Red Kite - 1 over Nettlecombe, 1 over in the Wimborne area.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 Reap Lane on Portland.
Sightings - Monday 30th May 2016
Bar-tailed Godwit - 1 Stanpit
Puffin - 1 Portland Bill
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 still at Portland Bill
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Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Bournemouth Eastcliff © David Wareham
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Sightings - Sunday 29th May 2016
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Honey Buzzard - 1 over Hurn Airport
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still in Reap Lane and Portland Bill area
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Great Black-backed Gull at Bournemouth Eastcliff © David Wareham
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Red Kite © Brett Spencer
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Little Owl at King Barrow Quarry, Portland © Maurice Budden
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| Grey Heron at Stour Valley © Geoff Norquoy |
Sightings - Saturday 28th May 2016
Hobby - 2 Morden Bog
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still around south Portland
Serin 2 - Portland Bill
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| Ringed Plover at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
Sightings - Friday 27th May 2016
Red-breasted Merganser - 1 Mudeford Quay
Honey Buzzard - 1 over Portland Bill
Hobby - 4 Morden Bog
Sanderling - 5 Mudeford Quay
Arctic Skua - 1 Mudeford Quay
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still on Portland
Hoopoe - 1 over Lodmoor
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Cuckoo from Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy
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Hobby at Morden Bog © Ian Ballam
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Razorbill at Durlston © David Wareham
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Wheatear at Bat's Head © Maurice Budden
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Sightings - Thursday 26th May 2016
Osprey - 1 Morden Bog
Short-eared Owl - 1 Lodmoor
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 Portland
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| Raven (juvenile) at Bincombe by Daragh Croxson |
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| Osprey at Morden Bog by Alan Cherry |
Sightings- Wednesday 25th May 2016
Osprey - 1 Wareham Channel
Long-tailed Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 Portland
Long-tailed Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 Portland
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| Great Spotted Cuckoo Portland © Vaughan Ashby |
Sightings - Tuesday 24th May 2016
Garganey - 1 Abbotsbury
Red Kite - 1 over Bere Regis area
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still on Portland
Red Kite - 1 over Bere Regis area
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still on Portland
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| Cuckoo Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
Sightings - Monday 23rd May 2016
Garganey - 1 Abbotsbury
Red Kite - 1 over Dorchester, 2 over Arne
Sanderling - 45 Hengistbury Head
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Portland Bill
Arctic Skua - 1 harrassing gulls, Long Island, Arne
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still on Portland
Firecrest - 1 Arne
Red Kite - 1 over Dorchester, 2 over Arne
Sanderling - 45 Hengistbury Head
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Portland Bill
Arctic Skua - 1 harrassing gulls, Long Island, Arne
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - still on Portland
Firecrest - 1 Arne
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| Common Redstart Wareham Forest © Brett Spencer |
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| Hobby Wareham Forest © Brett Spencer |
Reports of interest, Sunday 22nd May 2016.
Sanderling - 36 Hengistbury Head.
Common Tern - 3 Longham Lakes.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 Portland Bill.
Spotted Flycatcher - 2 Hengistbury Head.
Common Tern - 3 Longham Lakes.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 Portland Bill.
Spotted Flycatcher - 2 Hengistbury Head.
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| Skylark at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
Reports of interest, Saturday 21st May 2016.
Great Northern Diver - 1 past Chesil.
Manx Shearwater - "a trickle" past Portland.
Hobby - 1 in off at Hengistbury Head.
Whimbrel - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 4 Hengistbury Head sandspit.
Curlew - 1 Christchurch Harbour is unusual at this date.
Sanderling - 35 Hengistbury Head.
Arctic Skua - 1 past Hengistbury Head, 5 past Portland Bill.
Great Skua - 2 past Portland Bill.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 Portland.
Swift - 21 in off the sea at Hengistbury Head.
Spotted Flycatcher - 3 Hengistbury Head.
Manx Shearwater - "a trickle" past Portland.
Hobby - 1 in off at Hengistbury Head.
Whimbrel - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 4 Hengistbury Head sandspit.
Curlew - 1 Christchurch Harbour is unusual at this date.
Sanderling - 35 Hengistbury Head.
Arctic Skua - 1 past Hengistbury Head, 5 past Portland Bill.
