This was probably my last day out birding whilst I am here in the UK. The weather was atrocious as usual, I got up at 6:30am and was on the road by 7. I drove south to Dorchester passing through thick cloud, fog, mist, rain, sleet and snow and it was pitch black.
I arrived at Tincleton cress-beds at 8am just as the rain eased off and the light improved a lot. There was quite a few birds on the water cress: Moorhen (2), Woodpigeon (4), Common Snipe (4), Lapwing (2), Pied Wagtail (11), Grey Wagtail (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Meadow Pipit (25), Water Pipit (1), Chiffchaff (2), Goldcrest (1), Wren (1) and lots of common birds in the hedgerows. It began to rain so I jumped into the car and drove to Poole.
I stopped on the east side of Holes Bay (by MacDonald's) and scanned the bay from a grassy bank, the tide was high, it was dull and misty with light rain. I clocked: Little Egret, Goldeneye, Teal, Wigeon, Avocet and some very distant flocks of waders. I then drove to west side where Upton Country Park forms part of the shoreline. A nice oak woodland covers the area and plenty of footpaths lead down to a couple of hides that overlook the bay.
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| some of the 15 Eurasian Spoonbiulls at holes bay and, of course, a Common Shelduck |
It was much better from this side most of the birds were quite close now. I found my fourth target species of the day, Eurasian Spoonbill, I counted 15 of them huddled together on an island. Whilst I watching them some flew off to the left of me. Also close by were: Northern Pintail, Shoveler, Common Shelduck, a large flock of some 150 Avocets, Redshank (32), Dunlin in small flocks and a dozen or so of Eurasian Curlew. A Peregrine falcon flew over and put up all the waders whilst I was counting them, thanks matey!!
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| 3 views of the Spotted Redshank at holes Bay today. |
I walked to the northern shore of the bay and located a large number of waders feeding and roosting on the small reedy islands. Amongst the waders was a single Spotted Redshank another new species for the year list. I got closer views of the Spoonbills and the Dunlin but I couldn't find the expected Common Sandpiper or a Greenshank or a Ringed Plover!
The rain came back so i walked into the woods looking for Nuthatch and a couple of Woodlarks that had been reported yesterday. I also dipped on a Black Redstart and a Firecrest. But I did see thousands of Redwings and Fieldfares, Lapwings, a few Common Snipe and a small flock of Skylarks feeding in a meadow. Woodland birds included Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, great Tit, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Wren and Dunnock.
I left at 12 noon as the rain started in earnest and my optics were getting wet. One quick stop at Maiden Newton produced a single Lesser Redpoll, it flew up from the ground as I peered over a bridge looking for Dipper, it gave wonderful views and quickly became my second bird of the day after the Spotted Redshank.
ADDITIONS TO THE NEW YEAR LIST
131. Green Sandpiper
132. Water Pipit
133. Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon
134. Eurasian Spoonbill
135. Spotted Redshank
I may wangle one more day before I leave for Spain on the 27th, I hope to see some of the following to bring my UK list for 2013 to 140 : Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Black Redstart, Ringed Plover, Corn Bunting, Red-legged Partridge.
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