Dorset - The Fleet and Portland Harbour - A Glossy Start to the Day!

A Glossy Ibis has been roosting at Lodmoor RSPB and feeding during the day in the fields along The Fleet. Local news had confirmed that it had departed the reserve early morning but in took a while to appear in the field along with a couple of Eurasian Curlew.

A female Black Redstart also put in an appearance before it was time to move further down The Fleet to look for the second target of the day.

Cirl Bunting is becoming more regular in Dorset but the initial search of favoured areas were devoid of birds. Patience paid off as a small flock of birds flew onto a nearby hawthorn bush. A male was the obvious candidate in the group as the flock dropped onto the field to feed.

Ferrybridge is at the southern end of The Fleet the tide was receding thif afternoon leaving an exposed area of mudflats for shorebirds to feed on. A flock of Dunlin were restless in the area with Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher present in smaller numbers.

A couple of Great Northern Diver were noted by the bridge with Dark Bellied Brent Goose along the shoreline. Mediterranean Gull were present in good numbers with Black-headed, Herring and a Great Black-backed Gull making up the gull numbers.

The harbour featured small groups of Red-breasted Mergansers, Great Northern Divers and a single Black-throated Diver. A small flock of Common Scoter was also present mid water.

Dorset and Hampshire - Cross Border Twitching!

Phil and I had made a plan to meet up Saturday before dawn at Silverlake (Warmwell Gravel Pits) car-park and set out on a quest for life birds for Phil! A subsequent computer failure has delayed posting this entry. I have my fingers crossed that it can be fixed without too much loss of data! Thank Phil for allowing use of your photos (with credit!).

(photo by Phil Cheeseman)

A Lesser Scaup at Longham Lakes was the first life bird of the day. Roly Pitts and Chris Corteaux had made a similar arrangement meeting at our destination. We walked onto the south lake path to search amongst the numerous wildfowl for the bird. The search was a short one as Steve Carey was already in position photographing the bird. Wildfowl included Pochard,  Wigeon, and Teal, with Great and Little Egret, and Great Crested Grebe on the lake. A Water Rail was heard squealing from the reed-beds!

(photo by Phil Cheeseman)

A Lesser Yellowlegs at Keyhaven Marshes RSPB was lifer number two for Phil. It wasn’t long before we had entered the neighboring county of Hampshire and were walking past wild horses, en-route to view the bird. The bird had flown from the marsh and after a change of route we had good but distant views of our quarry. The Lesser Yellowlegs was noticeably smaller and daintier than the Redshank that seemed irritated by its presence. The bird moved quickly feeding with a short sweeping action of its bill on the water.

Dark Bellied Brent Geese were also noted in flight with Grey Plover and Dunlin on the spit viewed from the sea wall. Pintail, and Black Tailed Godwit were noted on the first pool with an assortment of wildfowl.

The Snow Bunting at Hamworthy Beach was to complete the hat-trick of lifers. The bird was very tame and oblivious to people and dogs that were enjoying playing in the sand. It appeared to be playing with a small stick briefly looking at us to check we were still paying attention!

The day had been very enjoyable but there was time for a final stop at Holes Bay to watch the shorebirds and wildfowl get pushed closer to the shoreline with the incoming tide. Representing the shorebirds were Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Redshank and Dunlin, and wildfowl Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, and Mallard. A Spotted Redshank had been reported but could not be found before the light faded!

A fantastic day in great company!

Lodmoor RSPB - Green Winged Teal!

 

Today I took the trip down to Lodmoor RSPB to catch up with the Green Winged Teal (Annas carolinensis) that has spent a few days on the reserve. I wonder if this was the same bird that was seen in Holes Bay before Christmas! The likelihood is this North American vagrant will be re-classified with its Eurasian counterpart based on genetic similarities.

A White Tailed Eagle caused commotion amongst the wildfowl but the bird remained in roughly the same area.

A couple of Pied Avocet was mobile across the reserve. I caught up with them along the west path.

A flock of Golden Plover frequented the SE corner of the reserve.

A Marsh Harrier greeted my arrival hunting over the vast reedbeds.