Dorset birding (1 Viewer)

Dawn Balmer · Apr 8, 2013

15 Waxwings in Chideock, just west of Warren House B&B on A35 at 17:50 at least.

camelbirder · Apr 8, 2013

Video of the Portland Observatory Little Owl calling at 1pm on 7/4/13, can be viewed here.

pooleparrot · Apr 9, 2013

Holes Bay/UCP

Some signs of some overnight migration, lots of Robin/Blackbird and Song Thrushes around the park as well as 3 blackcap. Also increase of Chiffchaff 50+ and a few WW on the PCW Drain. Common Sandpiper also on the bay edge with a Redshank.

Dawn Balmer · Apr 9, 2013

Three hours between Cogden and West Bexington this afternoon produced some migrants. Most birds were at West Bexington.

60+ Chiffchaff (arriving in off and moving through)
7 White Wagtail
3 Yellow Wagtail
120 Sand Martin
15 Swallow
1 House Martin
6 Wheatear
15 Meadow Pipit

Lyme Regis this morning:
3 White Wagtail
11 Chiffchaff (8 on bowling green)
2 Wheatear
49 Meadow Pipit
39 Wood Pigeon

No sign of Waxwings in Chideock this morning.

Trevyhols · Apr 10, 2013

Could somebody confirm what birds these are please

I'm quite new to birdwatching.

Could somebody help me confirm what these birds are that I saw on Stanpit Marsh Christchurch on Saturday. If you subscribe to the CHOG Forum you may have seen them before.

Thanks

Trevor

pooleparrot · Apr 10, 2013

Trevyhols said:
I'm quite new to birdwatching.

Could somebody help me confirm what these birds are that I saw on Stanpit Marsh Christchurch on Saturday. If you subscribe to the CHOG Forum you may have seen them before.

Thanks

Trevor

Trevor,

Wheatear, Mistle Thrush and Dunnock.

pooleparrot · Apr 10, 2013

Reap Lane to the Bill

This morning 1 Greenshank, 2 Black Redstart, 15 Redwing, 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 Common Redstart, 3 Gannet and 1 Little Gull were the notables.

JamesA · Apr 10, 2013

Female peregrine, some distant calling crossbills and a dartford at Morden Bog today, with lots (and lots) of siskins around too.

Yesterday had dipper, two purple sands, ring ouzel and a bunch of chiffs/blackcaps at Lyme Regis.

On Sunday we had three, maybe four otters at a site near(ish) Swanage. How discreet should I be about this sighting? It was a fairly busy place but they could go unnoticed.

Dawn Balmer · Apr 10, 2013

Good day on Portland around the Bill,Top Fields and Reap Lane:

Ring Ouzel 1, White Wagtail 1, Black Redstart 6, Redstart 4, Wheatear 46, Stonechat 2 (including rubicola type), Robin 33, Song Thrush 23, Redwing 4, Fieldfare 2, Great Spot 1, Chiffchaff 40, Blackcap 13, House Martin 1, Firecrest.

Hoopoe showed well on football pitch next to Sweethill Park Playground 1235-1250 then flew out of view behind bungalow.

Nearby 37 R B Mergs in Portland Harbour.

Lodmoor: Avocet, 6 D b Brents

Radipole: Sand Martins, Swallows, House Martins.

scary-canary · Apr 11, 2013

JamesA said:
Female peregrine, some distant calling crossbills and a dartford at Morden Bog today, with lots (and lots) of siskins around too.

Yesterday had dipper, two purple sands, ring ouzel and a bunch of chiffs/blackcaps at Lyme Regis.

On Sunday we had three, maybe four otters at a site near(ish) Swanage. How discreet should I be about this sighting? It was a fairly busy place but they could go unnoticed.

I'd keep it quiet, and only tell personal friends.

DorsetDude · Apr 11, 2013

For visiting Portland may I ask:

Is it worth going down in the afternoon or has all the action long gone by then?

If parking for the Bill, is reap lane, suckthumb quarry accessible on foot easily from there?

Where else is worth checking if parking at the bill and walking?

Is it ok to just wander into the bird obs or do you need to be a member of something?

Many thanks.

