Dorset - Weymouth - Rodwell Trail - Hume's Warbler!

A minor conundrum presented itself this morning. The Ruff having departed Charminster Water Meadows could very likely land up on the farm with visiting Lapwing! Yesterday afternoon news broke of a possible Hume’s Leaf Warbler that was found by Nigel Taylor on the Rodwell Trail Wyke Road Weymouth.

Farm tick v County tick! Usually a straight forward choice!

The answer although slightly risky was to cover the farm early morning then wend my way after rush hour, traffic free to add this species to my Dorset tally!

As things turned out there was no sign of the Ruff and the journey to Weymouth was straight forward! The Hume’s was not showing upon my arrival at the Rodwell Trail but as more eyes arrived (Having messaged Brett!) the bird put on a good display of feeding in the Oak tree, Sycamore and other trees near the old railway platform!

I did not hear the bird call but the bird did call on occasion whilst it was flitting about amongst the branches and leaves. I have included several pictures of the bird so that you can look closely at it and decide for yourself!

I have consulted the Handbook of European Birds V2 by Duivendijk to improve my knowledge of Yellow Browed and Hume’s Leaf Warblers. I am still hopeful of finding a YBW on the farm!

The bird did seem overall paler than YBW with pale ear coverts. The bill was small and pointed and second wing bar was not as obvious on this bird.

If accepted this will be my second record having seen the Beachy Head bird on 31^st December 2007. If I remember correctly this bird called on a regular basis!

Dorset - Bardolf Farm - A MEGA Day on the Farm!

 

Today started at the crack of dawn at Bardolf Farm on the water Meadows. It seemed like another day at the office with all the usual suspects on the meadows! 

I was ready to move on from my watch point but something kept me there and twenty minutes later a Great White Egret sailed into view flying low NW and out of view. The bird must have been on the meadows but out of sight from Athelhampton Road! This species is becoming more common in the UK. A bird is regularly seen at Silverlake (Warmwell Gravel Pits) which is due south of the farm but this was only the third record of this species on the Farm!

Thinking that would be it for the day I continued my rounds visiting the Causeway pond where the Tufted Duck was still present with a surprisingly high number of Moorhen. A Coot joined the huddle of birds in the SW corner of the pond. This species is rare on the farm with irregular records. The bird disappeared in the vegetation so I made a plan to return later in the morning to get pictures.

I have been checking the gardens of Athelhampton house (which border the farm) for Hawfinch without success thus far. A return to the Causeway pond secured pictures of the Coot!

Time was moving on but instead of popping home for lunch I decided to check the mixed seed fields before going home. I was counting the Reed Bunting when a male Hen Harrier appeared quartering the west of the field. The bird slowly wheeled across the track and continued circling low above the crops eventually flying over the A35 and out of sight. This species has not been recorded on the farm since the 1990’s!

A return to the water meadows added a Goosander and Snipe to the impressive days tally! I finished the day walking the fields on the east of the farm!

A day I definitely didn’t want to end!