Sunday 20 March 2016

Hunting the Wren - Steeleye Span

After a quicker than usual 'rounds' of the north end of the Recording Area on Friday, it was back to base to set about preparing and rigging the 5 Moth Traps for the upcoming season. A lovely sunny day was called for which duly obliged with all but one trap being consigned to a permanent site. During the process 3 'firsts' were recorded, with the first 2 coming from the banks of the River Stour and the third from the Oak Woodland close by.

CETTI'S WARBLER
was first which was the first in the recording area this year,
followed by a familiar 'calling' from above which in itself would have sufficed for
an addition to the County (Dorset) Year List. No need as the c2 birds
concerned obligingly put down in a field beyond the river.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL
Finally, a male
BLACKCAP
showed its hand (and voice)
 adding to the Year List. While none of this species were noted here
during the winter it is not to say that this individual hadn't been here all season,
but to stay on the safe side we would not nominate it as our first
TRUE MIGRANT.
The following day it was found that the traps had done their work
producing another new species for 2016 by way of
OAK BEAUTY
of which in fact there were 2.
the trap at the 5th Tee and well beyond, to the right of the
Hibernacula Pile and just before the Oak Wood, another
which produced the 'Beauties' above.

The following couple of days didn't produce anything spectacular or
rare but what they did throw up was some wholesome, down to earth
good Bird Watching - easily pleased this Kid!
The local
HOUSE SPARROWs
have returned to their flirtive (not to be confused with furtive) ways
while after 'dozens' of attempts we have still been unable to photograph both
LITTLE GREBEs
now holding territory on Parley Pond and breaking into that beautiful
Summer Plumage.
The small 'fall' of c8
STONECHAT
during the week manifested themselves in higher numbers, especially on
Merritown Heath,
unlike this natty looking gent on the Solar Panel Compound fence.
Those at the other end comprised of at least c3 other males
who were each trying to stamp their authority on who should hold
a particular 100 square foot patch close to the gate from PCF.
These 3 short clips were over the hour in the making, but if the previously
mentioned 'down to earth birding' comes any better than this,
we want to be there!
CHIFFCHAFF
up to a dozen are all in full song, while it would seem the
Black Redstart has now opted for pastures new?
WREN
are no exception to the vocal contributions
with this one allowing me to pass and capture clips of
BLACK-HEADED GULL
at the Puddle-of-Mud
providing some excellent close quarters entertainment value.
There was also a single
WOOD PIGEON
feeding there. On my return the same
WREN
was still at it
but unable to bring the video to bear
we have no sound track for you.
Should have gone to Specsavers!
In between there was, as usual, plenty of Aircraft action,
with the Sheikh's Jumbo Jet likely heading for London and
Yet another shopping spree?
We hear that the pilot lands in Whitehall where he and the missus
disembark using their Bus Passes to get to Mayfair?
ROE DEER
another 'Young Buck'.
JAY
at great distance
but whenever do you get close to this one of the most wily birds?
While we did log a 'fly-over'
LAPWING
during the week, during this patrol
c6 were found looking very settled in the largest of the Solar Panel Compounds.
COBHAM JET
heading off for another Thursday War which is one of their usual tasks,
Royal Navy Training.
No reason why,
like last year, they shouldn't nest here again
with little or NO disturbance from the outside world.
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