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January can seem a bit of a bleak month, but last weekend was proof that once you wrap up warm and get outdoors there's lots to enjoy! On Saturday evening we were lucky with the weather and able to go ahead with our two stargazing sessions, each fully booked and highly anticipated following the...

Well, it’s that time of year again! If you’ve looked outside your window in the last 48 hours, you’ve probably noticed that the world is suddenly covered in a crisp blanket of white. Although we all like to have a good old moan when the snow falls and, inevitably, lingers endlessly...

Whoopers on Meadow Pools at dawn - 12th January 2013 The gentle pulsing of the alarm broke into my slumbers, although I have to say, we seldom use an alarm these days – but today would be special! We had pre-planned a very early morning foray onto the Reserve here at North Plain, as we knew...

New Year's Day was crisp and sunny. Here are a few of the birds which put in an appearance today. Early morning now frequent visitors to the saltmarsh. Oystercatchers had been giving aerial displays as the tide came in at noon. The small Barnacle flock had stayed to graze. A pair...

A Christmas scene 25 th December 2012 A wonderful gift at Christmas! On opening the curtains on Christmas morning, somewhat belatedly I might add, as I had been playing with my new 'toys', namely a new publication about Talbot Kelly – the bird artist. I was greeted with the fantastic...

Seven Waxwings descended on a neighbours apple tree at 14:10 today. These are the first we have seen this Winter in the area, although there are some berries still on bushes and trees. They were not very confiding and eventually flew off but proceded to fly in a small group around the immediate...

Well, it seems that our mild autumn has come to an end, and the chill of winter has firmly settled upon us. At this time of year plenty of garden birds can be seen rummaging around looking for food, both on the ground and in the bare branched trees. Blackbirds ( Turdus merula ) are one the most familiar...

Campfield Workparty Christmas Barbecue 13 12 12 Judith and I both set out for the annual workparty Christmas barbecue at North Plain. The weather was dry and a thin southerly wind was blowing but with an arctic bite to it. Criffell and the distant Lakeland fells were a pastel blue grey; their bases...

For the last couple of days the reserve has been looking beautiful in thick hoar frost. The hardy souls who turned out for this morning's guided walk were well rewarded. Our assistant warden Tim had worked out a route to make the most of the glorious views and wildlife on display while avoiding...

As the tide was coming in at 15.20 a flock of about 500 Barnacles dropped in onto the mudflats in front of West Common. They were probably seeking shelter from the cold strong southerly wind, as they settled down in the lee of the saltmarsh. As the tide pushed them in further, some came up onto the marsh...

Photo taken today 02-12-12 at Radipole from the platforms on the loop

Checking out the saltmarsh for safe grazing.

This small group of Barnacles came up onto the saltmarsh to graze the short grass here .

photostream

Having grazed for a while this small group took off in a westerly direction.

Pair of juvenile bearded tits (Panurus biarmicus) in a reedbed. RSPB Radipole, Weymouth, UK. 15/07/11. The male on the right in particular seemed to be experimenting with the curious effects of gravity and kept pole-vaulting from side to side as I attempted to focus.

Male juvenile bearded tit. RSPB Radipole, Weymouth, UK. 15/07/11.

Is this is a juvenile bearded tit (Panurus biarmicus)? Face looks right but no moustache! RSPB Radipole, Weymouth. UK. It had begun to rain and a pair of these birds were tumbling acrobatically through the reeds as I headed home.