Forecast was pleasant for this morning, last night, coinciding nicely with my day off, so I thought a trip back to Arne to try for some better Dartford Warbler pics would be ideal. I had a lovely lie in, and left home just after 7, temperature v. chilly, visibility very good, if you could see through the mist! Forecast still nice.
I was greeted in the car park by a vocal Great Tit
And also by the rat-a-tat-tat of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker... I eventually spotted him way up high
As I was peering for the woodie, another movement caught my eye.... Nuthatch with Bed Head (well it was still pre 8am and the hairdressers have only been open a couple of days!!)
As I walked through the car park (pretty deserted thankfully), a Robin dutifully defied my entry to his territory
And in the area behind the red and white tape, a small flock of Linnets were rootling about
Along with a couple of Mistle Thrushes
High above the parking spaces, atop a tree was a Siskin (I hope so anyway, as it'll be my first of the year if it is )
A chaffinch flashed across my eyeline and landed in the next tree along
I then had Nige's chiffchaff "Twig-itis" for Mr and Mrs BlackCap, but eventually got a couple of snaps
I heard so distinctive honking, and a pair of Canada Geese flew over
Well, I thought.... so much for the car park...let's see what the actual reserve is like this morning!!
I could hear the nattering of some Long Tailed Tits, but only saw one....unless it was talking to itself!!
As the title suggests, there were a goodly number of warblers about, and bearing in mind several hundred have come into the area over the last few days (viewed at the Portland Obs Centre), and some of them were actually singing, some of these won't be Chiffchaffs!
1)
Mrs Chaffie with a breakfast snackette
2) A sequence featuring the very seldom seen Hummingbird Chiffbler
And a shot of when it finally came to rest
3) The next one!
There is a theory, that is rarely spoken of, that all birds generally try to confuse me, by being seen in the wrong place, or acting unlike I expect them to... for instance this Dunnock, sitting on top of a pine tree, masquerading as a Dartford Warbler... I mean, come on...on TOP of a tree??!!
And this cleverly disguised Linnet, actually on the right bush for a Dartford!
A very distant, back view of what I think is probably a Greenfinch(??)
As I walked down towards the viewing screen I could see through one of the cut-outs something appeared to be blocking the view... as I got closer I realised it was.....
There were a few waders about, mainly Godwits and a couple of Curlew.... but I need to learn how to take back-lit photographs, as only 2 weren't just silhouettes on water!
Back to disguises, I think another Dunnock
And I'm a bit stumped next, too... female Stonechat?
And more disguise... a Meadow Pipit with a Skylarks crest forming?
4) This is one of the definitely NOT a Chiffchaff... it was singing a proper song!! (except for not having lyrics etc)
See!!
Another lady Stonechat... probably!
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There were two of the next bird, chasing each other between the pine trees, I'm thinking Siskin on the basis of probability...but Serin, maybe? Understandably difficult with just this one image!)
And as I headed back to the car, that infernal drumming started again...
An absorbing, confusing morning!!
Thanks in advance for any forthcoming ID's
Stay Safe All