Linden Lea - William Barnes

Monday 3rd February 2014

While the weather continues to dog the most ardent of 'birders'

the BEST news of the day came from the Statistics Page

where it was noted

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enough to warm the Cockles of any Blogers Heart!
THANKS GO TO ONE AND ALL!

While it was the wind that dominated the weather pattern today, it was though worth a look around local areas even if only to add Egyptian Goose to the Ongoing February List. Waking at 05:00 to the incessant screeching of a

TAWNY OWL

directly outside of the bedroom window but no chance of a photo.
This is the first we have heard from it for 2 or 3 weeks now.

Longham Lakes simply threw up more of the same, so a token

MUTE SWAN

was all captured there. Onward to the Avon Causeway and a

differing picture, LESS of the Same. The female

GOOSANDER
was picked up 'fishing' the fast flowing river but gone (or hidden)
were most of the hundreds of Teal and Lapwing with only a handful
of Greylag Geese.

Tuesday 4th February 2014

There had been a 'provisional plan' for the day but very much weather dependant. First option was to take the Sandbanks Ferry in the hope of sighting the more scarce birds around that section of Poole Harbour, continue on to Portland the return via Chesilbourne. The weather did not allow for this, so if there was to be any 'birding' at all that option needed turning on its head. Before reaching Parley Cross (2 miles) a squall of heavy sleet struck then quickly turned to hail with the force of the wind increasing by the minute. Reaching Corfe Mullen all of that seemed like a dream as conditions more akin to a summers day (as long as you stayed inside the car) prevailed. This made the viewing of the c2, distant,

 COMMON CRANES
(a welcome addition to the Ongoing February List)

 far preferable to 'scoping through the pouring rain.

 No 'dancing' from them today, but interestingly they seemed hell bent
on keeping the Rooks and Crows off their patch.
From here it was direct to Portland (do not pass go, do not collect £200)

 and the view along the sea wall at Chesil Cove and Chesil Beach
disappearing into the distance.

 Much 'flood defence work' was ongoing here with that very scene
featuring on both National and Local television news that evening.

 Despite an excellent zoom lens, rarely, if ever, is the small camera used
for shots of birds but as it was switched on a few shots were let loose at this
PIED WAGTAIL.
In the lee of Portland Castle, the wind now having 'backed' to the
South East making things noticeably cooler, the first sight was the

BLACK GUILLEMOT (top left) with RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

which for the want of a 200 yard walk was as close as I have ever seen it at the western end of the new Sailing Academy breakwater. During transit those on the heli-pad decided to 'flash up' the Coast Guard 'Chopper which the Guilly didn't seem that impressed with! By the time I reached the CPA (closest point of approach) it was at the far end of the sea wall - moment missed! In addition there were c3

 BLACK-THROATED DIVERS,
a whole host of

 male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER,

 female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

 along with c2 GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS

Continuing the elongated circle track, it was onward to a seemingly very precarious Oakers Wood in search of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The tree-tops were now being battered mercilessly and the thought of a crashing bow was never far from mind. With no 'Pecker and only brief encounters with Nuthatch and Marsh Tit for the effort it was worth a try elsewhere. Between Arne and Middlebere, close to the town of Wareham, stands this small tract of

 Ancient Woodland

which I have always considered screams out for a pair of the afore mentioned Lesser. If I had a quid for every visit made to this remote spot the motor could be bunkered for a year, but like every other there was no sign of these Sparrow size birds. However, I was not to leave empty handed as the was both a Year Tick and an addition to the Dorset year List. The former was fellow 'birder' Nick Hopper as he emerged from the undergrowth undertaking a Woodcock Survey, while as we chatted briefly the latter arrived in the shape of a small squadron of

 COMMON CROSSBILL
not at all expected but welcome for all that.
This wonderful place is not just about birds as the plant life is
plentiful and diverse with

 Mosses, Lichens and

 (BRACKET) FUNGI aplenty reminding me of Dorset
writer, poet, minister, and philologist William Barnes' poem Linden Lea.
'Within the woodlands, flowery gladed,
By the Oak Tree's mossy moot, 
Unfortunately in this case the tree was a Beech!

 Open views of CORFE CASTLE are always worth the stop.

Nick had told me of his encounter with the over-wintering Surf Scoter during the week, which had moved to Newton's Bay in Poole Harbour which I had never even heard of. Inaccessible, unless you want to cross swords with Mr BP (British Petroleum) who extract oil in this area and don't welcome uninvited guests. I did try from another angle

but failed at the first jump as the site seemed to be miles away.
Risking a brush with BP next week is still an option. Faint heart etc!

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