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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