Whiskered Tern

Swannery, Abbotsbury, Dorset 

Whiskered Tern is a bird I've missed on 3 occasions which really is a bitter pill to Swallow. So the fact that the individual at the swannery has hung around for a number of days now was to tempting to pass up. So after work today I set off in hope. I arrived to hear that the bird had flown off. Wad this to be dip number 4? But after 5 minutes I caught sight of the bird coming in from the right and past the hide and out of sight. OK, I've seen it but I want more I thought. After another few minutes the bird popped back into the lagoon and gave stonking close views. I was too awe struck to even think of photos as I enjoyed close scope views and watched it move further out of the lagoon. Perhaps I should invest in a camera? Also on site were a number of Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and a Black Swan. 

On the walk back to the beach car park (I didn't pay much attention on the way out) were 2 Northern Wheatear, 2 Eurasian Reed Bunting, and 2 Common Reed Warbler. I did think about going for the Tawny Pipit at Cogden but I was pushed for time and as much as it's a cracking bird, I have seen a few before. 

European Nightjar

Exmouth Seafront, Devon
We went for a family walk and it was nice to finally catch up with a Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.

Beacon Fire Hill, Devon 2nd June
I took a walk around in the evening and saw a single male Dartford Warbler. Also on site were 2 Tree Pipit, 2 European Nightjar a few European Stonechat and Yellowhammer.

European Stonechat (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male) 

Yarner Wood, Devon 2nd June
One evening I went for a quick walk but didnt see much. However, a Male European Pied Flycatcher was a pleasant sight.

Tipton St John, Devon 30th May
I was alerted to a Marsh Warbler so it was rude not to make the 8 minute drive to take a look. I was asked not to blog it but the news is now out that it had moved on after a few days. I have seen one before but the views this gave were incredible.

Marsh Warbler

Marsh Warbler

Arctic Tern

Exmouth Quay, Devon
A quick evening look before dusk on a dropping tide. On Great Bull Hill, in amongst good numbers of Sandwich Tern were around 10 Common Tern and a single Arctic Tern. On Warren Point were around 20 Common Ringed Plover, similar numbers of Dunlin and 4 Sanderling.

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.

Berry Head Sea Watching

Berry Head, Brixham, Devon
I had a few hours sea watching today. I went with my mate who at present is unable to make the trek back up the quarry. So I spent an hour from the headland and an hour from the sea watching site. On the headland conditions where awful but down on the sea watching area was more productive. On arriving a cracking Sooty Shearwater showed incredibly close. 4 Balearic Shearwater and a couple of Manx Shearwater also came through. 1 Great Skua and 3 Parasitic Jaeger put in an appearance but a few more Parasitic Jaeger were called out but I failed to get on them in the gloom. A European Storm Petrel was called and lost as soon as called. Frustrating but that’s the nature of that species. It is hard to pick out a Starling size bird in gloomy conditions at distance. Supporting cast were a couple of Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and Mediterranean Gull, Several Northern Fulmar, a raft of Black-legged Kittiwake and a number of Northern Gannet. No photos today due to weather conditions. I got rather wet is an understatement and a warm cuppa in the cafe was very welcome.

Spotted Crake

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I got new of a Spotted Crake that was showing rather well on the Otter Estuary from the hide. I just managed to time the trip there to avoid high tide and obtained distant yet great scope views. This is only my second individual after seeing one at Bowling Green Marsh in 2014. Which were the briefest and worst views imaginable. So to finally get to enjoy this species was amazing! I managed a couple of really awful record shots.

Spotted Crake 

Spotted Crake 

Shelley Beach and the Quay, Exmouth, Devon 
I quickly moved on to see if I could catch any Terns on Great Bull Hill. There was only a bit of it showing but enough to hold some Terns. No Black Tern on show but a number of Sandwich Tern and a few Common Tern. A pair of Ruddy Turnstone were resting on one of the drum shaped Bouys and on the seaward side of the Warren spit were a dozen or so Common Ringed Plover.

Shelley Beach Terns

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 
I had a spare hour this afternoon, which coincided with the receding tide so I popped to Shelley Beach in the hope of some Terns. There were a circa 30 Sandwich Tern and 10 Common Tern on what had started to show of Great Bull Hill. I was hoping that the Juvenile Black Tern that’s been around whilst I’ve been out of the country would put in an appearance but I was out of luck. There were also a few Mediterranean Gull in amongst the regular Gull species.

Exmouth Forest School, Devon
After my look off Shelley Beach I had to pick up my youngest from a party at the Exmouth Forest School. Whilst there, this huge Wasp species was flying around and landed briefly. Not a very good photo but I believe it is a Giant Horntail. Open to suggestions if I’m wrong. It was a brute of a thing at around 4cm in length.

Giant Horntail ?

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 
I had another look this evening and managed to see the Juvenile Black Tern briefly set down on Great Bull Hill with 4 Common Tern. None of the Terns hung around long (no more than a minute) and they set off up river.

