Meeting at Thorncombe Wood, Dorchester on Saturday, 9th April, in beautiful sunshine we listened to Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff and Siskin flying over. Walking through the woodland we heard and saw the usual woodland species including Chaffinch, Great and Blue Tits, Blackbird, Wren and Robin. The songsters that stood out most were Chiffchaff, their song followed us all over the wood. Mistle Thrushes were the other stand out song of the morning as they sit up on top of a tall tree and sing non-stop, or so it seemed. While some watched a Sparrowhawk a pair of Marsh Tit caught the eye of the others as they hung upside down on the outer twigs of a birch tree. As we were coming out on to the piece of heathland which had some fir and scrub a pair of Goldcrests were seen as well as singing Coal Tit.
With a great view over Norris Mill and out towards the coast we watched a pair of displaying Sparrowhawks and two Sand Martins flew over. Coming back to the wood a couple of Roe Deer carried on munching the undergrowth and taking no notice of us, though soon our attention was taken by a Green Woodpecker. We had heard one "yaffle" earlier but this male flew into a tree in front of us, accompanied by his mate which was briefly seen. Nearly back to the car park we had two pairs of Treecreepers which gave us a good show.
By now it had clouded over and it started to rain quite heavily as we drove down to Lodmoor RSPB reserve. Briefly the rain stopped and we got ready to walk round the reserve, a Sand Martin alighted on a wire above our car allowing the photographers amongst us to get some good shots. However, it soon started raining very heavily again and we took shelter in our cars to wait for it to ease.
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| Sand Martin - Lodmoor © Nick Hull |
We were soon back out and birding again, Swallows started gathering along the wires with one or two Sand Martins with them. We also watched them actively feeding and it was a delight to watch their acrobatic flights and listening to their calls, a very welcome sight. We were hearing Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff and soon realised their had been a good fall of these migrants as we went round the reserve, as they were very vocal and actively feeding in the bushes. Summer is definitely on it's way! Cetti's Warblers were also in very good voice though as usual extremely hard to see. We also had a male Blackcap. The female Marsh Harrier was seen quartering first, later the male came across and two Buzzards were seen soaring over the wood.
Waterbirds were not forgotten with a pair of Shoveler, Great Crested Grebes displaying and when a Tufted Duck got too close broke off to see him out of their territory. Little Grebes "whinnied", plus Shelduck, Gadwall, Pochard, Mallard and Teal were all seen. Waders were thin on the ground with just a single Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit, the latter had been colour ringed and we know it came from the Axe Estuary and we are awaiting more details on this bird. Two pairs of Oystercatchers were in front of the bandstand viewpoint, one giving a lovely aerial display.
After lunch we spent an hour at Radipole RSPB reserve, seeing many of the birds we had at Lodmoor with more Willow Warblers, a few Chiffchaff and a very smart male Redstart though it at times could be quite elusive and only gave us brief though good views. We also had a male Marsh Harrier here, a different individual to the Lodmoor one as its plumage was different. All too quickly our day was over and it was time to leave and make our way home.
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