Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Perplexed Plover!

The water levels at Bardolf Farm are beginning to recede which is not great news but there are plenty of exposed muddy edges at Mill Mead at present. I spent the morning here watching the flock of Lapwing spiral across the landscape before coming to rest on the meadows.

I picked up a lone Golden Plover in the flock but it was distant when it came to rest viewing from Athelhampton Road. I made the decision to move to Cattlecrush at the North side of the meadows. The sun was poking its head out from the cloud which makes viewing and photography challenging despite been half the distance away!

There is still plenty of wildfowl on the meadows which means a firm eye has to be kept on the area! I have had a good run of birds of late and fingers crossed this will continue! 

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Second Record for the Farm!

My hot streak of new birds at Bardolf Farm continues. This morning a couple of Shelduck swam in to view remaining on Puddletown Water Meadows for the morning at least! Hugo was duly informed and he made his way down to Cattlecrush to view the birds from the North side of the meadows.

This was the second record for Bardolf Farm the last record was a flyover bird in January 1987!

I continued with my rounds and struck gold again at Athelhampton with a Firecrest in the bushes and trees adjacent to the white bridge where the Piddle crosses Athelhampton Road. I spent the next couple of hours attempting to get pictures of the bird but it has been a tricky task with the bird keeping within the vegetation. It was with a couple of Goldcrest, therefore I think the bird will remain in the area or even move up to Burleston Pond!

Not a bad day with two more additions to my Bardolf Farm life list. The Farm is certainly pulling in many species of bird of late. The water levels are playing their part!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Great Gathering at the Farm!

I was back on Bardolf Farm today and there had been an interesting build up of wildfowl on Puddletown Water Meadows following yesterday’s storm. The biggest increase in numbers was in Lapwing who seemed a bit edgy taking to the skies on several occasions as I watched from Athelhampton Road. I took some pictures of the murmuration so that I could take a count! I moved across to the Lane and soon found out the reason for this as an adult Goshawk sailed past me catching me by surprise as it headed east at 1020hrs.

The second bird to catch me out was the first Red Kite of the year but this time there was some commotion from some corvids which had me step out from the trees to catch the bird as it glided in a NW direction at 1311hrs. The bird continued over the woodland at Green Field which activated a mob of corvid as it flew away!

The Hawaiian Goose was still attempting to make friends with the Egyptian Geese but they were not having any of it. The Geese have been seen hissing and flapping wings at this bird in recent visits! The Goose remained a safe distance away hoping they would welcome it to the group. The Egyptians I believe are the juveniles from last year’s successful breeding record on the farm.

I estimated the Lapwing count at 650 at the time but have since done a photo tally count and there were 688 birds on the Water Meadows with 6 at Waterbarn Cottages! Other site counts today Shoveler 8, Wigeon 734, Teal 214, Geese: Greylag 14, Canada 233, Egyptian 5, Snipe 64.

Dorset - Upton - Waxwing Flock Finds Dorset!

My game was called off at Corfe Castle this morning therefore I was debating what to do when the day was saved by a message from Roly who stated the Waxwings were back at Briarswood Road Upton. With no time to lose I changed kit and made my way to the location!

There were a good few of the usual suspects were present and thankfully so were the eight birds that were feeding on the mistletoe which has parasitized a tree on a small green! I missed a single bird in Littlemoor the year before last therefore I was relieved to see the flock sitting high in the tree.

A couple of Mistle Thrush muscled into the action mid morning but the flock did not move too far away giving the many onlookers spectacular views of the birds. I caught up with a few Portland and Weymouth regulars that had twitched this rare event in Dorset.

Needless to say this was a new species for my Dorset tally! Woo Hoo!

Dorset - Bardolf Farm - Frosty Start and more Goosander!

 I could not waste another opportunity to crunch along the frozen tracks in search of displaced birds that would be drawn in by the Devil’s Brook in full flow! The species (Golden Plover) I was hoping for did not materialize but two more Goosander caught me napping as they flew over the Brook.

