Dorset - Lodmoor RSPB - Shrikes It's Still Here!

 

I was up and out at stupid o’clock this morning a Red Backed Shrike had almost taken up residence at the Old tip at Lodmoor RSPB. The general rule in “twitching” is to drop everything and go on first news which significantly improves your chances of seeing the bird! I had waited about a week to go, Brett had sent me a pin and was probably wondering what I was doing!! Lucky enough for me I bagged this Dorset tick with some help from Simon who had already nailed it when I arrived for my second spell of the morning! We spent some time catching up on news as our patches (Charminster/Puddletown) have a relatively high exchange of birds!  

The rest of the day was spent kicking bushes and covering the reserve which had a good variety of species on show. Great White Egret is resident these days with four birds on show today!

Shorebirds were represented by Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Lapwing and

up to four Ruff including two males were seen on both sides of the reserve.

Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin seem ever present when I visit the site.

There were Canada Geese everywhere and included a Greylag x Swan Goose hybrid. An odd looking creature! A Wigeon was a new arrival this morning with a few Teal and Gadwall on the pools.

Med and Black-headed Gulls were present but there was a distinct lack of bigger gulls on site. I recorded fifty species with a few common species missing but I considered that a reasonable days effort!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - A Good Start to the Day!

I dodged the early morning rain and then set out to cover the Water Meadows and Bardolf Farm. The pool on the former is expanding and four Wigeon were taking full advantage of this. This was a good start to the morning and had me wondering what else had been brought in by the rain.

I had seen the bird of the day a couple of weeks before but had failed miserably to get photos of. A flicker of tail just caught my eye as I was checking the pond. Tucked away in a sheltered area of trees, hedgerow and a fence-line was a female Redstart. A sub adult male and another Redstart made themselves known in quick succession hawking insects from the rough area of field in front of the hedgerow.

I spent some time watching the birds perform chasing each other around between gorging on the ample food source in the vicinity! Incidentally there appeared to be no security (Robins!) patrolling the area and the birds were left undisturbed! This was my 100^th species for the farm but now photos were nailed and these were a different group of birds. The previous male was an adult!

Four 1^stW Stonechats were noted along the fence above the River Piddle at Athelhampton. Cetti’s Warbler were also very vocal in this area!

I saw Hugo mid-afternoon and we had a chat and catch up on all birds seen recently on the farm. Hugo’s knowledge of the farm is always worth tapping into. He has seen over 170+ species on the farm compared to my 104. The area oozes potential but with all patches time has to be spent covering it to reap the rewards but even then nothing is guaranteed!

I spent the afternoon trawling the rough fields that looked good for Wheatear! This species is annual on the farm and I’m sure I will happen on one at some point!

Another highlight of the day was a Sika Stag that bolted down and across the valley. The stag was dark but the pictures were taken into the sun.

A group of four Green Sandpipers was noted early evening along the River Piddle valley! I had seen this species in a few places during my walk but was not certain if they were just the same birds moving around. At least this cleared the days count up!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Not so Common Sandpiper!

The day did not start early. First stop was the TV and then there was a scramble to get to the Farm and onto the hill before the heavens opened! I made it in the nick of time and boy did it chuck it down during parts of the day! There were some brief sunny periods that bought the warblers out from cover. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were regular!

On my way to the hill I managed to creep up on a Common Sandpiper which was on the River Piddle near Waterbarn Cottages. This is another new species for my farm tally but I had been expecting one therefore I had been taking every opportunity to creep around near the river rather than bounding about like a herd of Elephants! The bird was still present this evening when I passed by!

The rest of the day was spent on the hill scanning just in case something else dropped in between showers. There was a good variety of raptor today with Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a Peregrine that all took the opportunity to dry their wings!

All football has been postponed therefore there will be more time to spend in the field and who knows what that will bring!

R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth II!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Cattle Egret Mooove Over!

When I set out this morning I looked like a pack horse. If I was going to survive a day out in the elements then measures had to be taken to ensure maximum comfort! Traveling light was not an option all I hoped was the vigil would pay off.

