Larus Hyperboring!

A few days to catch up on, and there were one or two highlights, but otherwise things a rather samey at the moment!

20th

I took a little look from the top of Chesil Beach after work, in the hope of passing birds on the sea.  I didn't see any of those, though I did manage to find my THIRD Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus, if you were wondering about the post title!) this year.  Don't get me wrong, they are great birds.  But it would be nice if I was capable of finding scarce birds that aren't Black Guillemots and Glaucous Gulls!

I got a glimpse of a white-winged Gull with its wings up on the sea by a fishing boat, and thought, 'that looked a little big for a Med!'.  It was indeed an adult Glaucous Gull, though it was no doubt the West Bexington bird, and also the one that was seen at Ferrybridge before Christmas.

Nothing else of particular note that day, though I managed to get some okay shots of the Portland Castle Black Guillemot.  One of these days it will be close in!

 

A bit of a lucky shot as it dived!

 

On the way home, I had a quick stroll down Watery Lane, seeing nothing of interest species-wise. 

 

Though I did witness some odd Crow behaviour.  A group of Carrion Crow were making quite a racket, and as I watched, more and more individuals flew in from all directions.  No sign of any predators, and it was too early for a roost (2.5 hours before sunset).  A few of the local Gulls began to join in with the raucous scrum too.  Never seen such a tight nit group of Carrion Crows before (Rook, Jackdaw, and Magpie yes, but not Carrion Crows).  Most odd!

 

 

 



22nd

The first of three days off today, that I was determined to make the most of.

A look at Portland Castle first produced the best views yet of the Black Guillemot, which seemed to be closely investigating the rock breakwater there.  It even poked away at the seaweed at the base.  It really looked as though it was about to climb up onto it too, but didn't sadly.  Also a Black-throated and Great Northern Diver there.

I next took a look in Chesil Cove, and was rewarded with a passing Long-tailed Duck, which kept landing on the sea with a belly-flop, as it went further and further out.  90% sure of the ID.

I had a poke around the bushes, and found the wing of a Kittiwake.  Possibly a storm victim that had been picked up by a Fox.

 

 

Here, I was treated to a marvellous Peregrine display, as the local pair repeatedly attempted to chase away an intruding female.  At one point, the male chased her at full pelt right past my ear, from behind me!  Didn't half make me jump!

 

Come the afternoon, the wind was calm, and the sun was out.  That meant a look at Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour.  The former had more Dunlin and Ringed Plover than recently, but still little else.

 

The latter though, from Weymouth Watersports, was as busy as I've seen it, with the conditions allowing me to count everything pretty well.  Final totals were 4 Red-necked Grebe (in two distinct pairs), 19 Black-necked Grebe, a couple of Slavonian Grebe, 2 more Great Northern Diver, and at least 3 more Black-throated Diver, one of which flew in.  Awesome!

 

23rd

 

Things were starting to get a little samey at this point, with another day gone, and nothing new for the year.  Still, it was an enjoyable ramble up island, starting at Chesil Cove.

 

Best, was two close-in Slavonian Grebe, salvaging what was otherwise a rather tedious couple of hours.

 

 

 

I next decided to head home via Portland Castle, but there was nothing of note.  On the way back up the Merchant's Incline, I noticed that the first proper signs of spring were arriving.  Hawthorn leaves in bud...

 

 

...and, better still, Blackthorn blossom out!

 

 

As I ascended, I suddenly heard a call coming from the trees behind the abandoned flats.  I was pretty sure it was a Siberian Chiffchaff.  Basically a single note call, reminiscent of Chiffchaff, but more like a Bullfinch.  I found a gap in the fence, and checked it out.  As I arrived, a few birds (mostly Tits) flew across into an area with no access.  There was no further sign of any birds in the original trees.

 

I went round to the corner of Verne Common, but found nothing in that area either.  Plenty of places for a bird like that to be hiding around there.  I may try again sometime.

 

The one that got away!

 

26th

 

The only sightings remotely of note during my little after-work dash round the best sites were a Sandwich Tern back at Portland Castle, and a pair of Kingfisher chasing each other around there.

 

Today

 

With the stormy conditions, Chesil Cove was really the only option this afternoon.  I was delighted to get my first patch tick for over a week, as at least 3 Little Gull passed by.  I searched through the good number of other Gulls feeding in the surf finding nothing, though I apparently missed an Iceland Gull! Bugger!

 

More shots of the 'Portland-weather'!

 

 

I look forward to the apparent icy conditions coming.  That should produce plenty of new stuff with any luck!

Blewits, Balearics, and Bird Racing

If you're not interested in my Surrey Bird Race, do skip down to yesterday.  I realise my blog is rather hard going when there is a lack of pretty pictures!

5th

Today, I was back in my old stomping ground of Surrey, to take part in a fledgling bird race for what was once my local RSPB group.  Only ourselves (me and two others) were racing this year, in order to set a benchmark to try and beat, hopefully with more teams, next year.

