Wednesday (day off) was nice and sunny again, so decided on Weymouth (Lodmore and Radipole) on the off chance the Terns, Martins, and any babies were about. I'd seen nothing to suggest they were, apart from a few reports from Portland that there were a few of each passing over during the last few days.
I arrived at Lodmore shortly after 8, and was promptly greeted by a charm of Goldfince, atop the first tree along the path
....Oh.... just to warn you, it turned into quite a good day, so you may need provisions, and a comfy chair!
The first water birds, were a pair of Great Crested Grebes
A stubbornly silent Chiffbler was in a tree top, giving me a bit of an evil eye
And there was our old favourite.... nowhere near a tree, or singing..... coz they don't....
An incoming Gadwall caught my eye...
And another Chiffbler DIDN'T catch my ear
Around the path a lot of the tree's were blossoming, and the Tit's were enjoying (probably) scampering about amongst the flowers
Getting towards the more populated watery area's, a very rare sight for me, Whimbrel
And less rare, but equally delightful, Carrotbill
The Whimbrel had dropped into one of the gullies, and I moved on around the lake/lagoon (not sure what you'd call it really!!) and it popped out again
Further along still, some Godwits were having a feeding fest
And amongst the Canada Geese, a single Barnacle Goose resolutely shouted at anyone coming too close
One thing I certainly didn't expect at the waters edge.... Wascally Wabbit!
Now, in the most recent Arne thread I promised Godwit shots... well here are some more...but the best one's are in a minute or 5 (depending on how slowly you scroll lol)
Despite there being numerous Teal, none were particularly camera friendly, despite the encouraging sunshiney conditions
And Mr and Mrs Shoveler couldn't even be bothered to lift their heads
A Moorhen battled bravely across one of the channels, with a stupidly large (in my opinion) bit of nesting material
There were a lot of gulls with black heads, as well as the less developed blackish, greyish, the majority Black Headed Gulls
But there were occasional Mediterranean (I think) Gulls too
There was, of course, the ever present chance of one of Lodmores' star species turning up.... A Marsh Harrier made a brief pass over the water
And in the ensuing melee of birds, something small and quick caught my eye.... Dunlin perhaps?
After everything calmed down, something else small and quick caught my eye too....but higher.... Sand Martin?
I carried on walking around the perimeter of the water, One of the Canada obviously thought I was a source of food, heading directly for me
In the little channel, a Moorhen was feeling reflective (see what I did there? )
More Godwit action now...
I guess this is why they're called "Black Tailed"!
The Heron was pretty close to the path
And more Canada Geese came in to join the others
Further proof, if any is needed, Dunnocks suffer from vertigo so always stay at ground level, and are also curiously mute
Not sure what the little chap on the right is.... Godwit for comparison....The (possible) Dunlin that flew by earlier?
Handsome Mr Blackbird scouting for scraps
Slightly larger scale now, but a lot further away.... Great White Egret
A second Marsh Harrier fy-by was a lovely treat
As I headed back to the car Maggie put in an appearance
And an Angel was spotted again from a distance
Delighted with the morning so far, my mind turned to babies (loads of ducks at Radipole) and the Sand Martin wall also at Radipole... I popped around the corner, and was greeted by a certainly un-Manky Mallard
"You might have the camera, but at least I can still see my toes!"
A pair of Great Crested Grebes rafted by, but one eventually lifted it's head
What wonderfully patterned plumage!!
An unusual white duck? There used to be Aylesburys here I believe, but I've not seen them the last couple of visits
And a simply stunning Pochard
The Wren's were giving the Cettis's a run for their money volume wise, but not in their hiding ability
There were a few butterflies about, some even settled! Small Tortoiseshell
Whizzing overhead.... Brief glimpse of a Swallow
Don't know this duck...??
Some folks were late to the "Build Your Nest" party
Another Speckled Wood paused in its flight
And a raggedy Peacock fluttered along the path ahead of me
I also saw an Orange Tip, a Yellow (Brimstone? Clouded?), a little blue, a little white and a big white, none of which landed and I'm loathe to ID them for accuracy's sake!
Just before the viewing screen that would give views of the Sand Martin wall, a Reed Bunting sat high and proud
As I was scouring in vain for any small flitty birds, something bigger and more ponderous flapped serenely into view
Then, unexpectedly, smaller than a fluttering bird, a flutter-by... Green Veined White I think
Heading back to the car now and a less raggedy Peacock
Years first Red Admiral
Small White (possibly green veined, underwing not clear)
And back at the little bridge to the car park, just keeping an eye on things!
Well I hope you enjoyed my dose of sunshine, sorry it was a bit long winded, but there was a warning at the start lol
Thanks for any ID's made or corrected
Stay Safe All
Lot to learn