No sign of the Corn Buntings today but I did not check the feeding stations at the east end of the farm. Wildfowl numbers are still high on the Water Meadows but there was nothing unusual in this area. The Snipe were out enjoying the sun as I was after a very frosty start!

The Goosander turned out to be the bird of the day at the farm. I completed my rounds and then received a message from Roly who had nailed a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I joined him a while later but the bird had likely moved on. 

I did have a Firecrest whilst scanning the trees! Congratulations go out to him as this species is very difficult to see in Dorset with many birds preferring to head for the New Forest!

The weather is set to be milder from tomorrow but this will bring with it rain which will top up the water levels on the farm. It has been an enjoyable few but frosty days!

Dorset - Bardolf Farm - Corn I believe it!

The temperature dropped to -5 last night and as a result I was out early to check Devil’s Brook and the water meadows for any movement of birds into the area. The River Piddle and Devil’s Brook continue to supply the meadows with running water. This entices displaced birds from frozen lakes and ponds to stop off at the farm.

A Water Rail was noted at Athelhampton early afternoon. The area near the bridge seems to be a regular winter spot for this species!

Devil’s Brook had a few Lapwing, Wigeon and Teal on the northern section. I moved down to Puddletown Water Meadows (Mill Mead) which was loaded with wildfowl. The most notable sighting from the road was a flock of Snipe (72) which took to the skies for an unexplained reason and wheeled above the meadows before returning to the sodden field! I have counted the birds in the pictures and they were all Snipe! Not a Jack amoungst it!

The afternoon was spent at The Shales at one of the feeding stations where I clocked a Corn Bunting sat on the edge of a bush. The Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch were all busy commuting between the bushes and the track but this bird remained where it was! I had telescope views only but require a picture as this species had not been recorded on the farm since December 2010!

By chance Howard completed a seed drop and I snuck in behind his moving truck to get closer to the birds. I then jumped up the bank and dug myself into the foliage and waited! As crazy as this looked and sounds it paid dividends as two Corn Buntings were noted one within camera range!

I met Hugo for a Barn Owl watch showing him the pictures feeling rather pleased despite my muddy appearance! This is a new species for my farm tally! 

I have a delivery in the morning which will mean the torture of being stuck indoors as another cold night is expected! Unless the package arrives as early as they say it might!

Dorset - Bardolf Farm - WeBS and Winter Counts!

It was WeBS and winter finch count day on the farm. I like to be on the farm before daylight so that I can record as many species as possible.

The weather was overcast with light rain in the air creating a murky almost misty atmosphere. This proved to be beneficial as there was a movement of wildfowl onto the farm. The birds of the day were three Goosander (2m, 1f), who arrived at Devil’s Brook as I was making my return journey along the brook looking for Jack Snipe.

The barn Owl was seen before first light perched on a post and was unperturbed by my presence in the truck. The photo was taken using the window as a stabilizer in very low light!

Wildfowl numbers were generally up with the biggest increase in Wigeon to 564 birds! It is quite a spectacle to see this number in flight as the birds move between feeding zones on the water meadows.

Yellowhammer and Chaffinch numbers were up both species feeding on the wheat that is distributed at the feeding stations.

I went looking for Jack Snipe but could not find any. For the record I only do this on count days! I had a Woodcock a couple of evenings ago as it flew onto Devil’s Brook!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Wallowing Wildfowl!

I was invited by The Puddletown Society to speak at their society meeting last night. The Birds of Bardolf Farm was the subject of the presentation and took place at the local church hall which was full to capacity! This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with plenty of positive feedback filtering through today.

The weather remains cold and I am keeping an eye on the water meadows in anticipation of the arrival of some grey geese! Today there were some additional geese including the return of the Hawaiian Goose which flew in with a couple of Canada Geese mid morning.

