Egghead!

Quite a bit to catch up on, and I've let the photos build up a bit too much!  Nice to be able to report on some non-bird stuff for a change though. Spring is here!

5th

I was up at the break of dawn, and what a dawn.

The best find from this mornings usual excursions was a 1st-winter Rook near the start of Reap Lane.  Very unusual away from Ferrybridge, this bird with it's developing pale base to the bill, was a surprise sound as it called from a lamppost.  Not a sound I expect here!  It was indeed very vocal, and presumably it was pining after some company.

6th

All the usual stuff, including the two Iceland Gull again in Chesil Cove.  What was more surprising was a pair of Pintail, which passed at middle distance.  A Portland tick!

At Ferrybridge, I made a point of photographing a more expected Rook, as the bird went backwards and forwards cashing pieces of a large chunk of bread.

 

Whilst on my second look at the Cove, I heard the Gulls getting animated.  Usually it's the Buzzards or Peregrines that set them off.  I looked up towards the Verne to see a large, slow-flapping Accipiter raptor, with flared out undertail coverts.  I rushed to get my camera, but once I'd set up, the bird had vanished!  I'm not going to tick it, but I can't see how it couldn't have been a male Goshawk!

Later, on a break from work, I popped into Ferrybridge.  I was greeted by two flocks of waders (adding up to 17) flying back and forwards over the sea/beach/Fleet.  I only had my bins, so hence I had my second frustrating moment of the day!  They seemed to have a lot of white on them, but clearly weren't Black-tailed Godwit.  So I concluded, probably wrongly, that they were Redshank.  They did seem to appear from the sea first, which is why I thought against one of the Fleet resident species e.g. Bar-tailed Godwit.  It's too early for them to be moving.

7th

My usual looks at Reap/Barleycrates/Suckthumb produced little to shout about, but what a beautiful day!  I looked at the jungle that is Barleycrates Lane from a different perspective!

 

Whilst here, I took my first proper look at the galls which cover the leaves of the Alexanders.  They are caused by the fungus Puccinia smyrnii.

 



Back at Chesil Cove, in addition to the usual 1st-winter Iceland Gull, the 2nd-winter Kumlien's Gull appeared from nowhere, before flying away along the beach.  A couple of swipes from the nearby Herring Gull revealed it's dark tail.  I wish it would settle down and give itself up to all!

Also in the Cove, the usual stuff, plus 26 Brent Goose, and a load more which looked like they were coming, before peeling off at the last minute and landing at Ferrybridge!

8th

Chesil Cove first thing had promise, as a south-easterly was blowing.  Sadly, I couldn't take advantage of it as I was working the morning.  I only had time to see another 28 Brent Goose south, although they strongly thought about going 'up and over' the island.

Whilst working, I very fortuitously stumbled on a Bloxworth Snout moth settled by a window.  An increasing scarcity.

After work, I had my usual stroll round the place, and found my first migrant Chiffchaff at Barleycrates Lane, and identified for the first time, Common Whitlow-grass (not a grass at all, but a member of the cress family) along Reap Lane.

After that, I left for Surrey, as I was spending the weekend back at my old haunt. On arrival at my old garden, I was greeted by a singing Blackcap!  My first of the year!

9th

The reason I was back in Surrey, was because I was leading a walk for my old local RSPB group on the South Downs at The Burgh.  Before that though, I just had to pop into the former local patch of Tice's Meadow.  It was the start of another gorgeous day.

The water level there was the highest it has ever been.  The whole place is one big lake!  Little of note on the bird side though, except a long-staying female Shelduck, and my first chicks of the year.

After a great meet-up with my old Tice's pals, it was onto the walk.  It went pretty well in perfect weather.  The site wasn't quite up to it's usual self though, with quite a few hoped-for species missing.  We still saw the likes of Grey Partridge, Raven, Red Kite, and Yellowhammer everywhere though.  Loads o butterflies on the wing including Peacock and Brimstone.

10th

I couldn't resist another quick look at Tice's first thing.  Again, nothing particularly notable for the site, but it was just brilliant seeing the likes of  Shoveler and Bullfinch, species I just don't get to experience anymore being at Portland.

