Dorset - Cress Beds - Given the Green Light!

 

I have been keeping a casual eye on the local cress beds and have been welcomed by the staff as a regular face at these locations. I have a particular quarry in the back of my mind but it may still be a bit early for this species to spend the winter.

Green Sandpipers are considered regular fair on cress beds despite the apparent unsuitability of the habitat. I had close views today of three birds that were feeding in the channels. The birds were busy feeding in the shallow running water.

Grey and Pied Wagtails are resident with Meadow Pipit and Linnet regular visitors to the beds. Yellow Wagtail can be found on passage during the migratory period.

I am looking forward to the Water meadows flooding again which will add to my local birding circuit!

Dorset - The Fleet Bridging Camp - A Wry Smile!

My latest skirmish with a species of bird that is relatively high on my Dorset wish-list has lasted a bit longer than expected. In fact there have been several visits including a visit to the wrong site. This resulted in being stopped by a land-rover and being asked what I was doing. Oops!

Today was a training day which ended back at home with the dilemma of do I look at my phone before or after I have showered and eaten! The temptation was too much which as usual causes some mental turmoil as I am in no order to leg it out the front door and jump into the Kojemobile!

Another Wryneck had turned up in the observatory quarry on Portland. This species was turning into a bug bird with a couple of blanks at Bridging Camp! I decided to feed and water myself which proved to be a star move as this species was reported on the Camp for its fifth day saving the extra journey to Portland!

I had two good views of the bird on the fence bordering the West path. The best view was with Brett who I had met roadside and returned with him to the area. The bird obligingly popped up onto the fence roughly five fence posts down from where we were both stood (top pic)! The bird remained for a good ten minutes before dropping down into the longer grass inside the compound.

Fantastic I had finally connected with this species having missed several birds including the Spring bird in the Portland Observatory Quarry!