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.
Stock Dove, Greater, Green woodpeckers along with Marsh Tit and Treecreeper's were added to list.
A few butterflies were starting to warm up Orange Tip, Brimstone, Small Tort and Peacock were seen.
Ended walk on 40 until almost home and I spotted the Kingfisher on our brook, so 41 species not bad plus the Sand Martins, a great day was had.
Wayne Year bird List: 154
Lauren Year Bird List: 146
No change on Butterflies still 10 species
Thanks For Looking!
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