Surfer Dudes

Believe it or not, I have actually put in a bit of effort on patch in the last two and a half weeks, despite weather that included this.

 

Even though it was followed by this.

I've managed to find just two year ticks for the patch in this time, with a Knot over Ferrybridge one morning, and a male Common Scoter in the harbour.

There have been a few other interesting sightings on Portland, that have included summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe, a flock of 8 Pintail past the Bill, lots of Rook in-off the sea on one morning, a Firecrest at the Hump, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose (plus this pale-flanked dark-bellied or intergrade, which quite possibly explains an odd report of a Black Brant)...

 

 ....the Black Redstart at Portland Castle, and the Black Guillemot still there too.  I challenge you not to giggle at the bird playing hide and seek with a Herring Gull here!

As always of course, Red-breasted Merganser are present, but I've been able to admire them more than ever with their antics, as they are showing well at Portland Castle at the moment.

 

As for excursions, on the 15th I teamed up with Keith Kerr ( http://akkwildlife.blogspot.co.uk/ )  and Alex Berryman ( http://alexberrymanphotography.blogspot.co.uk/ ) on a quest into Devon.

 

We arrived at Broadsands, south of Paignton, to a scene of a totally deserted feeding area, which is usually covered in seeds, and brimming with birds.  Luckily though, it didn't take long for us to work out that, unknown to me, the feeding area had been moved. 

 

We were soon watching at least 22 Cirl Bunting feeding, and squabbling, at close-range.

 

 

 

We next moved onto Dawlish Warren. A fabulous site I'd not visited before. 

 

 

While we waited by the hide, a Dartford Warbler (my first in 2 years) was a surprise find in the Gorse, and a young birder brought our attention to an adult Gull out on a sand-bar that he thought might be a Caspian.  I can certainly see where he was coming from, as its upright-stance was very distinctive and Caspian-like. Unfortunately it was just too distant (and in heat-haze) to confirm.

 

After what seemed like an age, I eventually got onto our target for this visit, the adult Bonaparte's Gull, which flew past us from the left, before heading round the point and out of view. At least we saw it!

 

 

 

 

Our last 2 stops were at the reported haunts of some Penduline Tits, but unfortunately, both Exminster Marshes...

 

 

 

...and the rather strange Dart's Farm were devoid of all Bulrush-splitting action. 

 

All in all however, it had been an enjoyable day. Thanks for the company chaps!

 





My latest trip was yesterday with the Next Gen Birders, into Hampshire.

 

I rushed through work, and headed to Acres Down in the New Forest, where the guys had already seen Goshawk (and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at another site, earlier).  I wasn't here for long, but just before we left, I was able to just catch a distant Goshawk, luckily.  A fly-over Woodlark and 2 Crossbill were bonuses.

 

We decided to make the twitch to Gosport, and the unremarkable-looking Stokes Bay.  It was looking rather more glamorous this afternoon though, as it had a stonking male Surf Scoter in the middle of it!  It took a while for me to see it, as a report that it had flown off west sent me off in the wrong direction initially!

 

We all saw it remarkably well in the end, with 2 Common Scoter.

 

 

 

Afterwards, we headed to Walpole Park, where Waldo the long-staying Ring-billed Gull had been reported in the morning.  We were defeated in the game of 'Where's Waldo' on this occasion, sadly!

 

We rushed back to the main area of our attention, the New Forest, and to Eyeworth Pond near Fritham.  I'd not been there before, and it was a gem of a site.  Full of 'plastic fantastics' it may be...

 



 

 

...but it also had a flurry of Marsh Tit-action, and a brief Firecrest. A male Wood Duck was nice to see too!

 

We ended the day at a freezing Black Gutter Bottom, where we failed to see any Harriers.  A male Merlin saved the day, as did another (distant) Goshawk, which I initially called as a Harrier (a good example of seeing what your mind wants to/was expecting)!  Remarkably, even though it was blowing a gale, heavily overcast, and nearly dark, it was doing its incredible 'roller-coaster' display routine!

 

Another top day, and great to see Olly, Amy S, Abi, Harry, and Amy R again, plus to meet Tiffany, Emma, and Tash. 

 

So, it's now March, and meteorologically-speaking, spring. Horray!!!  Can't wait to see that first Wheatear.

 











Grebes Galorious

Another long one, sorry about that.  I must try and post more frequently, but the problem is I don't know when the next photo-filled and really noteworthy day is going to occur!

28th

After a look around the usual areas on the way home from work in Weymouth, I took a walk round the Barleycrates Lane area.  Not a great deal to relate, but a Buzzard can often be found here sitting on posts on the look-out for worms and the like.

 

On the floods here, the numbers of loafing Gulls have increased in recent days, and I'm always on the lookout for something more unusual amongst them.  When they all go up, it's either a sign that the guy above is flying in, or that the local Peregrine are about.  On this day, the West Weares pair were hanging on the wind on the cliff edge for many minutes on end.  Why do I even try digiscoping birds in flight?!

