Newton-St-Loe Birding: Weymouth

3 October 2019

Year and Lifer ticks

Date:
25th September - 3rd October

Location:
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.

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!

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.

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

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12 July 2019

Natures Jewels

Date: 30th June - 11th July

Location:
Weymouth, Bridgend, Newton St Loe, Sandpoint, Draycott, Savernake

Weather:
Blue / Mid 20's but cloudy and muggy.

Species Highlights:
Lulworth Skipper, Little Tern, Common Tern, High Brown, Purple/ White Letter Hairstreak, Yellowhammer, Hobby, Grayling, Essex Skipper, White Admiral, Emerald Damselfly.

Observation:
Its that time of year when butterflies our my main target, so first trip was for the Lulworth Skipper and Portland Bill, Very easy, park, 5 steps and Lulworth Skippers!
The Lulworth Skipper once you get your eye in are fairly easy to spot, flying slightly differently and the C marking making them stand out from the Large and Small Skipper.

This shot showing the tiny Skipper extracting Pollen from the Field Scabious.

But as usual plenty of birds around the Bill with Linnet.

Skylark looking for easy pickings amongst the Lulworth feeding grounds

From here we stopped at Ferrybridge to look for Little Terns, it was not long before we spotted them flying over Chesil Beach looking for food.

This Greater Black Backed Gull was on the prowl.

With up to 50 adults pairs lots of youngsters could be seen, keeping the adults busy.

When leaving we spotted the Kestrel feeding on what looks like a chicken Chick??

Lodmoor our next stop and Common Terns/ Black Headed Gulls making a right racket.

A constant stream of adults with Sand Eels and other small fish.

Plenty of squabbling looking spectacular!

That was Monday on Sunday with Allan Chard we headed over to Bridgend and Old Castle Down for the High Brown and Dark Green Fritillary. A seemingly perfect day but for some reason Dark Greens & Hg's not showing well making it very hard to get views of either.

After some 5 hours and 7 miles of walking the ferns these were my best efforts.
Dark Green Fritillary.

Stonechat keeping a eye on us.

I saw a few High Browns but this only picture, a poor effort, but this Thistle will feature again.

Head on Dark Green Fritillary

So Tuesday was at a end, not happy.
So Wednesday I went back only, didn't see a single sole there either which was a good job as I forgot my hat, but with a pink camera cloth on my head I managed my best ever views of this Yellowhammer who it seemed he couldn't see me, Camo??

Again walking and searching was thinking i'd never get views of the High Brown when I checked in on the thistle id seen a HG on yesterday.

A High Brown was on it, open wings so I waited for it to return, High Browns came back 4 times to this same thistle, all open wings was just about to give up after over a hour of waiting when I got the shot I wanted!

Thursday was patch walk day started off with Whitethroat and Blackcap in the lanes towards seven acre.

Was very pleased to see White Letter Hairstreak and Purple Hairstreak in their normal spot.

We had a response from the Duchy about the cutting down of almost all of Seven Acre. It was all done under Forestry commission licence.

"Tree's will be restocked: Oak – 50% / Small leaved lime – 10% / Beech – 10% / Mixed native broad leaves – 15% / Field maple – 5% / Hazel – 10%. These species will ultimately provide a more varied habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, avian, mammals and any other wildlife that will benefit."

So I suppose long tern this will be good but still a shock to see our forest cut down.

Very quiet on the bird front on my walk to Lake but Butterflies everywhere. But once at Lake and sitting down spotted what I thought was a Sparrowhawk.... Nope a Hobby hunting over top lake!!

Giving me fantastic views but photography was into the sun, but stunning to watch for a hour catching many of the Dragonflies which were hawking over the lake.

A dragon in each talon and one in beak!

Emerald Damselflies, Brown Hawker, Emperor, Black Tailed Skimmer plus many Common Blues Damselflies.

A good selection across lake.

Work for next few days but Sunday headed down to Sand Point NR. Weston Super Mare for a search for Grayling and Essex Skipper.

Once on the Point was astonished by the numbers of Marbled White and Meadow Browns they seem to be having a excellent year, I've even seen one in my garden this year!
But Grayling spotted whizzing across the landscape being chased by 2 more.

Essex Skippers too on the excellent rocks and Flowers.

No better place to be.

Saw at least 10 Grayling and 15 or so Essex Skippers.

ID tip looking at Essex Skipper from below, check for totally black tips to antenna, almost as though they've been dipped in Black paint, they also fly quicker than Small Skipper.

I dropped into Draycott for a early Chalkhill but nothing going on, maybe this week ?

Monday was suppose to be Purple Emperor day but with butterflying you never know and dispute checking out Savernake, Everleigh Ashes and Black Dog Wood we came away with very little.
We will try next week.

Tuesday I thought id stay local and headed to Lords Wood again the weather was very muggy and butterflies not really showing so turned my hand to Dragonflies/ Damselflies.

A Emerald Damselfly female