Today offered a window of opportunity between storms to catch up on winter migration. The pools and River Piddle are looking much healthier and with that the wildfowl and geese were more inclined to take a look at the water meadows. The main period of migration was from 0730 to 0850hrs.
There was a good movement of Redwing 313 and Fieldfare 119 was all moving generally W to SW. The majority of flocks were single species with a couple of Mistle Thrush that stopped on wires before heading off. A mixed flock of Redwing 4 and Fieldfare 28 were observed whilst at Waterbarn Cottages.
I saw the largest movement of Wood Pigeon 354 were noted all flying S in flocks of up to one hundred birds.
Wildfowl numbers were up with Wigeon 52, Teal 5, Mallard 18, and Lapwing 5 visiting the edges of the pools. The latter moved up onto the Waterbarn cottage area early afternoon.
Canada’s were the most numerous geese with 274 flying N then NW of which 78 stopped on the meadows. These birds are feeding on fields not too far from the A354 and are all making their way back over my house this afternoon. A small flock of Egyptian Geese 7 were noted flying S at 0906hrs.
Greylag Geese numbered 8 all stopping off on the meadows before a few moved on.
The Stonechat at Athelhampton were still able to feed from the fence wires but it was a tricky process!
The afternoon is good for gulls near Waterbarn cottages but Herring and Lesser-black Backed were the only visitors. I kept a sharp eye out for Black Redstart around the farm buildings. There have been several reports of this species around Portland and one report on a farm N of Dorchester. Still no YBW but this was not ideal conditions to find one with some trees bending over in the strong winds.
The wind is currently howling thank goodness my home is in a sheltered spot! I'm just waiting for the rain!
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