[Larry Wheatland]

Originally Posted by PoolePaul

Where about in the bay was the Golden Plover Larry? Quite a rarity in Poole.

Paul

At around lunch time it was circling low over the area that's generally in front of the hide at Upton Park, but it wasn't seen to land anywhere. I was on the cycle path at the bay's edge, just outside the fenced-in area of Upton Park at the time (towards the roundabout/corner). I picked it up on call, and followed it with bins for some time in great light, getting decent views of ups and unds, before I gave up on it ever landing, and rode off. Didn't realise that it was unusual for the area. Cool

[pooleparrot]

Holes bay this morning, 2 Spotted Redshanks by Outflow, 2 Grey Wagtails along Outflow channel by Pc World and 6 Chiffchaff and 1 Long tailed tit in trees along outflow channel.

Also 1 Bittern at Hatch pond lunchtime.

[pooleparrot]

Durlston this morning, not much out of the ordinary, 2 Peregrine, 1 Dartford Warbler and plenty of Fulmar(123 on the year list).

Morden Bog in the afternoon, only birds of note were the prolonged views of Crossbill. First a single male, then later watched a pair feeding for about 20 minutes.

[alex berryman]

where's the best place to view the peregrines at durlston?

[scary-canary]

Originally Posted by alex berryman

where's the best place to view the peregrines at durlston?

Without wanting to sound flippant, if they're there they will be on the cliffs! Shouldn't be too hard to check the area. Chris

[pooleparrot]

Alex, agree with Chris, I was there on Tuesday and saw 2 seperate birds, just walk along the cliff path from the Castle towards Tilly Whim and you should see them, either in flight or perched along the cliffs. Also should get great views of the Ravens on the cliff faces which are starting to nest build.

Ian

[pooleparrot]

Started at Wyke Down today early afternoon, plenty of singing Skylark, flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare, 2 Corn Bunting and 3 RL Partridge.

Then went slightly out of county to Martin Down NNR where there was a large flock 0f 200+ Golden Plovers in with a small number of Lapwings.

Back to Wyke for a final hour where I added 2 Yellowhammer and 1 Short Eared Owl.

[scary-canary]

Inspired by Dominic Couzen's A Patch made in Heaven (http://www.birdwords.co.uk/2012/02/out-this-month/) - it's all about his visits to Longham - I ventured out in what turned out to be lovely sunny, but windy, weather.
15 adult med gulls were the highlight, but buzzards (6) were displaying too. Most of the ducks have moved on now, with just single figures for teal and wigeon now.
Lots of frogspawn in one flooded corner of the lake.

Chris

[pooleparrot]

Saw the Long-Tailed Duck at Mudeford this morning, was quite distant in a fairly choppy sea.

A quick visit to Holes Bay this afternoon followed by an even quicker visit(20 mins) to Hatch Pond. Holes Bay was at low tide with plenty of Blackwit, Redshank ,Oyc's and Dunlin.Still a few Wigeon and Pintail, 3 GC Grebes and 2 pairs of Red Breasted Mergansers.

There were no Bitterns in the usual viewing area at Hatch Pond probably because of the strong wind blowing across the water, so I walked around the Canford Heath end of the lake where I flushed a Kingfisher(1st at HP this year) and then found 1 Bittern in one of its usual sheltered fishing spots.

Ian

[scary-canary]

Spoonbill still at Lodmoor this morning.

[pooleparrot]

Crossed the border again today, saw Goshawk at Acres Down and then went across to Hawkhill inclosure to see the Dark Eyed Junco which performed well for the 30 mins I was there.

If you haven't seen the Junco yet and you live on the Eastern side of Dorset it is well worth the 45minute drive , especially if it is on a nice day like today. And leaving it late means you miss all the crowds only about 6 people there today, enough to help locate the bird but not too many to get in the way.

132 now on the yearlist.