Dorset Tree Sparrow And A Self Found Black Redstart

Portland Bill, Dorset  
Me and my mate Pete had a day in Dorset today. Our first stop was the bird obs to get the lowdown on the reported Eurasian Tree Sparrow. I had seen on yesterdays blog that there were 2 but today there was an increase to 3 birds. We were advised that the obs quarry was the best place to look. We had brief flight views of 2 individuals but an hour or so stake out didn’t produce any other views. The Little Owl was playing ball either so we decided to head off. We had parked near the Pulpit Inn and on the way back I was pleased to self find a Black Redstart. A rather showy bird and we enjoyed prolonged views of the bird. We popped in to the obs to ensure it made the day list and headed off.

Black Redstart 

Meadow Pipit  

Common Linnet

Red Hot Poker    

Wild Celery     

English Stonecrop      

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset 
Next stop was to take in the Little Terns and they didn’t disappoint. I was impressed with the numbers too. I’ve visited this site for a few years now and today’s tally was the highest I can recall there. Let’s hope their breeding season is a success.

Little Tern    

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset 
This was our last site and the target species was Bearded Reedling. On arrival we stopped in the visitor centre for some food and refreshments. As ever we both still had our bins to hand and were glad we did as there was a 2 cycle Yellow-legged Gull on one of the posts in the lagoon. It didn’t hang around too long though. We also enjoyed close views of a Common Tern feeding. There were good numbers of Common Swift, Barn Swallow and Common House Martin with a couple of Sand Martin thrown into the mix. Around the reserve were lots of Eurasian Reed Warbler and several Cetti’s Warbler.

Domestic Duck   

Eurasian Coot and young   

Great Crested Grebe      

European Greenfinch    

Yellow Flag Iris   

Heracleum moellendorffii 

Add caption

Both Whitethroats In One Day

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I spent a little over an hour on site this morning from 7:20 to 8:30. Birding was a tad more rewarding today with at least 3 Common Whitethroat. There may have been a forth but I couldn’t be sure as 2 birds in particularly were rather mobile and ranging around the top orchid field and coastal path whilst 1 bird was routed to the vegetation in the north east corner of the same field but I seemed to be getting 4 lots of song. In the electric fence field was a smart Male Northern Wheatear and a Female Common Kestrel stopped for a moment. A look around the dung field and possibly the same Male Northern Wheatear along with a Female were on offer. Also in the dung field were the 2 White Wagtail.

Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat

Common Kestrel (Female)

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Northern Wheatear (Female)

White Wagtail

Northern Wheatear (Female)

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After work I was again drawn to the otter. I was pleased I did as there was a cracking Lesser Whitethroat on show near the white bridge. I enjoyed close prolonged views of a bird I don’t see to often.

Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Exmouth Seafront, Devon 
A Text from Matt Knott alerted me to some Little Tern active on Exmouth seafront. I quickly headed off in pursuit. I arrived (around halfway along the seafront) just as Matt and Nick were leaving but they quickly gave me the low down on the birds. I was very quickly joined by Dave Stone and we both eagerly scanned the sea. There were some Sandwich Tern on offer along with a few Northern Gannet. We couldn’t however locate the birds we were hoping to see. I then picked out a smaller Tern on a sand bar that had appeared whilst waiting. It was distant but eventually I called it as a Common Tern and both Dave and myself were happy it was. Dave was happier as it was his first of the year. With no luck on the Little Tern I relocated to the Quay in the hope they had settled on Great Bull Hill or Warren Point but again there was no sign. Thanks as ever to Matt for the alert.

Some Great Stuff In Dorset

Me and my good pal Pete had a road trip to Dorset today in search of that star Spring migration bird.

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
Our first stop off was the lagoon at Ferrybridge in search of Little Tern. We scoped every boat, buoy and the shingle beach opposite but couldn't locate any Little Tern. Its very strange as they are usually in on the 19th like clockwork. I only know that date as I spoke to an RSPB person on site last year. There was however a single Common Tern and several Sandwich Tern to keep us occupied.

Common Tern 

Sandwich Tern

The Bill, Portland, Dorset
We moved on to the observatory to pop in and ask the low down of the morning. on arrival we noticed a group of birders opposite the observatory and looking in to the crown estate field. So we immediately went over to see what they were all looking at. Steph Murphy and her other half were there (Sorry I cannot recall his name) and we were told that Whinchat was the answer. The bird however was very distant. I got scope views but they were rather shocking. Someone also mentioned that there was Common Redstart in the same area. After a quick catch up with Steph and co we decided to relocate to the free car parking area near the cottage and look from there. We were glad we did as we got close views of the Whinchat, a Male and Female Common Redstart, several Northern Wheatear (mainly Males but a few Females) and a fly through Common Swift.

