Dorset birding (1 Viewer)

[ChrisRoughley]

Portland

Had a really good day on Portland yesterday. Little owl, Great northern diver, Black redstart and dozens of Red breasted merganser were some of the delights. No sign of the Dusky warbler, Hoopoe or Black guillemot though.

 

[pooleparrot]

Sandbanks LTD

There has been a Long-tailed Duck at Sandbanks since Wednesday, it was still there this morning and is incredibly confiding spending most of it's time fishing off the end of the groynes. This morning it was at the end of the 2nd groyne towards the harbour mouth from the main beach car park.

 

[ChrisRoughley]

There has been a Long-tailed Duck at Sandbanks since Wednesday, it was still there this morning and is incredibly confiding spending most of it's time fishing off the end of the groynes. This morning it was at the end of the 2nd groyne towards the harbour mouth from the main beach car park.

Thanks for that. I found it easily. I wonder if it's the same bird that's been at Radipole for a number of weeks until recently that was also very accommodating. It was heading towards the harbour entrance gradually from groyne to groyne about half an hour ago.

 

[timsg80]

Does anyone know a good site in Dorset for Jack Snipe? I've heard that they can be regularly seen in the Avon Valley, but is there any specific area that is worth searching?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Retrodaz]

Black redstart is still happily showing on richmond hill

 

[Woody1]

Had a walk round Longham lake this afternoon with my son,
Lots of Coots, Tufted Duck along with some Wigeon, Pochard , Gadwall, Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechat, 2 Green Woodpecker,a Peregrine, and a Pale morph Buzzard made for a enjoyable walk.

 

[Blandford Birder]

Blandford Birds

I have been recording birds in the Blandford area since the 1970s, and now that I'm semi-retired I've had the time to trawl through my notes to find out how many I've seen within a one mile radius. Answer 75 and counting. I've decided to start a Blog, Blandford Birds, but Blandford is no Portland so there are not many rarities, so updates will mostly refer to common birds.

Here's the link.

http://blandfordbirds.webs.com

 

[Woody1]

Blandford Birds

I have been recording birds in the Blandford area since the 1970s, and now that I'm semi-retired I've had the time to trawl through my notes to find out how many I've seen within a one mile radius. Answer 75 and counting. I've decided to start a Blog, Blandford Birds, but Blandford is no Portland so there are not many rarities, so updates will mostly refer to common birds.

Here's the link.

http://blandfordbirds.webs.com

Look forward to reading more I like to have a walk round Badury Rings looking for the birds. I have had a Blackcap in the garden since the middle of November. Third year running it as turned up, will shortly get a female as she arrives in December.

 

[Retrodaz]

Where do you live woody. I've not seen one properly yet!

 

[Woody1]

Where do you live woody. I've not seen one properly yet!

Wimborne

 

[Retrodaz]

The black redstart has set up permanant residence on richmond hill.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

There was a Purple Sandpiper about an hour ago high tide roosting on a break at Sandbanks, with 8 Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plover. Not local so don't know if this is the norm or not.

cheers,

Larry

 

[pooleparrot]

There was a Purple Sandpiper about an hour ago high tide roosting on a break at Sandbanks, with 8 Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plover. Not local so don't know if this is the norm or not.

cheers,

Larry

Hi Larry, there is a small flock that winters at Sandbanks, using the groynes and the area in front of the Haven Hotel. They also cross the harbour mouth and use areas on the other side.

There have been 2 birds for a couple of weeks which increased to 3 over the weekend.

Ian

 

[Larry Sweetland]

thanks Ian :t:

 

[Retrodaz]

Hmm I wonder if that is what I saw at the beachhuts by hengistbury head. I thought it was a lone redshanks...

 

[SJP1979]

There was a very confiding juvenile Purple Sandpiper at Hengistbury Head this morning. I was sitting on one of the large rocks and it suddenly appeared and wandered around about 2 feet away from me, it then had a preen and carried on its way.

 

[pooleparrot]

Holes Bay

Spoonbills have been using the bay regularly over the last week on low tides. They have been there on my last 3 visits with a max of 6 birds recorded.

 

[pooleparrot]

Spoonbills have been using the bay regularly over the last week on low tides. They have been there on my last 3 visits with a max of 6 birds recorded.

I only saw 2 roosting Spoonbill early this morning, although after I left 21 came in. I also had a group of 5 Spotted Redshank at the end of the PC World drain. My highest count for the Bay

 

[Topaz]

Evening all,

I have a work trip to Dorset in mid-March. Working the weekend just by Hambledon Hill NNR by Dorchester and hopefully will take a few days off and stay a couple of nights down at Portland Bill.

Any tips for where to visit? Or should I just stay where I happen to be Hambledon Hill and Portland!

Cheers!

 

[DorsetDude]

Evening all,

I have a work trip to Dorset in mid-March. Working the weekend just by Hambledon Hill NNR by Dorchester and hopefully will take a few days off and stay a couple of nights down at Portland Bill.

Any tips for where to visit? Or should I just stay where I happen to be Hambledon Hill and Portland!

Cheers!

Everyone else more knowledgeable than me but Portland yes, also Radipole(chance of bearded tit, marsh harrier) and Lodmoor lakes not far from there.

Have fun.