It's Raining Again - Supertramp

To describe today's weather conditions as gloomy would be an understatement indeed, as mist and a low cloud-base combined to reduce visibility, continuous light drizzle made it uncomfortable but lack of wind contributed to a milder feel. Not at all ideal for either bird watching or photography, but I wasn't going to pass up the benefit of having stayed with Hugh and Janet overnight so headed straight for

Longham Lake

to see what I could find.

Plenty of Little & Great Crested Grebes all not in their winter feathers,

while not quite so numerous there were a few Grey Herons flying about.

Kingfishers too were mobile and I think it would be safe to claim that there were at least 4 there this morning, but Canada Geese were only represented by these 4 individuals.

Blackbirds were also well represented, making the most of the abundance of Haw berries, with other small birds including Gold, Green & Chaffinch, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tit and loads of the ubiquitous Black-headed Gull.

Being a Fishery, 'Public Enemy No1' here is the Cormorant which are deterred rather that persecuted, but safe on their high perch above the lake.

Coot tucking into some water-weed.

Common Gulls (with yellow bills) join the far more numerous Black-headed Gulls.

Not at all approachable, 2 Grey Wagtails were seen just before leaving. With no bus time table, Hugh dropped me at the Poole Bus Station where it was found the next X53 was some 90 minutes away but this possibility had been preempted.

Poole Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world and offers any birdwatcher endless opportunity, so rather than sit out the wait, a walk along the coast of Holes Bay to the village of Upton was in order.

Both of these shots are looking back towards Poole, with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute HQ to the right in this shot.

Looking towards Weymouth, some 32 miles to the west, along the main train line to London which cuts right through Holes Bay.

High Water wasn't ideal but already a small raft of Wigeon could be seen along with

a fair number of Black-tailed Godwit.

A single Common Redshank perched on one leg was a good sight, but even better were

these 2 slightly nervous Common Sandpiper

There, told you they were nervy!

Some of the Wigeon (male) seemed happy to venture close to the shore,

Wigeon (female)

as was this male Teal

Eventually, I reached the

where except for a couple of Goldcrest bird-life all but ceased, but

the picturesque walk through this mature woodland was well worth the effort.

At the end of this walk there was just a 5 minute wait for the X53 which, in turn, dropped me at the end of my road - what a GREAT service they provide!

Back Among the 'Pheasant Pluckers'

Another start at first light following my usual track through the cemetery where it was all but bird-less. Radipole wasn't as productive as yesterday but the Lapwings remain, Cetti's Warbler & Water Rails were as usual vocal while some of the wildfowl were close enough to photograph.

A couple of female Shoveler,

male Tufted Duck

and female Tufted Duck.

On leaving the reserve, this 'colour ringed' Pied Wagtail was perched atop the Bowls Club and may prove interesting to one of the local recorders if anything can be made of the combination and colour of the rings? A walk along the sea-front killed a little time until once again I boarded the X53 service this time to the east. Today's target was a little more exotic than the Lyme Regis Dipper but no more exciting or beautiful.

Arriving at Christchurch, Dorset's most easterly town on the western edge of the New Forest, the 'welcome committee' could not have been better. Busking in the subway this man was playing the best banjo sound I had ever heard live - worth a 'quid' of any one's money.

My target had been at the Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve for a few days now and along with a Whooper Swan and a Curlew Sandpiper, both also of great interest, the prospects looked good.

A cursory scan across the marsh, there was little to see except for Mudeford in the distance,

so I followed the path (and the directions kindly sent to me by Kevin Lane the Dorset County Bird Recorder) to the

Visitor's Centre where there was a very warm welcome but the news on the Swan and Wader was not good, "not seen today"! On the other hand what I had come for was viewable from the window, so just a short walk back through the gate and the

Glossy Ibis was at point blank range.

This was an addition to the GB Year List, bringing the total to 159.

It must be at least a decade since I last visited this reserve so a great opportunity to refresh my memory, firstly looking across the marsh towards

Christchurch Priory,

then Hengistbury Head with Christchurch Harbour opening up to the left of picture.

There were a few other, more common, species to be seen like this

Blue Tit,

several Little Egret,

a fairly obliging Curlew

with lots of Mallard and

Mute Swans.

It proved most useful, in more ways than one, to have received an invitation to stay overnight at my friends in Parley Court, where on arrival Janet was digging potatoes for tonight's soup, followed by

both of us greeting Hugh as he brought home the main course. This was quickly turned to

this and very much enjoyed with a 'young' Burgundy followed by Lemon Tart and cream - yum yum!