[pooleparrot]

Very sucessful 2 hours at Durlston this morning, started with 4 Gannets flying West fairly close to shore at 9.50am, then the first of 7 flybys by the local Peregrines.

When arrived at the lighthouse there was a female Black Redstart flycatching from the wall. Then walked around lighthouse and found a smart Male on the back wall of the lighthouse.

More of the same on the clifftop on the walk back culminating in a perched Peregrine on the clifface underneath the main view point, this bird was briefly joined by another with prey.

134 on the yearlist(Gannet & Black Redstart)

[Hirundapus]

I know they're not birds, but could anyone give me the low down on the Blandform Forum Otters? Where exactly does one go and are early-mornings or any other times of day important? I hope to be in Dorset next week. Very many thanks if anyone can help.

[scary-canary]

Originally Posted by Hirundapus

I know they're not birds, but could anyone give me the low down on the Blandform Forum Otters? Where exactly does one go and are early-mornings or any other times of day important? I hope to be in Dorset next week. Very many thanks if anyone can help.

It's all one a bit quiet on the otters lately, but locals say they are all there, just not as showy while they , presumably, have babies. Doesn't seem to matter time of day. Park in the free car park behind the brewery and tesco and walk to the two foot bridges. Dog walkers will be able to tell you when and where the latest spots to see them are. Good luck and let us know if you succeed. Chris

[Warminster Birder]

Originally Posted by Hirundapus

I know they're not birds, but could anyone give me the low down on the Blandform Forum Otters? Where exactly does one go and are early-mornings or any other times of day important? I hope to be in Dorset next week. Very many thanks if anyone can help.

One was swimming downstream just above Town Bridge on Tuesday last week. Anywhere between Town Bridge and the bridge over the By-pass is worth a look, but. the area around the black footbridge/old railway arches is still favourite.

[Hirundapus]

Very many thanks for the Otter gen. Much appreciated. I hope to give it a go next week and I'll report how I get on. Cheers.

[pooleparrot]

Had a couple of hours at each of the Weymouth reserves today, 1st at lodmoor the highlights were 2 Spoonbill, 1Ruff and 1 Med Gull(Yeartick) also a nice pair of Bullfinch and 9 Blackwits.

At Radipole picked up the dubious Hooded Merganser(good enough for a Yeartick),other highlights were a pair of Kingfishers from the North Hide going in and out of a hole next to the sandbank, and a singing Cetti's in the top of a bramble bush. Also on the way to the north hide a Grey Heron doing an impersonation of a praying Mantis(photo below)

136 for the year.

[luke]

you must have been unlucky with the Glossy Ibis'. They were at the hide for most of the day but went missing from time to time.

[pooleparrot]

Durlston this morning, extreme fog made it difficult viewing. 3 Gannets East were all that could be picked out at sea. No Peregrines, Guillemots or Razorbills seen. Plenty of Fulmar and the odd Raven.

An interesting Herring Gull in moult between juvenile and Adult and a good comparison of Jackdaw/Raven size in the pics below.

[scary-canary]

Nice views of the cattle egret at Kingston maurward yesterday and very brief flight views of the glossy ibises at lunchtime today. By the time I'd got my bins on them they had landed in the reed bed.
Chris

[scary-canary]

Terrific lunch hour in north hide, radipole. Kingfisher and water rail, topped off when two spoonbills dropped in, presumably disturbed from Lodmoor. Lovely summer plumage with breeding plumes on one of the birds. Chris

[scary-canary]

Common tern at Longham , and 36 med gulls. (which it seems is down from the 70 recorded earlier!)
Chris

[Warminster Birder]

A cracking male Brambling in our Blandford garden this afternoon.

[pooleparrot]

Anybody know if the Cattle Egret is still around Kingston Maurwood, I see it isn't mentioned on Sundays Sightings on the DBC Website.

Ian

[Warminster Birder]

The Great-grey Shrike showing well at Wyke Down, Sixpenny Handley this afternoon, also a male Wheatear and a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier.