Beddington Farm - Would The Candidate Step Forward!

I have not stepped out the house brandishing a pair of binoculars since I returned from Dorset. House matters and the glorious news that competitive soccer is back has had me focusing my time on other pursuits.

Today’s weather looked interesting with showers forecast though-out the day. I had to be out the house for part of the day so ventured out early to Beddington Farm to make up for some lost time. There were LRP and a couple of Common Sandpiper on the North Lake before I ventured along the path to cover the hides.

The proposed area of wet grassland holds good numbers of gulls and I set about the task of sifting through them. One particular gull grabbed my attention as it swam along one of the narrow channels. The black bill and dark mask on a whitish face had me deploying the camera as the gulls can easily spook leaving behind no record of what was in view. The black outer primaries and dark tertials with white edging and the patterning through the mantle had me thinking of a possible Yellow Legged Gull!

Now adult versions of this species are straight forward with the chesty appearance, large red gonys spot, the shade darker grey mantle than in Herring Gull and the obvious yellow legs. No problem with that one but the younger birds I find tricky to say the least!

The bird made it to land proudly posing for the camera before the security staff (crows!) moved in to shoo it along. The bird had fleshy long legs and the white around the bill and neck was more obvious. The underwing was pale and views of the tail band also looked good! 

There were features I did not get to see before the gulls shuffled round as a result of a mischievous young Peregrines low flying antics but most gulls were not troubled by its presence shrugging their wings as if to say “Not you again!”

Whatever the outcome it was an interesting exercise in photographing some but not all features of the bird in question!

A Green Sandpiper was heard and later stopped on the first pool in front of the hide. I made several return visits during the day to check on the gulls but I did not see the candidate again.

A good day with 58 species recorded including the above gull! Thanks for the feedback guys! For the latest sightings see Beddington Farm ebird hotspot HERE

Dorset - Arne RSPB - Happiness on the Heath!

I was up at stupid o clock to take the short journey to Arne RSPB which has a mix of habitats including woodland, heathland and the Poole Harbour estuary. The Osprey was not seen today but the estuary had Curlew, Black Tailed Godwit, a couple of Greenshank, Little Egret and numerous gulls. Photography was limited on the estuary due to bright sunlight and distance away whilst at the top of the heath.

The heathland held Dartford Warbler which was still very vocal and confiding along the Heath trail. A Woodlark was also seen in this area.

Siskin are a species I don’t get to see that often but they gave themselves away in the trees with their nasally call.

Stonechat was numerous throughout the heathlands the adults busy feeding young at the nest.

The skies were also productive with Hobby, Kestrel, Buzzard and a Raven that remained in the area. I remember a few years back a pair at Corfe Castle. I covered the whole site during my visit and must say some of the views were amazing. eBird list here . 

Back to the smog tomorrow but I hope to be back in Dorset in a couple of weeks. 

Dorset - Weymouth and Portland - Tour of The Towns!

I took the opportunity to escape “The Smoke” and visit my friends in Dorset. Life is more serene in this neck of the woods no one huffing and puffing jumping into hedges or between parked cars if you venture within 100m of them! Just an exchange of pleasantries and safe passage for all concerned!

(Manx Shearwater)

I even jammed into a twitch at Portland Bill where a good candidate for a Yelkouan Shearwater had been spotted off the lighthouse. I did not see this bird but it was reported during my time on watch at the lighthouse.

 I bumped into fellow Beddington Farmer Nick Gardner and his son “Gripper” AKA Russell. There has been more deviousness on the part of Viridor and I bet Sutton Council will play their part too.

In between the movement of gulls and Shearwaters who were feeding intermittently on the stocks hidden below I kept myself amused with a few year-ticks.

There was good passage of regular sea birds a few Gannet, Razorbill and Guillemot whizzed past the point.

Earlier on that morning oblivious to the above birding frenzy I visited RSPB Radipole, eBird list here and then moved onto Ferrybridge eBird list here to catch a glimpse of the incoming tide. I spied a Knot which was feeding amongst Dunlin as the water advanced towards the Visitor Centre.

Oystercatcher and a mix of gulls were scattered in the area. This is one of several reliable spots in Dorset to see Mediterranean Gull.

After participating in the twitch I visited Lodmoor RSPB eBird list here. where Sandwich Tern, Black Tailed Godwit more Med Gulls and a colony of noisy Common Terns were present. I missed the Arctic Tern but have since heard a review of photographs has ruled out this species. Fair play to the observer for circulating the update!

Beddington Farm - Glutton of a Godwit!

The signs the other day indicated that shorebirds were beginning to trickle through from their breeding grounds. Therefore a stupid o clock start was to be the order of the day. The mizzle and the low dark cloud added to expectation levels as I made my way to Beddington Farm.

A single Black Tailed Godwit was spending its third day feeding up on the lake venturing a bit closer giving better views from the North Lake hide. No Lapwing today but a fox was intermittently stirring up the occupants of the island pushing them to the eastern edges of the lake.

I took a full count of species which concluded with a Hobby that was tearing around putting the Swift into panic mode as is darted between them. 

The path is growing in popularity with birders and walkers alike. This can only be beneficial to the site with increased coverage and more citizen science data being recorded on ebird. It is so important that there is full engagement between the bird group (BFBG) and the local community which will shape the future development of the Farmlands! 

Today's sightings can be found on the Beddington Farm ebird hotspot HERE .

Beddington Farm - Showers Reign On The Farm!

The week had been troublesome to say the least. The days heavy showers had played their part in the collection of birds on display providing some temporary relief from Sutton Council planning antics!

The path drums started beating mid afternoon so I took a trot over to Beddington Farm. Dave Warren had found a couple of Black Tailed Godwit on the North Lake and what a fine sight they were indeed!

The Little Ringed Plovers were also on the lake with a Common Sandpiper that was initially pretty elusive to the onlookers in the hide. A local Little Egret made up the numbers on the shoreline late on leaving the few satisfied with their afternoon’s efforts!

For all the latest news from the Farm check out the Beddington Farm ebird hotspot here.

SVC17 - Walton Reservoirs - Ninja strikes Gold!

I rattle on about taking your eye off June at your peril and for most of the month it was predictably quiet particularly at Beddington Farm. But there is always a Ninja (Dave Harris) lurking in the shadows searching for some SVC17 gold.

He once again did not disappoint firstly finding a Boneparte’s Gull on the Walton Reservoirs which was the second record for the county.

Not satisfied with his quarry he struck again a few days later with a Roseate Tern a species that I missed whilst travelling in 2012.

To quote the man “When are you boys going to find me something good?” Well Dave it has to be something crazy good for you to come running from your little goldmine!

Thanks that’s another bird I owe you! My SVC17 list now stands at 240 species!