 

 

29th

 

I had the day off, and started with a very muddy, and otherwise uneventful walk round Reap Lane and Suckthumb.

 

The local Raven pair were full of the joys of spring, with lots of calling and displaying.  They even chose the rooftops of Southwell to engage in their pleasantries (sorry about poor pic!).

 

 

Onto Portland Harbour, and all the usual Divers and Grebes were present and correct, though there was no sign of the Black Guillemot from the Castle.  Had it finally left?

 

With nothing much at Ferrybridge, other than a closer-than-usual Goldeneye, and with nothing else particularly dynamic in mind, I set up to seawatch from the crest of Chesil Beach. 

 

You know its quiet when the highlight from your note book reads ''Monsters Inc.' helium balloon, South'.

 

 

In the rather windless conditions, I thought it worth popping back to the Merchant's Incline in hope of finding my possible Siberian Chiffchaff from the other day.  No sign of anything remotely Chiffchaff-like in the area.  But, on the bright side, I scoped down into Portland Marina, and somehow spotted a single male Mallard swimming between the jetties.  A patch tick, and my 85th of the year, taking me to my target for January.

 

30th

 

My usual look at the Ferrybridge site coincided with a very low tide, and the amount of mud exposed here and in the Harbour was the most I've ever seen.  As a result a large number of birds were taking advantage of it.

 

I was determined to find something noteworthy, so I ended up scoping half-way down the Fleet, and picking up a Knot in with a flock of Grey Plover and Dunlin.  A bonus patch tick.  Yes, very much a dot of a Knot!

 

I found the Black Guillemot had reappeared at Portland Castle.  Where had it been in the meantime?

 

After lunch, I noticed that Joe had found that noteworthy species I was seeking earlier in Portland Harbour!  I scoped from Weymouth Wetlands towards Sandsfoot Castle where four Wigeon were apparently hanging out.  But, in fading light, the distances involved were just too great.  I did spot three unidentifiable blobs on the water way round towards Bincleaves, which in hindsight could have been them, as the record photo Joe got showed only the three birds.  I may get the species on patch later in the year, though I may not!

 

With such low winds, I thought it might be worth staking out a site where Barn Owl bred last year within my patch.  I'd never seen them there before, in fact I didn't even know the exact spot, so there was a lot of guesswork involved!

 

Remarkably, just as I was about to give up in almost pitch black conditions, a Barn Owl popped it's head out the hole, before taking flight!  That brought a smile to my face I have to say!

 

That meant I finished the month on 87 species and 114 points for the Patchwork Challenge. Well chuffed with that!

 

2nd

 

Over the weekend, I was back in Surrey, for some birthday celebrations partially, but mainly in preparation for leading my old local RSPB group the 6 miles round Thorney Island, W. Sussex on this day.

 

I won't go into too much detail, as this blog is about Portland.  But, suffice to say, it was a cracking day, with reasonable weather, and excellent birds.  The mud and flooded paths were quite a problem though! 

 

Best birds were a flock of 44 Avocet, a surprise 1st-winter Little Gull, 2 wintering Whimbrel, at least 4 Slavonian Grebe and at least 2 Great Northern Diver.

 

Such a wild and wonderful place if you ever get the chance to visit.

 

3rd

 

This was the start of what I've been waiting for.  Working afternoons, so every morning free for birding.

 

There had not been a great deal to report, till I set up for a seawatch at Chesil Cove.

 

A few things were happening, but I wasn't expecting a small flock of Teal to pass through.  Pretty scarce here (as with all the dabbling ducks).  A valuable patch tick.

 

Shortly after, a group of 12 Brent Goose went through too.  I love seeing migration in action like this, even common species.  Do they think it's spring?

 

 

 

Today

 

I headed for Ferrybridge first, as the rising tide was just low enough I thought for something to be on the mud.  It wasn't, but on the edge was 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose.  Just as the last time I saw them, there was a pair, and this one on it's own (though sticking with the Dark-bellies).

 

 

 

I headed round to Weymouth Watersports, not expecting a great deal. What I was confronted with was a great raft of Red-breasted Merganser and Grebes, that included all 5 species!  The closest I came to seeing them all together was the three rarer ones in a scope view, and the best photo I got was a very poor one of Red-necked and Black-necked.

 

 

I estimated 25 Great Crested, 15 Black-necked, 10 Slavonian, 3 Red-necked, and 3 Little Grebe from that one spot.  Also 2 Great Northern Diver in addition to those below.

 

After a quick look at Hamm Beach, only finding even more Mergansers (and 'the' Mallard again!), I went round to Portland Castle. 

 

The Black Guillemot was of course still present, but it was really fidgety with lots of preening, and even taking a couple of short flights.  Are it's instincts telling it that it should be moving north?

