Radipole RSPB - Sun 21 Oct

A family trip out today and we headed down to Weymouth for a walk around Radipole RSPB Reserve. On arriving at the visitor centre we bumped in to Guy Campbell and John Rickards, local Yeovil birders, who had spent the morning on Portland...and had succeeded where I had failed with regard to the Subalpine Warbler! I had a chat with Guy and John whilst Ellie gave Tristan his bottle and then we set off for our walk, but not after checking the gulls in the car park and I soon located at least five adult Mediterranean Gulls...including this preening individual (with a Black-headed Gull in the foreground).

The long-staying and controversial Hooded Merganser was showing well near the small bridge that crosses on to the reserve but our walk out to the North Hide didn't really produce much other than a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers.
From the hide there were several duck species, but nothing unusual. However, a Kingfisher decided to fly in and land on the barbed-wire fence enabling us to get some wonderful views and making Ellie's day as this is her favourite bird.

We retraced our steps and then took the buddleia loop back to the car, a Chiffchaff and a couple of Goldcrests provided a bit of interest, but during our hour and a half long visit there was no sign of the Purple Heron that had been present for a week or so. My run of dipping rarities this October continues, with at least six decent birds now missed! Luckily they have only been year ticks.