James Lowther · Apr 11, 2013

DorsetDude said:
For visiting Portland may I ask:

Is it worth going down in the afternoon or has all the action long gone by then?

If parking for the Bill, is reap lane, suckthumb quarry accessible on foot easily from there?

Where else is worth checking if parking at the bill and walking?

Is it ok to just wander into the bird obs or do you need to be a member of something?

Many thanks.

hi DD

morning is better (early as possible) but there will still be stuff around in the afternoon if it's a good day (on a bad day there'll not be a lot even first thing though...)

reap lane and suckthumb quarry (and barleycrates lane) are both technically walkable from the bill but it's a fair slog and parking round this part of portland (between southwell and weston) is easy and free - just be sensible.

in terms of areas it depends what you're after but if it's land migrants check out the bill common for wheatears, wagtails etc., hut fields, obs quarry (little owls), the crown estate fields across the road from the obs, culverwell, the top fields etc. - there a numerous little circuits that can be done, too many to mention really, just follow your nose and look for crowds of birders as that's normally a good sign - don't be afraid to ask!

no problem entering the obs compound, there's a bookshop that's sometimes open, a patio round the back where birders often hang out etc. but don't go into the garden beyond the patio.

cheers,
James

DorsetDude · Apr 11, 2013

Thats great info, thanks James :kiss:

(can never find the right smiley) :eek!:3

pooleparrot · Apr 12, 2013

Morden

Not sure what the land managers at Morden Bog are up to, but today discovered that the largest area of Gorse on MB has been completely cleared. The area was alongside the main path that runs from Lawson Clump to the Decoy Pond and was probably a good 150m squared. It was excellent in the summer with Stonechats and Dartfords. In the 1st pic below the area ran from 20 yards behind the front water right up to forest in the background and was spread across the width of the photo.

On a brighter note my 1st Morden Swallows of the spring with 5 birds( a 3 and a 2) and a couple of Peregrines.

MSA · Apr 12, 2013

pooleparrot said:
Not sure what the land managers at Morden Bog are up to, but today discovered that the largest area of Gorse on MB has been completely cleared.

May be of no relevance, but on Hengistbury/Wick, gorse (and other "invasive" plants) are being cleared to return the land to natural grassland - I understand that Natural England provide guidance, and suggest less than 5% is left as scrub to reinstate the "purity" of the habitat. Maybe there's similar guidance on peat (?) bogs?

As a birder it can seem rather drastic, but I can understand that there's more to habitats than just birds!

scary-canary · Apr 13, 2013

Pair of Egyptian geese at Longham today.

pooleparrot · Apr 13, 2013

Possible GW Egret at Holes Bay Today.

Just putting this out so maybe others could keep an eye out today, Saw what could of been a GWE between Pergins Island and the Railway Line. It was at least 500m away and I was drawn to it mainly on size, obviously features at that distant were not identifiable. I have put a few photos below that size can be compared with the birds in front, pic 2 has a Curlew about 50m infront. Also the last 2 pics show the Poss GWE and a Little Egret that was about 300m away by the bridge. Both pics taken on exactly the same Zoom.

pooleparrot · Apr 13, 2013

Holes bay

Also at HB today, still plenty of CC and WW and a couple of Blackcap on PCW Drain. Still the Avocet with the gamy leg and the common Sandpiper on the bay.

scary-canary · Apr 13, 2013

pooleparrot said:
Just putting this out so maybe others could keep an eye out today, Saw what could of been a GWE between Pergins Island and the Railway Line. It was at least 500m away and I was drawn to it mainly on size, obviously features at that distant were not identifiable. I have put a few photos below that size can be compared with the birds in front, pic 2 has a Curlew about 50m infront. Also the last 2 pics show the Poss GWE and a Little Egret that was about 300m away by the bridge. Both pics taken on exactly the same Zoom.

Hard to tell on the GWE isn't it? I can't help either way!
Chris

pooleparrot · Apr 15, 2013

Wyke

A Merlin on the way to Wyke, then a Common Redstart in the bushes on the farm lane. The Great Grey Shrike was in the field above Down farm Farmhouse in the bushes around the kiddies slide, and after 4pm 1 SEO.

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