Great Skua - 2 past Portland Bill.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 Portland.
Swift - 21 in off the sea at Hengistbury Head.
Spotted Flycatcher - 3 Hengistbury Head.
RSPB Ham Wall Field Trip - all welcome
Saturday 21st May 2016 – BOOKING ESSENTIAL
RSPB Ham Wall 09:30 – 15:00 approx.
A guided visit to RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset.
Cost £3 per person payable on the day.
Ham Wall has become THE place in the UK for breeding herons and with luck we may see Bittern, Great White Egret and the Glossy Ibis which has been present for the past few months. Other species likely to be seen are Hobby, Garganey as well as a good selection of warblers.
Numbers are limited so please contact Richard Charman on walks@dorsetbirds.org.uk to reserve your place. If you would like, or can offer, transport to Ham Wall, please let me have details and your location and I will coordinate where possible. Non-members welcome.
Meet in the new large car park at Ham Wall, grid reference ST449397, post code BA6 9SX.
RSPB Ham Wall 09:30 – 15:00 approx.
A guided visit to RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset.
Cost £3 per person payable on the day.
Ham Wall has become THE place in the UK for breeding herons and with luck we may see Bittern, Great White Egret and the Glossy Ibis which has been present for the past few months. Other species likely to be seen are Hobby, Garganey as well as a good selection of warblers.
Numbers are limited so please contact Richard Charman on walks@dorsetbirds.org.uk to reserve your place. If you would like, or can offer, transport to Ham Wall, please let me have details and your location and I will coordinate where possible. Non-members welcome.
Meet in the new large car park at Ham Wall, grid reference ST449397, post code BA6 9SX.
Reports of interest, Friday 20th May 2016.
Great Northern Diver - 1 summer-plumaged bird past Hengistbury Head.
Red-Throated Diver - 1 summer-plumaged bird past Hengistbury Head.
Manx Shearwater - 8 past Chesil, 3 past Hengistbury Head.
Spoonbill - 1 past Hengistbury Head.
Whimbrel - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Purple Sandpiper - 8 Lyme Regis The Cobb.
Sanderling - c. 40 Hengistbury Head.
Turtle Dove - 1-2 Portland.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 still at Reap Lane, Portland.
Cuckoo - 1 Melbury Abbas.
Yellow Wagtail - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Red-Throated Diver - 1 summer-plumaged bird past Hengistbury Head.
Manx Shearwater - 8 past Chesil, 3 past Hengistbury Head.
Spoonbill - 1 past Hengistbury Head.
Whimbrel - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Purple Sandpiper - 8 Lyme Regis The Cobb.
Sanderling - c. 40 Hengistbury Head.
Turtle Dove - 1-2 Portland.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 still at Reap Lane, Portland.
Cuckoo - 1 Melbury Abbas.
Yellow Wagtail - 1 Hengistbury Head.
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| Reed Bunting at Stanpit © Geoff Norquoy |
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| Sanderling at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
Reports of interest, Thursday 19th May 2016.
Garganey - 1 still at Abbotsbury Swannery.
Red Kite - 3 Stanpit.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Stanpit.
Hobby - 1 Stanpit.
Whimbrel - 2 Stanpit.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 still at Reap Lane, Portland.
Yellow Wagtail - 2 Stanpit.
Red Kite - 3 Stanpit.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Stanpit.
Hobby - 1 Stanpit.
Whimbrel - 2 Stanpit.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 still at Reap Lane, Portland.
Yellow Wagtail - 2 Stanpit.
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| Whimbrel at Stanpit © Joe Murphy |
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| Juvenile Stonechat at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
Sightings - Wednesday 18th May 2016
Garganey - drake still at Abbotsbury Swannery.
Pomarine Skua - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Long-tailed Skua - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Turtle Dove - 1 Southwell.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - still on Reap Lane, Portland.
Pomarine Skua - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Long-tailed Skua - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Turtle Dove - 1 Southwell.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - still on Reap Lane, Portland.
Sightings - Tuesday 17th May 2016
Garganey - drake at Abbotsbury Swannery.
Black-necked Grebe - 1 at Longham Lakes.
Pomarine Skua - 5 past Portland Bill.
