Trip reports

MINIBUS TRIP TO SHELL BAY - MONDAY 14TH JANUARY 2008

Monday, 14 January 2008

16 of us set off for the Dorset coast in very heavy rain. Fortunately this had cleared by the time we reached the Sandbanks Ferry, with just one shower interrupting an otherwise delightful day.

Immediately we set foot on the boardwalk, 5 calling Bullfinches flew past, and on reaching the beach we could see a Great Northern Diver on the sea even without the aid of telescopes. Extended views of this and up to 6 further birds, plus 2 close Black necked Grebes were enjoyed in the superb light. By far the most numerous birds present were the multitude of Brent Geese. A small flock of Sanderling, with a single Dunlin, were regularly passing as they commuted between the ferry and Pilot Point. Shags, Cormorants, Red Breasted Mergansers and a couple of Great Crested Grebes were added during our walk along the beach, together with Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Stonechat on the beach itself. Crossing back to look into Poole Harbour, 3 distant Eider were observed.

Lunch was taken at the Knoll (National Trust), where 2 Common Scoter were new birds. We then drove on to South Beach, where a better view of the Scoter could be had, and Dick then spotted a distant Velvet Scoter. The bird exhibited the tell tale white spot behind the eye and a white flank could sometimes be seen as it submerged. 2 Peregrine falcons were observed around Old Harry Rocks, where Gannets were also passing. At least 4 Mediterranean Gulls of various ages were feeding with Herring and Common Gulls on the high tide line, as several Curlews overflew.

Next stop was Little Sea, which was dominated by Pintail and Pochard, and we ended the day with a short walk towards the Brands Bay Hide adding Redshank, Shelduck and Grey Plover.

GN Diver, GC Grebe, BN Grebe, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pintail, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Eider, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Red Breasted Merganser, Peregrine, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, BH Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, GBB Gull, LBB Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, LT Tit, Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch ( 50 species)

Reported by Steve Oakes