Dorset Summers

Friday 24th July 2015

Our main holiday this summer was one that would take us to Dorset, in particular Worth Matravers and a quaint bungalow called Seafield (which more than achieved its name).  It was my goal this holiday to finally see a Spoonbill, a bird which I have longed to see since one eluded me at Newport Wetlands back in May 2014.  It was on a dreary afternoon that we set off down south.  After driving for around 2/3 hours we entered the county of Dorset, and were immediately greeted by 2 Grey Partridge sheltering in a paddock from the constant drizzle.  We passed through quaint villages with names such as Fontmell Magna and Compton Abbas.  We drove next to Corfe Castle, a lonely silhouette on a steep hill.  Even though we arrived around 9:30pm, we still managed to get a great view of the sea before the light faded.

The view from the house

Saturday 25th July 2015

The day dawned bright with clear skies and immediately after I got up, I decided to go into the garden.  A household book informed me that there were a family of Adders in the garden but it was unlikely for us to see them.  My reasoning was that they could not have done any basking the previous day due to the weather.  I went down to the bottom of the garden to the stones where they mainly appear and to my amazement saw one basking (or even sun-bathing!) next to a bush at the edge of the property.  He stayed there for around an hour, disappeared, then reappeared again- this time coiled up and with a flick of its tongue slithered away into the hedge and was not seen again.

Adder

Adder sunbathing

That evening was truly magical as we travelled to Arne (RSPB) at 8:30pm and then onto Coombe Heath in order to see what is the most unusual summer breeder- the Nightjar.  On the journey we saw a lone Brown Hare lying low in a field, a single Song Thrush and a small herd of Red Deer.  Walking to the heath, we managed to see 2 Sika Deer does both with the most cutest and proudest fawns!  As dusk came and the light began to dim the first males began to churr and about 10/15 minutes later a lone bird started hawking the heath for insects.  I was amazed at how dainty and moth-like it was.  The churring then seemed to come from very direction and then 3/4 birds flew up into the sky together.  There are apparently 33 breeding pairs across the reserve and it was without doubt a privilege to see a few of them.  We also had a possible Dartford Warbler, heard a flock of Canada and Greylag Goose and had a small bat species flying around.

Tuesday 28th July 2017

At around mid morning we arrived at the Studland ferry to Sandbanks in order to then take the ferry to Scout capital- Brownsea Island.  The journey across the harbour to the island was so quick that it made the duration to the Farne Islands look like forever!  On arrival at the island we quickly made our way to the Public Hide in order to get in some early waders.  Redshank, Greenshank, Black-Tailed Godwit and  Oystercatcher were all present along with numerous broods of young Shelduck, Cormorant and the largest numbers of Little Egret I've ever seen.  On the way to the hide, our first Red Squirrel of the day scrambled under the boardwalk ahead of us and then sat in a tree next to us, eyeing us closely.  We then walked into the Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve and headed to the Low Hide.  Here we had additions of Common Tern, Mallard, Gadwall and Canada Goose with Herring, Black-Headed, Lesser Black-Backed and Great Black-Backed Gulls.  Next, it was the Mac Hide, which gave exceptionally clear views of both Sandwich Tern and Mediterranean Gull broods.  One male Tern in particular successfully fished then came back with its catch but was confused with what to do with it even though his chick was calling for it- lets hope he comes round to his senses soon!

Mediterranean Gull with begging chicks

Sandwich Tern with chick

Here, Moorhen paddled around too whilst a Pied Wagtail frequented both the shingle and the hide roof. But still no Spoonbill.  So we decided to have another visit here later on but for now we made our way to the Villa.  Situated near the house itself, was a feeder where Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit and Great Tit were feeding on one of the two feeders.  The other was entirely occupied by a rather tame Red Squirrel.

A friendly and inquisitive Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel feeding on feeder

On one wild attempt to jump on to the feeder, he fell off and in an attempt to retain his pride, ran up to a nearby post and sat there watching us as if it was entirely planned!

Red Squirrel trespassing!

We then walked along a boardwalk adjacent to bog and marshy ground to get to the Reed Hide.  Through the reed bed, the only things visible were 2 Grey Heron and a Mute Swan head which disappeared from view for minutes at a time.  A Water Rail was also heard from this area.  A further 5 minute walk uphill brought us to the Lake Hide, where we had our well deserved lunch.  It was a most beautiful spot, reminding me of the Lake District with its vast waters and dense woodland surrounding the hide.  The only bird seen here however was a Shelduck who left after a minute because no other bird was around!  The area apparently holds Nightjar in summer, which is perhaps the greatest reason to come to this hide.  After we had our fill, we made our way slowly back to the Mac Hide to see if anything new had dropped in.  On the way, the feeder now seemed overrun with Squirrels, with some chasing each other on the floor and others jostling for dominance on the feeder.  Once at the hide, an overhead Swallow and a lone Turnstone on a nearby island comprised of the only other species which hadn't been recorded.

