Redhorn Quay

Record shot of Red-throated Diver off Redhorn Quay. Really must get a decent coolpix/scope set up. Also female Eider about but even further away than this

Seemed to be associating with this GCG

Still together

A windy Poole

Brents being flushed at Baiter

Cormorant holding on at a very rough Poole Park

Knoll beach Med

Ballard Down

Carrion Crows on Carrion. This one with antlers

Buzzard briefly muscles in before being persuaded to leave

Yellowhammer moving west

Firey Crest

Grey Seal

Diagnostic parallel nostrils

Glebelands end of Ballard

Recent shortage of northerlies which is best for here so even though a bit gusty went and had a look.

Great Spot on the move

This was actually one of two birds moving together

You thought the other shots were bad

Bullet Bullfinch. Owing to their particular flight style the wings are shut for longer periods than they are open, the holy grail of migrating Bullfinch shots is one with the wings open!

Lesser Redpoll

Corfe Castle

Pretty eventful at Corfe Castle today. Started pre dawn at the top of Challow Hill which overlooks the castle.

Fieldfare were the first birds in the notebook with 8 going west. Before it was properly light no less than 87 had gone by including a flock of 44. Firecrest calling from somewhere below.

As this place is so high many birds dont break the skyline. Did hear a flock of Crossbill + calls from Brambling Siskin etc. 3 Bullfinch west. Also flock of 64 Starling south.

On the walk back was thinking how Corfe Castle ruins looked a good place for Black Redstart. Sat down and scoped the ruins to pick up 2 birds!

Back to the NT car park for some food. Whilst sat in the car noticed something creeping around in the bushes which turned out to be a Firecrest

Managed to keep still here for at least a second

Decided to then try and get some shots of the Black Redstarts so paid my money and went into the castle grounds. At the top they were proving very elusive indeed. These birds also wouldnt keep still. The shot is a bird on the top of the highest part of the ruin.

The Ravens were hanging around also

Both birds were seen regularly on the top of the ruin very near the nest site.

This bird came in and started callling and displaying from the top.

It then rose up and hung in the wind a foot or two above the ruin.

Who dat down dare

Had a look over the wall to see what was about, there was a presumed Buzzard being mobbed by Ravens. Bins were in the bag so just settled for some record shots to look at later.

Looking at it now it does seem a bit of an odd bird.

On certain shots it looks quite Honey Buzzard like. The third pic however seems to point to Common Buzzard, which presumably it is.

Anyway have a look at the shots they do make for an interesting bird.

The first 2 shots look like it has a grey head and pale eye and lots of barring

On this it looks more bulky with a pale chin etc

Upper parts do look quite light.

A day for Pigeons

Went to the top of Brenscombe Hill this morning to try and catch some Pigeon and corvid movement. Plenty of Wood Pigeons to be seen but no corvids today. Counted some 7500 birds moving south west, many over Newton Heath to Purbeck ridge with many birds making bee lines for the valleys through the ridge. Wind west 3+ keeping them low, many stopping for a rest in the trees for a few minutes before carrying on. Plenty missed to east and probably to north with 26,800 over South Haven

A few Stock Doves in with the flocks seemingly mostly at the head of the flocks although probably just easier to pick out at the front. Did have however a number of specific flocks of 8,9,13,1 and 6. Below is 12 of the 13 strong flock.

A few finches also on the move including Brambling and Crossbills and at least a couple of Bullfinch.

Distant shot of Brambling past which went silently through with some Chaffinch.

Stopped at Knoll beach car park for some food, some of it going to this 1st year Carrion Crow. Note the brown worn out immature remiges and retrices contrasting quite markedly with the fresher adult feathers.

Winters coming

Quick look in at Studland churchyard. Whilst sat on the bench there, noticed Rooks and Jackdaws actively to-ing and fro-ing. On closer inspection the Rooks were carrying crop fulls of acorns. Followed this up to find them in the top of an Oak tree picking them off rather than collecting from the ground. Presumably then off to bury them somewhere.

Also Jay seen doing same.

Next went to look for sycamore birds around Studland. Managed to entice out no less than 13 Firecrests

Bit agitated, this one

In low light conditions and some more persistence managed to get a few more shots of which this is probably the best.

Knoll beach carpark, as well as 3 Firecrests there, a late White Wagtail

and some Oystercatchers feeding on earth worms