Newton-St-Loe Birding: Gannet

26 October 2019

Snow Bunting to Cirl Bunting

Date:
19th-24th October

Location:
Sandbay, Lyme Regis, Broadsands, Berry Head, Blorenge, Newton St Loe

Weather:
Overcast cloudy some sunshine.

Species Highlights:
Cirl bunting, Eider, Gannet,Snow Bunting.

Observation:

Me at work but Lauren always staring out our window to catch that Collared Dove again on our still present Scaffolding.

Goldfinches, Great, Coal, Long Tailed and this beautiful Blue Tit present every day.

Sunday morning a Pallas Leaf Warbler and Yellow-browed had been at Sandbay but not by us, we looked for over a hour with Goldcrests and tit flock only birds of note. So Monday morning and still trying for that 200 we headed down to Dorset, Devon. First off was Lyme Regis and this long staying Eider, almost in full plumage, happily floating around the harbour.

Next was Broadsands our go-to spot for Cirl Bunting, it seems the old beach huts have been removed but after searching along the hedge row I came across just two birds, just visible by standing on rubbish bin!

The Steam train "Lydham Manor" puffed it way over the viaduct making a grand sight.
Great Western Railway 7800 Class No. 7827 Lydham Manor is a preserved British steam locomotive. It is currently owned by and based on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The locomotive was built in December 1950. wiki

Another drive, next to Brixham Breakwater because you never know! In fact most photos were taking here with 4 Grey Seal playing at very close range.

The star of the Breakwater was this little Turnstone coming so close i had to run just to get a picture of him, full frame no crop.

10 or so birds were along the breakwater.

Purple Sandpipers were also feeding along the rocks but a bit more tricky as constantly moving from the incoming tide.

A short drive to Berry head didn't produce anything to add, we walked down to quarry but could only add Gannets to our day list.
Next off a mistake we drove past Bowling Green Marshes this morning thinking the tide would be better on return but as usual tide times are so confusing and we got there at very low tide, missing the Long Billed Dowitcher everything else was too far out to even ID. The Long Billed Dowitcher was spotted this morning, should have dropped in. Arrgg. A nice male Shoveler was the only consolation.

As it always happens for Lauren she went back to work and I managed to get down to Blorenge for a real treat, a very confiding Snow Bunting.

My last Snow bunting was Norfolk and Iceland in 2014, but those views were nothing like these views.

Anyone can get a Robin or Kingfisher but a Horse looking through the Lens! ( not my camera but my T5 Transporter, Bilko had good views, LOL)

He couldn't do enough to keep the visiting photographers happy.

Heavy mist and fog but with the bird so close it didn't matter, I even walked to the summit of Blorenge I think it was so foggy.

Thursday and another patch walk my 34th of the year, not much change Grey Heron on lower brook and on top lake 7 birds counted in all.

A sunny spell and Migrant Hawker and a few Common darters about.

The last of the Butterflies sunny themselves, Red Admiral.

This handsome Buzzard stalking some thing.

Got the Poo shot too, this doesn't reflect my week which was brilliant!
Just 2 bird ticks left for me but Lauren looking a bit more dodgy on 185/200.

Wayne Year Bird List: 198
Lauren Year Bird List: 185

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12 April 2019

Newton St Loe 101st tick

Date: 08/04 - 11/04

Location:
Portland Bill, Chew Valley, Sand Point/Bay & Newton St Loe

Weather:
Cold but clear dry.

Species Highlights:
Gannet, Fulmar, Razorbill, Skylark, Willow Warbler. Beaded Tit, Mediterranean Gull, Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin

Observation:

Morning Morning on the 08/04 Me & Lauren headed down to Weymouth and Portland Bill, first stop was a look for the Ringed Ouzel but no sign after spending 40 mins looking in horse fields, it was a bit misty and there seemed to not much about so continued our walk along the coastline where we saw lots of Meadow Pipits overhead along with Sand Martins and our first House Martins of the year. Stock Doves feeding in fields.

Fulmar, Guillemots, Razorbill and at least 50+ Gannets off Pulpit Rock plus the sun was starting to break through.

Rock Pipit we abundant around the coast, it looked like they were pairing up.

Feeding well & showing well.

A pair of Stonechat posing too as they do.

From the Car Park this stunning Kestrel hunting across the fields.

We left the Bill stopping off at Ferrybridge, tide was just going out so no waders present but the Skylark were performing well.

This Pied Wagtail was the only bird around but looked splendid.

Radipole was next stop, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff were calling all around the reserve and this Great Crested Grebe close to visitors center was busily building nest, great to watch them so close.

Lodmoor was our last stop of the day and surprise sighting of 4 Bearded Reedling is always good, shame not closer, no sign of that Penduline.

Chiffchaff in Blossom.

Must be One of the best looking UK gull, Mediterranean gull.

Very Smart.

Black Tailed Godwits in Summer Plumage.

Plenty of mating squabbles going on too.

Finally a Peacock resting on Blossom as we left.

Tuesday I was busy so Wednesday decided on going to Sand Point, WSM.
Popped into to Chew and Blagdon Lakes on way through, a few White Wagtails and Chew Dam but none of the Yellow Wagtails that were reported.

Lots of House Martins and Sand Martins and a single Barn Swallow over Chew and 100's at Blagdon.

I arrived at Sandpoint 10 am and walked along the beach, saving on parking! Tide was in but Dunlin plus this Ringed Plover were feeding on Tideline.

The weather was a bit overcast & cold, Curlew and 2 Whimbrel also seen, distantly but good views, I marched on to Sandpoint, where i saw nothing!

As i started to descend the path the blue skies started to reveal themselves, birds started to sing with Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Robin, Blackbirds in full song.

Back on the beach Stonechat's and a excellent Common Redstart tried to get better shots but dog walkers kept her moving until i lost view.

A group of 4 Wheatear didn't seem that worried about the disturbance, looking beautiful now the sun was shinning.

3 male and 1 female were seen.

Going through Twitter I noticed that Yellow Wagtail's/ Redstart male had been seen at Cheddar so as on the way home i stopped in.
Yellow Wagtail on the south side.

I must have walked a extra mile as the birds kept flying off and returning further along the reservoir, more dog walkers and dogs swimming in the reservoir.
(Dogs must be on Leads and no Swimming in Reservoir) Or so the signs said.
But pleased to get a few shots of this very smart little Wagtail.

Thinking the Redstart must have moved on and nearly back to car park was very happy to spot the Male Redstart, feeding a flies in scrub.

While watching this tired Sand Martin landed almost in front of me, he stayed for 10 minutes while i was taking pictures of Redstart and Him.

The skies were Blue and perfect light. I felt honoured to see this bird so close.

2 cracking birds and a excellent day.

Thursday and a return around patch, I met with Tony cook near 7 Acre.
Blackcap were singing in good numbers 8 seen but probably more unseen.

The first 4 were seen together before i met Tony on the dog walk, along with Chiffchaff.

While stood chatting near 7 Acre about NSL's 100th patch tick I spotted a few birds flying close to ground across field, amazingly it was 5 Sand Martin!! This was tick 101, no picture as i thought it was House Martin but with us both seeing them happy to count them.

A fairly quiet walk after that apart from Blackcap and Chiffchaff until i left tony at the Lakes, Mallard with 9 young, hope they make it, but with Lesser Black Backed gull circling i doubt it.

Gorgeous.

Met lots of walkers were we chatted about the stunning day and bird song lakeside.

The Snake's head fritillary were in there normal spot, no white ones this year yet.