Synchronised Redshank

The new birds for the County list today were Water Rail, Sandwich Tern, Black-Tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Turnstone and Pied Wagtail- taking it up to 72/73 species.  We had without doubt had a great day with some good species (still no Spoonbill).  Waiting for the ferry to go back, we had a nice piece of homemade Victoria Sponge and a warm cup of tea (how decedent!) and saw a new bird altogether, picking up scraps, posing and nearly entering someones house.

Peacock- a rather unusual bird for the area

Wednesday 29th July 2015

This morning we celebrated my Grandmothers birthday with Fish and Chips in Swanage before returning to the house once more.  I had noticed this morning on 'The Birds Of Poole Harbour' website that an immature Spoonbill had been at Middlebere Lake the afternoon before, which was also posted on 'Birdguides'.  So for what was the last proper search of a reserve, we travelled down to Arne once more, in a last ditch attempt to see a the bird I have been longing to see.  The path to Middlebere took us again across Coombe Heath, which produced a couple of Stonechat and gave us more good views of Poole Harbour.

View of the Harbour form the top of Coombe Heath

Finally after following the path for about 10 minutes we caught a view of the lake and a distant white bird.  I raised by binoculars in hope but alas, it was just a Little Egret.  Undeterred, we went on and soon afterwards I saw another white bird out of the corner of my eye and my dad pressed me to see what it was.  Distant though it was, I could make out the bird feeding by sifting its beak around in the water- a habit unlike an Egret and a habit used by a Spoonbill.  Taking my camera I took a few shots of the bird when its head was raised.  To my delight the bird showed off the most spoon-like bill you could ever encounter.  We quickly jogged to the hide and sitting on the far right seat got even better views of the bird who was working its way towards us along the mudflats.  As it came nearer I got some shots of the bird feeding beside both a Curlew and a Black-Headed Gull.

Spoonbill feeding alongside a Curlew and a Black-Headed Gull

It then flew in remarkably close and allowed us to get some fantastic shots with the bird displaying his bill majestically.

Immature Spoonbill

Spoonbill between feeding

Spoonbill walking away across the mudflats

Something unknown then spooked the bird and even the nearby Shelduck became extremely agitated. Whether it was an Otter or Fox I don't know, but in flight, the Spoonbill revealed its black wing tips which showed it was an immature bird, although to me it looked like a near adult.

Spoonbill in flight

Spoonbill settling down after flight

After that, the Spoonbill went further down and showed well near the Avocet Hide before flying back up the lake next to us and then further up to where it stopped and fed, though more cautiously then last time.  Other wildlife not mentioned were Canada Goose, Great Black-Backed Gull, Jackdaw, Magpie and a herd of Deer.  We left extremely happy with ourselves because at last we had got the special bird that is the Spoonbill.  As we were walking to our car I noticed something only metres away from a family having lunch.  It was what looked like a scraggly dog, who was considerably thin.  But as we got closer, I realised it was a Red Fox, and was very obliging to the family who started to feed him.  The individual must have got used to being fed by humans but all the same it was a most unique sight!  A new species for the list was Spoonbill so the list now stands at 73/74 birds.

Very tame Red Fox

Red Fox having been fed

Thursday 30th July 2015

As we would be leaving Dorset for home later in the day, I spent the morning sitting out in the garden.  There was a large influx of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins in the skies and a Stock Dove sat on a nearby roof of a house.  House Sparrow, Carrion Crow and Herring Gull were also noted but I was most charmed by 3/4 Willow Warbler who appeared and fed in the trees in the garden and I got extremely close to them as they moved in the branches next to me and above my head.  These birds could be the result of early Autumn migration back to Africa and have stopped off for a last feed before they go.

