Dorset birding (4 Viewers)

[pooleparrot]

7 Spoonbill in Lytchett Bay this morning, the first of the Autumn/Winter period. 1 was colour ringed.

 

[Woody1]

Went to Wyke Down this afternoon with my son just a handfull of Fieldfares huge flock of covids in the air over the Akling dyke area and 4 Roe Deer . Did not stay until sun set as son was getting cold in the bitter winds so do not know if any SEOs were about .

 

[benneofelis]

In the garden today I had the usual 30 plus Goldfinch, and siskins, and the bonus today was after feeding the birds in my local wood I photographed a Firecrest and saw a lesser spotted woody, sadly no chance of a pic

 

[MSA]

In the garden today I had the usual 30 plus Goldfinch, and siskins, and the bonus today was after feeding the birds in my local wood I photographed a Firecrest and saw a lesser spotted woody, sadly no chance of a pic

Hi Benneofelis, whereabouts in Dorset are you, if you don't mind me asking? LSW are few and far between nowadays. Well worth reporting to Bird Club (ideally via BirdTrack) even if you don't fancy posting details here.

 

[pooleparrot]

In the garden today I had the usual 30 plus Goldfinch, and siskins, and the bonus today was after feeding the birds in my local wood I photographed a Firecrest and saw a lesser spotted woody, sadly no chance of a pic

Great records

 

[pooleparrot]

A really good morning at Lytchett Bay today, although I missed the star birds.

There was a light Woodpigeon movement with at least 2000 birds going west , although this pales into insignificance compared to the almost 150,000 noted from a vis-migwatch in central Poole this AM.

The cold snap also seems to have started the ducks moving with our 1st Mergansers of the autumn, a group of 7 in the bay,also a Lytchett record of 28 Shoveler(3 in bay and groups of 15 and 10 over), the previous record was only 7 birds!. Also 5 Pintail over which is only the 3rd record this year.

On the east shore of the bay a fellow patch watcher was striking gold, 1st he had a LS Woodpecker fly over him, which was his 1st on patch for 10yrs, although I had 1 on patch in the summer. But then even better he had 2 PENDULINE TIT fly over him. A massive bid for Lytchett Bay although there has been previous record in the late 90's in virtually the same spot. They could not be relocated with about 6 of us looking.

Needless to say we will try again tomorrow!!!

PP

 

[MSA]

Two Penduline Tits now at Longham - coincidence...?

 

[pooleparrot]

Two Penduline Tits now at Longham - coincidence...?

Seems like they continued out of Lytchett and onto Longham, surely the same birds.

This afternoon a late swallow at Lytchett Bay, the latest record by 2 weeks.

 

[Woody1]

Found one of the Great Northern Divers off Jerry's Point and 2 Common Scoter and some Goldeneye off REd Horn Quay

 

[pooleparrot]

2 Spoonbill dropped into Lytchett Bay at lunchtime. Checked Holes Bay on the was back home and there were 9 also in there.

Penduline Tits were refound at Longham at lunchtime in the South-West corner.

 

[Surreybirder]

Great White Egret in Poole Harbour on Sunday; black-throated diver in Swanage bay this p.m. (close to Swanage pier).
Ken

 

[pooleparrot]

Great White Egret in Poole Harbour on Sunday; black-throated diver in Swanage bay this p.m. (close to Swanage pier).
Ken

Hi Ken, was the GWE in Brands Bay.

PP

 

[Surreybirder]

Hi Ken, was the GWE in Brands Bay.

PP

Yes, it was in front of the hide, west of a promontory which I believe is known as Redhorn?
Ken

 

[Surreybirder]

Someone told me that there was a gn diver near the ferry so I had a scan. And almost immediately found a bn grebe! I did eventually find the diver, too, at considerable range. The guy who tipped me off was local but didn't have a scope. Unfortunately he had gone before I looked. However he was pleased that I had pointed out a coal tit - he said he had never seen one there before! (I didn't like to tell him that that was my second of the morning.)
The location was near the NT CP looking north into Poole Harbour.
In the pm I went to Middlebere and saw marsh and hen harrier - my wife's record shots attached.

 

[Oldbirder Ray]

If the picture you posted is of the Great Northern Diver then I would suggest that it actually was a Black Throated Diver. Reasons: Sloping forehead, dark bill and in particular large white patch on the flank. Try to get to the ferry late afternoon when many Grebes, Divers and sea Ducks head out to roost on the sea. Good birding. Ray

 

[Surreybirder]

Thanks, Ray,
No, sorry, the pic is confusing - it's the Black-throated diver from Swanage. I posted it late and couldn't attach it to the relevant post. Sorry about that!
I'm back home now - I'll miss all the seabirds and heathland specialities.
Ken

 

[Woody1]

Middle Beach /Fort Henry today Red-necked Grebe = lifer Black-necked grebe 4, Brent Goose 4, Great Crested Grebe 4 and a Grey Seal = lifer

 

[pooleparrot]

Poole Park yesterday

Main lake partially drained with a few waders on exposed mud, mainly Oyc's, Redshank also 10 Dunlin and 1 Blackwit.

In the middle 7 Goldeneye, 2 male and 5 female

A few Little Grebe and a Kingfisher.

 

[pooleparrot]

A sad find today at Lytchett Fields, a dead SEO by French's Viewpoint. It looks likely that it died from not catching enough food, but is being sent away to make sure it wasn't any other reason.

 

[pooleparrot]

Middlebere this morning.

3 Firecrest along lane
3 Marsh Harrier from hide, 2 Male/1Female
1 Spoonbill
278 Dunlin
351 Avocet