It was groom time for Ted and Benji today in Weymouth. So after I dropped them off this morning I spent a good 3 hours walking around the RSPB Reserve at Radipole. The walk was excellent, which is more than I can say for the weather, which started off dry and cloudy but ended in drizzle.
I started off at the North Screen where there were 3 Roe Deer feeding just behind the pools to the north. Also here were 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, dozens of Teal and a Little Egret. In the reed beds were at least 2 parties of Bearded Tits, a few Reed Buntings and a couple of squealing Water Rail.
Next stop was the Buddleia Loop and once again I came across another small flock of Bearded Tits close to the bridge Here. Around the loop were more Water Rail calling and also a couple of Cetti's Warblers. On the water Here, were lots of Gadwall, a few Pochard and a dozen or so Tufted Duck.
From the Loop I made my way up to the Visitors Centre and passed another 2 parties of Bearded Tits. At the centre there were the usual gulls, mostly Black-headed Gulls & Herring Gulls plus 1 Mediterranean Gull. Oddly though, there were no Common Gulls. As I was watching the gulls from the bridge, 3 Bearded Tits landed on the Phragmites right in front of me.
Here are a few Bearded Tit videos and photos from today:
Marsh Harrier No 1
Marsh Harrier No 2
Marsh Harrier No 3
And a 3CY Mediterranean Gull
One of the 3 Roe Deer just north of the North screen this morning.
Mammals Recorded: 3 Roe Deer
Birds Recorded: Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, 3 Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting