Dorset birding (11 Viewers)

[pooleparrot]

Managed to catch up with the Ring Ouzel and Scaup that have been at Swineham for 3 days and 2 days respectively. Also a couple of Marsh Harrier around this morning.

Ian

 

[pooleparrot]

Middlebere this morning , from the Hide a juvenile Marsh Harrier made a couple of passes and a Peregrine took a Redshank. A Merlin over the NT Cottages on the way back, and a Bullfinch and 8 Redwing on the lane.

 

[pooleparrot]

Morden Bog

Quiet across MB this morning, 50+ flock of Fieldfare and 7 Dartford Warbler. Also plenty of Stonechat , a single Kestrel and 1 noisy Buzzard.

 

[Woody1]

Had a day off from work so headed over to Hartland Moor. Kestrel, Dartford Warbler, Meadow Pipits, Stone Chat and what look liked a Whinchat but looking through my Collins Guide says rearly in October would one still be around at this time of year? Then moved off to Studland. Oystercatchers, Brent Geese, Curlew, Little Egrets, and lot of Great Crested Grebes out on the water.

 

[pooleparrot]

Nice blog, Woody1, Very nice Kingfisher pic.

Ian

 

[Woody1]

Nice blog, Woody1, Very nice Kingfisher pic.

Ian

Thanks Ian

 

[pooleparrot]

Hatch Pond

Patch tick this morning with an unexpected Oystercatcher coming down and circling the lake at head height before flying off without landing. Also 2 female wigeon , only my 2nd record for HP, and the 1st Pochard of the winter.

Shovelers up to 7(3m/4f), Teal up to 17 and 5 Snipe on the cut reed area.

 

[Blandford Birder]

Down Farm, Sixpenny Handley

A male Hen Harrier this afternoon, but no Shrike(s) or Owls yet as far as I know

 

[pooleparrot]

Middlebere

High tide this morning pushed the Brent, Wigeon and Teal into the fields just in front of the hide.

Had a Peregrine fly over and the male Hen Harrier quartered the reed bed on the far side of the channel.

Along the lane plenty of Redwing, Fieldfare and a few Bullfinch.

 

[Blandford Birder]

Golden Plover

150 Golden Plover over the A354 between Tarrant Hinton and the turning for Higher Crichel early this afternoon.

 

[pooleparrot]

Surf Scoter

Twitched the Surf Scoter this morning. It has been in Brands Bay since it's discovery(well done Paul(BOPH)) on Thursday morning. Only the 2nd record for Poole Harbour and the 1st to stay more than a few hours. It stayed in the middle of bay so was always distant for photos , however decent scope views were obtained between the showers. Record shots below just about show the distinctive white face patches.

 

[pooleparrot]

Supporting Cast

There were of other birds around Studland this morning, in Brands Bay at least 4 Great Northern Divers, 3 Goldeneye, 30+Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Red Breasted Mergansers and 2 Black Necked Grebe. Out in Shell Bay another 3 Great Northern Diver.

 

[pooleparrot]

RBM's Feeling Showy

The newly arrived Red Breasted Mergansers were feeling a little showy in Brands Bay this morning with the males displaying at or to each other. Certainly the females were taking no notice of the exuberant males.

 

[pooleparrot]

Go Fishing

And while the males displayed, this female was struggling a small flat fish , after it getting stuck halfway down it eventually managed to swallow it.

 

[scary-canary]

Male and female peregrines perched on pylon at Longham Lakes today. Very exciting views for my eight-year-old daughter. A real treat.

Chris

 

[Woody1]

Went over to Brands Bay this afternoon to see the Surf Scoter, had a very distance view through the bins, and a kind bird let me have a look through is scope and I had a better view:t: two lifers for me today the Surf Scoter and Red-Breasted Merganser.

 

[Woody1]

Male and female peregrines perched on pylon at Longham Lakes today. Very exciting views for my eight-year-old daughter. A real treat.

Chris

Wonderful sighting

 

[pooleparrot]

Middlebere

Early morning visit , starting just after 7am. Greeted at the hide by the male Kingfisher who successfully caught and devoured a fish from the pool in front of the hide.

The channel was busy mainly with duck, 500+ Teal, 200+ Wigeon and a single male Pintail.

On the way back Bullfinch, Redwing and Fieldfare.

 

[Woody1]

Early morning visit , starting just after 7am. Greeted at the hide by the male Kingfisher who successfully caught and devoured a fish from the pool in front of the hide.

The channel was busy mainly with duck, 500+ Teal, 200+ Wigeon and a single male Pintail.

On the way back Bullfinch, Redwing and Fieldfare.

Nice Kingfisher shots

 

[halftwo]

The Dipper on the river Lym was present yesterday, and there were a few Purple sandpipers on the Cob at Lyme.