Ham Wall RSPB - Sun 30 Sep

An afternoon family trip out today and we decided to go up to Ham Wall RSPB reserve as we had not ventured that way for several weeks. There was a feeling of winter approaching, not in the weather (it was a lovely afternoon), but there were a number of returning wildfowl on the reserve. A flock of thirty-one Wigeon flew over and there was also a fair sized flock of Shoveler and Gadwall on the water. A single Great White Egret was the rarest bird seen this afternoon.
A buddleia played host to a couple of Red Admirals and a Comma and there were lots of dragonflies on the wing.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 30 Sep

Just an hour at the reservoir this morning, and it looked as if there was not going to be much happening, and indeed from the northern end there was nothing of note at all. So down to the south and a short walk around. A few Swallows passed through south and a couple of Meadow Pipits flew over calling, as did a Yellow Wagtail. On the water there were at least fifty Great Crested Grebes.
One slight surprise, a Comma was sunning itself on a bramble bush.

Portland & Ferrybridge - Sat 29 Sep

An afternoon out with Tristan and a jaunt down to the Isle of Portland to twitch a Red-backed Shrike! Arriving just after 3.30pm I parked in Southwell and walked towards the Bill and then up on to the fields. I bumped in to three other birders, none of which had seen the bird, so I left them to it and trusted my instincts and made for a vantage point where I thought I might have a chance. And sure enough my gut instinct proved correct as within minutes I was looking at a very smart female-type Red-backed Shrike. After a good look I managed to attract the attention of the other birders in the area and get them on the shrike also. So job done and good job too as there was little else about other than Meadow Pipits.
On the way back home I stopped off at Ferrybridge and walked along to view the assorted waders on the mud. I set up my 'scope and saw a nice lot of Ringed Plovers and Dunlin and a single Sanderling. Three Black-tailed Godwits were also present and I also got on two Curlew Sandpipers that had been present for a few days. But time was against us and we had to get back home for dinner, so no time to stop anywhere else but a lovely afternoon out.

Briantspuddle - Wed 19 Sep

Ellie had a meeting this afternoon and so I had the opportunity to take Tristan out for a couple of hours, so we headed south and paid another visit to the small heathland reserve just outside Briantspuddle. As we got out of the car a couple of Siskins were calling and flitting around in the top of the fir trees. We then walked out on to the heath where I was hoping to connect with Dartford Warbler having missed the species on my two previous visits to the site this year. As I waited and scanned the gorse a couple of small flocks of Meadow Pipits flew over, they really seem to be on the move at present. Eventually, I heard a Dartford Warbler calling from a patch of gorse behind us, but only saw a flick of a tail as it vanished into the undergrowth...and that was it! Time up as Tristan needed to get back for his tea, but another year tick...albeit a crap view! Oh yes, and I also saw my first Small Copper of the year, and it was a beauty.

Batcombe Hill - Sun 16 Sep

A quick jaunt to the south of Yeovil this afternoon and Tristan and I took a walk around Batcombe Hill. It was a route I'd never taken before and after an easy first couple of kilometres it soon changed in to an up hill slog and my lack of fitness really told by the time I got back to the high ground. What birds did I see for my efforts? Not many...one of the fields I passed through contained a jittery flock of around twenty Meadow Pipits and the only other birds of note were a couple of fly-over Stock Doves. A couple of Speckled Wood butterflies were also seen.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 16 Sep

Just an hour with Tristan at the reservoir this morning and gain it was pretty quiet. There was nothing of not on the water but two small mixed flocks of hirundines passed through heading south. The first Meadow Pipits of the Autumn also passed through, with three being seen. Whilst standing on the water's edge near the hide a couple of Jays flew over and a Nuthatch and a couple of Chiffchaffs could be heard calling from the trees on the far bank.

Greylake RSPB - Wed 12 & Sat 15 Sep

Two trips to Greylake RSPB this week to try and see the Spotted Crake that has been showing so well for just about everyone who has gone to see it. Wednesday's trip with the whole family was so uneventful (we dipped the bird) and saw nothing else worth writing about so I didn't bother with a blog entry. However, Saturday's trip was slightly different!
I say slightly different in so far as I saw a flock of forty Lapwing fly over the reserve during my visit with Tristan and at least ten Meadow Pipits also passed overhead, but with regard to the Spotted Crake it was déjà vu. Because of timings revolving around Tristan's dinner and nap times I just couldn't get to the site during the prime times for seeing the bird...and it cost me both times.
Now the big question is...do I try again?