Birding Pagham Harbour

Birding Pagham Harbour, 28th September 2014

Our birding day at Pagham Harbour started at Sidlesham Ferry and looking over Ferry Pool.  A good start with Avocet, Little Stint, Green Sandpipers and Lapwings, a single Mediterranean Gull and lots of Teal.  A Buzzard and Kestrel were over the fields, whilst overhead a stream of Swallows, House Martins and Meadow Pipits.

In the creek a Spotted Redshank disappeared down the bank leaving just Common Redshank, as we approached the bushes we surprised a male Sparrowhawk which took off very quickly.  It was quiet for passerines though we did have Linnets and the usual small birds you’d expect.

Our next stop was Church Norton, we had a circular walk round through farm fields to The Severals, along the way we had Stonechat, Red-legged Partridge, Willow Warbler as well as Chiffchaff and heard Cetti’s Warbler.  Also enjoying the beautiful early autumn sunshine were Hornets, butterflies - Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Comma.

On arriving at the harbour a Peregrine flew across, and soared to a very great height moments later two Sparrowhawks moved along the wood edge and then found a another Peregrine sat on a post out on the beach.  The tide was only just starting to come in but we could see Curlew, several Knot were scattered along the main channel as were Oystercatchers and Turnstone. There was good numbers of Wigeon which were very restless flying around.

After lunch we drove round to the North Wall, our first birds were a ‘flock’ of Moorhens, a family party and others in the field with ponies.  A Kingfisher called and flashed past and a Cetti’s Warbler sang.

On the pools we counted five Spotted Redshank amongst the Black-tailed Godwits, a Water Rail crept through the edge of the reeds before stopping to have a lengthy preening session.  Looking into the harbour, now at high tide, we had Grey Plover, Greenshank calling as they flew across, Wigeon, Pintail and Teal.  On the rocks a couple of Wheatears were searching for insects to feed on.

However our real highlight was a little further on I looked down a creek where several Little Egrets were stood on the bank. I put my binoculars up and saw a Cattle Egret, it's yellow bill stood out like a sore thumb. I called the group over and Liz just got on to the bird when it flew up and went into the next field with the cattle.  We then all got good views, but the cattle were not happy with this intruder and they nudged it and pushed it off! It flew off in a north/north westerly direction but was not seen to land again.

Spotted Redshank at North Wall Pagham Harbour  Nick Hull

Studland and at Home

Our Sunday monthly group yesterday met at Greenlands Farm and walked towards Brands Bay.  During our 3 hour walk we had Meadow Pipits calling and flying over us in in small groups.  Swallows were with just a few House Martins amongst them.   

We hadn't walked far, though we could see the Bay, when a Great White Egret flew up from the bay and across to Little Sea, then Liz spotted the juvenile Marsh Harrier behind us heading towards Ballard Down, then she found a distant bird of prey over Goathorn, which through the scope was confirmed by Nick as a Peregrine.  What a start to our walk!

Walking to the hide a male Stonechat perched up for us to admire, soon we were sat looking through the waders pushed in by the rising tide.  There were good numbers of Black-tailed Godwit interspersed with Redshanks.  Four Knot flew in, and a Ringed Plover flew out, Nick found four more Knot and we had a brief view of a juvenile Sanderling.  Other waders included  Curlew, Dunlin, Lapwing and Oystercatchers plus a single Bar-tailed Godwit.  Our first Wigeon of the Autumn were busy feeding alongside Teal.

Moving towards Little Sea a Green Woodpecker flew across the heath and a Common Lizard moved too quickly into cover for most of the group to see.  Common Darters were now really warmed up and were "common", later we found a few Migrant Hawkers, but not many butterflies despite the warmth.  Looking through the high tide Egret roost we counted 74 Little Egrets and one Great White Egret, also a few Grey Herons and Cormorants.   Below is a digiscoped shot of the Great White in the roost.

