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

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Canada	18
India	10
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