It was survey day on the Farm and it was blowing a gale so I wondered what kind of return I would get from the five areas I cover. As things turned out the results weren’t too bad and there were signs of some movement of hirundines on the site!
A flock of 8 Cattle Egrets are becoming almost regular this year. They were on Puddletown Water Meadows early morning before flying low E towards Athelhampton! These birds are using the Piddle Valley to navigate and have been seen on the flooded meadows at Affpuddle.
A couple of Red Kite was observed today both were different birds with one having secondary feathers missing in one wing. The wings on the first bird were complete with feathers. This species is clearly expanding its range in Dorset but I have wondered how many different birds visit the water meadows or if birds use the valley as a migratory route! I manage to get pictures of the majority of birds and have set about the task of comparing the feather patterns for each bird. I’m certain some birds do return but thus far there have been at least five different birds over the meadows! It seems this year is going to be another good year for Kite sightings. Last year was quiet in comparison!
Hirundines were on the move today with half a dozen Swallow and a flock of c35 Sand Martin that got held up over Athelhampton early afternoon!
A sombre end to the day where a young Roe deer had been hit by a car along Athelhampton Road (car didn't stop) and was sat in the road. Despite me lifting it into a jeep and a trip to the local vets the deer didn't make it!!
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