Sunday 11 February 2024

Dorset - Bardolf Farm - Wildfowl on the Water Meadows!

I was back on Bardolf Farm today to complete the monthly WeBS and winter finch counts. The recent rain has topped up the water meadows and saw another Goosander visit the site at Athelhampton. The female was not too impressed with the Wigeon it was associating with as it pecked at the ducks heads any time one got too close to it. Beyond this the bird seemed quite settled on the bank to one of the tributaries that has formed due to the increase in water levels.

The Swan x Greylag Goose was also present with Canada Geese on the next field near Causeway pond. This bird has been visiting the farm for a while and has changed in appearance since its first visit and looks more like a Swan Goose apart from the orange thirds to the bill!

There were a few confused birds today many Song Thrush and Dunnock were singing and a Mute Swan and Canada Geese were prospecting nest sites. Another cold snap will resolve this early call to claim territories!

WeBS and Finch site totals.

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