19 Jan 19

Out and about

My first excursion into Weymouth this year and a quick visit to RSPB Radipole Lake by the tennis courts in Radipole Park Drive here

On the way there I passed The Fleet at Ferrybridge where there were at least 50 Dunlin and Brent Geese on the waters edge as the tide was coming in.

Main highlight had to be the drake Ring-necked Duck who looks in pristine condition. He was in this area here and gave me a couple of other birders fantastic views this afternoon.

Also here were a few ticks for my year list with Tufted Duck, Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Cetti's Warbler and Coal Tit.

Other birds noted were: Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

On the way home I passed the lagoon on my left here where there were at least 4 Mute Swans and Mallard, all new birds for my year list.

Here are a few images:

The drake Ring-necked Duck at Radipole Lake.

He's been here for a quite a few months now........

.......and frequents the "canal" along Radipole Park Drive

A busy duck continuously diving for food.

In comparison a drake Tufted Duck.

Here we have a drake Pochard. There were certainly a few of these on the water..........

........with several drakes chasing this female Pochard.

Wakeham

A very wet morning here on Portland, but despite the rain the islands one and only male Great Spotted Woodpecker visited the garden and was making short work of the peanuts on the feeders. Having been persuaded to leave the feeders by the resident Robin, Chaffinches and Great Tits, it flew up onto the Cherry Tree and started to chip away at the bark.

Apologies for the poor quality images and video all taken in very poor light conditions.
The male Great Spotted Woodpecker on the Cherry Tree.

And though not obvious here, he's actually feeding on the peanuts in the cage behind the suet balls and Sunflower hearts.

After being mobbed by the "resident" Robin, Great Tits and Chaffinches it gave up feeding on the peanuts and flew back onto the Cherry tree.


Only the second ever visit to the garden since May 2017.

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On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here