Macro Walk - Newton Park Lake

Date: 23rd June - All Day

Location:  Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Observation:  Decided to do a walk to the Lake, as no blog for 2 weeks, so apologies for this! We took our small lens for some macro, as too hot for birds, which defiantly proved correct, only seen around 20 species. Highlights included Grey Wagtail, Skylark, Buzzard, Yellowhammer. Lots of butterflies and bugs around today. Little Owl was calling from nest, not sure if chicks or adults. Marbled Whites are back again this year, slightly earlier than normal, first ones around NSL are normally beginning of July! Apart from that, not much else around.

Weather:  Sunny, 25 Degrees, Very Light Wind

Other Species: Buzzard, Coal Tit, Bullfinch, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Little Owl (heard), Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Crow

Butterflies:  Marbled White, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Small Skipper

Some pictures form yesterday airshow at Weston-Super-Mare !

 

Little Terns @ Ferrybridge!

Date: 9th June - All Day

Location:  Portland Bill - Ferrybridge

Observation:  We parked at Reforne and started walking part of the South West coastal Path at 9am. It started off with a bit of rain and alot of white cloud, a singing Whitethroat started our walk and a few fly-past aswell as some nesting Fulmars passing the cliffs. Just before Blacknor Bridge (which is closed due to a landslip) we seen a Fox down near the bottom of the cliff, with Jackdaws swooping at it, trying to defend there nests. Moving on, we seen a Kestrel hovering over the path, which kept moving down when we got closer. On the whole of the walk there were Skylarks singing and Pipit sp. everywhere! Mostly Meadow Pipit's and a few Rock Pipits (close to the lighthouse). Apart from plenty of gulls we didn't really see much else, down by the M.O.D there were alot of Gulliemot's and Kittiwake's on the cliffs nesting, with alot of the Guillemots and some Razorbills (possibly juvenile) taking off flying around in a circle and landing on the cliffs again, maybe practicing to fly? Now down to Pulpit Rock, there was a fledgling Rock Pipit calling but was staying away from trouble high on a rock. We had some lunch and had a look out to sea, nothing really flew past apart from a few Shag's. The weather from now onwards got very warm and sunny! A few calling Raven's a one very photogenic Raven was the first for the way back, and apart from plenty of Pipit's and gulls nothing really added to the species list for the walk. Almost back to the van and a Kestrel came and hovered above us, no higher than 5 feet above us, but now of course too close for pictures! (Always the way!) Before we packed up and drove home we stopped at Ferrybridge and walked along Chesil Beach to see the Little Tern nesting.  We weren't disappointed, plenty of them fishing close to the shore and flying over with fish , also very protective and fending off ALL gulls that pass anywhere near them or their nest!  Driving home just past Yeovil there was a Red Kite searching the fields, which was a nice surprise! Although no rare birds (apart from the Little Tern's of course!) it was a lovely few days in the sun!

Weather:  Sunny, Warm, Blue Sky, Broken Cloud

Other Species: Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Raven, Buzzard, Kestrel, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Guillemot, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Shag, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Linnet, Stonechat, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Red Kite

Butterflies:   Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Six-Spot Burnet 

Radipole + Lodmoor Reserves - Weymouth

Date: 8th June - All Day

Location:  Lodmoor  + Radipole Lake - Weymouth

Observation:  We started off at Lodmoor reserve and parked around the back as the camper doesn't fit under the barriers in the main carpark, although the weather was perfect not many dragonflies or butterflies around! Highlights were Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler and Common Terns (nesting). Apart from that not alot else. We moved onto Radipole Lake reserve and again not alot around of any species. A few Large Skippers + Common Blue's sunning on the paths, a male Garganey from North Hide. Highlights from Radipole Lake was a stunning close-up Cetti's Warbler singing for us, a few more Common Terns and some Linnets.

Off to Portland Bill tomorrow so will keep everyone posted via Twitter @NSL_birding !

Weather:  Sunny,  Blue Sky + Broken Cloud, Rain Showers

Other Species: Buzzard, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Gadwall, Garganey, House Sparrow, Common Tern, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Swift, Barn Swallow, Linnet, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Canada Goose, Starling

Butterflies:  Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Large Skipper

Ebbor Gorge & Herons Green

Date:05/06/2014

Location:Ebbor Gorge & Herons Green Chew valley lake 

Observation:Started at Wookey car park no dippers :( and headed up through fields to Ebbor not much about apart a Roe deer bounding through the top field and a few Chiffchaffs.Sat and watched the skies for half hour just crows .Got back to car park and two Greater spotted woodpeckers were having a squabble on tree.Got to chew valley where 3 Buzzards were soaring above lake.Not alot else but a nice demoiselle 

Weather:Blue Skies ,warm                   Other Species: 

  Ebbor- Chiffchaff,Jay,Greater Spotted Woodpecker,Mistle thrush.

   Chew Valley-Gadwall,x3 Buzzard, 50 or so Canada Geese ,Grey & Pied                 Wagtails also a few House Martins and Barn swallows about.