The Final Catch Up Poole Bay 12/12/2024

And so, here we are, the weather's been rubbish enough to catch up on all my last year trips out, and for a change I went to Holes Bay, Baiter Park, and Upton Country Park as I've not been there in ages, and they give a variety of habitats. I was aiming for a falling tide, to see some of the waders in Holes Bay. The tide was higher than I expected, and I managed to get to Holes Bay with not an inch of mudflat showing, so I headed straight on round to Baiter, where there are often divers about.

One of the Black Headed Gulls, enjoying the soft grassy ground

Despite the gloom, the Robin was nice and bright

Looking out over Poole/Parkstone Bay (I'm not sure where the junction is!)

There were a flock of 810 Sparrows flitting between the rocks that form the harbour boundary, and the cycle/footpath

A couple of Oystercatchers were patrolling the grass

Surprise of the day.... Sandwich Tern!

More gulls 

Some ever vigilant for opportunities!

Now... you might be thinking... what's he spotted.... I did, and was so fascinated watching, I forgot to take any pictures.....

Luckily very shortly after, a second one started the same behaviour... Get prey item (even zoomed in I'm not sure what it is, mollusc-y thing maybe?)

Fly up

up more

Hmmm, not quite ready yet

Looks about right

Bombs awayyyyyy

Trouble with the big lens, I missed every shot of him coming back down lol.... nom nom

I was almost back at the car, sightings had been slim, but there was a very distant sighting of one of the divers. The website said Black Throated diver, and there have been 2 sighted every day since. The Oycs were still hunting about the grass

Three gulls were utilising the same puddle

A dog walker sent the Oystercatchers higher

And out on the water one of the Sandwich Terns gave me a little display

The tide had receded enough to show a little shingle at the tide line, which was soon being utilised... 

Another dog sent the flock on their way

Grey days are quite nice for gull photographs

And finally from Baiter, one of the many Brent Geese that are currently grazing the grass with the Carrotbills

I decided to head to Holes Bay, for a wider range of waders, aiming to make use of Asda's 3 hours free parking.... what's this...a queue... for the car park? Hmmpphh. Round to Upton Country Park it is, still get views over Holes Bay, and maybe some woodland birds, and less walking!!

If I don't move, he won't see me!

Probably my best Nutty views, ever

There was so much flitting and fluttering at times I wasn't sure where to aim the camera. A couple of Robins, at least 3 nutties, 2 or 3 each of the blue and great tits, blackbirds and squirrels in the leaf litter, the list goes on

I emerged from the woods, to the waterside hide, first spotting a Redshank

Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler a bit further out

The Redshanks were most obvious

Some strange looking pigeons

Not sure what put everything up, but there were quite a lot! Godwits, mallards, dunlin, shelduck, avocet amongst others in the throng

I decided to head home, back through the wood

And that, my friends, is that. All caught up, and now waiting for a day off that isn't persisting down!!

Hope you enjoyed

Stay Safe All