It was my first visit to Lodmoor this year, and it turned out to be a very wet and windy one. I had hoped to see the the Lesser Yellow-legs and Ruff, but with the water levels quite high, neither were seen here. Most likely they were both in the lagoons around the North Hide at Radipole.
However it was still a worthwhile trip, with several new species to add to my year list which were: Little Grebe, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Lapwing, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit.
Other highlights were hundreds of Lapwings and Starlings spread out on the few remaining mudflats. Every so often they would take off and fill the sky, before coming back down to land. Before I arrived I was informed by another birder that a Peregrine had been around, but had since moved on. Unfortunately the Lapwings and Starlings had been spooked so much by its presence that any large bird passing overhead was enough to set them off. And this proved to be the case as a Marsh Harrier passed over them and sent them all sky bound.
On my circuit I came across 2 Chiffchaffs, a small party of Long-tailed Tits, 3 Goldcrests and a small flock of Greenfinches. Sadly I dipped on Bullfinch and Reed Bunting, both of which are normally tickable birds here.
Not to many waders about, on account of the high water level but I still managed to record 8 Dunlin and 20+ Black-tailed Godwit. Also hiding in the reeds were a few Snipe.
The gull colony today consisted mainly of 100+ Black-headed Gulls, with a smattering of Mediterranean Gulls in amongst them. Just 3 Common Gulls seen, a few Herring Gulls and the obligatory Great Black-backed Gulls. There's always a couple hanging around.
On my way back home I called in briefly at the Swannery Car Park, Radipole and in amongst the 100 or so gulls were 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. My first for the year.
Here are a few photos and a couple of videos from a very wet and dull afternoon:
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve sits in the Lorton Valley Nature Park
You would be very unlucky not to see a Marsh Harrier or two here.
This individual was certainly causing a commotion with.................
..........these Lapwings and Starlings as it passed overhead.
A pair of Little Grebes.
A few of the 100 or so Starlings come in for a wash. In amongst them a couple of Coots, a Moorhen and in the background you can just make Lapwings calling.
Starlings, a Moorhen and from left to right a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Black-headed Gulls.
In amongst the Black-headed Gulls a Common Gull.
A Grey Heron cowers in the howling gale.
A few of The Black-tailed Godwits feeding in the shallows.
I think you can safely say these 3 Black-tailed Godwits are preening. Quite comical really!!
Two Snipe keep well hidden in the reeds.
A few of the Black-tailed Godwits and Teal here this afternoon.
Birds Recorded: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, 20+ Pochard, 2 Marsh Harrier, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, 400+ Lapwing, Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 200+ Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
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On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here