Cuckoo - 1 at Stanpit.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 again on Reap Lane, Portland.
Black-necked Grebe - 1 at Longham Lakes.
Pomarine Skua - 5 past Portland Bill.
Cuckoo - 1 at Stanpit.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 again on Reap Lane, Portland.
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| Blackbird fledglings Canford by Roger Peart (licensed ringer) |
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| Fulmar at Durlston by David Wareham |
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| Reed Bunting at Stanpit by Joe Murphy |
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| Sedge Warbler at Stanpit by Joe Murphy |
Sightings - Monday 16th May 2016
Mandarin Duck - 1 Longham Lakes
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Longham Lakes in summer plumage
Great White Egret - 2 from North Hide at RSPB Radipole
Osprey - 1 over Weymouth, Ferrybridge and Tout Quarry Portland
Red Kite - 4 over Weymouth
Grey Plover - 3 Stanpit, 1 Lodmoor
Knot - 4 over Stanpit
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 Bird Obs and later at Reap Lane, Portland
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| Gannet off Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
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| Hobby at Morden Bog © Ian Ballam |
Sightings - Sunday 15th May 2016
Great Northern Diver - 4 past Portland Bill
Bittern - 1 heard at Lodmoor
Whimbrel - 2 Portland Bill
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 Reap Lane & Bird Obs Portland
Cuckoo - male and female at Swineham, 1 Portland Bill
Short-eared Owl - 2 Portland Bill
Black Redstart - 1 Portland Bill
Golden Oriole - 1 Corscombe
Yesterday : a Black Kite was seen near Bear Regis
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| Whitethroat at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy |
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| Hobby at Morden Bog © Tim Balmer |
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| Reed Bunting at Stanpit Marsh © Geoff Norquoy |
Sightings - Saturday 14th May 2016
Mandarin - 2 Canford Bridge.
Black Kite - 1 over Durlston.
Marsh Harrier - 3 Arne Moors.
Honey Buzzard - 1 over Durlston.
Hobby - 7 Arne Moors.
Red-footed Falcon - 1 over Verwood.
Black-winged Stilt - 1 Lychett Fields.
Whimbrel - 5 Ferrybridge, 3 Christchurch Harbour.
Cuckoo - 1 Stanpit, 1 Swineham.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 Portland.
Short-eared Owl - 2 Portland Bill.
Bee-eater - 1 Weymouth.
Red-rumped Swallow - 1 Lodmoor.
Serin - 1 Portland Observatory.
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| Red-rumped Swallow at Lodmoor © Peter Moore |
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| Red-rumped Swallow at Lodmoor © Peter Moore |
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Mandarin – Canford Bridge © Roger Peart.
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Mandarin –
Canford Bridge © Roger Peart.
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Mediterranean Gull –
Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy.
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Sightings - Friday 13th May 2016
Garganey - 1 at Lodmoor.
Glossy Ibis - 1 Lytchett Fields.
Black-winged Stilt - 1 Lytchett Fields (until mid-morning only).
Sanderling - 12 Stanpit.
Dunlin - 52 Stanpit.
Wood Sandpiper - 1 over Wick Hams.
Roseate Tern - 1 Hengistbury Head,
Cuckoo - 1 Sturminster Marshall.
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - 1 Reap Lane Portland (only the 3rd Dorset record).
White Wagtail - 2 Portland.
Yellow Wagtail - 7 Portland, 1 Christchurch Harbour,
Whinchat - 1 Portland.
Wood Warbler - 1 Sherborne sewage works.
Spotted Flycatcher - 10 Portland.
Pied Flycatcher - 1 Portland.
Serin - 1 over Portland.
Point of interest:- Peregrine Falcon - 3 chicks ringed today at Lansdowne Tower.
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Great Spotted Cuckoo at Portland - © Brett Spencer
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Great Spotted Cuckoo at Portland - © Brett Spencer
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Great Spotted Cuckoo at Portland © Brendan Sheils
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Great Spotted Cuckoo at Portland © Chris Minvalla
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Sandwich Tern at Stanpit ©
Joe Murphy.
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Sightings - Thursday 12th May 2016
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Longham Lakes.
Bittern - 1 Lodmoor.
