Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
We arrived and firstly scanned the car park as there were good numbers of Gull species still hanging around. A good few scans showed that the Franklin’s Gull wasn’t in the group but there were a couple of Mew Gull and good numbers of Mediterranean Gull in amongst the large numbers of Black-headed Gull and numerous European Herring Gull. We decided that we would come back later in the afternoon, as this is when it had been reported. We then went for the next bird, a Ring-necked Duck. The best place to view wasn’t in the reserve so we walked along the road to the tennis courts, where there is a viewing pontoon. Within a few minutes, the bird (a 1st winter Male) showed beautifully for a while and it came in very close. In fact, my best views of this species.
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| Ring-necked Duck (Male) |
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| Ring-necked Duck (Male) |
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| Ring-necked Duck (Male) |
With a report of the Pallid Swift we set off to take a look. This isn’t a lifer bird (so no pressure there) but it would constitute only my second UK record. We put an hour or so in with no luck. Sods law, the bird kept getting reported in the afternoon. Whilst we were staking the place out, there were 2 extremely distant Black Redstart that you could just pick out in the scope.
Portland Harbour, Dorset
We decided to have our packed lunch at the harbour and give it a Scan in the hope of a Grebe or Loon species but the best on offer were a few Red-breasted Merganser.
Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
It seemed rude not to stop here for a quick look and there had been a reported (Black) Brant Goose. On arrival, Pete got a close Female Black Redstart and a scan produced high numbers of Red-breasted Merganser. There were only 6 Brant Goose in view and not one was a (Black) Brant Goose
Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset
Next, we had a look for the Lesser Yellowlegs. An initial walk up the west side of the reserve failed to produce the bird but on the way back it had dropped in and was associating with a Ruff. I never tire of seeing Lesser Yellowlegs and got really enjoyable views. The Ruff was in odd plumage and was equally enjoyable
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| Lesser Yellowlegs |
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| Lesser Yellowlegs |
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| Lesser Yellowlegs |
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| Ruff |
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| Ruff |
Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
Late afternoon, we headed back for a final look for the Franklin’s Gull. Many Gulls kept dropping in and leaving. Again, a few Mew Gull and good numbers of Mediterranean Gull but sadly no lifer bird for me today.
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| Mew Gull |
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| Mediterranean Gull |
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| European Herring Gull |
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