We then walked across the slope field to the Auk colony. on route were a few Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet, Eurasian Skylark and a nice Tree Pipit. The Auks showed nicely at times, mainly Common Murre but a few Razorbill were on offer too. A single Northern Fulmar patrolled the cliffs and a single Northern Gannet was feeding in the distance.

I fancied a look in the quarry before moving on and on the way back across the slope fields a Eurasian Skylark gave nice views whilst feeding. It was lovely to enjoy these views as I normally only get fleeting flybys or display flight views. We got to the quarry and searched a little while but there was no sign of the Little Owl. There was actually very little in the quarry, with a Common Chiffchaff and a Common Wood Pigeon being the only birds in there. I was hoping for a Common Whitethroat as its a prime stop off location for a tired bird but no joy.

Whinchat (Male)

Whinchat (Male) 

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Northern Wheatear (Female) 

Common Redstart (Male)

Common Murre 

Razorbill

Razorbill 

European Shag

European Shag 

Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
Our last stop in Dorset. we hoped that the weather would favour Bearded Reedling. After having slowly completed the Budleia Loop we had struck out. The best bird being seen was a Cetti's Warbler. on the way back and on the bridge near the visitors centre we both started hearing a Warbler sing. First impressions were a Eurasian Reed Warbler but the song changed. I fully appreciate that Reed Warbler species can mimic but this bird was amazing! I picked out Blue Tit, Chaffinch and House Sparrow within the first round of singing. The call changed and changed, it was quite amazing! Now my understanding is that Marsh Warbler are the more talented singers, so I was hoping this bird would revel itself. Needless to say it didn't. Shame as I would have loved to see the bird making such mesmerising tunes. Other wildlife of note were in the variety of Butterflies. The following species where seen. Brimstone, Peacock, Small White and Large White.

A Day Out In Dorset

I had a well earned day off today so decided to have a look around Portland and Weymouth.

Portland Harbour, Dorset
I stopped here first in the hope of some Grebes or Loons but was a tad disappointed with what was on offer. The only species that made the note book were a solitary Sandwich Tern and a few Red-breasted Merganser.

Sandwich Tern

Red-breasted Merganser (Male)

Reap Lane, Portland, Dorset
My next stop was a look for the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat. Again there wasn’t a lot on offer except for 2 fly through Barn Swallow and the usual House Sparrow and Common Starling.

Chesil Cove, Portland, Dorset
With the brisk South Easterly winds, I thought this sheltered side of the island would be a good place to check out. I wasn’t wrong either as I got on to a Male and Female Garganey sat close in on the sea. My first of the year and always a pleasure to see. Also around were a small flock of Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill, a few Common Murre and Northern Gannet.

Garganey (Male and Female)

Garganey (Male and Female)

Garganey (Male and Female)

Garganey (Male and Female)

Common Scoter 

Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth, Dorset 
I popped here quickly in the hope of a Red-necked Grebe that’s been seen off there a few times but again my luck was out. This was open to the winds so everything was obviously sheltering elsewhere.

Lodmoor Reserve, Weymouth, Dorset
Next, Lodmoor. This reserve is great for its Common Tern colony and Marsh Harrier. Today both were on offer. The Common Tern have only just started to arrive, so I only managed 2 birds in flight on arrival. They did a short circle around then headed off to sea. The Marsh Harrier, however put in a much better performance. With a Male and Female hunting quite close. There wasn’t much else of real note.

Tufted Duck (Male and Female)

Black-headed Gull 

Marsh Harrier (Male)

Eurasian Coot

Radipole Lake Reserve, Weymouth, Dorset

This was probably the most productive part of the day for me. 15 Common Pochard, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Eurasian Reed Warbler, lots of Common Chiffchaff and best of all a Siberian Chiffchaff. The Siberian Chiffchaff was on the Budleia Loop near the shelter / viewing platform. It called and showed beautifully at times. However, frustratingly couldn’t get that decent photo. Every time I got it in my sights, someone with either Dogs or Kids came round the corner. Don’t get me wrong, I have 3 kids myself. So I appreciate it’s great to be out with them and enjoying the wildlife. I’m also not totally against Dogs but do hate ones that aren’t controlled in the correct manner (there were some examples of this today). I’m not going to rant and I appreciate people that read this will have dogs but at a wildlife reserve, they surely have to be controlled?

Grey Heron

Rock / Feral Pigeon

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
On the way home I had a very brief stop off (to stretch my legs) very little on the lagoon so I headed back to the car. I was greeted by the friendliest European Robin I have ever come across. It came with 2 feet of me and I think if I had any food on me it would have fed from my hand.

                     "Give us a lift mate!"                                                                

European Robin

"Got any grub?"

European Robin  

European Robin

European Robin

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 
As I was leaving Black Hole Marsh, I received a call from Terry Smith to say he had just got an Osprey on the Exe. So I knew I could get there and manage about 30 minutes to check it out.  Based on what Terry had told me, I decided to pitch up at Mudbank Lane. I scoped the Estuary over and over but didn’t see it. Thank for the call though Terry and a nice sighting. The