Ferrybridge

Ferrybridge is always worth a look, particularly at this time of year when the Little Terns are busy on their dedicated breeding area.  There is always a good chance of some waders and apart from the Ringed Plovers shown below, I also saw two Avocets, a Bar-tailed Godwit and several Dunlin.

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Ringed Plover - About 10 Ringed Plovers were present close to the cafe when I arrived.

Wheatear - Moving along the shingle towards the Little Tern colony, I soon came across a Wheatear.  There were at least three present.

Little Tern Colony - Viewed from a distance.  The colony is protected by fences to keep out
predators as well as people.  During the breeding season the hut is manned by volunteers.

Little Terns nesting.  The nests were dotted about over a fairly wide area. 
Apparently there are 50-60 adults present and so far 20 nests occupied. 
More should be taken up in the next few weeks.

Little Tern - Flying over Chesil Bank and out to sea to fish.

Kestrel - This avian predator is harder to stop as has caused major problems in the past.  This one was only 100 metres from the colony!

Lodmoor RSPB Reserve

I visited Lodmoor several times during our stay in Weymouth.  The reserve was a ten minutes walk from our accommodation.  Unfortunately the reserve was rather lacking many of the more interesting migrant species due to the calm clear weather conditions.  However there was still plenty to look at.

Little Egret -  There were plenty of these around the reserve. 
This one was actively fishing close to the shelter.

Great White Egret - There were apparently two present on the reserve but they were quite elusive.  This one turned up while I was looking for an even more elusive Glossy Ibis!

Glossy Ibis - On about my 6th attempt I eventually caught up with this bird. 
Unfortunately it was rather distant.

Little Gull - This 2cy bird turned up on our only wet day and sat on this post for several hours.

A short video clip of the Little Gull

Portland Bill Visit

 I thought I should visit the Bill despite the lack of winds to encourage migrants or a decent seawatch.  It was however worth the trip to see some of the breeding birds and the single bird that was clearly a passage migrant.

Wheatear - Clearly a passage migrant even if the bird didn't think so. 
It was moving around and singing from every high point.  Sadly no females around.

A short video clip of the Wheatear in song.

Rock Pipit - When it was sulking in the grass I wondered what it was
but eventually it showed well and was clearly a Rock Pipit.

Guillemots - Good number were resting on the sea near the nesting cliffs.  
A few Razorbills also.

The nesting cliffs at Portland Bill

The nesting ledges for the Guillemots

Guillemots on the breeding ledges.  I believe they are just starting the breeding cycle.

Other Guillemots just hanging around.

Kittiwakes were also breeding on the Bill.

Kittiwakes flying just off of the west side of the Bill

Gannet - Possibly the only passage seabird I saw.  Heading west.

Herring Gulls - This large group of Gulls were very active but it was unclear to me what they were doing.  It was impressive anyway.

Little Owl - No visit to the Bill is complete without checking on the Little Owls in the Quarry. As usual one was keeping an eye on things.

Cirl Bunting and Others!

 A walk around a site in Dorset produced a variety of birds of farmland and open countryside.

This Cirl Bunting certainly brightened up the morning! 
It is years since I last saw one 

This is apparently a known site for the species according to local birders.

Corn Bunting - I was pretty pleased to see this bird also as it is not a common species in Buckinghamshire these days.

Stonechat - A pair were moving around together

Meadow Pipit - A lot of these were singing over an area of open grassland. 
This one seems to be eyeing up the insects!  Note the very long hindclaws.

Whitethroat - A few were singing from patches of low vegetation.

Goldfinch - The most stunning bird of the day!

Martin Down Nature Reserve

 While I did see Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Skylark and heard Cuckoo, etc,  I did not manage to photograph any birds.  However I did manage to photograph the following which were new to me.

Marsh Fritillary - Several were on the wing.

Forrester Moth - It did show bright blue in the sun at times.

Red Kite at Home

 This Red Kite was calling loudly from a tall tree in our garden in Flackwell Heath at 7am when I got up.  After I returned home from seeing a Wood Sandpiper at LMGP about 9am it was in the same tree and again calling loudly.  It didn't like it when I approached a little closer to get this photo.

Not liking me approaching slightly closer

About to fly

Eider at Calvert Sailing Lake

 A real rare Bucks bird, this Eider was a county tick which is not surprising as it is the first in the county for 30 years!  A cracking male found by Tim Watts.

Eider - A distant photo

A poor quality video clip of the Eider

Whimbrel and Oystercatcher at Calvert Sailing Lake