Dorset Sandpipers and more

American sandpipers seem to be favouring Dorset at the moment with Baird's on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Least and Stilt on Lodmoor, Weymouth and most recent yesterday a Buff-breasted was found at Portland.  We did try twice for the Baird's but dipped twice so we were hoping we could get to Lodmoor after taking our Tuesday group at Middlebere on the 12th.  More of about Lodmoor later, first we had a brilliant morning with the group.

It was the first of our Autumn course (12th September) so it was good to see everyone back together and Ben who was new to our group.  The sun was shining and this certainly brought the birds out and we started almost immediately with Redstart.  It would fly down to the path showing it's bright tail beautifully, a little further on we found two more.  House Martins were flying over all the time we were out, then a Kestrel appeared hovering over the moor.  Meadow Pipits were on move to as well as our usual resident species of Goldfinch, Wren and Robin joining in the mix.

Common Redstart - Middlebere ©Nick Hull

One of the highlights this morning was a Lesser Whitethroat sat out on a branch of the hedge enjoying the sunshine allowing time for us to really enjoy this little bird.  For some of the group this was the best views they've had of this species.  Above it was a small charm of Goldfinch and Blue Tits.  The sun also brought out the butterflies with Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Heath and Speckled Wood.

We'd hardly moved a few hundred metres down the track at this stage with so much to see, moving down though we added a pair of Bullfinch, though calling they were hard to see.  A female Blackcap popped up which I called then Nick said he had a male.  Then we stopped at a copse where several Chiffchaffs were flitting about with a couple of Willow Warblers with them and Long-tailed Tits.  From here on to the cottages we added Stonechat and a very smart Spotted Flycatcher as well as the usual Blackbird and Dunnock.

Spotted Flycatcher - Middlebere ©Nick Hull

From the hide an Osprey was perched in the dead tree but the heat haze didn't help viewing.  An array of waders in the channel included Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Dunlin and Oystercatcher.  Also Teal Mallard and Little Egret as well as three Spoonbill, until a flight of 27 came in to boost the numbers to 30!  Seeing them in flight is a such a sight very graceful for a long legged large white bird.

26 Spoonbill over Middlebere lake ©Nick Hull

Looking from the bench by the barns we heard Water Rail and saw a couple of Stonechats.  But it was the sight of a Kestrel being joined by a juvenile Hobby and they started tussling together right in front of us.  Quite quickly they broke away and the Hobby landed in a tree allowing us great views through the scope.  What a finish to a great morning now for those Sandpipers at Lodmoor!

We met up with Wayne who works at RSPB Arne for his ever twitch and first visit to Lodmoor.  This proved to be a very easy twitch as we arrived at the "Bandstand" or viewing shelter it was very easy to find the juvenile Least Sandpiper.  As named it is a diminutive American wader which has been blown across the Atlantic and the first one seen in Dorset.  While watching a Green and Common Sandpiper  came in and now we wandered round to find our fourth sandpiper and second rarity the Stilt Sandpiper.  This was a very different looking bird to the Least and no less good looking and we had good close views of this splendid wader feeding alongside Black-tailed Godwits and a Dunlin.  I think we can safely say that Wayne was impressed with Lodmoor and his first twitch!

We hoped to be able to include a piece of video of the sandpipers but we have a glitch that Nick is working on and hopefully we can upload soon.