Radar Love - Golden Earring

Saturday, and at least early on the weather was sunny and bright but as predicted didn't last for long! Under such conditions a drive through the New Forest was ideal but no time for stopping until reaching the tiny village of Lepe perched on the edge of the Solent. Once there it was only a matter of a 5 minute walk to add the

LESSER YELLOWLEGS*

to the Year List, albeit outside of Dorset.

Oh, there it is on the right!

What in my Royal Navy days was known as

HMS DRYAD (probably still is)

perched high on Portsdown Hill which is the RN Radar Training

Establishment, hence the ship's masts of the simulators.

NEW FOREST PONY

On such a glorious, warm and still day it was thought worth a look for the Goshawks, at the traditional site, although perhaps a little too early in the year for them to be undertaking their display flights. No joy, but as is often the case here

WOODLARK*

was located on song and added to the list.

Great views across the Pine strewn valley as far as

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

Back towards Parley and a stop off at Lytchett Bay where I

missed the Smew but did add

PINTAIL+

to the County Year List

and

DARTFORD WARBLER*

for the Year.

During the drive back it was decided to take another look in Poole Park, where over dozens of visits I had never seen so many people, one small outbreak of sunshine at the weekend and they're all at it! This strange Duck was the only thing of note, but remains a mystery to me as to what it is.

With the head of a Red-crested Pochard, the 'stern projection' of a
Pintail. if anyone would like to venture an opinion it would be welcome.

 A late night for me (22:00) had its benefits as hitting
the pillow a

TAWNY OWL*
got into full song adding a late day Year Tick.

                         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

09/01               137            107  

10/01               141            118 

11/01               145            121

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