It was an early start today so that I could join Matt Pringle and Richard Williams on their annual visit here on the south coast. The plan was that I would check out Chesil Cove just in case the Pallid Swift put in an early appearance before it headed off along the coast to feed.
As I arrived at 7:25am it was obvious there was nowhere to park as no one had left to go to work at that time. So instead I drove up to the Environment Agencies Barrier and had a quick scan towards the cliffs below Tout Quarry,, where it had been seen over the past 2 days. I didn't see it and decided to meet Matt and Richard at Ferrybridge.
It was only when we were sorting out our car park tickets, that a message came through on social media to say that the Pallid Swift was at Chesil Cove at 7:35am. So having paid for our car park tickets, it was a bit of no brainer and we set off to Chiswell without using our parking tickets. To cut a long 1hr 40min story, we didn't see it and it appears that it came out of its local roost and spent 5 minutes under the cliffs before heading off south.
Thinking it might have gone down as far as QinetiQ, where it was seen originally on Thursday, we took the decision to visit the Bill and walk along the West cliff. We parked up at the Obs and were rewarded with a Woodcock coming off the sea and flying up the island. This was followed by a Black Redstart in the Obs garden and then a Snipe which appeared to land in the grounds of QinetiQ. A cracking start.
Our walk from the Obs took us down to the Bill via the Quarry, and then up past QinetiQ and the Coastguard Lookout, before cutting back to Helen's Field, past Culverwell and then returning to the Obs. There was nothing of note in the Quarry, but at the Pulpit there were 5 Purple Sandpipers dodging the waves whilst in the grounds of QinetiQ we came across 4 Black Redstarts but not the Snipe. In the local fields there were a few Stonechat, lots of Skylarks and a few Redwing and Song Thrushes.
The paddocks just north of the Obs had a good number of Great Black-backed Gulls, probably a good 150 or more, plus a handful of Herring Gulls and 4 Oystercatchers.
Back at the Obs a couple of Goldcrests were calling and it was here that we heard that a Long-tailed Duck had been seen at Ferrybridge but had flown off to Pirates Cove. Oh dear that was two birds we dipped on by being at the wrong place at the wrong time, or not looking hard enough in my case for the Pallid Swift.
Our next stop was Radipole for the Ring-necked Duck, which has been here for awhile now. Unfortunately it was tucked in under the reeds to our left making it impossible to see. We did however find a Scaup which eagle-eyed Matt found in the margins to our right, which turned out to be Richard's 400th bird for his World List.
Close-by in the Radipole park we also had another Goldcrest and a Coal Tit.
Our next and last trip was to Lodmoor to see the Lesser Yellowlegs, but as luck would have it we arrived a few minutes to late and later we were told it had made its way to the hump, where it disappeared out of sight. We did however come across 30+ Snipe, lots of Teal, Bar-tailed Godwits, Lapwing, 2 Marsh Harriers and at least 3 Little Egrets.
So the day came to an end around 4:30pm and we ended up with 70 species, dipped on 4 by still managed to add a few to our personal lists. A great day and fantastic company.
Here are few images from our road trip around Portland and Weymouth:
...........A Woodcock did come off the sea and as Matt, Richard and myself watched it fly overhead, I was setting up the camera and ended up photographing this Snipe. I didn't even give it a second thought, as we'd seen the Woodcock, but not the Snipe which was on the same flight path. Many thanks to Martin Cade who messaged me to let me know my mistake. A real schoolboy error, I mean just look at those wings. Whoops!!!
The trip to Radipole was interesting. We were after the Ring-necked Duck and ended up with this Scaup spotted by Matt. A great find and a big hit with Richard, as this was his 400th bird on his World List.
Here's a list of the birds we recorded between 7:30am - 4:30pm: 1 Little Grebe, 20+ Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, 1 Greater Scaup, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 30+ Snipe, 1 Woodcock, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, 5 Black Redstart, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting. 70 Species
Also a Darter sp. at Radipole.
Today's Sightings Here.
