Tuesday 22 May 2018

Turtle Doves at Martin Down NNR, - 22 May 2018

I haven't seen a Turtle Dove since Autumn 2016. That was a passage bird which stopped to refuel at Bridge Marsh in Seaton; a bird found by Tim Wright. It is well documented that numbers of this delightful summer visitor to the UK have crashed. I'm not aware of any breeding sites near Charmouth and once again this Spring, I failed to see a migrant bird hence the trip to Martin Down NNR, near Blandford Forum.

Although one of the largest areas of chalk grassland in the country, Martin Down represent a small remnant of the downland which once covered the geological Cretaceous Chalk.

Chalk Grassland unploughed for centuries ...

...support a huge variety of downland flowers.

This was my first visit to the site and the birding day list as well as the 2 (possibly 3) Turtle Doves included tens of Skylarks, Cuckoo (first of the year), Red Kite, Buzzard, RavenWhitethroat, Blackcap and Linnet. Sadly in the time we had available on the day, we didn't manage to find Corn Bunting or Grey Partridge, both of which had been reported this morning. The Turtle Doves were easy to locate with their iconic purring call carrying considerable distance. They were seen mainly perched conspicuously. They were seen to the take to the wing to give their display flight over their chosen territory.


Iconic Turtle Dove

Purring and displaying Turtle Doves


The weather was sunny and dry, temperature +20 degrees, with a thin high cloud and a light Northerly breeze.
Butterflies on the wing:
Gizzled and Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Burnet Moth, Small Blue, either Chalkhill Blue or Small Heath.
Grizzled Skipper

Small Blue - they really are this tiny!!

Terrible photo of either a Small Heath

Monday 21 May 2018

Cirl Bunting - Dawlish Warren - 18 May 2018

Situated so close to Labrador Bay, RSPB and a stronghold of Cirl Buntings, I suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised when this popped up onto a dead branch as I was walking around the Warren. Good but distant views of Cirl Buntings at Dawlish Warren, Devon. Love to find one of these near Charmouth!





Red Spotted Bluethroat - Lodmoor, Weymouth - 14th May 2018

A planned trip to Weymouth and Portland was given an extra bit of spice when news broke early that a Red Spotted Bluethroat had been found at Lodmoor RSPB Reserve. On arrival we heard that the bird had been flushed earlier by some joggers and was now proving very illusive, to say the least! So, so fortunate that a few minutes after arriving a voice was heard from the far side of the bush saying in an excited tone "I've got it here!" And there was a superb male Red Spotted Bluethroat giving crippling views (albeit brief) in full sunshine, perched lowdown on some brambles. He stayed for no more than a few seconds, flew up to the top of the bush, and always with his back to us, gave a quick burst of song before promptly disappearing for most of the remainder of the morning. Here's a couple of shots I managed to grab on what turned out to be a very lucky twitch.




Wednesday 2 May 2018

Bonxie - 1st May 2018, Portland Bill, Dorset

A couple of photos of the Bonxie which powered round Portland Bill around 10.25 on 1st May heading up channel. I think that's a Herring Gull in hot pursuit.