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

Entry	Pageviews
United Kingdom	973
United States	649
Germany	62
Estonia	51
Russia	43
France	22
Brazil	18
Canada	18
India	10
China	9

Bad Motor Sco(o)ter - Montrose (vox Eddie Van Halen)

There was a bit of a break in the weather today so we have been able to get out, but the Internet continues to 'play up' so again we catch up on a few images, mostly from the archive, of the species seen so far this year. When Comms are up and running again we will catch up with our wanderings and give details of number seen in Dorset along with those outside of the County.

 COMMON BUZZARD

 COMMON CROSSBILL

 COMMON SNIPE

GOLDCREST

 JAY

 LINNET

 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

 REDWING

 SISKIN

SPARROWHAWK
Bad Motor Sco(o)ter (Eddie Van Halen vocals) 

For this run of Sea Duck images we have had to lean on Wiki.

 COMMON SCOTER
has only been seen in Norfolk thus far and without tempting providence
this species should not present a problem to see in the County during the year.

 VELVET SCOTER
likewise was seen in Norfolk and although it should be seen in
Dorset, at some stage, may present more of a problem than that above.

SURF SCOTER,
a rare bird indeed, it can be told has been seen in Dorset during the last couple of days.

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United Kingdom	994
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Germany	69
Estonia	46
Russia	45
Canada	20
France	20
Brazil	18
India	12
China	8

Island of Dreams - The Springfields

Apologies for yesterday's misunderstanding reference Pulpit Rock, where so I am told the Dorset Echo had put a 'headline' on-line to that effect but the damage was caused to Pom Pom Stack, a little to the north, and nowhere near the same size - ever onward!
What should also have been mentioned was, once across the Dorset Border yet another 'LIST' begins the 2014 Dorset Year List so watch out for more details.
My very short trip to Weymouth/Portland today was very successful and well worth the effort. Arriving at the top of Radipole Park Drive and scanning the Playing Field to the east the whole area was covered with water and dog walkers, most not on a lead, so what chance of finding the target bird? There were no other birds to be seen, even the Black-headed Gulls had scarpered, but looking further down the park there was a lone photographer who's attention seemed to be drawn to something. A quick drive down to where he stood saw the

 GLOSSY IBIS

take to the air before having chance to get the camera off of my shoulder.

 It wasn't long before it was back allowing a few shots of an addition

 to the Year List and the first ever seen in the county during the

month of January.

Across the road on Radipole Lake there were c2

 POCHARD

while down at the main car park dozens of Gulls had gathered.

 MEDITERRANEAN GULL

and one with a

BLACK-HEADED GULL

making all the noise!

 CETTI'S WARBLER

 HOODED MERGANSER

 LITTLE GREBE

 GREY WAGTAIL

 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

 PURPLE SANDPIPER

 ROCK PIPIT

 FULMAR

LITTLE OWL

while all of the species above were additions to the 2014 Year List,

those below represent new birds on the

2014 Dorset Year List.

This LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL looked every bit as if

it was still on the New Years Eve 'pop'!

Just a couple of addition to the afore mentioned list.

PIED WAGTAIL

TUFTED DUCK

COMMON GULL

An example of recent Sea State at Port Bill

Before closing it should be reported that the Communication Breakdowns continue. Guess it would be unfair to put all the blame on BT as the weather must be playing its part too - if we miss a Post you'll know where we are!

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United Kingdom	970
United States	664
Russia	70
Germany	64
Estonia	49
Canada	22
France	19
Brazil	18
Italy	17
India	12