On my way back from a shopping trip in Weymouth, I stopped off at Ferrybridge to see if there was anything about before the sandbanks were covered by the incoming tide.
There were a few Oystercatchers, a Curlew (my first for the year) and lots of Mediterranean Gulls, but not a single Dunlin or Ringed Plover.
Also along the edge of The Fleet was a Kestrel attempting to catch something in the long grass. After 4 failed attempts it flew off to another spot. On the way back to the car a Chiffchaff was in the brambles next to the Crab House Cafe.
Birds Recorded:
Cormorant
Cormorant
1 Kestrel
7 Oystercatcher
1 Curlew
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
1 Chiffchaff
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Starling
On the sandbank a lone Cormorant sitting in amongst Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls
Three Oystercatchers in flight.
I've not be able to get this close to Curlews before.
Whimbrels seem less inclined to fly off, but today I was in luck as..........
.........this Curlew let me get fairly close, as it searched the seaweed for a snack.
An adult Black-headed Gull in Winter plumage
Ted:
This wasn't one of my brightest ideas as it was quite muddy and you can tell by Ted's tummy.
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Wakeham
I put the Trail Camera out last night, overlooking a bowl of food for the local Hedgehogs. A check of the 42 videos, triggered by the motion sensor, revealed around 15 Red Slugs in the food bowl. Other visitors were 2 cats and a Brown Rat. Not at the same time I might add.
During the morning a Grey Squirrel was videoed feeding on the fallen grain from the feeders. It wasn't interested in the Hedgehog food.
For the second day running a Chiffchaff appeared in the Buddleia next to the feeders.
Mammals Recorded:
Grey Squirrel
Brown Rat
Grey Squirrel
Brown Rat
This is only the second time I have seen a Grey Squirrel in the garden
Birds Recorded:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
1 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
Goldfinch
Amphibians Recorded:
Frog
Butterflies Recorded:
Small White
Bees Recorded:
Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum)
Hoverflies Recorded:
Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
Slugs and Snails Recorded:
20+ Large Red Slug (Arion ater)