Dorset birding (2 Viewers)

[Wendy Morris]

Red Kite over Up Cerne at half eight this morning.

 

[MSA]

First sighting here of House Martins this morning. Checking out the nests remaining on the houses in this road, not sure if they are 'ours' or not as yet!

Only managed my first yesterday, over garden, none this morning around The Chase where they nested last year, so maybe moving through.

A nice long walk this morning serenaded by a couple of Woodlarks, also at least 4 singing Tree Pipits and first Cuckoo of the year. A quiet "tuk tuk tuk" was heard once, I suspect it was a Ring Ouzel, but not heard again, and did not reveal itself in a 10-minute wait with restless dogs.

Just noticed a booboo in my last post, should have said Sunday not Sat for the swift etc, yet another senior moment to add to my growing list

 

[MSA]

Omitted from the morning post, non-bird sightings being 2 Roe Deer and a Fox, never common on patch. Also one "shock" - literally - from one of the dogs; I patted her as we walked under a pylon, at first thought she had some stinging nettles in her fur, then realised I was getting an electric shock!

This afternoon, a few (max 5) House Martin prospecting around The Chase, and a Common Lizard by the car park.

 

[MSA]

Many fledglings around in the garden, Blackbird and Robin both from nests in the garden, also Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch from nearby. First fledged Starlings on a client's lawn in Christchurch yesterday, seems quite early?

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi all. There's a possibility I might be in Weymouth in a couple of weeks for a day out. Will the Little Terns be at Chesil Beach?

Thanks for any advice.

Rich

 

[Hauki]

I Was over at chesil beach today and plenty of little tern activity, :t:

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

I Was over at chesil beach today and plenty of little tern activity, :t:

That's brilliant. Thanks H and apologies for the delay in responding - I totally missed your postB

Will tie it in with a walk around Radipole at the same time. Was toying with heading down today but I'd imagine the traffic will be a mare on Bank Holiday Monday:eek!:

Rich

 

[Hauki]

Was toying with heading down today but I'd imagine the traffic will be a mare on Bank Holiday Monday:eek!:

Rich

Traffic at this time of the year is always an issue, I always take the scenic route via portesham to miss the worst of it

 

[DorsetDude]

No one mentioning the red footed falcon at Wareham? Most odd. I went over yesterday to do an extended walls walk and thought I might see it. But Im beginning to think it is/was near the A351 bridge over the Frome not the Piddle. Anyone?

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Traffic at this time of the year is always an issue, I always take the scenic route via portesham to miss the worst of it

Cheers H. Had great views of the Terns with Sally and Maggie the volunteers and Stephen - a birder from London. Unfortunately they've lost a few eggs to a fox recently when the electric fence was down.

Also had a wander around Radipole. A Common Tern was around along with Cettis and Reed Warblers. I also noticed a Hooded Merganser. I presumed this to be an escape but a couple of other local birders thought not.

Rich

 

[Hauki]

No one mentioning the red footed falcon at Wareham? Most odd. I went over yesterday to do an extended walls walk and thought I might see it. But Im beginning to think it is/was near the A351 bridge over the Frome not the Piddle. Anyone?

Bird guides latest sighting has it as a 1st-summer female still over the River Frome water meadows east of the B3075 Wareham to Stowborough road from 14:00-14:45

 

[Hauki]

Cheers H. Had great views of the Terns with Sally and Maggie the volunteers and Stephen - a birder from London. Unfortunately they've lost a few eggs to a fox recently when the electric fence was down.

Also had a wander around Radipole. A Common Tern was around along with Cettis and Reed Warblers. I also noticed a Hooded Merganser. I presumed this to be an escape but a couple of other local birders thought not.

Rich

It's a great spot for watching the terns. It's a shame about the fence and fox though

 

[Retrodaz]

Managed to get out to hengistbury head on saturday.
Saw my first whitethroat, which was nice.
Also saw robin, blue tit, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greenfinch, pheasant, dunnock, carrion crow, wood pigeon, house sparrow and starling. Annoyingly a hoopoo had apparently been seen according to the board in the visitor centre, but when i asked no one knew where it was

 

[pooleparrot]

No one mentioning the red footed falcon at Wareham? Most odd. I went over yesterday to do an extended walls walk and thought I might see it. But Im beginning to think it is/was near the A351 bridge over the Frome not the Piddle. Anyone?

Yes DD, the best viewpoint is from the bridge on the A351, looking over the Frome. Have been 4 times, however yesterday was the 1st time I didn't see it, I watched from 430pm till 7pm and it hadn't been seen since 1pm. This is the longest it's been away from the bridge area AFAIK. I didn't hear if it returned to roost last night or not. Hopefully it will be reported again today!

And seeing as you've asked , here's a few pics

 

[pooleparrot]

Cheers H. Had great views of the Terns with Sally and Maggie the volunteers and Stephen - a birder from London. Unfortunately they've lost a few eggs to a fox recently when the electric fence was down.

Also had a wander around Radipole. A Common Tern was around along with Cettis and Reed Warblers. I also noticed a Hooded Merganser. I presumed this to be an escape but a couple of other local birders thought not.

Rich

Hi Rich, the Hooded Merg has been around a couple of years at least. It turned up in a bad weather and was found in a storm drain at the back of Chesil beach. If I remember correctly it wasn't accepted by BBRC, although it was originally unringed and many locals believe it to be a wild bird. I suppose seeing that it has stayed so long would tend to support the "Escape from Captivity" theory. Anyway it goes on my year list if I see it when I visit Radipole.

PP

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Rich, the Hooded Merg has been around a couple of years at least. It turned up in a bad weather and was found in a storm drain at the back of Chesil beach. If I remember correctly it wasn't accepted by BBRC, although it was originally unringed and many locals believe it to be a wild bird. I suppose seeing that it has stayed so long would tend to support the "Escape from Captivity" theory. Anyway it goes on my year list if I see it when I visit Radipole.

PP

Thanks PP.

I read through an old thread last night and there were some differences of opinion back then.

I've already got a well dodgey Bar Headed Goose on my year list (not going to include it next yearo) so I think I'll leave the Meganser off. Still a great looking bird though. We've been lucky enough to see them on holiday whilst in Canada as well.

Rich

Ps cracking shots of the RFF.

 

[Retrodaz]

I have a bar-headed goose I saw at Poole Park. Lovely looking thing.

 

[discors]

Just down from Birmingham to Dorchester. Tried twice today for Redfooted Falcon no joy. One couple said they had a flyover early morning but not sure. Going to go to Chisel in morning. Is the visitors centre the best place to start sea watch and Terns?

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Just down from Birmingham to Dorchester. Tried twice today for Redfooted Falcon no joy. One couple said they had a flyover early morning but not sure. Going to go to Chisel in morning. Is the visitors centre the best place to start sea watch and Terns?

Hi D. Short answer - yes:t:

The staff will point out where the RSPB are watching the nests. Good luck. They are fantastic birds. Not sure about a sea watch though.

Rich

 

[discors]

Cheers Rich
Just going to enjoy the spectacle of the shingle ridge at Chisel one of my 7 wonders of England. Terns and seabirds will be a bonus will hopefully have time to get down to Portland Observatory