Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows - Kite Flying Weather!

An early-ish start today and it was cold and therefore not the most ideal of conditions for migration but there was plenty of cloud cover!

I wasn’t expecting much action in the sky however the local Buzzards were making use of whatever thermals there were so I guess there was still a chance of a raptor. I headed up the lane on a “bush kicking” mission. A handful of Swallow and a Sand Martin ventured N low through the valley. The Lesser Whitethroat was still singing its heart out. Chiffchaff and Blackcap were also in good voice.

I am yet to find Willow Warbler which had already landed on Portland a while back. I connected with Whitethroat yesterday but would expect more birds to be coming through with a few occupying territories. Garden Warbler will probably be harder to find but there are a few Blackcap in the area of late.

As I was making my way back down the hill a Red Kite came into view and seemed on a mission flying NNE over the A35. There has been a lull in this species over the Water Meadows of late but the valley must still be producing warm updrafts of air which has assisted this species with its migration this year.

The local Canada Geese have successfully bred and a newly fledged Robin greeted me (all be it looking a bit stunned!) at the bottom of the lane.

I moved on to Athelhampton again in search of passerines. This area of the River Piddle Valley is dry beyond the river banks at this time of year therefore any remaining wildfowl tend to stay on the adjacent Water Meadows. A few House Martin (which may be local birds!) and a couple of Swallow were noted.

A walk along the path by the River gave good views of Siskin that also utilize the trees within Athelhampton House and the feeders in the adjacent garden!

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows - Passerine and Plant Patrol!

With another packed weekend on the turf ahead of me I decided to train and then head out to the Water Meadows today. A key factor in this decision was another early morning of clear skies. Cloud was due in later in the day and this might assist in producing some summer passerines in the hedgerows, scrub and tree lined river.

Brown Hare

I ventured out at just after three and parked up at my usual spot. I quick tally of geese and singing passerines and I was off traveling light to enable some metaphorical bush kicking! The evening can be productive particularly for warblers at this time of year. New arrivals seek to establish new territories and there is plenty of competition around to claim a spot.

The Lesser Whitethroat has been in good voice and appears to have settled in an area. The bird is heard far more often than it is seen. I was surprised to bag this species before Common Whitethroat which was to make an appearance at Home Farm late on before bombing off down the path with its mate?! I am certain there will be more obliging summer residents!

The Red-legged Partridge pair is seen most days but in completely different areas on each occasion. If one is found the other is hunkering down not too far away! Today they were down by the track before being spotted calling from one of the pipes.

The harrowed fields are now flat and windswept. I noted a Hare boxing match on the top field but I felt fortunate enough to have the only ring side seat! Post duel one individual seemed more relaxed at the edge of the field until it noticed me and scurried back across the ring!

Roe Deer are seen almost daily but this evening were much closer to the track. The wind had dropped allowing the evening serenade of bird song to fill the air. I am much more alert at this time of day and it can also produce something special that has plucked up the courage to show itself since its arrival!

I have also been taking note of some of the flouring plants during my wanderings. I am not going to pretend I know the first thing about wild flowers so have taken on board iNaturalist and PlantNet apps to speed up the identification process!

Along the River Piddle which is quite narrow and fast flowing in places I have found River Water Crowfoot.

In the fields between the schools:-

Crimson Clover

Red Campion

Dames Rocket?

I note that identification can still be tricky even with this helping hand! Any assistance is gratefully received should any of the above are incorrect or can be narrowed down further. 

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows - Hide and Seek!

The vigil around the village continues with time set aside to train for another weekend on the turf. I relaxed my guard to enjoy the sun in my garden yesterday afternoon when I spotted four House Martin overhead. As I was watching these birds circle a Red Kite glided into view and over the garden. The bird was gone is as many breaths but looked a bit tatty with moult feathers missing on the secondaries in both wing. This is the first Red Kite I have not photographed during the wave of birds passing through. Abbotsbury Swannery had 48+ birds over their reserve the same day. That’s pretty impressive for Dorset but I suspect this is the start of things to come!

I set out at reasonable o clock this morning hoping for a few more Red Kite. I set my bar low which seems to compensate for any disappointment that a day may bring! I set up in my usual spot overlooking the Water Meadows and picked up a Sylvia Warbler in the hedges/trees bordering the field in front of me. Getting a picture of the Lesser Whitethroat was very tricky as they tend to stay within cover even when they are singing! This bird sang at irregular intervals all day as it moved along the boundary of the field. I threw the camera at it several times before catching it in flight along the bushes! A new bird for my Water Meadows list was finally nailed!

I was distracted by a female Goosander that suddenly appeared at the back of the far pool! Pretty much in the same place as the bird earlier in the year! This bird rested up for over an hour before moving on presumably using the waterways that connect to the River Piddle!

The wind picked up from the SE bringing in cloud as the day moved on. This improved my chances of recording a few hirundines as they made their way north/east. Sand Martin were the most numerous with fifteen, then House Martin seven birds and then Swallow with five very low flying birds. It is highly likely I missed birds that were out of my range of sight!

Mid afternoon a call from Brett stating he had seen a Black Kite over Weymouth heading towards The Fleet, this had me extending my stay at the Water Meadows. These birds are known to travel and could turn up anywhere and I had a vein hope it might pass by if I remained glued to the skies! No Kites today!

The cloud is in by mid morning tomorrow and hopefully something else with grace the Water Meadows with its presence! 

Dorset - Puddletown Water Meadows - Red Kite Season Continues!

My campaign in the village continues with some stupid o clock starts. Puddletown Water Meadows was the subject of the stake-out today and after a misty and slightly chilly start I decided to walk the lane and go on a passerine hunt.

Bird of the day turned out to be yet another Red Kite which was circling the fields at 1028hrs by my regular viewpoint. The bird was in no hurry to disappear drifting off WSW over the village. The bird re-appeared at 1105hrs over the house horse paddocks before drifting out of view once again over the village.

This is the 13^th Red Kite of the year which is quite something in these parts. This species is known to habit the North of the county therefore it may be expanding its range. Today’s bird had a tail feather missing which distinguishes it from the other birds.

Blackcap numbers had increased today with a couple of female seen along the lane. Perhaps this was why the males were singing their heads off in various locations along the lane.

Chiffchaff numbers were also good today with sparring birds also along the lane. A Siskin was heard and then seen passing overhead during the search.

Sunday is due to be cloudy I wonder if this will drop something in on the patch!