On Sunday I introduced a friend to the RSPB reserves of Radipole and Lodmoor in Weymouth. It was a lovely sunny day, there wasn't a cloud in the sky but there was a very cold wind. We called in at the Radipole visitor centre and had a look at some very distant snipe through the scopes and then walked round the reserve to the North Hide. It was very quiet but we did see a little egret and a grey heron, some mallard and teal, lots of tufted ducks and various gulls including black headed, herring and great black backed. The hooded merganser is still in residence near the visitor centre. I also saw a duck I couldn't identify but I will post it in another thread.
Tufted duck (with attitude!)
On the walk back to the car park I was able to photograph a crow, a robin and a dunnock all of whom were posing most obligingly.
To get out of the wind we had our picnic lunch in the car and then we headed up the coast for about a mile to Lodmoor which was also very quiet but we saw shelduck, teal, mallard, more gulls and best of all this snipe. I have never seen one this close before and it made my day :-)
Hope the photos stay put!
Best wishes,
SB
ps - I have since heard that a large number of men in green anoraks were seen running to the harbour area, laden with scopes etc where there was rumoured to be a buffle head duck. I don't know if they found it. Anybody else know?
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
HOORAY SB, I can see your brilliant photos. They are worth waiting for. I am not sure I like the way that the tufted duck is looking at me but it is a lovely picture. So glad you got your snipe shot. Thank you.
Hooray - I see your excellent pictures. Never seen a snipe before. Sounds like you had a great day. You mean to say you didn't run to the harbour area too !!
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi,
it's been over a week since they identified the problem- I'll probably phone the Lodge Customer relations tomorrow and see what's happening:)
If it's like this now- what will happen come April and May when spring arrives and we get busy ?
S
ps- copying this to the Tech prob forum :)
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Unknown said: I'm frustrated SB. Why is it I can't see your photos and yet you can see mine on another thread? Must put Radipole and Lodmoor on my list of places to visit. Sounds really good. TJ
I'm frustrated SB. Why is it I can't see your photos and yet you can see mine on another thread?
Must put Radipole and Lodmoor on my list of places to visit. Sounds really good.
TJ
Yippee, I can see your photos at last and very good they are too. The shot of the snipe is excellent and I wouldn't want to upset the tufty; he looks really grumpy.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Hi SB,
I can see them now. Well worth waiting for. The little dunnock is just beautiful. Thank you.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
They are really nice photos,i am glad to have seen them I do like the Duck.
Littleowl
Thanks for your nice comments everyone.
The Tuftie does look cross doesn't he? He's probably fed up with having his photograph taken. I should think the Snipe was probably thinking the same by the time I had finished! lol!
(... and no, I didn't run for the harbour!!!)
michael s said: Hi S B we often go to those places usually Lodmoor and for the past approximately five visit we have had wonderful view of Marsh Harriers and believe it is common knowledge the first breeding of them for fifty years in Dorset was there last year.The Bufflehead Duck was seen several times further west around the Abbotsbury area.
Hi S B we often go to those places usually Lodmoor and for the past approximately five visit we have had wonderful view of Marsh Harriers and believe it is common knowledge the first breeding of them for fifty years in Dorset was there last year.The Bufflehead Duck was seen several times further west around the Abbotsbury area.
Hi Sooty,
I'd love to see a Marsh Harrier. I saw once in France, years ago but never here in the UK. Maybe next time I'm at Lodmoor I'll be lucky. Is there any particular place or time of day that's good for them?
Thanks for the update on the Buflehead. The only place I'm likely to see one is in a field guide!
We sat in the hide for hours trying to spot a marsh harrier, with no luck. We saw one at Martin Mere two years ago and that was very special. Photos are lovely.
WOW! Fabulous photos SB. What a day out that must have been. I agree with everyone else though - that Tufty definitely fell out of bed the wrong side!
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!