And, although I do see them at Portland, the Common Gull were looking smart.

 



I then also popped briefly into Frensham Great Pond, for no real purpose.  I miss this place as well!

A Firecrest, and best of all, a singing Woodlark (my favourite songster) were very welcome here.

I made my way home to Portland.

On arrival, I felt I had to have a quick nip around the place, seeing as the Wheatear had finally turned up!  No luck with those sadly, but I did happen to bump into a pair of Peregrine eating a Woodpigeon at Barleycrates Lane.  Plenty of calling and interaction going on, but sadly the female had had her fill, and had left the male to it by the time I got into a position to photograph the action.

Today

A number of birding sessions finally yielded the winter thrushes, as at least 11 Redwing were scattered about the place (2 at Barleycrates, and 9 over Suckthumb), along with an obvious increase in Blackbird and Song Thrush.  2 Fieldfare were also at Suckthumb, as was two Firecrest still, and a Woodcock which I flushed from the side of the raised area.

A brand new fungus discovery was this nice troop of the wonderfully named Egghead Mottlegill, by The Hump.

A quick look at Ferrybridge revealed the Iceland Gull still, seemingly settled on the pools by the car park.  And last, but certainly not least, a stint at Chesil Cove revealed a distant pod of 3-4 Bottle-nosed Dolphin, whose presence was revealed by their attendant Gulls. 

Still no Wheatear for me though!

If you've made it this far, congratulations!

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!



 

Leach's don't suck

A lot to catch up with, as my lack of photo-taking has put me off putting together a post earlier.

18th:

Today I was 'in transit' in Surrey after my Norfolk trip, and I did a recee for my leading of a walk round Tice's Meadow for the Guildford RSPB group the next day.

The place was looking quite a mess, thanks to ground works to divert the River Blackwater creating a scar through the site, plus the electricity company had felled a load of trees and branches under their cables, and just left them. 

Nonetheless, it was nice to see the local Peregrine come in with a kill of a Starling, which may well have occurred there and then, but I happened to miss it!  The birds in the workings had been unsettled for quite a while before.

 

The other highlight was at least 2 Yellow-legged Gull in amongst 70 or so Lesser Black-backed Gull.  A walk to Tongham GP added a calling Kingfisher and a flock of Fieldfare.

19th:

The walk proper went really rather well, with no rain till we were back at the cars!  There had been no real action, until not one, but two Peregrine came in and sat on the islands.  One even had a bath, and was a great hit amongst the punters (of which there were 25 or so - a good turnout)!

No Yellow-legs this time, but a couple of Snipe, and fly-over Siskin and Redpoll put in appearances.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the walk, and were delighted to be introduced to a site many had never visited before.

On the way back to Dorset, I thought it was a good opportunity to try for the current 'big thing' in the rarity world, down at Sandy Point, Hayling Island (okay, so it wasn't quite on route!).

On arrival at the seafront, the Semipalmated Plover was roosting with a flock of Ringed Plover and Sanderling, with a large group of birders in attendance.  I struggled to find a space to view, and as I got on the bird, the flock took flight!  They whizzed off towards Black Point, so I headed round there.

I kept a vigil on the best wader roosting area for some time along with a few others, but the bird was not re-found.  A shame, and I don't think I'm going to get an opportunity to go back.  That is unless I go through with my plan to start national (but strictly mainland) twitching!  I'll need to get rid of my gas-guzzler of a van first though!

20th:

After work, I thought it might be worth popping down to the Bill, as there was a bit of a south-west hooly blowing up.

As is often the case with seawatching, I saw something good on arrival, a Great Skua, before the rest of the time produced next to nothing!  Luckily, right at the end I managed the Portland tick of a Little Gull heading east, closely followed by a Red-throated Diver.

On the Obelisk I found a curious Silver-fish (sometimes called a Bristletail) Petrobius maritimus.

 

21st:

 

I took a bit of a lazy option today, and just did a short walk around the Blacknor/Bower's Quarry area in the afternoon.  A few Black Redstart had been reported from around the island in the morning, so it wasn't a surprise when I stumbled on a calling female amongst a load of boulders on the coast path.  Always a great bird to find.

