Saturday 11 January 2014

Paper LATE - Genesis

The flood waters may not have reached the house, but they are sure as hell playing havoc with the Internet. Plan B has been to use the office access but due to a late return yesterday that was bolted and barred so no Post - the GOOD NEWS - here's the Post!
The shores of Poole Harbour are always great for a diverse selection of birds, so a whole day was spent there with a good deal of success while missing what could be considered almost certainties. The view point at Evening Hill gives a chance to view the stretch of water between the mainland and Brownsea Island and the managed Lagoon at the other side. A small group of
AVOCET
were feeding veraciously but at such distance they were little more
than dots. No matter, closer views would be afforded later in the day.
These were an addition to the Dorset List unlike the lone
SPOONBILL*
that added to the Year*
OYSTERCATCHER+,
BAR-TAILED GODWIT+,
SANDERLING+ and
GREY PLOVER
(mostly in good numbers) were all new for the County along the
foreshore leading to the Sandbanks/Shell Bay Chain Ferry, while on
the other side
SHELDUCK was +
and BLACK-NECKED GREBE*
at Gerry's Point and soon after the arrival of another birder I managed
to re-locate the now 'long staying' Surf Scoter*.
The search for a Yellow-browed Warbler at Knoll Beach
drew a blank but a couple of male
BULLFINCH
provided a bit of compensation.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER*
was seen at the south car park at Studland and rather than paying
the fee at the Banks Arms park I simply waited for the
RING-NECKED PARAKEET*
to come to me.
The sight from the hide at Middlebere was one to behold, an estimated
500 Avocets with among them
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT+ and
SPOTTED REDSHANK*
not in this (summer) plumage I hasten to add.
Things were going rather well, but at Ovens Hill none of the 'certain'
Dartford Warblers showed sight or sound and neither did Stonechat.
However, there was to be another c3 bonus, a big one personally, as
LESSER REDPOLL*
has not been seen by me in Dorset for a few years now.
A 'fly-over' 
RAVEN* 
was also seen here, along with c2 more on my way back.
However, as the gloom was setting in there was just one other port of call, Poole Park for the 'first winter' male
GREATER SCAUP*
Blessed with fine weather throughout the day, it was just to good to last and on arrival the heavens opened up. I didn't even venture out of the car let alone attempt a photograph but feel this young Duck is worthy of a re-visit at some time.
                         UK           Dorset
01/01                 73                0
02/01                 91                0
03/01                 97                0
04/01               102                0
05/01               108                7
06/01               124              51
07/01               124              78
08/01               134              94
Entry            Pageviews
United Kingdom
                 973
United States
                 649
Germany
                   62
Estonia
                   51
Russia
                   43
France
                   22
Brazil
                   18
Canada
                   18
India
                   10
China
                     9