Date:
25th September - 3rd October
25th September - 3rd October
Location:
Weymouth,Newton St Loe, Greylake, Steart Marshes, Clifton Pits, Slimbridge
Weymouth,Newton St Loe, Greylake, Steart Marshes, Clifton Pits, Slimbridge
Species Highlights:
Med Gull, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Common Scoter, Buzzard, Spotted Crake, American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stonechat.
Med Gull, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Common Scoter, Buzzard, Spotted Crake, American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stonechat.
Observation:
A busy few days after getting back from Cyprus starting off with a trip to Weymouth with Mr. Chard hoping to see the Long Billed Dowitcher which had been there but on arrival it appears it had gone so we made do with what was there.
Little Egret always entertaining
2 Sandwich Tern
We then moved on to Radipole Mediterranean gulls but little else until chatting to another birder who told us about the Common Scoter.
Managed to get down to its level.
Never see them this close so very pleased,
Thursday a normal patch walk all very quiet until almost home a 3 Buzzards gave me a few photo opportunities.
Amazing how 3 Common Buzzards can look so different!
Work, then Monday out with Lauren to increase our count towards #200 and a good start ar Greylake with walking in the hide a Spotted Crake, a Lifer for Lauren i'd seen one before at Slimbridge 2016, but still good to see.
Right in front hide, it doesn't get much better.
This was the Crake swimming to cover not to return out for us.
30 mins a way and on a roll we went to Steart Marshes as a American Golden Plover was showing.... at around 1/4 mile away!
But a lifer for us both and another year tick, we can always improve picture ... I hope!
Starlings a walk back to car park.
Wednesday i was free a deiced to try for the Pectoral Sandpipers at Clifton Pits, on arrival a group of Welsh birders had also just arrived so we started to scan the flooded fields, i walked further down to where it had been showing with no luck, the Welsh Boys were stood looking over hedge so i joined them and they had the 2 birds along with Ringed Plover, Dunlin.
A little more distant than i would like, but a horse walked up to them making them fly.
The flew and landed in there normal puddles but on the far side.
Managed to get a bit closer again nice and low.
Drove back via Slimbridge and popped into the South hide and the Black Tern was still about.
Very tricky to focus on and light was awful, but happy with a few shots.
Best one of the day.
On to today and a patch walk not many photo opportunities but a very good count 47 species.
Highlights being this smart female Stonechat, first for the year, also on top fields Linnet, Skylark and Meadow Pipits.
Apart from Teal on the lake not much change there Coot and Morhen still good numbers at 4 each. Almost home and this Buzzard suddenly appeared much too close but got this rushed shot....there either too close or miles away!
If you've looked at Blog leave a comment, and say its crap :)
Wayne Year Bird List: 192
Lauren Year Bird List: 182
A busy few days after getting back from Cyprus starting off with a trip to Weymouth with Mr. Chard hoping to see the Long Billed Dowitcher which had been there but on arrival it appears it had gone so we made do with what was there.
Little Egret always entertaining
2 Sandwich Tern
We then moved on to Radipole Mediterranean gulls but little else until chatting to another birder who told us about the Common Scoter.
Managed to get down to its level.
Never see them this close so very pleased,
Thursday a normal patch walk all very quiet until almost home a 3 Buzzards gave me a few photo opportunities.
Amazing how 3 Common Buzzards can look so different!
Work, then Monday out with Lauren to increase our count towards #200 and a good start ar Greylake with walking in the hide a Spotted Crake, a Lifer for Lauren i'd seen one before at Slimbridge 2016, but still good to see.
This was the Crake swimming to cover not to return out for us.
30 mins a way and on a roll we went to Steart Marshes as a American Golden Plover was showing.... at around 1/4 mile away!
Lauren even got a flight shot.
But a lifer for us both and another year tick, we can always improve picture ... I hope!
Starlings a walk back to car park.
A little more distant than i would like, but a horse walked up to them making them fly.
The flew and landed in there normal puddles but on the far side.
Managed to get a bit closer again nice and low.
Drove back via Slimbridge and popped into the South hide and the Black Tern was still about.
Very tricky to focus on and light was awful, but happy with a few shots.
Best one of the day.
On to today and a patch walk not many photo opportunities but a very good count 47 species.
Highlights being this smart female Stonechat, first for the year, also on top fields Linnet, Skylark and Meadow Pipits.
Apart from Teal on the lake not much change there Coot and Morhen still good numbers at 4 each. Almost home and this Buzzard suddenly appeared much too close but got this rushed shot....there either too close or miles away!
If you've looked at Blog leave a comment, and say its crap :)
Wayne Year Bird List: 192
Lauren Year Bird List: 182
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