Trip reports

Field Trip to Dorset

Sunday, 17 May 2009

The Group trip to Dorset began at a cloudy Slimbridge on the morning of Thursday 14th May. After a brief wander through the captive collections of exotic waterfowl with the occasional family of Moorhen and Coot we visited the aptly named Kingfisher hide. This hide overlooks a Kingfisher nest site and fortunately both parent birds were feeding young as we arrived so allowed good close views, Little Egret, Shelduck, Oystercatcher and Redshank were also noted in the area. Returning to the car park, noting a small flock of feeding Swifts and Martins on the way, the group moved to Swanage where we were to stay for the rest of the weekend.

Friday dawned cloudy with occasional spell of light rain as the group travelled to the New Forest. First port of call was Blashford Lakes near Ringwood, from the hide a good variety of species were noted on the main pool. Wildfowl included Shelduck, Gadwall and Pintail, both Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers were seen as well as Ruff and Common Sandpiper. Other birds of interest at this site included Buzzard, Common Tern, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskin. Next stop was in the forest itself at Bolderwood, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Goldcrest and Treecreeper were amongst the birds noted although the hoped for Firecrest did not materialise. A small herd of Fallow Deer were also present in the area. Final stop of the day was near Beaulieu station, where Tree Pipit and Stonechat were noted.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny as the set off to visit the Weymouth area. First stop was the RSPB reserve at Lodmoor, Cetti's, Sedge and Reed Warblers all sang from the reedbeds whilst Little Egret, Shoveler and Pochard were amongst the birds on the main pool whilst a Peregrine was seen overhead. Moving to the nearby RSPB reserve at Radipole Lake the group had good views of the long staying Hooded Merganser which has frequented the site for some time, again Cetti's and Reed Warbler were numerous in the extensive reedbeds and a single female Marsh Harrier was noted briefly. Several members of the group were lucky enough to get a brief glimpse of Bearded Tit. Finally the group visited Portland Bill, here Common Scoter, Turnstone, Rock Pipit and Wheatear provided the main interest.

Sunday was again showery as the day began at Durlston Country Park, here the coast path allowed good views of nesting seabirds on the cliffs. Shag, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemot were present in small numbers along with a few Gannet offshore. Finally the group visited the RSPB reserve at Arne, here Green Woodpecker was heard calling but few other birds were seen, several Sika Deer were also seen.