We found a sheltered warm spot in the wooded area and had at least three Spotted Flycatchers, Goldcrests and a Firecrest, Coal, Blue and Great Tits and lots of Chiffchaffs, just a few Willow Warblers.  We spent a while here hoping for a glimpse of another bird we saw all too briefly but struck us that it could've been a Red-breasted Flycatcher, but despite our looking we never saw this bird again.

This afternoon we were gardening when we found an amazing spider, a splendid female Wasp Spider.  We were so pleased to find one in our garden.  On the left hand side is the underside and on the right hand side is the top of the spider.

All photographs are copyright of Nick Hull

Middlebere - Osprey and migrants

Our monthly Wednesday group met at Middlebere this morning, starting our walk we could see that Swallows were steadily streaming over with a few House Martins with them.  A number of Stonechats, adults with juveniles were on the heathland along with a few Meadow Pipits.

Down the track we had a Chiffchaff singing but we had several along our way,  a Jay called and then we spotted it flying across the track.  Reaching the Rowan trees we found Goldfinch but Chris was the only one to see the male Redstart, it disappeared and not seen again.  A couple of Whitethroats sat on top of a bush, a further one was on the wire fencing at the farm, along with a female Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff.   There were a good number of Mistle Thrushes enjoying the rowan berries, with at least twenty enjoying this feast.  Our first raptor was seen here with a Peregrine flying over us.

Arriving at the hide before we had settled down I noticed the Shelduck flying, then the Teal sprung up and I soon spied the Osprey that had spooked them.  It flew down channel, which was at low tide and out into the harbour.  The duck soon came back together with a couple of Grey Heron, Little Egret and a single Curlew.   It wasn't long before a raptor was brought to my attention at the far end of the channel surrounded by gulls.  Looking through a telescope my suspicions were confirmed that it was an Osprey.

Out of the hide Joe saw another more distant bird of prey, thankfully it was coming towards us and we were able to see it was possibly another Osprey, this time with a fish in its talons.  It flew for what seemed ages and descending all the time but we eventually lost it to view as it went past the

hide.

Overlooking the Wytch channel we added Greenshank and a beautiful male Kestrel, our fourth raptor of the day, a Buzzard appeared over towards Corfe Castle.  A pair of Coal Tits were in the conifers and a Green Woodpecker gave its lovely 'yaffle' call.

The sunshine brought out the butterflies and we had plenty of Red Admirals, Small Heath, a couple of Grayling and even a lovely male Common Blue.

Small Heath 

Keyhaven and Pennington

Meeting the group at half past nine we headed out to look for waders on the lagoons, with reports that there was a Pectoral Sandpiper and Garganey been seen for the last few days hopes were high for seeing some fantastic birds and fingers were crossed that rain held off, neither disappointed us. 

The first waders seen were Turnstones, with some still in their lovely summer plumage, followed by Redshank, Dunlin and Curlew. Checking the Curlew’s on the salt marshes closely Chris found a Whimbrel, not a bad start to the day. Moving on to Keyhaven lagoon a quick scan produced several more species of wader to add to the days list with Lapwing, Greenshank, Ringed Plover and I found a Sanderling, which is a good bird for here. A beautiful female Kestrel sitting in the bushes was the first of only two raptors seen for the day.

Moving on we were alerted to the presence of terns out on the salt marsh a nice mixed flock of Sandwich and Common but the heat haze made it impossible to tell if anything more interesting was mixed in. Then on to Fishtail Lagoon where all eyes were on the look out for the Pectoral Sandpiper, while looking Jackie and I were treated to great but brief views of two Sedge Warblers. Then the call went out, Nick had found the pec sand along with the added bonus of a Wood Sandpiper feeding along side it.

Pectoral Sandpiper (top)a vagrant from North America & Wood Sandpiper (bottom) © Jess Evans

Jersey Tiger moth a migrant from Europe © Nick Hull

We finished at lunch time having seen 49 species of birds.

