No Savi’s Warbler

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
Me and my mate Pete had a trip to Dorset today. We popped here first in the pouring rain in the hope of a Little Tern. No joy and there was nothing else on offer.

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
We moved here to get some shelter at the bandstand. On arrival we were treated to really nice views of a Male Northern Wheatear in the car park. A look on the first scrape gave us our first of the year Common Tern with 2 individuals. Not a lot else on offer except 2 Common Snipe, a few Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Sandpiper. However, as we were in the car park about to leave I picked out a strange call and got on to a Hirundine type bird as it flew straight over head and was able to confirm a Red-rumped Swallow. I was very pleased with myself for getting that firstly on call. It didn’t seem to stick around as it kept going north at pace.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
We had a look here for the Savi’s Warbler but the weather was atrocious and we struck out even after staking out the bandstand area (we were informed this was the best place) We were treated to 2 Western Marsh Harrier, plenty of Eurasian Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. As we had a cuppa in the visitors centre another Common Sandpiper was pottering about on the island.

Portland Harbour, Dorset
We popped here as we were tired of the rain and it’s got decent shelter in the right conditions. It was nice to take a breather from the wind and rain but all that was on offer were 2 Common Sandpiper. This species seemed to turn up everywhere today. Although the weather was clearing up we both decided that we had had enough of feeling soaked through so headed home.