Today was my last day here in Weymouth & Portland, & I couldn't have asked for a sweeter end to a brilliant week. During this morning's circuit of Lodmoor, I heard an unusual ticking call, waited, watched, then this stunning little Bearded tit popped up right in front of me. Magic! #DorsetBirding
During this morning's Lodmoor circuit I finally found Snipe, first one, then a second one appeared. I've been looking for them for ages so was really pleased to see these. Then, later, at Radipole, I spotted a Water rail, well hidden in the reed beds. #DorsetBirding
Drama at Lodmoor this morning: 3 Black-tailed godwits were feeding when another flew in, looking for a fight - no idea why - but 2 of them really went at it, beaks & claws & flapping wings. The interloper flew off, then came back for a second go. A selection of many pics I took. #DorsetBirding
Another wonderful day wandering Portland. As well as many other wonderful birds, today was all about Wheatears: 3 at Ferrybridge, 3 around the heliport at Portland Castle, 5 in just one of the horse fields near the Bill, & 1 at the Bill while I ate my lunch. Sure there were many more #DorsetBirding
As you may have guessed from my earlier lighthouse post, I wandered the fields & clifftops on Portland this afternoon, watching Gannets diving, Razorbills (maybe) flying out & Guillemots (maybe) & a Shag also working the shoals, &, of course, said hello to the Obs quarry Little owl. #DorsetBirding
A wonderful day's birding: at Lodmoor this morning a Cetti's warbler posed well for me; the Black-tailed godwits were closer & looking stunning; one of the many singing Chiffchaffs also posed well; & my first Little ringed plovers in many years. #DorsetBirding
A brilliant blue-sky day but the cool wind was relentless & very unpleasant. A Lodmoor circuit first thing, a wander around part of Portland, a circuit of Radipole to finish. Best: the many handsome Greenfinch songsters & 3 Black-tailed godwits at Lodmoor. #Birds #DorsetBirding
Today's best birding was at Ferrybridge, especially once the sun appeared, though a stiff southerly kept things chilly. Skylark song filled the air, I saw my first Wheatear, Stonechats popped up in the shrubs & a single Dark-bellied Brent was just off Hamm Beach. #birds #DorsetBirding
Oh the joys of identifying distant birds! In Portland Harbour today, possible Black-throated diver (white flank patch), maybe one of the Black-necked grebes reported today, male & female Red-breasted merganser, & late afternoon drake Pintail at Lodmoor. #DorsetBirding
NFY: Dark-bellied Brent geese feeding on the flooded pools at Chesil Beach this morning. #DorsetBirding
A wonderful bird-filled day. Two Marsh harriers were new for the year & I lingered long to watch them & all the other birds, including this Shelduck pair & a large flock of Siskin. #DorsetBirding
A drake mallard swimming into the winter light across blue water.
Absolute #serenity in Dorset as this mallard swims into the winter light.
#birdoftheday #birds #ukwildlife #nature #art #naturephotography #ukbirding #dorsetbirding
Desert Wheatear still by Bridging Camp 1.20pm favouring dung heaps by footpath and showing v well. Also Black Redstart. #dorsetbirding
Has there been any sightings of the Baikal Teal today? Anyone looked?
#DorsetBirding #RareBirds
Thanks
Almost constant drizzle till early af'noon meant birding rather than butterflies, the a.m. at Radipole - juvenile Reed (& Sedge) warblers, p.m. at Lodmoor again - Little terns with the Commons; distant Marsh harrier causing panic; a Cattle egret with its taller cousins. #DorsetBirding #UKBirding
Considering it's the summer holidays, today's train journey was much better than expected & this afternoon's walk around Lodmoor was brilliant. Greenshank NFY, as were the 2 Wood sandpipers & 2 Bearded tits (distant, record shot only) & my closest views of GW egret. #DorsetBirding #UKBirding
Yesterday's photos weren't all rubbish: spent more time watching the Common terns at Lodmoor; House martins seem late getting started with nest building; this young Collared dove was sitting on a beach hut roof; & 1 of the many Reed warblers at Radipole. #DorsetBirding #UKBirding
A fab day in Weymouth! Got some really rubbish photos of some really amazing wildlife: very distant Great white egret at Lodmoor; Marbled white in Lorton Meadows; my 1st Norfolk hawker & 1 of 2 Marsh Harriers at Radipole. No photo at all of the Hobby, also at Radipole. #DorsetBirding #DorsetWildlife
I had a fantastic day out at RSPB Arne. Excellent views of Forster's Tern, Sandwich Terns, Spoonbill, Osprey, 3 Goshawk, 3 White-tailed Eagles, Swallow in off, Dartford Warbler and sunshine. Forster's Tern image by @dawnbirder.bsky.social. Shipstal Point - what a place! #ukbirding #dorsetbirding
Great record. Ensure you submit the record to your county recorder through the usual channels
#Dorsetbirding
2 Long-tailed Ducks still at Abbotsbury Swannery viewable from New Barn Road 11.50am. #dorsetbirding
Small group of Mediterranean Gulls at Lodmoor earlier in the week. I can remember scanning through large flocks of Black-headed Gull just to find one Med for the year list now at times it almost the opposite. #DorsetBirding
White-tailed Eagle against blue sky. Bird is small in image, almost a silhouette, gliding with wings relaxed.
@bexbirder.bsky.social kindly rang earlier with news that a White-tailed Eagle was over Cogden.
Sady I was at home, decorating.
30 mins later I hear local HGs alarming, but unexcitedly, like when a Buzzard goes over.
Not a Buzzard!
Not even a garden tick.
The times we live in... 🫤
#DorsetBirding
This blog post prompted by a Q re what settings I use on my Nikon P950. I am a big fan of uncomplicated, so I hope this may be useful to anyone else who uses this great little camera for birdy pics.
Also includes a few recent birds...
#DorsetBirding
A ‘heard only’ Yellow-browed Warbler again in the Swannery withy-bed this lunchtime. The first since the 15th. It may be a very good year for them (none here last year) but they’re proving a lot harder to actually spot! 🙄 @joestockwell.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #Dorsetbirding
Juv. Black Tern for 10 mins or so, at around 2.30, over the Swannery embayment, then flew off down the Fleet. @joestockwell.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #Dorsetbirding
Still at least 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in the lower Swannery grounds this morning. Not a lot else so far, bar hundreds of duck in the embayment. @joestockwell.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#Dorsetbirding
At least one Yellow-browed Warbler calling in the Swannery grounds lunchtime. Otherwise singles of Whinchat & Sedge Warbler the best of the few migrant passerines. @joestockwell.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #Dorsetbirding
3 Wigeon
Small Grass Snake
3 Wigeon on the flooded Dorset patch this morning. Also a Grass Snake underneath a reptile sheet. Just a single Swallow & 2 House Martin noted today. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirding #Dorsetbirding #UKreptiles