Also on the lagoon were plenty of Black-tailed Godwits most of which were still in summer plumage, more Dunlin, another Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank and Ruff. Along with the usual ducks and gulls but sadly no Garganey was seen. When moving on all eyes were drawn not to a bird but an unusual looking orange butterfly as it slowly flew by options of what species were called out but promptly dismissed, until it dawned on us that it wasn’t a butterfly but a day-flying moth, a Jersey Tiger moth to be exact which was a brand new moth to many in the group. Meaning already happy faces turned into huge grinning ear to ear faces.The Rest of the walk was pretty quiet after that, with the only other wader added being Grey plover out on the salt marsh. Other birds of interest were a few Reed Warblers in the reeds in front of Butts lagoon, Eider out by the jetty and the only other raptor of the day, a Buzzard over the caravan park at Pennington.

Thank you Jess for the write up on todays walk.

A Brilliant Day in the New Forest

Meeting Jackie and the group at nine o’clock we headed off across the heath looking for the usual species of this southern habitat.  They didn’t disappoint first a group of Meadow Pipit flew over then it was a family of Stonechat the male being followed around by a Dartford Warbler and we had glimpses of one or two Redstart.  Our walk took across the open heath and across wet bog, here we found Bog Asphodel in flower and the Bog Myrtle scent wafted in the breeze.  Also Willow Warbler, Lapwing, Starling, a high flying Siskin over and a Grey Heron stood out in the bog.  A few damsel and dragonflies were also found as well as several butterflies species and a single Marsh Orchid.

Grey Heron stood out in the bog

On reaching the edge of the wood we started picking up Chaffinches, then a Green Woodpecker ‘Yaffled’ and we saw one or two Redstarts and our first Spotted Flycatcher of the walk.  Further on, now along the edge of the woodland, with more views of Redstarts and another Spotted Flycatcher.  It was about this point in our walk that I caught sight of two birds flying out from over the wood the first was a corvid the second a Buzzard but something about its ‘jizz’ made take a longer look.  It turned slightly and then went into a soar and at this point I realised its identity, a male Honey Buzzard small head, long tail and heavy barring.  It looked like it was going to come towards us but then changed its mind and climbed higher circling.  Then it put in a few slow butterfly like flaps of the wings then clapped its wing above its body in territorial display and it continued to do this for some minutes before it was lost to view as it flew back over the wood.  What a fantastic sight for the group to be able to witness.

A very cropped shot of the Displaying Honey Buzzard

As we started our return walk we picked up many more of the woodland species  a family of Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great and Blue Tits and a single Marsh Tit.  A Silver-washed Fritillary glided by giving us very brief views, another family party of Redstarts, and Spotted Flycatchers were seen. Jackie found a skull of a bird which we first thought was of a buzzard but we finally realised it was of a Tawny Owl.  Next there was a yellow fungus which Mick identified as Chicken of the Wood, apparently it is edible but has little taste but has the texture of chicken hence its name.  The last stretch to the car park added Bullfinch but only heard it, another pair of Spotted Flycatcher and a Redstart.  Butterflies included Silver-studded Blue, Gatekeepers, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large Skipper and one Silver-washed Fritillary. 

Emperor Dragonfly one of the species seen on our walk

We finished at lunch time with the satisfaction of knowing that it isn’t every day that you see displaying Honey Buzzard almost overhead.

Portland Wildlife

Many people when thinking about Portland will first think of the stone quarries then maybe the lighthouse at the tip of the bill, birders think of it as one of the best sites for migrating birds in the UK a place where they may see or find a rarity.  There is much more to Portland, it has quite a diverse wildlife and yesterday Jackie and I led a small group to various sites on the island to find some of that other wildlife. 

We started at 08:00 in the Bill car park and headed out to the Obelisk for a spot of sea watching.  We quickly checked off Fulmar, Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbill and of course the usual gull species.  Walking around to look at the auk nesting ledges we could hear the nesting birds making their groaning calls.  Walking on making our way across to the Obs quarry we recorded our first butterflies with Small White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Marbled Whites and added Linnet, Rock Pipit, Swallow and a pair Stonechat to the bird list.  A pair of Raven were also seen distantly probably the same pair that I had photographed earlier before all the group had assembled.