 

23rd:



I again did the walk round Blacknor, but this time ventured as far as Tout Quarry, and managed to look down into Chesil Cove, that had had a Storm-petrel earlier in the day.

The Cove was virtually empty, bar a distant feeding flock of 80 Mediterranean Gull, and it was great to have a female Merlin whizz by, heading on south along the cliffs.

Blacknor Point was chat heaven today, with now 2 Black Redstart, along with a couple of Wheatear, and at least 6 Stonechat.  Clearly there'd been an influx of these too.

26th:

Chesil Cove was again the destination this afternoon, what with the weather as it is.  I first tried watching from the top of the West Weares, but saw virtually nothing.  That is apart from the Great Skua which flew right over my head being mobbed by Gulls!  The rather reddish-brown body indicated a juvenile.

Watching from within the Cove itself made things easier, but all I got was a higher count of Gannet than before!  Right at the end, a juvenile Little Gull struggled south.  On the walk, a couple of Wheatear really looked miserable as they got blown around by the wind.

Today:

Today was the day when the storm really began to make it's presence felt, hence, seawatching was again the only option.

I made sure I was in position at the Bill at dawn, in preparation for a spectacle.  A couple of Great Skua (one of which was chasing GBB Gulls), and a single immature Pomarine Skua raised my hopes.  But, other than a trickle of Kittiwakes, Auks, and Gannets, nothing else was seen!  Also a Wheatear that was attempting to feed by the Obelisk, despite having the flushing public and the strong wind to contend with!

Imagine my frustration when I later learned of a Leach's Petrel that was briefly present with this feeding flock of mostly Gannet, numbering about 120 at it's height.

I really wanted to try something else, so I imagined the East Weares would be nice, calm and sheltered, so headed there. 

Well, somehow the westerly even gusted through here, but I did see my quarry, earlier found by Keith Pritchard.  Two fabulous Ring Ouzel were feeding on Cotoneaster berries on the cliff-face, the juvenile of which was ringed.  My latest ever.  Funny how I've now seen the first, and (possibly) last RO's of the autumn, but none in between (exactly 2 months apart)!

After lunch, I headed out to my favoured spot on the West Weares looking down into Chesil Cove, as the wind increased yet further.

On arrival, I found a Leach's Petrel struggling along close inshore (though bear in mind I wasn't actually that close to the shoreline).  Perhaps the bird that had passed Abbotsbury 2 hours earlier.  That may not sound correct, but the poor thing really was pondering along.

 

As always with this sought-after species, it was great to watch, but not easy to get any footage in the wind!

 

 

I didn't really have any further opportunity to scrutinise the Cove, as soon after, it started belting down!  I had no shelter whatsoever, but had no option but to leg it home.  I had to walk against the wind, and in truly horizontal rain.

 

I was completely soaked through by the time I got home, but pretty happy with the days birding nonetheless!

 

I really can't imagine what tomorrow will bring with the winds set to strengthen.  Sadly, I'm working the morning, so I'll probably miss it all!

Norfolk-ing Way - Part 3 (Days 4 + 5)

Day 4 (16/10)

This morning, I remembered that a few people had recommended to me the area of Warham Greens, just east of Wells, as a good area to bird.  I had visited a couple of years ago (for the departed Rufous-tailed Robin) but I was yet to explore it properly.

A woke up in a layby nearby, to the sounds of calling Grey Partridge (uniquely Norfolk!), and soon set off down Garden Drove. 

After turning left at the end, and having seen little more than the trip ticks of Green Woodpecker and Red-legged Partridge, suddenly all hell broke loose.  First, a single Snow Bunting flew over calling, then a few Redpoll came down to settle with a flock of Linnet, only for me to see that they were 3 Mealy Redpoll.  Finally, I scoped over the saltmarsh to the distant pines of East Hills.  Soaring over them was 2 ringtail Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl!  I watched as they interacted, and one of the Harriers went to be on show most of the time, though always distant.  What a spot!

In addition, further along the edge of the saltmarsh, 2 Kingfisher chased each other through one of the many channels.