I'd never done a bird race before, but it has always been something that appealed to me.  I have to say it well and truly lived up to expectations, and was tremendous fun!  Due to the rather frenetic style of the day, there wasn't really any time to take pictures, sorry!

We had considered cancelling as the forecast was poor, but in the end we decided to chance our arm.  We started first thing at Staines Reservoir with the sun just rising.

There had been a suite of goodies seen yesterday, so we began scanning for birds on the water.  No problem with the common wildfowl, which we mopped up in no time, but where were the scarcities?  Whilst scanning a distant flock of Tufted Duck in the south-west corner of the south basin,  I noticed a bird with very white cheeks, and a reddish head.  Smew!  We weren't expecting to get one of those!

Soon enough we had managed to find a Black-necked Grebe, and I also spotted a very distant small grebe with very white cheeks on the far shore, which I thought looked good for Slavonian Grebe.  I subsequently learnt that other birders saw it better, and confirmed my suspicions!

Just as we were about to leave, I found the male Scaup, against expectations, in one of the closer flocks of Tufties!  I was concentrating on the distant flocks!

28 species straight on the list (without any of the small birds of course, no bushes at 'The Res'!).

Site No. 2 was the small car park at Papercourt, which got us a myriad of passerines, including a large flock of Redwing, Fieldfare, and Mistle Thrush, as well as one of the only Buzzard of the day sitting on a pylon. 

Up to 45 now.

Next, we just popped round the corner to Papercourt Farm, which is where we hoped might be some Little Owl.  Incredibly, We were immediately greeted by a pair, in full glare mode!  Also in a nearby field was a bonus pair of Egyptian Goose.  The weather was holding nicely.

51 was the score.

Onto Puttenham Common, and a quick glance at Cutt Mill and The Tarn lakes.  The main target at Cutt Mill was worryingly absent on arrival, though a small flock of Mandarin were no problem. 

The first Mallard of the day was seen (!), and in the surrounding trees were Treecreeper and Nuthatch.  Siskin and Redpoll were only fly-overs.

We were just about to move on, when a sudden splash announced the arrival of 5 Goosander!  We needn't have worried, as a brief look at next door Tarn lake produced 11 more!

On a respectable 58 now.

We weren't planning it, but we thought we better quickly pop to Frensham, just to be able to say we had Glossy Ibis on our list!  The bird was no problem, and this area was really alive with other birds in addition.

62 by lunchtime.

As we arrived at the centre-piece of Surrey birding, Tice's Meadow, the rain started, plus The Mound was very exposed to a strengthening wind!

Even so, we added another 10 species, though it was frustrating that we missed Skylark, Water Rail, and Green Sandpiper, which were all present.  Chiffchaff and Snipe were the best additions.

The rain had now stopped, and we had a ponder as to what to do next, then decided to stick to our plan, and head for Crooksbury Common.  This unassuming little heath has surprised me on more than one occasion, and today was no exception, as it initially appeared rather lifeless!  We did manage to see Stonechat and Coal Tit on the walk out, but I wasn't expecting much more than that.

Then, a rather frantically-flying Feral Pigeon going over drew my attention to what was on it's tail, a Peregrine! 

Finally, we managed to witness a nice spectacle of the Finch coming to roost, including the hoped for Brambling.  At least 30 seen, and some close views too.

77 was the score now, but that was it surely?

Well, we thought so, but as we still had a little light left, we took a chance of possible Barn Owl back at Papercourt Water Meadows.  The wind was now quite strong, and a combination of that, plus the fact that the meadows were flooded, meant there was never going to be much chance of Mr Alba.  However, in the half-light, we jammed a last minute Kingfisher on the swollen river!  A fitting finale.

So, we finished on 78 species, and a cracking effort I think.  The only glaring omission then was Skylark, but it was disappointing we didn't get Water Rail, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, or Linnet.  We were very lucky with the weather!

Nonetheless, I think we'll find it tough to beat next year! 

We raised £50 for the RSPB, and had a wonderful time.

Yesterday

Another afternoon watching Portland Harbour from Weymouth Watersports, another unexpected storm-driven seabird!

After work, I was scanning the harbour for seaduck etc., when I came across something dark shearing in the distance towards the Marina.  My initial reaction was a small Skua, but I was equally delighted to realise it was in fact a Balearic Shearwater!

It was rather an odd sight, as it flew back and forth along the south shore of the harbour, desperately looking for an exit!  At one point is was even amongst the kite-surfers!

Interesting to note this bird's behaviour, as a Skua for instance would think nothing of heading up over the beach.  Shearwater clearly will not go over land, even as thin as Chesil Beach.

A quick look from The Bill later, and I had a Balearic go west past only just beyond the rocks!  The closest one I've ever seen.

I feel sure it was the harbour bird, that had managed to get out by going back on itself.


Today

A quick look from Weymouth Watersports and at Ferrybridge produced little to shout about (except the patch tick of Ringed Plover!).  Seems odd that I barely care to mention the likes of Great Northern Diver and Red-necked Grebe these days!