Raven - Portland Bill © Nick Hull

We moved off to our next location near Cheyne Weare to try and find Wall Lizard, one of two sites in Dorset, for this mainly continental species.  As we arrived we were able to check off Ringlet and Dingy Skipper on our butterfly list.  We scoured the quarry for sometime before Tim spotted one crawl out to sunbath on one of the large boulders.  Soon after Jess pointed out another and over the next few minutes we located a possible four Wall Lizards.

Wall Lizard catching the rays - © Nick Hull

Broadcroft Quarry was our next location this is a Butterfly Conservation reserve an excellent site for butterflies.  We started with more Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites then added Small and Large Skippers and I found a single Lulworth Skipper.  Next it was blue with Small, Common and then one of the target species, Portland's very own Cretaceous race of Silver-studded Blue.  Whilst watching the "blues" Joe and I picked up a Clouded Yellow which posed briefly for all to see. Walking on we were able to show various stages of Six-spot Burnet with a caterpillar, then with one already in its web like tent cocooned on the side of a piece of grass and then the adult which seemed to be everywhere.  We continued searching, two more day flying moths were found with Silver Y and Burnet Companion, then another migrant moth shot through towards the Valerian - a Hummingbird Hawk-moth a cracking moth but very fast.

Clouded Yellow © Nick Hull

Hummingbird Hawk-moth © Nick Hull

Burnet Companion © Nick Hull

This took us nicely up to lunch time and we headed off to to the view point of Portland Height where, whilst having a well earned break, we watch a male Kestrel hunting the slopes of the Verne and Priory Hill and enjoyed the view across the Lyme Bay and the Chesil beach.  

We ended our day at Ferrybridge where we walked out to the edge of the Little Tern colony which has 24hr wardens and electrical fencing, real high security to protect these super terns from predation from ground animals like Foxes.  Though we found out that the Herring Gull and the local Kestrel can take advantage and predate the eggs and young.  Though the Little Terns will try their upmost to see off either species with driving home attacks one after another to see them off to a safe distance.  We also found Ringed Plover out here on the Chesil Bank taking advantage of the high security.

Exploring the Wildlife of an Ancient Hill Fort

Over the last 10 days, twice with groups I have visited Badbury Rings renowned for its Orchids along with Butterflies and Birds.   I have managed to find 7 species of Orchid, some now going over such as Greater Twayblade and Greater Butterfly Orchid.  There are swathes of Common Spotted Orchid interspersed with Fragrant, Pyramidal and Bee Orchids now looking quite splendid.   The Frog Orchid eluded me but I found one spike of a Narrow Leaved Orchid, which just seemed so out of place on the rings, albeit tucked in by a more scrubby overgrown area.  Photos of some of these are below.

Butterflies have varied over the 10 days with 9 species seen.  With a single Dingy Skipper and lots of very worn Common Blues early on, these had disappeared, with all but 1 Common Blue, by my last visit yesterday.   Our first Meadow Brown and Marbled White 10 days ago and yesterday they were the most common species seen, Ringlets were starting to appear. 

There were also some day flying moth such as Five & Six-spot Burnets, Scarlet Tiger and Yellow Shell we also came across a couple of Caterpillars of Vapourer and Six-spot Burnet.

Birds were not neglected and Skylarks with their delightful song flights and Swifts screaming overhead.  On the rings Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings were regularly heard and seen as were Whitethroats with their scratchy tune, Stonechats and Linnets and early on the Cuckoo was very vocal.  A male Kestrel busily hunting on each visit and Buzzards over the fields.  In the woods Green Woodpecker gave their yaffle call and drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker.   Yesterday we came across a family party of Goldcrests, a male Blackcap sitting above us singing, and a pair of Spotted Flycatchers.

Male Cuckoo and a male Yellowhammer