I have been spending a lot of time on the Piddle which is the small river that runs through several villages as it makes its way down to join Poole Harbour at Arne. The surrounding landscape is very pleasing on the eye featuring open fields farmland hedgerow and woodland. The River runs south to south easterly almost parallel to the larger River Frome where they both enter Poole Harbour via the Wareham Channel at Arne.
Before the journey begins I must say thank you to all the landowners that have given me permission to enter their fields enabling me to cover sections of the River Piddle that are not adjacent to a bridelway!
Puddletown is a village that was formerly known as Piddletown until the Victorians decreed a village could not have such a name! the change of name was officially recognized in the 1950's.A Kingfisher is resident along this stretch of the Piddle but I have yet to cross paths with this gem!
The Water Meadows on the east side of the village holds the most wildfowl with a mix of gulls that wash up in the flooded fields. Up to three Green Sandpipers frequent this area. A White-fronted Goose on Christmas Day was a fitting Xmas present but it did make me late for dinner! Oops!
Peregrine and Sparrowhawk are irregular visitors which stir up the feeding masses below. The Peregrine is likely to be one of the Dorchester birds. A Kestrel has been a less frequent a visitor.
Athelhampton and its famous Tudor Manor House which was called Pidele in the Doomsday book of 1086.
This is where the river crosses the road before traversing several fields that are set aside allowing it to flood and attract numerous species of bird and Roe Deer.
This is where I have recorded Red Kite on two occasions the last of note in recent days. This species i understand is not a regular sight in this part of Dorset. The bird was part of a kettling group of half a dozen Buzzard that wheeled their way heading north. I’m not sure what the local Buzzard made of this but this bought the buzzard tally into double figures for the day!
This Batumi style circle of raptors was followed by a flock of migrating Black Headed gull which had a handful of Med Gulls within their ranks all headed in the same direction. These birds were very high and were clearly on a mission to get somewhere!
There has been a regular Cetti’s Warbler which generally calls in the trees by the roadside but a second bird kept its distance resulting in a sing off from opposite tree lines.
Tolpuddle is famous for the Martyrs who were a group of farm labourers who formed a trade union in 1834 swearing a secret oath to the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. They were arrested on a technicality during a dispute and were to be sent to Australia until they were pardoned in 1836 following protests that spread across the country.
The river runs parallel to the village and adjacent to some fishing lakes. The fields surrounding the lakes act as a sponge when the river bursts its banks. Little Grebe can be found in this area.
I have recorded Bullfinch along this section of the Piddle along with Corn Bunting but the latter I have not seen in recent times.
Yellowhammer are scattered along the route frequenting the hedgerow and wires that cross the land.
Aftpuddle is situated in a valley and flooding this water meadow was used as an agricultural practice in the early 17th century. Farmland borders another expanse of open field which again caters for times when the river is in flood.
This is where my coverage ends but the river continues to Briantspuddle down through Hyde and Wareham entering Poole Harbour at Arne via the Wareham Channel.
ref: Wikipedia, Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Aflehampton House.