The Horse paddock was devoid of birds today a small flock of Mistle Thrush caught my eye as they bounced between the trees. Was this to be to be the only early sign of movement on a blustery and shower filled day?! I pressed on to my destination which was the side of the valley overlooking the River Piddle.

The morning passed and I had noted three Little Egrets moving around the River bed but there was now a bird amongst the cattle that feed along the valley. The bird was distant but maxed out scope views revealed a Cattle Egret! Boom a new species for my farm list! Now came the tricky bit getting photos! Many an attempt was made but the bill was blurred to the point you couldn't confirm id. Disaster!

The bird remained for around two and a half hours with the cattle eventually moving closer into the area in front of me. The Egret flew off away from the herd! Nooo! 

About ten minutes later a heavy shower had the cattle seeking refuge against the far hedgerow and the Cattle Egret re-appeared landing at the feet of one disgruntled cow! Phew! It still took a while to get a shot but at least this record was nailed! The bird departed with some Herring Gull that it had disturbed during flight!

Had I not been prepared today I would have missed this bird. Cattle Egret are scattered about the county the biggest flock tend to roost at Abbotsbury. I have seen several on a flooded field at Waddock Cross but not on the water meadows. Hugo mentioned they tend to come in late in the evening but as the seasons move on the cattle are housed overnight reducing the chance of seeing this species on the farm!

The farm side of the water meadows has the most water at present therefore a few more stake-outs will be in order! I seem to be on a roll but I wonder how long it will last. Tomorrow is predicted to be a wash out which means a trip to the gym! But that could change I have one eye on the sky!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows - Guard Duty!

Stormy weather arrived yesterday and continued through the night allowing the River Piddle to recuperate slightly! When water levels recover sufficiently the meadows will be flooded encouraging the wildfowl to return and spend the winter grazing on the meadows.

The morning was cloudy turning showery this afternoon therefore it was time to go out on the Farm to see what the rain had dropped in. I travelled reasonably light with the option to duck into barns should the heavens open up!

The Horse field was to be the star location of the afternoons jaunt with a female Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher seen on the way up to the farm. The return was more fruitful with the same Redstart and four Spotted Flycatcher hawking insects from the fence-line. I had good scope views of the Redstart but once again failed to get pictures as the bird was at the back of the field. The security guards (resident Robin’s) were also patrolling the fence-line which may once again explain distance kept by the bird!

A couple of Green Sandpiper was heard bombing about landing along the banks of a healthy looking River Piddle! This species will winter on the water meadows but I am also hopeful for a Common Sandpiper at some point!

I did have to dodge a couple of quick showers but a local cow was un-phased taking up its own sentry duty across the Piddle! I thankfully made it back to the car a few steps before the heavens completely opened! More of the same is forecast for tomorrow and we are edging closer to peak migratory period! 

Dorset - Bardolf Farm and Puddletown Water Meadows - Time To Stop For a Chat!

I popped into the manor to have a chat with Hugo a couple of weeks ago to discuss the birds that have frequented Bardolf Farm over the years. Hugo has over 90 years of experience on the farm and there isn’t anything he does not know having recorded 170+ species over the years.

During the visit a good spot for Whinchat was mentioned to me and naturally the best time of year to record them moving through the Farm. I found a suitable vantage point on the hill overlooking the hedgerow and returned today to see if I could add another new species to my tally!

I spent the early morning walking the Farm which includes Puddletown Water Meadows and perched myself at the same spot just before mid-day. The cloud was rolling in and would you believe it a couple of Whinchat were seen sparring with each other above the hedgerow!

It took a while for the birds to get within camera range but the opportunity was not wasted when they did! As the afternoon progressed five birds were noted along the hedgerow and on the hill itself. Hugo had this one down to the day! Species 101 logged for the Farm!

A couple of juvenile Stonechat joined in with the afternoons festivities before I moved on to check the lakes.

Two birds even had time to stop for a Chat!

The Little Grebe have successfully bred this year rearing three chicks that were oblivious to my presence unlike the parent who clocked my position called and with a small splosh! disappeared from view!

Next on my wish-list is Wheatear but I will have to wait for some ploughed fields first!