Port and Wey: 30 Mar 25

Lodmoor RSPB Reserve

After a quick visit to Weymouth Hospital, for an X-Ray on my left hand to see how bad the Osteoarthritis is, I visited Lodmoor RSPB Reserve for a couple of hours.

A lot had changed since my last visit here, this time there were a lot fewer birds than before, which to some extent made it easier to see what was about.

Main highlights today were a Great White Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 32 Black-tailed Godwit, a Redshank and my first Greenshank of the year.

Also about were a good 10+ Chiffchaff, with several singing. No sign of any Willow Warblers or Blackcaps.

Birds Recorded:
1 Great White Egret
5 Little Egret
1 Grey Heron
2 Mute Swan
4 Canada Goose
12 Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
1 Buzzard
1 Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Coot
6 Oystercatcher
32 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Redshank
1 Greenshank
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
10+ Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Greenfinch

The cob Mute Swan makes its way towards me. Sorry no food today.

A few of the 12 or so Shelduck on the reserve. There was no sign of the Ruddy Shelduck x Common Shelduck hybrid from my last visit. According other birders it has been visiting the reserve on and off.

Drake Shovelers with a female hidden far right.

This male Marsh Harrier was causing havoc as it flew over the reedbeds, especially with the Black-tailed Godwits and shanks.

An Oystercatcher in flight.

And two more close to the path.

There were I think about 32 Black-tailed Godwits stood in the shallows.

When the Marsh Harrier flew past they all took off.

When they landed it was all hands on to put those feathers back in place.

Red left and a Green right. Two shanks a Redshank and Greenshank. The latter new for year.

The same photograph as above but enlarged a bit a bit more.

And a video of them both together.

One of many Chiffchaffs on the reserve.

Butterflies Recorded:

2 Brimstone

1 Peacock

A Peacock. There were also two Brimstones about, but neither landed.

Bees Recorded:

4 Buff-tailed Bumblebees

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Lower Horse Paddock, Higher Horse Paddock, Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Bumpers Lane.

I was up with the sparrows this morning, but disappointingly there wasn't much about. Only highlights were the large number of Buff-tailed Bumblebees about, especially down Broadcroft Quarry Lane where the Wild Cherry and Sallow flowers were soaking up the morning sun.

Birds Recorded:
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
Goldfinch
6 Greenfinch

A Collared Dove picks up a bit of nesting material and......

...........then decides looking for food is more important.

Escapees, Ferals, Possibles Etc.
Feral pigeon

Bees Recorded:
20+ Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
10+ Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

A Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) on a Sallow. Around its head are several mites which it was trying to brush off. The mites are harmless to bumblebees and are nothing but an annoyance. More on this here.