One of the 3/4 Willow Warblers

Raptors Galore- Chatterley Whitfield Colliery

Yesterday, on what was a miserable rainy evening, we decided to head up north to Stoke, specifically Chatterley Whitfield, to try and see the Red-Footed Falcon reported there at the colliery.  The weather improved as we travelled and when we arrived it was still dull but not with rain or persistent dark cloud.    Chatting to one of the men, he told us that the area had recently come to life, with Little Owl showing frequently and a Black Redstart just around the corner.  Talking to the gentleman's son, the falcon had just flew over the nearby telegraph pole but would (he was assured) return shortly.  It was about 8:10PM that a small black falcon flew over and I raised the alarm.  It was him, the 1st summer male just  flown in extremely close and hovering just like a Kestrel.  He then perched on the nearby line (something he does as a routine I'm told) giving opportunities for good shots of him.  I am also informed that the particular individual has got so used to human company that if anyone throws anything into the field, he will swoop down and grab it!

Red-Footed Falcon silhouette as he flew in

1st summer male Red-Footed Falcon

After getting our fill of this amazing little bird we decided to follow some others through the colliery in search of Barn Owl; two pairs have chicks in the abandoned buildings with smashed windows and often perch on the ledges.  The area is extremely good for Kestrel as well, with many hunting over us and an adult female who perched on a wheel to fed her nearly full grown female juveniles.  Buzzards and Sparrowhawks flew over too,  alongside vast numbers of Swift and Swallow.  As we reached the spot where you could clearly see the house, a man already there told us that the female owl had just gone off hunting but the male was still in there along with a full grown chick who had just perched on the fence outside the building.  None of us saw the female while we were there and the male took over half an hour to show himself.  It was after a couple had just arrived that I glanced at the window and saw the male owl perched on the ledge and then fly off down the valley, combing the hillside as he went.  Well worth the wait!  On the way back to the car, a crowd were still watching the Falcon, who was now hovering even more in the faint light and still faithfully returning to the wire.  A successful evening all round with numerous raptors and other species.  Countryfile apparently filmed up here, and I can see why- it truly is an urban oasis!

A Wren's Tale

It was in mid March of 2014, that when I entered the garden shed to retrieve a tennis racquet, I was startled to find an adult Wren perched next to me, who quickly disappeared down the side where the wood has rotted away.  I then noticed that a small nest had started to be constructed in the arch at the back of the shed.  Throughout the beginning of Spring, I monitored the progress of the Wrens, who entered the shed through the slight gap in the roof.  It was a most surprising record because very few if any Wrens have been present in my garden for over three years.  After a while, the birds stopped sining so frequently, and one day, as I happened to glance into the shed, I found the female incubating a clutch of eggs.  Then in mid May on a very hot day, I looked in and to my delight saw two freshly hatched chicks, their mouths open as a means of cooling down.  The adult had the warring task of feeding them and although there may have been a third chick, only two were seen at one time.  The date of fledging is unknown when as I knew the nest was vacated, I took it down, and I marvelled at the intricacy and delicate way it was built.  The inside was smoothed down with Woodpigeon feathers and moss, whilst the outside was essentially Bamboo form the plant in the garden.

Wren's nest from 2014

I began to wonder then whether the same bird would occupy the nest the following year.  On the 29th of March earlier this year, I happily noted that they had indeed begun to build a new nest in exactly the same place as last year.  The female began incubating on the 17th of May with the first hatched chick noticed on the 22nd of the same month.  On the 28th a second chick was present and on the 30th another two were seen.  Then on the 4th of June, I heard noises coming from the shed and saw that one of the Wrens had fledged and was trying to escape.  With some coaxing from myself, he went down the side and out into the hedge.  With all the excitement, I did not notice that the ethers had begun to fledge too, so after about 5 minutes, there was about 4/5 chicks on the floor around me.  Fortunately they managed to fly up to the top of the fence, sit there until they could fly more effectively and then flew into my neighbours hedge where their parents were calling.  One by one each chick did the same, anxiously calling for their parents.  After 10 minutes, all had successfully fledged and had joined their parents.  Not a bad days work!

Newly fledged Wren

Wren fledgling on the fence

It was today that, after I was certain no more broods were hatched, I took the new nest down to have a look.  Its appearance was slightly different than the last, more of an arch than a full circle.  It was then that I noticed two tiny unhatched eggs in the bottom.  They had obviously not been incubated enough back in May and had not come to anything.  It was striking that they were barely as big as a Daisy.

The new nest fro 2015

One of the two eggs found

Size comparison with Daisy

Amazing how such tiny eggs would result in 4 or 5 healthy and much larger chicks- another successful year for them.  This Christmas, I will hopefully buy an infra-red camera in order to put inside the shed and see them in more detail if they breed there again.  But will they?  We shall just have to wait and see!