It was only when we were sorting out our car park tickets, that a message came through on social media to say that the Pallid Swift was at Chesil Cove at 7:35am. So having paid for our car park tickets, it was a bit of no brainer and we set off to Chiswell without using our parking tickets. To cut a long 1hr 40min story, we didn't see it and it appears that it came out of its local roost and spent 5 minutes under the cliffs before heading off south.
Thinking it might have gone down as far as QinetiQ, where it was seen originally on Thursday, we took the decision to visit the Bill and walk along the West cliff. We parked up at the Obs and were rewarded with a Woodcock coming off the sea and flying up the island. This was followed by a Black Redstart in the Obs garden and then a Snipe which appeared to land in the grounds of QinetiQ. A cracking start.
Our walk from the Obs took us down to the Bill via the Quarry, and then up past QinetiQ and the Coastguard Lookout, before cutting back to Helen's Field, past Culverwell and then returning to the Obs. There was nothing of note in the Quarry, but at the Pulpit there were 5 Purple Sandpipers dodging the waves whilst in the grounds of QinetiQ we came across 4 Black Redstarts but not the Snipe. In the local fields there were a few Stonechat, lots of Skylarks and a few Redwing and Song Thrushes.
The paddocks just north of the Obs had a good number of Great Black-backed Gulls, probably a good 150 or more, plus a handful of Herring Gulls and 4 Oystercatchers.
Back at the Obs a couple of Goldcrests were calling and it was here that we heard that a Long-tailed Duck had been seen at Ferrybridge but had flown off to Pirates Cove. Oh dear that was two birds we dipped on by being at the wrong place at the wrong time, or not looking hard enough in my case for the Pallid Swift.
Our next stop was Radipole for the Ring-necked Duck, which has been here for awhile now. Unfortunately it was tucked in under the reeds to our left making it impossible to see. We did however find a Scaup which eagle-eyed Matt found in the margins to our right, which turned out to be Richard's 400th bird for his World List.
Close-by in the Radipole park we also had another Goldcrest and a Coal Tit.
Our next and last trip was to Lodmoor to see the Lesser Yellowlegs, but as luck would have it we arrived a few minutes to late and later we were told it had made its way to the hump, where it disappeared out of sight. We did however come across 30+ Snipe, lots of Teal, Bar-tailed Godwits, Lapwing, 2 Marsh Harriers and at least 3 Little Egrets.
So the day came to an end around 4:30pm and we ended up with 70 species, dipped on 4 by still managed to add a few to our personal lists. A great day and fantastic company.
Here are few images from our road trip around Portland and Weymouth:
My first Woodcock on Portland. Well it would have been had I not photographed the wrong bird.........
One of many Goldfinches around The Bill.
We counted at least 21 Lapwing today on Portland............
..........with a few like this individual heading out to sea.
There were really good numbers of Gannets off The Bill this morning.
I estimated 20+, but that could easily have been double that, with many birds further out to sea.
Always good to see the Purple Sandpipers at The Bill.
Today there were 5.
One of many Guillemots just off the shoreline.
In QinetiQ we had 4 Black Redstarts. This one was sheltering in a stack of pallets.
Whilst others.......
..........like this one preferred the open.
Though they all had to be careful, especially with one of local Peregrines on the prowl.
Not brilliant photos as I was looking into the sun.
This part of Radipole is best visited in the morning with sun behind you.
And another shot.
In the back ground a duck Shoveler
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
A Lapwing finds a tasty worm.
Lots of Snipe here. This one is having a good preen.
This Ruff has been here and at Radipole for several weeks now.
A drake Teal
One of many Mediterranean Gulls here at Lodmoor. This one is ringed.
And one of the two Marsh Harriers quartering the reserve.
And Matt and Richard. Great to see you guys again.
Here's a list of the birds we recorded between 7:30am - 4:30pm: 1 Little Grebe, 20+ Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, 1 Greater Scaup, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 30+ Snipe, 1 Woodcock, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, 5 Black Redstart, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting. 70 Species
Also a Darter sp. at Radipole.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2017Today's Sightings Here.