Microbirdology

Such a great day for SEOs at Elmely. There was one visible from the Such a great day for SEOs at Elmely. There was one visible from the car park, sitting on a post, when I arrived mid-morning, but it showed no signs of flying.   I returned to Elmley in the early afternoon and there were at least five birds visible, three occasionally flying near the track. Such a fantastic afternoon of birding. After that, I was hooked on the Elmley Owls and returned four times in the following weeks.   If only they would open their cafe up to provide a welcome hot drink to all their cold visitors.

There is a healthy population of Bearded readlings/tits in the mature reedbeds in the Brickfields area of Elmley NR.  I visited Elmley on a still and sunny day, so perfect conditions, and failed to spot any birds myself. However, two more experienced birders also looking, and they spotted a number of birds, and a pair came close enough to be photographed.  The value of wisdom and experience. Lovely looking birds. The male was very striking, but rather camera shy.

Third visit to WWT Slimbridge on a quiet Monday. Weather was overcast with drizzle.  The Rushy pen was busy with winter birds and plenty of their curated waterfowl collection available to spot on the various ponds. Bufflehead Common Eider Red breasted Merganser Goldeneye Tufted duck Wigeon Smew Shelduck Moorhen Scaup Pintail The Aviary was interesting to walkthrough as always but I noticed a couple of concerning issues.  There was only one Little Egret visible and it did not look well, and two of the waders, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit had broken/deformed beaks. Lapwings There is never a dull moment with a group of Lapwings. They seem to spook very easily and are always bickering.  These were on the Rushy Pen.

Portbury Wharf nature reserve is almost directly on the route from Seaton to Slimbridge, so I stopped there to try and catch a Black necked Grebe on the North Pool. Success, although the bird was reluctant to come into view from the hide, and when it did it was rather distant.  It seemed to be keeping company with a Little Grebe. One of two Little Grebes visible on the water. A Kingfisher made a brief, 30 second, appearance before shooting off.

Aside from the White Tailed Eagles and the usual harbour fauna. We spotted Spoonbills, Great Northern Divers, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Eider and a Kingfisher near the pier.      

A winter cruise with BOPH was its usual informative three hours trip round the expanse of Poole harbour. Towards the end of the cruise, the White-tailed eagles, G463 and G466, attempted to hunt a Cormorant in the rapidly falling light. Huge birds and great to think / hope that they will stay in the Poole area and attempt to breed in 2024 or 2025.