30th May 2015

Returned to Lodmoor today to look for the Purple Heron, but didn't locate it until we left at 20:00hrs, when it started to rain. However, did see 3 marsh  harriers, a whimbral, 2 sanderling (2 in summer plumage), whitethroat and raven.

25th May 2015

Took the two-hour drive to Titchfield Haven to arrive at 0935 hrs. Parked at the reserve end, but coudn't locate the greater yellowlegs. After hearing that the bird had been seen at the north of the flood, it was late enough that it would take longer to walk out there than it would for the tide to go down, which hopefully the bird would follow. Then I remembered reading that the footpath along the flood could be accessed from bridge street in Titchfield village. We drove up there and walked south for about a mile, where a group of birders were watching the GREATER YELLOWLEGS amongst Black-Tailed Godwits, and was very vocal. Unfortunatly, it flew south alone towards Titchfield Haven before I could get any decent pictures of it.

We rushed back down to the southern end and headed to the Suffern Hide where 2 birders had already picked it up on the far right of the hide. Fortunatly, the bird flew closer and started feeding just in front of the hide, allowing a much better photo opportunity.

Also at Titchfield Haven, I had Sandwich Tern, 2+ Avocets and plenty of common terns.

Next stop was Water Meadow, Wareham. We had a Jay and yet another Red Kite, increasing my year total so far to 12!

Eventually, the RED-FOOTED FALCON showed at close range in front of us, however its appearances were brief, quick flybys, so it was tricky to keep up using my camara.

24th May 2015

Stopped off at herriott's Chew Valley Lake this morning, and had a sleeping male garganey at the rear of heriott's pool.

23rd May 2015

First stop this morning was to see the American Golden Plover at Exminster Marshes, which was pointed out by some birders on the road-side as soon as we arrived. However, it was very distant and ussually only the head was visible.

We were told that a gull-billed tern was seen earlier at bowling green marsh, so we quickly headed over there only to find that it had flown into the estuary half an hour ago. Only other birds of note here were 2 ravens, a greenshank and good numbers of bar-tailed godwit and whimbrel.

Stopped off at Darts Farm for some lunch and were treated to a group of 3 flyover red kites, increasing my total to 11 so far this year.

After hearing that the gull-billed tern had been seen again breifly at Exminster Marsh, we decided to have another look there. Had the american golden plover again but more distantly and in poorer light. Also had at least 1 distant red kite, probably one of the same birds that I had earlier.

19th May 2015

Had a Red Kite over the house this afternoon, first one I've seen here for over a year.

16th May 2015

Went back to Portland Bill today. Sea watching produced a distant Great Skua, 7 gannets as well as the usual guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. A hobby in the top fields again was the only other bird of note. Ferrybridge produced goods numbers of Little Tern and Bar-Tailed Godwit at long range but I didn't walk out very far.

After hearing that a Red-Rumped Swallow had flew west past Lodmoor, we headed there (though we weren't able to get there until an hour after) only to find that it hadn't been seen again. We then rushed over to Radipole Lake in the hope that it might have lingered, but still no sign despite increased number of hirundines. We headed back to Lodmoor to look for the Purple Heron but didn't locate it before we had to leave at 1800 hrs. Did have at least 3 common terns - much lower numbers than have breeding here in previous years.

9th May 2015

Headed to Portland Bill this morning, but failed to find the Tawny Pipit in 2 hours. Managed little else; singles of kittiwake and hobby.

Also watched briefly from chesil cove but found very little. A watch from Ferrybridge produced good numbers of Little Terns, oystercatcher ringed plover, dunlin and sanderling and singles of knot, turnstone and whimbrel.