Glossy Ibis - 1 Lytchett Fields.
Hobby - 1 Slepe Moor, 1 Southwell.
Black-winged Stilt - 1 Lytchett Fields.
Grey Plover - 3 Lodmoor.
Knot - 1 Lodmoor.
Sanderling - 29 Ferrybridge.
Whimbrel - 11 Lytchett Fields, 8 Lodmoor, 1 Middlebere.
Greenshank - 3 Lytchett Fields,1 Middlebere.
Ruff - 1 Lychett Fields.
Cuckoo - 1 Southwell Gardens.
Short-toed Lark - 1 Near Pulpit Inn Portland.
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Black-winged Stilt – Lychett Fields © Ian Ballam.
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Knot & Dunlin – Lodmoor © Derek Fowler.
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Sightings - Wednesday 11th May 2016
Egyptian Goose - 2 Longham Lakes.
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Longham Lakes. In summer plumage.
Bittern - 1 Lodmoor.
Glossy Ibis - 1 Lychett Fields.
Black-winged Stilt - 1 Lychett Fields.
Ringed Plover - 50 over Stanpit, 31 Lychett Fields. Single flock record for the site.
Knot - 1 Lodmoor. In summer plumage.
Sanderling - 40 Lodmoor, 7 Stanpit.
Common Sandpiper - 5 Stanpit, 1 Longham Lakes.
Greenshank - 2 Lychett Fields, 1 Lodmoor.
Turtle Dove - 1 Lodmoor.
Nightjar - 1 Longham Lakes.
Wheatear - 2 Christchurch Harbour, 1 Portland Observatory.
Garden Warbler - 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Portland Observatory.
Wood Warbler - 1 Portland Observatory.
Western Bonelli's Warbler - 1 Portland Observatory.
Late news from yesterday Cuckoo - 1 Badbury Rings.
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Longham Lakes. In summer plumage.
Bittern - 1 Lodmoor.
Glossy Ibis - 1 Lychett Fields.
Black-winged Stilt - 1 Lychett Fields.
Ringed Plover - 50 over Stanpit, 31 Lychett Fields. Single flock record for the site.
Knot - 1 Lodmoor. In summer plumage.
Sanderling - 40 Lodmoor, 7 Stanpit.
Common Sandpiper - 5 Stanpit, 1 Longham Lakes.
Greenshank - 2 Lychett Fields, 1 Lodmoor.
Turtle Dove - 1 Lodmoor.
Nightjar - 1 Longham Lakes.
Wheatear - 2 Christchurch Harbour, 1 Portland Observatory.
Garden Warbler - 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Portland Observatory.
Wood Warbler - 1 Portland Observatory.
Late news from yesterday Cuckoo - 1 Badbury Rings.
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Glossy Ibis – Lychett Fields © Ian Ballam.
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Nightjar – Longham Lakes ©Trevor Wilkinson.
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Song Thrush – Longham Lakes ©Trevor Wilkinson.
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Sightings - Tuesday 10th May 2016
Black-throated Diver - 1 in Portland Harbour
Black-winged Stilt - 1 at Lodmoor
Black Tern - 2 in Chesil Cove
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Portland Bill
Bee-eater - 2 over Weston
Black-winged Stilt - 1 at Lodmoor
Black Tern - 2 in Chesil Cove
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Portland Bill
Bee-eater - 2 over Weston
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| Black-winged Stilt at Lodmoor by Brett Spencer |
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| Black-winged Stilt at Lodmoor by Brett Spencer |
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| Fulmar at Durlston by David Wareham |
Sightings - Monday 9th May 2016
Garganey - singles at Abbotsbury and Radipole.
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Portland Bill.
Red-necked Grebe - 1 off Chesil Cove.
Whimbrel - 8 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Grey Plover - 81 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Knot - 14 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Bar-tailed Godwit - 97 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Sanderling - 44 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Pomarine Skua - 9 past Portland Bill (7 of these also seen off St Aldhelm's Head).
Black Tern - 10 past Chesil Cove.
We are very grateful to all our contributors of bird sightings across Dorset but please note that sightings of rare breeding birds in suitable habitat will not appear here. This includes species such as Red Kite, Honey Buzzard, Nightjar etc - a full list of species and further guidelines will appear in due course. What are considered to be obvious migrants will continue to appear on the blog.
