Athelhampton Bardolf Farm - Mistaken Identity!

There was a more leisurely approach to the day having got home late from my game last night. The forecast was showers throughout the day and there had been a couple (3) Crane seen over Charminster yesterday afternoon therefore anything could or nothing would turn up!

First point of the day appears to have been an id error as a Sedge Warbler was blasting its brains out at the same spot at Athelhampton today. I reported a Reed yesterday and checked my previous day photos when I got home just in case there was a Reed at the same spot! The bird yesterday was more subdued in song concealing itself behind fauna in comparison to today’s showing! Sedge Warbler is a new for my Farm tally which now stands at 115 species! I have had Reed on the Farm this year on one of the ponds and the song is much slower and more regular in pattern but can be tricky if not heard regularly!

I made it to the hide in good time before the heavens opened up and remained there until after the afternoon monsoon had taken a break! I have not seen as many Red Kite as last year but a single bird obliged appearing over the ridge and circling over the Devil’s Brook. The same bird re-appeared some twenty minutes later identified by its moult pattern in the wings!

Whitethroat is beginning to show up on the farm but beyond that the afternoon was a bit of a wash out. There were plenty of Hirundines but no Hobby to chase them thus far! This is a good time of year to see Hare with many fields ploughed with some time left to buy ring side seats as these crazy creatures box it out to win a mate!

Athelhampton Bardolf Farm - Quick Duck!!

I took a stupid o clock skirmish onto the farm hoping that the previous days rain had grounded something of note! The water meadows were quiet with fog hanging over them preventing movement so I checked the passerines and then moved on to Athelhampton.

I was caught dozing as a drake Mandarin Duck flew low towards me departing SE. This is a new species for my farm tally therefore I was not amused at having missed the moment to put the camera to work. As luck on this occasion would have it the bird returned thirty minutes later landing on a pool near the small bridge! Fortunately for me my stay in this area had been prolonged by a displaying Reed Warbler!

I also noted double figure Swift during as the morning progressed with hirundines moving through at regular intervals. It is looking very likely I will pass the 100 species in a year as the tally is in the mid nineties with the Autumn reverse migration to come! Hugo's best year was 123 species! 

I have a game tonight therefore my day in the field had to be cut short after a ridge watch from the hide. My last game is on the 21st with a South West Regional Women’s Premier League Cup Final middle (referee) between Bristol Rovers and Bishop’s Lydeard on the best grass playing surface in Dorset! I’m looking forward to that one!