 

 

 

Also nearby in the Marina was a Great Northern Diver, as there has been on my last few visits.

 







 

 

Looking out further from the Castle, I noted at least 6 other Great Northerns, as well as 5 Black-throated Diver.  Also a single Black-necked Grebe, which showed well close-in, even alongside the Black Guillemot.  I don't suppose these two species are photographed together very often, what with the latters liking of northern rocky coasts, and the formers liking for open southern harbours.

 

 

After that success, I finished at Chesil Cove, in brilliant lighting conditions, and a strong onshore wind.  An excellent combination.

 

There was indeed a great deal moving, with good numbers of Kittiwake passing close-in, equating to circa 100 an hour.  The best sighting was a single unexpected Manx Shearwater (valuable patch tick; now on 89 sp.) passing nice and close.  But, to be honest it was just a joy to be there.

 

 

Hopefully more of this sort of quality to come, but I'll try and make it shorter next time!



 

Merg in Turn

8th

In my usual 2 hour window after work, I checked out Ferrybridge, Portland Castle, and The Bill, as per my developing routine.

Little of note till I got to the Castle.  From here I finally got the female Eider onto the patch and year lists, though it spent it's entire time dozing by the breakwater.

A sudden glimpse of a bird disappearing round the corner towards The Aqua hotel had me puzzled.  It looked all the world like a Kingfisher, though I failed to see the usual 'flash of blue' from the bird.  Just a Starling?

I whizzed round the corner, and as I got to the water's edge, I flushed a Kingfisher from the rocky wall!  A Portland tick.

Otherwise, the usual stuff in the area including Great Northern and Black-throated Divers.

Once at the Bill, I moved over towards the Obs Quarry to see if the usual Little Owl was enjoying the brief sunshine, and it was!  That was the only highlight, as the sea was dead as the sun began to set.

Yesterday

The wind has finally died down!

Ferrybridge was again rather quiet today, but I was happy to finally get Rook and Curlew on the Patch list, though I had to get the latter by scoping halfway down the Fleet!

The sun was shining, and that made watching from Hamm Beach rather an attractive proposition, especially as water sport activity was fairly low.  It seems that this little corner of the harbour is excellent for Grebes and Divers etc, when they're not disturbed that is.  Today, there were 3 Great Northern Diver very close in, including one literally just off the rocks!  They were too close for me to phonescope!

Moving round to Portland Castle, I found a photographers dream, with the sun shining on the birds, which were mostly close-in.  With nothing particularly notable in view, I just relaxed and enjoyed the commoner birds.

Even with the conditions, my photography set-up still struggled with some of the distances, and I managed my best photo of the Black Guillemot yet(!).

Closer in (though still not close enough for my phone camera) was a Guillemot.

 

 

 

The female Eider was still present, though as yesterday, it was sleeping!

 



 



But, the star of the show were the Red-breasted Merganser, which were displaying, and calling.  Not something you hear everyday.  There were two particularly boisterous males displaying to a female...

 



...but the female was having none of it!

 

I finished the day with a rather uneventful stroll round Verne Common, producing only the patch tick of Bullfinch.

 



Today

 I had the day off, so immediately headed out for a circuit round the Barleycrates, Reap, and Suckthumb area, in very mild and pleasant conditions.

The first sign of spring on Portland, is the Alexanders sprouting, and here's some in Barleycrates Lane.

The first bit of the walk had produced just the patch ticks of Collared Dove and Stock Dove, till I got to Reap Lane.

I was delighted to find a pair of Stonechat here, as they'd been hard to find during the strong winds.  But, better still, a Black Redstart was apparently associating with them.  I made yet another attempt to photograph one, but I was hampered by a pair of overly-friendly Horses, one of which had a nibble of my binocular case (oooer)!

So, I had to make do with a video grab.

 

The bird was, as usual, being chased by the local Robin.

 

On the way back home, I witnessed a pair of Peregrine co-operatively hunting a Feral Pigeon.  Something I have seen once before, but it was no less exciting for that.  I failed to see the outcome on this occasion.

 

Onwards to Ferrybridge, where things were again quiet on the mudflats.  But, scoping further down the Fleet, I managed to see a pair of Shelduck, and two male Goldeneye.  Both uncommon closer to the island, and both valuable patch ticks.

 

A look from Hamm Beach produced the usual stuff, including a distant group of 3 Black-throated Diver, and a Grey Heron in flight. 

 

Also this rather large family group of Brent Goose with 6 youngsters!

 

 

 

Portland Castle was quieter than in recent days, but I again attempted some photography.

 

This Shag was very helpful.

 

 

Which cannot be said for a fourth Black-throated Diver!

 

 

After a great deal of thought, I have decided to change my Patch boundaries for the Patchwork Challenge.  The shape that I posted before was just too unconventional.  My patch now no longer includes The Bill.  I'll do a blog post on it shortly.

 

Under these new boundaries, I'm up to 77 species for the patch.