It has been a while since I had anything of note to write about from Puddletown Water Meadows. I have now been permitted access to all areas of Bardolf Farm where the water meadows are situated and with that I hope to further improve my patch list.
The trickle of birds returning from breeding to wintering grounds had me out early-ish o clock this morning. The weather looked interesting with sunny spells and periods of rain threatening low cloud! The meadows are very dry at present with one small pool visible from Athelhampton Road.
There were good numbers of hirundines mainly House Martin taking advantage of the mass of insects in the skies. This naturally bought a Hobby in on a hunting trip. There were a couple of pursuits where the Martin out maneuvered the predator!
I made my way up the lane towards the Horse field which always looks promising with a line of trees and berry bushes behind the fence-lines! I have previously recorded close to zero in this field but today was different. No horses in the paddock but a couple of piles of steaming dung at the far end and insects everywhere!
Enter stage left a line of Spotted Flycatcher swooping down almost nose (beak) diving into the ground as they scooped up the feast presented on a plate before them! The highest count was six but there could have been more present!
A male Redstart was next in view but this was pursued by territorial Robin and quickly turned tail and headed back into the bush. This bird made one more appearance with a female but both were not seen again after another encounter with the Robin’s! This species was new for my list but maybe I will catch up with it over the weekend! My first Spot Fly I failed to secure pictures of so fingers crossed I will encounter more of this species.
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap were also present in this area completing a mini bird fest! The Hobby made another appearance during the afternoon whilst I was on a stake out hoping the Redstart would re-appear! Once the cloud rolled in the hirundines gathered on the wires above me allowing a more accurate count to be taken.
A male Kestrel in wing and tail moult passed overhead mid-afternoon. A Sparrowhawk and several Buzzard completed the raptor count.
A have a Dorset Premier League game tomorrow in Weymouth but the rest of the weekend is free therefore I will aim to cover more of the Farm!
