21/01/2014. Dorset and Devon again! Birding Bonanza

Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st January 2014
Dorset and Devon with Paul and Andrew

With the prospect of some decent weather and lots of good birding we left early on Monday with Andrew doing the driving.

Dorset on Monday 20th January 
First stop was at Sopley in Dorset to see the Green-winged Teal.  This looked an easy ID with the duck being to all intents and purposes similar to the Common Teal apart from a vertical, rather than a horizontal, white stripe down the sides of it's breast.  In fact we struggled to find the bird but eventually our labour was rewarded  with a superb sighting.  It was with a large group of Teal and once located we were able to enjoy splendid views for the duration of our stay.

Green-winged Teal
Library picture only

We were unable to find the Scaup at Poole Park Lake in Bournemouth despite a thorough search but we did stumble upon a large group of Siskins in an Alder tree.  In fact the tree was "teeming" with them.  This was some spectacle in the brilliant morning sunshine.  Also seen were several Goldeneyes, including at least 2 drakes.

We took the short ferry ride to Studland Bay on Poole Harbour and almost immediately we were greeted by the sound, then sight, of a lovely Dartford Warbler in the scrub by our path.  Wow!

Dartford Warbler
Library picture only

It was still there when we left over an hour later.  On the water there were plenty of Red-breasted Mergansers, Black-necked Grebes, Great Northern Divers, Goldeneye, Shags, Guillemots and Razorbills.  

Black-necked Grebes
Library picture only

The only bird not seen was the Surf Scoter that had been reported here by passengers on the Poole Harbour boat trips.  On the way back to the car we even had the company of a Raven,"cranking" as it flew overhead.  Studland Bay was something special today with weather conditions nigh on perfect and superb lighting.  It was worth the visit just for the views alone.  The fact that we also had a good range of scarce birds just added to a memorable experience.

Next stop was Cheselbourne to see a pair of Cranes.  They were by the reeds in a long, narrow field just off the roadside.  From our slightly elevated position we were able to enjoy grandstand views as they were feeding.

Cranes
Library picture only

 It just gets better and better.




We finished the day at Portland Harbour before driving to our hotel in Devon.  Andrew had missed our previous visit a couple of weeks ago and we were keen for him to see the Black Guillemot which would be a "lifer" for him just as it was for me previously.  The harbour was quieter than last time and we were the only birders there.  We were lucky last time to visit just after the storms when lots of sea birds were driven inland.  Nevertheless Andrew saw his Black Guillemot as well as the divers, mergansers and all the expected sea birds - there was just fewer of them.

Dorset I love  you!



Devon on Tuesday 21st January 2014
We stayed at the Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton, smack bang in the middle of the Tor Bay seafront and offering magnificent views of the bay.  After a meal and a few pints to help us reflect on our Dorset experience it was off to bed early to get a good nights kip ready for an early start next morning.

After breakfast we headed off to Broadsands to an innocuous little car park made famous in the birding fraternity by a great guy called. Mike Langman who took it upon himself to put budgie seed down for the local population of Cirl Buntings for nearly 12  years now.  In fact we were lucky to bump into him as we arrived.  He was busy photographing a Siberian Chiffchaff as we arrived so we were "gifted" an unexpected rarity - a "lifer" for me, the second of the trip for me.  He directed us to the feeding area where we witnessed some truly amazing birds as they enjoyed the feast.  Use the link shown to find out more about this remarkable yet unassuming RSPB volunteer.      
              
                          Mike Langman CIRL BUNTINGS


The light was still good enabling Andrew to take some nice photographs of the birds over a 30 minute period.  There were at least 8 of them as well as a couple of Reed Buntings and lots of Chaffinches.

Cirl Buntings
Library picture only

 What a great start!

We knew the weather would change today with heavy showers expected later so we were anxious to pack in as much as we could.


Paul was anxious for Andrew to see the White-billed Diver that he and I saw a few weeks ago so we set off for Berry Head where it was last reported.  While we were there we came across a brilliant colony of Fulmars who gave us an impromptu flying display of the highest order.  Some beautiful Gannets were clearly visible out to see and we enjoyed the views.  Unfortunately the Diver was not there so we decided to check Brixham Harbour where we actually saw it last time.  However we were again unlucky.

With the weather now beginning to deteriorate we decided to visit Dawlish Warren near Exeter to look for the Bonapartes Gull that had been seen there yesterday.  We barely saw any gulls at all so we headed for the hide to look at the waders on the sands.  The gulls were few and far between here as well but a good selection of waders were seen including a couple of graceful Slavonian Grebes.

A wet, drab finish to our visit but we knew this before we set off.  We were grateful that we managed to keep going until 2 pm. Andrew then performed heroics to drive us home for 7 pm.

A smashing trip with incredible friends! 

2 "lifers", 9 additions to my 2014 year list and a species count of at least 58.





List of species seen:
Green-winged Teal
Teal
Wigeon
Moorhen
Lapwing
Redwing
Blackbird
Buzzard
Greylag Goose
Mute Swan   (10)
Siskin
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Oystercatcher
Redshank   (20)
Pochard
Dartford Warbler
Stonechat
Great Northern Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Red-breasted Merganser
Raven
Shag
Cormorant
Guillemot   (30)
Razorbill
Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Crane
Stock Dove
Mediterranean Gull
Cirl Bunting
Siberian Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting
Chaffinch   (40)
Greenfinch
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Buzzard
Fulmar
Gannet
Rock Pipit
Slavonian Grebe
Black Guillemot
Bar-tailed Godwit  (50)
Knot
Turnstone
Dunlin
Curlew
Grey Plover
Little Egret
Shelduck
Heron

Species count = 58

Additions to Life List of Birds:
Siberian Chiffchaff  (240)
Green-winged Teal   (241)

Additions to 2014 UK List of Birds:

Green-winged Teal   (123)

Siskin    (124)

Dartford Warbler   (125) 

Black-necked Grebe   (126)

Crane   (127)

Stock Dove   (128)

Cirl Bunting    (129)

Siberian Chiffchaff   (130)

Black Swan    (131)