Church Ope Cove
A lot of drizzle about this afternoon, so it was a quick walk down to the cove to see what was about. Both the Stonechat and Black Redstart were here and in fact were together in the middle of the beach for a short spell before they were spooked by Joe Public. The Stonechat made its way up to Penns Weare and the Black Redstart went back to its usual spot under the north cliff.
Despite the rain there were quite a few people on the beach and there ended up being two flocks of Rock Pipits, one of 9 and the other 7. No sign of the wagtails and only 2 Wrens recorded.
Here are a few photos:
The overwintering Black Redstart in its usual spot under the north cliff, until today that is......
.........This is the first time I've seen it in the middle of the beach......
.......and today it was tagging along with the overwintering Stonechat
Here they are together in the middle of the beach.
And another shot.
One of the 16 Rock Pipits here today.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 17 Rock Pipit, Carrion Crow, Wren, 1 Stonechat, Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird and Great Tit.
Radipole Nature Reserve
Having dropped Dawn off at work, I headed off to Radipole and around the Buddleia Loop in the hope of seeing the Penduline Tit. I wasn't too hopefully as it wasn't seen yesterday and in fact that proved to be the case again today. I did however hear at least 3 small flocks of Bearded Tits and actually got to see one ripping the seeds out of a Bulrush.
The main highlight though had to be the huge flocks of Lapwing which must have been dispersed from Lodmoor. There were hundreds and in amongst them were 1 Dunlin and a good 20+ Snipe. For a good hour or so they just circled over Radipole.
Also here were a few noisy Cetti's Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs. A Peregrine did attempt to fly over the reserve, but turned and headed back towards the sea front, and there was also a single Marsh Harrier quartering the reed beds to the north.
Here are a few images from this morning:
Hundreds of Lapwings over the reserve this morning.
As they huge flock became fragmented a few came into land by the North Screen........
.........before changing their minds and heading off again.
Spot the Dunlin in the middle of the Lapwings.
And here we have 10 of the 20+ Snipe flying around the reserve.
My one and only visible Bearded Tit, ripping seeds out of the Bulrush.
Just few of the Herring Gulls on the open water.
And 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.
There were a few very vocal Wrens in the reed beds.
A Blue Tit poses for the camera.
Its not often you get to see a Cetti's Warbler. 99.9% of the time you hear them.
An unusual plant just coming into bloom along the pathways. One to ID.
Birds Recorded: Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, 300+ Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 20+ Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Starling, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, 3 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Bearded Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting.
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On this day..........
2017Today's Sightings Here