Wildfowl numbers have increased considerably over the last few days. They were more spread out over the meadows today so I walked down to Cattlecrush to view the meadows from the north side.

A juvenile Peregrine appeared low over the meadows which caused slight chaos but concentrated the wildfowl in one area. The bird landed in the tree just to my left had a good look at me tucked into the hedgerow by the gate and then moved on.

Site Counts:- Green Sandpiper 2, Snipe 7, Wigeon 514, Teal 199, Lapwing 99, Geese: Egyptian 8, Canada 252, Greylag 6.

I remained on site until after dark (gate access only) logging Barn and Tawny Owl!

With another cold night ahead there maybe some more new arrivals tomorrow!

Dorset - Arne RSPB - Winter Wonderland!

The Arne RSPB Reserve is entering another exciting period with the BBC Winter watch team returning to film at the site. A small part of the reserve is closed off to the public but there was still plenty to see on a chilly winters day. The weather was generally overcast with an ENE wind which felt icy cold in open areas.

The day began at the visitor centre with my eyes fixed on the feeders situated within the confines of the entrance to the reserve. A Nuthatch, male Siskin, Coal Tit, Blue and Great Tit featured amongst Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock that were commuting from the surrounding trees to visit the feeders.

On the arrival of Guy and Jim the first port of call was Shipstal Point a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare where the tide was on the turn. This saw a general movement of shorebirds (waders) and wildfowl along the channels.

There were good numbers of Oystercatcher along the shoreline to Long Island. A Spoonbill was observed in flight along the channel. A few Red-breasted Mergansers including a pair arrived and fed in the channel.

 

Dark-bellied Brent Geese moved onto the salt-marsh to graze. Shelduck, Redshank and Dunlin were noted along the shoreline. A Grey Plover in non-breeding plumage made a short visit to one of the small bays adjacent to the beach.

Avocet numbers increased in the area with an amazing flight display of small groups of birds as they negotiated the channel. Some birds stopping to feed in the receding water.

A small flock of Curlew flew along the channel with Teal some birds stopping to feed along the Shipstal Beach shoreline. Wigeon were noted along the far banks with some flying between feeding zones.

Early afternoon we moved down to Coombe Heath in search of heathland birds and to view Middlebere Channel. Male and female Stonechat monitored our route perching up on gorse and shrubs as we made our way along the path. A Dartford Warbler was seen in flight between areas of scrub but did not show again. A lone Meadow Pipit was seen in flight.

 

The tide was out leaving a channel of water that winded across from near the hide at Middlebere. A group of Spoonbill was feeding sweeping their bill from side to side as they moved through the water. Mallard were numerous in this area.

On the return to the entrance a Treecreeper was observed in a mixed tit flock at the top of the small hill opposite the Café.

 

The penultimate stop of the day was at the Reserve Café before a final look at the feeders at the reserve entrance. As we departed the sky darkened resulting in a flurry of snowfall. A good day in the field with great company. I look forward our next outing.

Forty two species were logged for details see the following eBird list 

 

 

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - Year Opener!

I opened my 2024 account with the short trip to the water meadows where water levels are incredibly high. There is more rain forecast in the next few days which will maintain the current levels. It is also important to know that the excess water absorbed by the meadows prevents the village from flooding.

The wildfowl are taking full advantage of the current situation with plenty of grazing for Wigeon and deeper water for the Shoveler, Teal, and Mallard to splash around in. I remained by the roadside today therefore the counts were low but is was a fantastic sight to see the meadows brimming with wildfowl as well as water!

 

I moved onto Athelhampton before finishing up on the main farm. Martin had spied a Barn Owl quartering a field just before dusk so I stuck around to see if I could get a reasonable shot before the light completely faded. It looks like Rat was on the menu for dinner?!

A Great Black Backed Gull passed through S along Devil’s Brook before dusk. This species is uncommon on the farm. I will endeavour to get up to Barge field in the next few days to count the gulls that congregate around the makeshift pond that has been created by the rain!