An afternoon spent at a very gloomy Lodmoor Reserve today. After the past few sunny days it was a big disappointment to see the fog lift but no sun.
However it wasn't all gloom and doom as I managed to add a few more birds to my ever growing list of bird species for this year. I still haven't managed to nail a Yellow-browed Warbler, with Lodmoor being one of the the 3 different locations to have had one this Winter. The best possible location being Bincleaves (north of Portland Harbour), which I will leave for another day.
My 100th species for the year was a Spoonbill. In fact there were 4 birds here, an individual and 3 others. The next species was a Reed Bunting and despite visiting Radipole and Lodmoor once each already this year, it was only today that I managed to see and hear at least 12 birds. The next species was Canada Goose with 5 heard and then seen taking off in the centre of the Reserve. Next one was a Water Rail, which squealed right next to me when I was trying to imitate a Chiffchaff calling. Later I came across another one out in the open. The fifth new species was the 'resident' Lesser Yellowleg, which I missed last time I was here and the final new species today was a Kingfisher, with a flash of that iridescent blue as it took off close to me and flew across one of the lagoons.
Here are a few images from today.
Its not often Water Rails will come out into the open, so today was a case of being in the right place at the right time.
However it wasn't all gloom and doom as I managed to add a few more birds to my ever growing list of bird species for this year. I still haven't managed to nail a Yellow-browed Warbler, with Lodmoor being one of the the 3 different locations to have had one this Winter. The best possible location being Bincleaves (north of Portland Harbour), which I will leave for another day.
My 100th species for the year was a Spoonbill. In fact there were 4 birds here, an individual and 3 others. The next species was a Reed Bunting and despite visiting Radipole and Lodmoor once each already this year, it was only today that I managed to see and hear at least 12 birds. The next species was Canada Goose with 5 heard and then seen taking off in the centre of the Reserve. Next one was a Water Rail, which squealed right next to me when I was trying to imitate a Chiffchaff calling. Later I came across another one out in the open. The fifth new species was the 'resident' Lesser Yellowleg, which I missed last time I was here and the final new species today was a Kingfisher, with a flash of that iridescent blue as it took off close to me and flew across one of the lagoons.
Here are a few images from today.
When I passed by this section of reeds early on there was this Snipe feeding away. When I came back....
...........the Lesser Yellowlegs was occupying the same spot.
Behind the Lesser Yellowlegs two drake Teal sleeping.
Several Black-tailed Godwits here as usual. This one has decided to rest up.
Great to see a Spoonbill here. In fact there were........
.......3 others here as well.
Two Shelducks sifting through the mud.
A 1st Winter Grey Heron making sure its feathers are all in the right place.
A Lapwing on the mudflat.........
........and here many more plus gulls and Starlings.
A male Reed Bunting singing away. Spring is around the corner.
Birds Recorded: Cormorant, Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 4 Spoonbill, 5 Canada Geese, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, 2 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 400+ Lapwing, 12+ Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wren, Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, 2 Bullfinch and 12+ Reed Bunting.
Portland Marina and Hamm Beach
Early this morning 1 Chiffchaff in the Marina and just off Hamm Beach a pair of Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Black-necked Grebes.
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here