I started inland, and happened to come across a ringing operation.  I got to a net that held a struggling Goldcrest and a Wren.

There was no-one in sight, and I set up my scope trained on a nearby hedge, as I thought I'd heard a Ring Ouzel.  Half an hour later, no Ring Ouzel, and more importantly, no-one had come to check the nets.  I was able to see the area quite a while after I left, and there still appeared to be no-one to attend to the, no doubt quite distressed, birds.  Quite naughty really.

On the walk back along the road, a fluttering moth got my attention.  It is one of the Epirrita species, and the general sparseness of markings would suggest a Pale November Moth (though strictly speaking, dissection is required to be sure).

 

The only scheduled walk for the day was to that other essential North Norfolk visit, Cley.

 

However, I have to say I think today was not my best trip there, by it's high standards.  We set off on the long walk along East Bank, the shore, then back via the Beach Road.

 

There were at least 3 Red-throated Diver out on the sea, an immature Mediterranean Gull went by, and some Bearded Tit showed briefly.  There was supposed to be a Black Redstart along the beach, but there was no sign.

 

The highlight for me though was spotting a Blackbird coming in-off, low over the sea a mile away.  Just as it got in-shore, an immature Great Black-backed Gull suddenly appeared behind it, and plucked it out of the sky!  The perils of migration.  We did however witness several Redwing making the same journey more successfully, and we found some very tired birds feeding just behind the beach in addition.

 

After this, with rather a lack of conviction, I headed off in the rain to West Runton the other side of Sheringham, in the hope of the Dusky Warbler showing.  There was never any real hope in those conditions! 

 

Incidentally, I think all in all we were pretty lucky with the weather this week to be honest, as the forecasts always seemed to be worse than it turned out!

 

Finally, I finished off the day back at Titchwell, where I'd yesterday overlooked the opportunity to check out the new bit of the reserve, at Patsy's Reedbed.  I had little trouble getting on a Jack Snipe from here, though the weather did hinder a little as this site has a screen, not a hide.

 



Day 5 (17/10)

My final day in Norfolk dawned to perfect weather.

 

All in all, I slept pretty well in my camper this trip, though last nights sleep was interrupted by a Little Owl calling close-by!

 

The group walk this morning was at Holkham, so rather than pay the ever-increasing parking charge there, I thought it would be a good idea to walk there via Burnham Overy Dunes, which is an area which has produced plenty in the past.

 

 

 



It was indeed a long walk, though it was very enjoyable, despite the nagging wind.  Nothing of particular note was seen, but there was still plenty of overhead passage occurring, including a number of Crossbill seemingly irrupting from the edge of Holkham pines.  Only one was seen well, and that was a Common.

The other top sighting was a very dark-looking Peregrine flying over the marsh, which had me scratching my head at first, till I re-found it and got better views, as it sat on the beach.

 

Once at the pines, I took a route along the seaward edge, and had two Grey Wagtail fly past, as well finding many Common Darter dragonfly.  Female and male here.

 

 

 

 As well as a fascinating (well, I think so!) Rabbit skull.

 

 

I joined up with the group at the end of Lady Anne's Drive, and we set off along the landward edge.  



The usual woodland species had been seen, up to the point when a very surprise Woodlark flew over with some Skylark.  My first 'out of habitat' sighting.

Both hides were disappointing, and a couple of very promising looking Tit-flocks held nothing more unusual than several Chiffchaff.  My walk back to the car was uneventful also.  Nonetheless, a very enjoyable ramble.

It was now a matter of making my way back to Surrey, attempting to avoid the traffic (I didn't do a very good job of that!).

But, I had to give those pesky two-bars one last try at Lynford.  Far better encounters were had with Common Crossbill than last time.  Despite how it appears at first glance, this bird is a young male, as it had quite a bit of red on it, particularly on the head.

But, yet again, there was no sign of the quarry.  I've now dipped this species four times this autumn!

After that, I made a brief sortie onto a good Stone Curlew site not far from Weeting, but it appears they have genuinely moved on.  A few Yellowhammer were the only consolation.

I got home pretty exhausted but delighted!  Final total for the trip was 126 species.