WINSPIT - Thursday 12th June 2008
Thursday, 12 June 2008
18 members spent a very pleasant day on the Dorset coast enjoying the scenery, the flowers and a good variety of birds. Leaving Worth Matravers at 9.45 am, the walk down to Winspit was dominated by common whitethroats and yellowhammers, with some of the former also watched in display flight. At Winspit itself, the only fulmar of the day was seen, and the first of several small groups of guillemot observed. The clifftop walk featured good numbers of bee orchids, a few pyramidal orchids, and seaside plants such as hounds tongue and yellow wort. Lunch was taken at Dancing Ledge, and it wasn't long before the first sighting of puffin was called. Ultimately, over the next ninety minutes, up to four of this dapper auk were seen, including one bird with five sandeels in its bill. The cliffs also held nesting peregrine, shag and razorbill. Out to sea gannets were flying past, as were at least three sandwich terns. Kittiwakes were also using a distant cave near Durlston. Our return walk, via Seacombe, was delayed by two singing lesser whitethroats. As is usual with this species, of which sightings are uncommon, good views were elusive but both birds were glimpsed in flight.
Other species recorded:- Cormorant, Buzzard, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Herring Gull, Great Black backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,
(44 species)
Reported by Steve Oakes
