A glorious morning clear blue sky and a note a whiff of a breeze. It was like a May morning in Weymouth.
My first stop was at the southern end of the Harbour where I scanned from the Royal yatching Club, I got my target bird within minutes: Great Northern Diver in the bag, also seen Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, Common Scoter, Razorbill, Shag and lots of Med Gulls.
At Portland Bill it was quite quiet but after a while I got onto a couple of species that I needed for the year: Guillemot & Kittiwake in the bag: also seen Northern Gannet, Razorbill, Rock Pipit, Red-throated Diver (2) and many gulls. I popped into the Bird Observatory and met up with a few old chums, it was great to chat and reminisce.
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| Rock Pipit |
I slowed down as I passed Ferrybirdge and looked over the ground where a few photographers were pointing their lens, would you believe I spotted a Snow Bunting whilst i was travelling at 30 miles an hour? Next stop was at Sandsfoot castle to look for Black Redstart, Firecrest and Chiffchaff, I missed them all but did see Slavonian Grebe fairly close and a flock of 23 Brent Geese.
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| Portland Bill |
At 12 noon I arrived at Abottsbury Swannery where i parked at the beach and walked along Chesil Bank to view the pools with the sun behind me. There was many birds present including my target species: Greater Scaup and Long-tailed Duck both in the bag!!
At 1pm I was on my way home before I drove to Meare on the Levels to meet up with my weekend birding group.
ADDITIONS TO THE NEW YEAR LIST
92. Great Northern Diver
93. Guillemot
94. Kittiwake
95. Greater Scaup
96. Long-tailed Duck
97. Grey Wagtail (seen on the 9th at Musgrove Hospital grounds, Taunton).
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