Charmouth - Wed 30th Nov

Charmouth River 13:30 - 15:00. Really pleased to get a patch YearTick today. Although they've been around in the local area for a couple of months now, it's shocking really, but this Teal is the first I've seen on patch. They just don't seem to like the river maybe because its just not quiet enough. It was sitting at the edge of the reedbed about 30 meters north of the footpath bridge.

Male Teal

Teal

 It was quite wild and very nervous and did not stay long. I was pleased to fluke this flight shot of the Teal, showing a striking white wingbar as it did a circuit of the river before departing eastwards along the beach.

Teal - In flight

 A little further up the river an area of soft mud has appeared after the recent deluge when the river was in spate. I flushed a Common Snipe which took off and headed north and away from the village. The first Snipe I have seen here this year.

Down on the beach, quite a lot of seaweed has accumulated beneath the Heritage Centre carpark. Pied Wagtail and this male Stonechat were taking advantage of the insects and invertebrates living in and around this seaweed. Although resident on the cliffs I don't often see Stonechat on this part of our busy beach.

Stonechat

Male Stonechat on the strandline

Stonechat on the strandline

 I quite like this pic of one of the local Rock Pipit - feeding on the strandline near the Stonechat.

Rock Pipit

Late post: I saw a Goosander feeding between Lyme Regis and Charmouth on the 16th November.