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Portland Bill.
Red-necked Grebe - 1 off Chesil Cove.
Whimbrel - 8 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Grey Plover - 81 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Knot - 14 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Bar-tailed Godwit - 97 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Sanderling - 44 past St Aldhelm's Head.
Pomarine Skua - 9 past Portland Bill (7 of these also seen off St Aldhelm's Head).
Black Tern - 10 past Chesil Cove.
We are very grateful to all our contributors of bird sightings across Dorset but please note that sightings of rare breeding birds in suitable habitat will not appear here. This includes species such as Red Kite, Honey Buzzard, Nightjar etc - a full list of species and further guidelines will appear in due course. What are considered to be obvious migrants will continue to appear on the blog.
Sightings - Sunday 8th May 2016
Garganey - 2 at Abbotsbury Swannery.
Black-throated Diver - 1 in Portland Harbour.
Great Northern Diver - singles past Chesil and in Portland Harbour.
Red-necked Grebe - a breeding plumage bird off Chesil Cove.
Red-footed Flacon - female still at Morden Bog.
Kentish Plover - 1 at Stanpit Marsh.
Wood Sandpiper - 1 at Lytchett Bay.
Pomarine Skua - 3 past Chesil and 1 past Portland Bill.
Black Tern - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Turtle Dove - 1 at Verne Common.
Nightjar - 1 at West Bexington.
If you have been lucky enough to photograph something of interest in Dorset and enjoy reading this blog then please consider forwarding us a copy so we can include it, space permitting. Thank you to all our regular contributors, your photos are much appreciated.
Black-throated Diver - 1 in Portland Harbour.
Great Northern Diver - singles past Chesil and in Portland Harbour.
Red-necked Grebe - a breeding plumage bird off Chesil Cove.
Red-footed Flacon - female still at Morden Bog.
Kentish Plover - 1 at Stanpit Marsh.
Wood Sandpiper - 1 at Lytchett Bay.
Pomarine Skua - 3 past Chesil and 1 past Portland Bill.
Black Tern - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Turtle Dove - 1 at Verne Common.
Nightjar - 1 at West Bexington.
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| Grey Plover at Lodmoor by Brett Spencer |
If you have been lucky enough to photograph something of interest in Dorset and enjoy reading this blog then please consider forwarding us a copy so we can include it, space permitting. Thank you to all our regular contributors, your photos are much appreciated.
Sightings - Saturday 7th May 2016
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 4 Portland Harbour
Osprey - 1 Morden Bog, 1 over Lytchett Bay
Red Kite - 2 over Bulbery GC, 3 Morden Bog
RED-FOOTED FALCON - 1 Morden Bog
BLACK-WINGED STILT - 1 over Morden Bog
Purple Sandpiper - 7 Lyme Regis
Black Tern - 1 past Chesil Cove
Common Tern - 114 past Hengistbury Head, 235 commic terns past Portland Bill
Roseate Tern - 1 past Chesil Cove
Little Gull - 1 Chesil Cove
Pomarine Skua - 1 over Ferrybridge, 2 past Portland Bill, 1 past Chesil Cove
Arctic Skua - 3 past Portland Bill
Swift - 55 over Christchurch Harbourj
Great Northern Diver - 4 Portland Harbour
Osprey - 1 Morden Bog, 1 over Lytchett Bay
Red Kite - 2 over Bulbery GC, 3 Morden Bog
RED-FOOTED FALCON - 1 Morden Bog
BLACK-WINGED STILT - 1 over Morden Bog
Purple Sandpiper - 7 Lyme Regis
Black Tern - 1 past Chesil Cove
Common Tern - 114 past Hengistbury Head, 235 commic terns past Portland Bill
Roseate Tern - 1 past Chesil Cove
Little Gull - 1 Chesil Cove
Pomarine Skua - 1 over Ferrybridge, 2 past Portland Bill, 1 past Chesil Cove
Arctic Skua - 3 past Portland Bill
Swift - 55 over Christchurch Harbourj
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| Red-footed Falcon Wareham Forest © Brett Spencer |
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| Woodlark Wareham Forest © Brett Spencer |
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