Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Stork Out!

There has been plenty of rain recently and as a result the meadows are gradually flooding. The farm had what I believe is a first record on October 27^th when Howard Mason saw from the ridge a White Stork in a tree near Waterbarn Cottages. The bird took flight to be joined by a second bird as both headed north over Devil’s Brook towards Langham’s Vineyard. I was heading to the farm and quickly diverted to the Vineyard to check the river and surrounding fields. I had no joy despite a thorough search of the area. 

I was out a bit earlier today having noted a new rain front of rain was heading this way. There wasn’t too much of note. A flock of Canada and Greylag Goose, Wigeon and Teal were at Puddletown Water Meadows. Numbers will gradually increase as the area floods. There have been a few Stonechat scattered about the farm of late. Today was no exception with a first winter male along Athelhampton Lane.

The birds made the most of the morning which was warm sunny with very little cloud. I guess they knew what was coming later in the afternoon! Howard joined me on top of the ridge as I watched the front edge ever closer.

I then put the truck to the use it was made for checking fields for anything that might be lurking. When I got to the top of Tractor field I noticed a large number of pigeon and corvids in flight over Barge field. It was time to investigate. There were a large number of mainly Stock Dove with a mix of Common, Herring and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gull all on or in the vicinity of a tiny pond that had formed in the field. I do hope one day for a Yellow Legged or even a large white winged gull but with the change to shallow non inversion ploughing gull numbers are generally lower these days!

I made it home before the rain started washed the truck and its now having a rinse courtesy of the rain!

Martin has just sent me a picture of a Snipe that he had an encounter with today on one of the meadows. It’s difficult to judge size but the central crown stripe is dark, the bill looks short and the markings through the mantle are complete and dark. The bird looks good for a Jack Snipe. His description of behavior also points in this direction too! This would be the first of the Autumn!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Flying Visit!

 

I took a flying visit to the Farm this morning. There was a 3-4hour window of opportunity between the rain setting in. The good news after rain is there is a lot more liquid on the Water Meadows which inevitably encouraged a few duck to drop in. Mallard numbers have dropped but the first couple of Wigeon of the autumn were a welcome sight. A small flock of Teal was the only other offer on the duck front!

The wind picked up in strength as the morning progressed. The Collared Doves were gathering at Waterbarn Cottages. I remember a similar gathering in this area at around this time last year. Herring Gulls were moving over the ridge in small numbers. I checked the barns for chats but none were skulking out of the wind. The general count of passerines was low again due to the stormy conditions.

My last stop of the day was at Athelhampton where numerous Swallow and a couple of House Martin were hawking insects over the fields. One obvious leucistic bird caught my eye it’s a shame I hadn’t adjusted the camera settings from earlier!

In the evenings I have been working my way through my moth list which means I am now on a slippery slope into Lepidoptera! Moths list

Dorset - Portland - A Couple of Days on the Island!

Birding of Portland is hard work and needs a concerted effort to search the different habitats that cover the island. Our first stop was at Ferrybridge where a Grey Phalarope had spent a couple of days giving crippling views to onlookers. We weren’t as fortunate and neglected to check the sea before moving onto the island! Needless to say the bird spent the morning on the sea between Lidl’s and the Skate park!

A Pale Bellied Brent Goose was our best offering from Ferrybridge. A couple of small flocks of Dark Bellied geese flew over as we were sifting through the shorebirds. These included a Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher.

A Sandwich Tern pitched up resting in amongst the gulls.

A good number up to 17 Ring Ouzel were recorded around Suckthumb Quarry/Thumb Lane. Birds were heard chacking in the bushes but it was not until late on the first day that we connected with this species.

Bird of the two days was a Red-breasted Flycatcher which was found down by the huts in front of the observatory garden. The bird was mobile but Pete managed to see it before the bird made its way back into the Observatory gardens. We staked out the Obs Quarry and then sacrificed ourselves as the bird was ringed during our visit to Daniels (No lunch time opening!) then Codfathers to have lunch! 

I spent the afternoon staking this bird out with Gerry Hayman (purbeckpilrgim) eventually getting good but short views as it was harangued by Wren and Robin in the trees! There are some fantastic pictures on the Observatory website here.

The rest of the time was spent kicking bushes and occasionally peering out to sea! It was good to catch up with the band of local birders, Nick Bond (Naturetrek), Roger Hewitt and Paul Rendell and his wife.

I stopped off at Lodmoor on the way home just in case a Bittern decided to put in a flight appearance. Squeeling Water Rail and four Great White Egrets were the product of this stop!

I am looking to kit out my new wheels which will enable me to camp on Portland which will save a forty minute drive or two!

Dorset - Portland - Portland Observatory Moths!

An early start had Pete and I heading down to Portland which had me indulging further into the world of moths. The observatory sets numerous traps around the garden catching hundreds of moths which are sifted through each morning by Martin and his team.

Dark Mottled Willow (Spodoptera cilium) A rare migrant which occurs in Africa and Southern Europe flying during September and October.

Beautiful Gothic (Leucochlaena oditis) This moth occurs along the south coast from the Isle of Wight to Cornwall flying sometimes in August but generally in September and October.

Green-Brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae) A common species in Britain flying from September to November.

Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) A common species in Britain which flies in May and June and August and September.

Next up the birds that we encountered over the mini trip!

Dorset - Puddletown - Garden Moths!

I have spent the last couple of days on Portland with Pete Alfrey. His arrival prior to our adventure on the island instigates a moth session in my garden. I don’t have a trap myself therefore this is a rare opportunity to see what my garden attracts and maybe will encourage me to take the giant leap and purchase a trap. The other bonus is tapping into Pete’s knowledge in naming the majority of the species caught in the trap.

A Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) which is common in Britain flying in the autumn from September to December. It is named from the male that has the feathery antennae.

Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis) which is a very variable moth and is widespread in southern Britain flying from September to November.

Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) which is an abundant moth in Britain flying from June to November.

I have taken reference from the following:- Field Guide to Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by Waring and Townsend and websites: ukmoths.org.uk; dorsetmoths.co.uk;