Lots of tails - 23rd October 2014

Pied Wagtail

We went to Radipole to see if we could track down a Long-tailed Duck and a massive Pied Wagtail flock.

Long-tailed Duck

We could see the duck from the Visitor Centre so we went in for a closer look. But our luck was about to turn. The bird took off and flew further left down the river. As I'm not really a flight shot sort of person I don't have much experience so I didn't get very good pictures at all but I thought I'd show you; the Long-tailed Duck is in the bottom left hand corner.

Little Grebe

We walked down the river trying to find the Long-tailed Duck, we had no luck though. We saw a Little Grebe also known as a Dabchick swimming close in to the river bank.

Kingfisher

While we at the river bank we saw a Kingfisher on the other side, nightmare to photograph as it is a small bird and was quite a long way away. It also blends in well with the green bush so I spent about five minutes trying to get a decent picture.

Pied Wagtail

The number of Wagtails gradually increased as we stayed there longer. We drove up to some wags in puddles to see if we could get a picture of the Wagtail's reflection. We managed to get close enough to get this picture.

What was around - October 2014

Northern Wheatear

Quite a long time ago, we went to Swanage where a Wheatear was peskily flying around a bench making it difficult to photograph but when there was finally an opening, I managed to get an off-centred shot. Well worth the wait though.

Rosy and Common Starlings

More recently we went to Portland to chase a Rosy Starling around a housing estate. The weather was not great with grey skies and cold temperatures; the chances of getting a decent photo seemed slim. We had been looking for a while now and eventually spotted the Starling on a nearby chimney so we walked closer but those photos were not very good. After a long time, we cracked and decided to go. We drove down a lane to turn round and typically, the Rosy Starling had moved into a perfect photo position alongside a Common Starling.

Brent Goose

We went to Studland in search of Brent Geese and we weren't let down. Swimming just off the shore, it seemed they wanted their own picture. Unfortunately, the sun let us down, refusing to come out behind overcast skies. But when eventually it poked out to say hello it still wasn't that bright due to the trees higher on the cliff, creating shadows that covered the black feathers of the Brents. With poor light it was going to be a difficult shot.

Jay

On the way back, a stop was required as a Jay was in a nearby tree. This Jay was very active as it was collecting food so was I panicking a bit. The bird kept ducking behind trees and flying away. After a while it came up on a branch and perched. I am really disappointed that I chopped the tail off but thought I'd show you anyway.

A Double Dose of Radipole - 4th and 5th October 2014

Mallard

We went over to Portland to see what was there and with reports of Rosy Starling, it sounded appealing.  Unfortunately, we didn't manage to see it perched, but only flying around.  Being on Portland, a trip to the smelly pig farm was called for.  Why were you going to a pig farm? I hear you ask; well, we would only go somewhere that stank for the purpose of a Hooded Crow, a Dorset rarity.  This was the 3rd attempt, so I was really hoping to see it.  Didn't see it, surprise surprise. Having wasted precious time, we headed to Radipole to see if we could be put out of our misery and to a degree, we were.  Dad suggested that I tried to get a head shot of a Mallard.

Moorhen

It would have been great to know that I had photographed a Water Rail but when the news broke from Dad that it was a young Moorhen, it was slightly disappointing.

Hooded Merganser

Now, there's a story to this bird, brace yourself, it's a long one.  In 2008, this Hooded Merganser was found in a drain on Chesil Beach.  Everyone got very excited as this species is from America.  Lots of people thought that it had flown all the way over the Atlantic Ocean.  But when it went over to Radipole, suspicions were raised as to whether it was an escape.  And to this day it is still at Radipole.

Mediterranean Gull

Considering we were at Radipole, we just had to check out the flock of gulls in the carpark to see if there were any Mediterranean Gulls around, and sure enough there were.  They look much better in the summer but you can still see the bright red bill which you can see all through the year.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Day 2 - As it was a calm day, we decided to go to Radipole again, Bearded Tit spotting; well, technically not spotting as we didn't see any. We went around the loop and only managed to see a Wren and a few miscellaneous waterbirds.  We returned to the bridge where a Snipe was well camouflaged against the reedbed.  As the weather had turned all dull and grim, it was hopeless.  But just round the corner of some closer reeds, a Grey Heron was looking like it had an empty stomach.  The fish is visible in the beak.

Mute Swan

Swans are always close to the bridge and this one was no exception.

Gadwall

It is quite rare to see a Gadwall this close and I seized the opportunity when the light was on it.

September Migrants - September 2014

Northern Wheatear

We went to Middlebere in the evening and it didn't disappoint. Full of migrants, we wandered up to the flooded grass area having to stop along the way several times due to birds just waiting to be photographed.

Whinchat

But, the sun had the better of us with Whinchats perching with the sun in front of me, making it hard to photograph the birds.

Meadow Pipit

However, when the sun is behind you, it's a whole different story. This Meadow Pipit flew into what looks like floating heather.

Northern Wheatear

We went to Portland the other day and didn't manage to see much apart from this Wheatear. I took the majority of a page worth of pictures of this bird so it was a job choosing the best one.

Wow! - 6th September 2014

Bottle-nosed Dolphins

There were actually dolphins at Durlston past the dolphin watching point. First, there was a circle of white water near a fishing boat and seconds later a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins rose to the surface.

It was quite unusual to see them as close as they were, so I was very fortunate. But unfortunately, there was one boat that felt the need to drive along side the dolphins scaring the life out of the poor creatures. Then more boats came, a diving boat, a Sunseeker, you name it, and followed them up the coast. Furious!

There were at least two calves in the pod.

The blowhole is visible in this shot.

Kestrels and Hawks - 18th to 21st August 2014

Kestrel

This is the last Portland blog, what will I post about now! Don't worry, I will find something. This Kestrel was being ringed at the Obs. But I have been commended for my stalking skills before though!

Juvenile Kestrel

I did sneak up on this juvenile bird.

Adult male Kestrel

This male Kestrel was perching all around the fields near Portland Bill, this was the best picture that I took.

Red Arrows Hawks

These Hawks of the RAF Red Arrows display team gave an awesome display at Weymouth. This is the new fly-by at the end of the display.

Portland's Wildlife - 18th to 21st August 2014

Male Common Darter dragonfly

Portland Bird Observatory isn't just good for birds. This Common Darter was buzzing around the pond at the Observatory and finally I managed to photograph it when it was settled.

Female Emperor dragonfly 

To my surprise this was a female Emperor dragonfly. It is a female because it is laying eggs in the pond. This particular female is very colourful.

Clouded Yellow

When I went up to the top fields with Joe Stockwell to see what was in the nets I was pleasantly surprised with this Clouded Yellow which settled; there was nothing much in the nets though.

Dolphins

Can you guess what these are? Well I'll tell you because it is virtually impossible, they are dolphins! Unusual to see them pass the Bill.