I briefly popped into Chesil Cove next, where I witnessed the 'destruction' from the storm.  I put that in quotes, cause all I could see was a scatter of pebbles over the seafront path, plus the presence of Environment Agency vans.

Even though the wind has eased, the sea is still pretty spectacular.

 

I headed for The Bill once again. 

 

On the way I found a good flush of Field Blewit on the fields, which I think is in fact a lifer.  Nice to be able to report a non-bird sighting now and again!

 

 

 

On arrival at the obelisk, I couldn't resist more stormy sea shots.

 

 

There was absolutely nothing on the sea, except the usual Gannet, Kittiwake, and Auks.

 

But, I was delighted to finally see the wintering flock of 5 Purple Sandpiper with a few Turnstone.

 

They found a snug roosting place behind the cliff-edge, and they were obviously determined to play hide and seek with me!

 



 

They did eventually pop down the cliff to feed, as a news cameraman, obviously attempting to film the stormy seas, watched.  Perhaps the birds managed a 'photobomb' and will be on the news later?

 

I look forward to some calm weather to explore the Bill a bit more!

 

Simply Sabine's

28th:

The day after the 'storm' certainly had stirred things up a bit, but not produced the wreck of seabirds that had been expected.

Straight after work, I headed for Chesil Cove first, as a Grey Phalarope had been seen there.  No sign of that, though I did manage to see the long-staying very late Arctic Tern struggling in the surf.  I later learnt of the fact that a Surf Scoter had evidently been present at the same time, which didn't help my mood.

I then had the option of trying Portland Harbour for one or two goodies, or instead try the Bill towards dusk.  I went for the latter.  The wind was certainly making it's presence felt.

 

 

After a hour of careful scanning, I eventually got onto the target, a single distant Storm-petrel.  The flight action was rather different to the Leach's I had seen the day before.  Virtually a lifer, after the awful views I got of the bird at Spurn.

 

A Great Skua and a Red-throated Diver also passed by. 

 

 

29th:

 

First thing, I took a look at Chesil Cove, then Portland Harbour to check for storm-driven waifs.  Only the Red-necked Grebe found the previous day was seen of any interest, but there's no doubt its a good bird.  Shame about the shots!

 

 

After I'd finished work at Bridport, I heard of a definite young Lesser Kestrel that had been seen down the coast near Torquay.  Details were a little sketchy, but decided to give it a stab, as it didn't appear to be a long drive.

 

The area around Hope's Nose just south of Torquay is certainly a beautiful area, especially in the sun.  A view of Thatcher's Rock.

 

And Hope's Nose itself viewed form Thatcher's View.

 

Anyway, there was no sign of the bird, just a young Common Kestrel showing nicely in the sun, on which we were able to see it's black claws.  Reports I got from the few birders on-site suggested a string of possible/probable sightings of the bird in this area, since the last definite sighting at 11:30.  Who knows how many of these were mis-IDs.

 

The journey home was less than smooth, first getting lost in Torquay, passing the Gleneagles Hotel (apparently the inspiration for 'Fawlty Towers') at least 4 times!  Then, a very early rush hour in Torquay itself, an accident near Honiton, and finally, even a never-ending herd of cows crossing the road delayed me! 

 

It was a nice area to be, but I won't be going that distance in my rickety old van on such flimsy news again!

 

Subsequent days:

 

Birding in the last few days have merely consisted of fairly uneventful searches of Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour before work.  Nothing more dynamic seen than 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Guillemot, Razorbill, Sanderling, and Bar-tailed Godwit.  I also had trouble locating the site where a Sabine's Gull had been showing near Burton Bradstock. 

 

Today:

 

Yesterday the wind increased to speeds very close to those of the 'storm' earlier in the week, and today was still rather blowy.  This morning, I decided on a nice long walk taking in various North Portland sites. 

 

Blacknor still had it's resident 1st-winter male Black Redstart, which was having a really tough time in the conditions, often sheltering under cars.  I settled down in Chesil Cove for a seawatch, but it produced predictably little.  Just a Stonechat amongst the beach huts. 

 

I walked back up then along the main roads to Grove.  On the playing field there was a single Fieldfare feeding on worms.  A bit early for that I thought.  Maybe the wind has blown all the berries away!

 

Broadcroft Quarry held various skulking Pipits, which all appeared to be Meadow, and the Sycamores at Wakeham held a Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff, but little else.  Finally, I took in Windmills and Watery Lane, where a Grey Wagtail was feeding on a manure pile.

 

After lunch, I learnt that a Sabine's Gull was back in Chesil Cove.  No doubt decided to show itself after I left earlier!  Luckily however, I did finally manage to catch up with this species after a series of dips this autumn.  On arrival at the Cove, it was flying south, and ended up settled in Hallelujah Bay.  It was great looking down on it from the cliffs in perfect lighting.

 

 

 

As far as I can see, this winter will be a matter of checking the Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour area for the best birds.  Lucky then, that I'm working at Bridport all the way till Christmas (although the lengthening nights will curtail any birding fairly soon)!