. Bucket loads of Auks, Gannet, Shag and a couple of Kittiwake and Fulmar.

On the land the Rock Pipits had abandoned the rocks and were feeding near the Café. It was a bitterly cold morning. I cut my losses mid morning and made my way up to Easton but did not see the moulting juvenile Rosy Starling. The bird had shown an hour or so before my arrival so I ventured on to cover Portland Harbour.

The mass of Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge along with Ringed Plover and some Dunlin. Brents were also present but not in large numbers.

From here I returned to Radipole RSPB and sifted through the Gulls and ducks before heading back inland to Maiden Castle. I therefore missed the Iceland Gull that was showing in the Harbour but I think the cold had got too me by then so this stake-out will wait for another day!

Maiden Castle had its usual array of Corn Bunting and Stonechat which were lining the field that held 246 Golden Plover! I had thawed by this point and took a clicker to count the flock!

I dropped in at Silverlake and checked the River Piddle flood-plain before returning home but once again there was nothing out of the ordinary to report!

Dorset - The Fleet and Random Lane - Barn Owl Bonus!

I do love it when the brain which is apparently concentrating on other important matters suddenly kicks into gear prompting a series of stealth like actions! Confused well this is how the story goes…

I had spent a very pleasant sunny day on The Fleet and had decided on the scenic route back home through the lanes. I was driving along a narrow lane humming tunes and checking the road was clear ahead! My brain registered a fleeting glimpse of a Barn Owl quartering a hedge line.

Before I knew it I had parked up and slid my way out of the car similarly to being under attack from a sniper and the bulkhead of the car was your only protection. I made it to the rear of the car and popped the boot to get my weapon (camera!) and then waited using the cover of the rear of the car. A sniper would have popped me by now! I'm thankful no one filmed this!

The bird had obviously seen me by this time caught its dinner and then did a cheeky “I know you’re there” fly-by my head before heading back home! I have seen Barn Owls do this before but within proximity to their nest or roosting sites.  I guess on this occasion the bird was just being nosy or just plain showing off!

These priceless moments had also solved a number of internal debates over what was I going to use photo wise on my blog tonight! The Fleet is loaded with birds but it is is not very photo friendly particularly with the equipment I carry.

Therefore despite seeing Slavonian Grebes, A group of Long-tailed Duck a Great Northern Diver and a Velvet Scoter (which was not located until early afternoon). I had very little to show for the day in the photography category! Best effort above!

The problem had now been solved by my favourite family of birds and who said we can’t multi-task!

Dorset - Silverlake - The Big Freeze!

The New Year is something I always look forward to not for any festive reason but it is the start of another birding year. I am asleep before mid-night with thoughts whizzing in my head of how the forthcoming day will pan out in!

This morning “Jack Frost” also had plans which incidentally bore no resemblance to my own! He had thrown a white curtain over the land, without any contingency plans attached! The lanes were decidedly slippery but I decided to stick to the plan and get to Silverlake (Warmwell Gravel Pits) by first light. It was no surprise that the fields and large areas of the lakes were frozen with little wildfowl present!

I could not initially find the White-fronted Geese that have been resident in the area for a few weeks! I did catch up with some of them on the East Lake later in the morning when the sun broke through taking the chill off the air! The Long Tailed Duck was still present on the middle pit but had been confined to the eastern end as a result of the big freeze!

I returned to closer to home and the River Piddle flood plain which had a good flow of icy cold running water. A couple of Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaff and Little Egret were the best of the crop on the water with Redwing and Fieldfare in the sticky fields at the Tollpuddle end of the plain.

The story was a similar one at Lodmoor RSPB where I had a brief stay which saw one of the Marsh Harriers hugging the tops of the reeds. There are Bittern present but I will need to stake out the area to catch flight shots of the birds.

Throughout the day I had been keeping in contact with Brett and a visit to the Wareham Channel Gull roost was to be the day’s last throw of the dice. It proved to be productive with a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls, a Med Gull and good numbers of shorebirds arriving as the tide dropped. The Heavy Artillery was very useful in this instance!

I have another plan for tomorrow!