Port and Wey: 23 Sep 17

The Bill

What a great way to spend the afternoon, with 3 good friends from Swindon. Matt Pringle, Nigel Sluman and Richard Williams left Swindon in the early hours of this morning and having been to Arne to see both Red-necked and Grey Phalarope, drove down to Portland via Lodmoor this afternoon.

Along with two of Nigel's friends, who travelled down in another car, we met up by Southwell High Farm in the hope of seeing the Wryneck seen there this morning. Sadly it wasn't found, so it was off to Culverwell which was also very quiet, with just 1 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.

So the next stop was the Obs Quarry, where we located a Garden Warbler, tagging along with a male Blackcap. Also here were 3 Great Tits, a Blue Tit, 3 Blackbirds, the usual Dunnocks, Wren and a Chiffchaff.

They always say you leave the best til' last and having conceded defeat on land we headed off to The Bill. We didn't actually make it all the way there as we spotted a few Bottled-nosed Dolphins as we passed the beach huts. In fact there were a good 10 or more including at least 1 youngster feeding, jumping and surfing in the "Races" just off The Bill. Definitely the highlight the afternoon, so much so, we ended up sharing our binoculars and telescopes to passers-by, as they enquired as to what we were watching. What an absolute treat!

Other highlights were 2 Peregrine Falcons chasing a very fortunate Wood Pigeon which somehow managed to escape their clutches, 3 Kestrels which appeared to have crossed the sea to get here!, dozens of Meadow Pipits in the Top Fields, at least 4 Stonechats, 2 Sandwich Terns and 2 Oystercatchers.

Here are a few images from this afternoon

A male Kestrel at Southwell High Farm......

.....strikes a lovely pose for the camera.

One of two Buzzards seen overhead.

A nice male Stonechat by the Observatory

The main highlight for sure........

.......Bottle-necked Dolphins........

.......jumping, leaping, surfing and feeding in the "Races" off The Bill.

In the Obs Quarry a male Blackcap feeding on the Blackberries......

.........as was this Garden Warbler. The second one I've seen here in 3 days.

In the Top Fields at least 50 Meadow Pipits

Birds Recorded: Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 5 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 20+ Swallow, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Stonechat, Blackbird, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch

Bumpers Lane and Rufus Castle

Before I set off to the Bill to meet Matt, Nige, Richard and their two friends I took the pooches for a quick walk at the back of the cottage. It was fairly quiet with just a couple of Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap recorded.

But now I know where the Ivy Bees are, it was off to Rufus Castle to see them. The Ivy here is really coming into flower and as I arrived was covered in dozens of Drone Flies, they were everywhere. Eventually an Ivy Bee appeared and then several more. It was almost as if they were returning together having been back to their nest! One minute nothing and then next dozens.

Here are a few images from early afternoon.