Sunnyside Farm/ Stobough Heath

Took a walk along the tram way at Sunnyside farm and up on to the heath Saturday morning/afternoon with the hope of finding some migrant birds. Unfortunately I did not find any outstanding birds. Though along the tram way there were lots of Chiffchaff singing along with Chaffinch and Greenfinch.

Chiffchaff

As I walked along the tram way a lone Swallow came in low right over the top of me a flew along the track then went up over the fields towards the farm. At this point I stopped to watch a couple of Meadow Pipits displays over some rough ground on my right at first I though they might of been Tree pipits as they we landing in a small row of trees ( small sliver Birch) then taking off and doing a flight song as they parachuted back down to the ground or tree. Since watching the http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-meadow-pipit-tree-pipit-skylark

I came to the conclusion that they were Meadow Pipits unfortunately I was unable to get a picture of them as the were to far and I was watching through my scope.

Part of the Heath land I walked over

As I got the gate that leads on to the heath I head a Willow Warbler and I just about managed to see him before it flew away from me which was nice to see and hear this bird brings my total up to a 101 species seen so far this year. Out on the heath I saw Stonechats, Dartford Warblers more Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers a Kestrel , Buzzards and from my view point a wonderful Marsh Harrier.

On top of the heath there were some free roaming horse that did not seem to mind people so I grab a couple of practise shots and this was the best one of a bunch.

Horse

After this a started my way up the hill and back to the tram way from the top of the hill I took a picture of Corfe Castle  a that was in distance. The castle was in the hands of Lady Mary Banks and in 1643 was besieged by parliamentary forces .

Corfe Castle ruins

Wyke |Down

Had a walk round Wyke down with the family on this bank holiday Monday not many birds seen but a nice walk all the same . We did find a beetle that is a first for me it was a species of Oil beetle.

Oil Beetle

On our walk we had a great view of a buzzard, I managed to get a picture but not as sharp as it should of been which is a shame as it is the best one I have got so far . I am trying to age this bird using my raptor book but still unsure but think it might be in it s 2ndcy or 3rdcy?

Common Buzzard

Longham South lake

It is always the case with me if I do not take my I always camera find something interesting just like today due to the weather I did not take it and guss what.

Had a great afternoon on South lake, Spotted a Swallow flying over the north lake
a new patch tick for me was a Green Sandpiper on Hampreston fields and a very impressive sight of a large number of Mediterranean Gull flying about would these be displaying or hawking for the many insects that were about today? Then up in the south west corner were the Scaup usually hangs round was a very smart drake Garganey had good view through the scope and tried to get a picture with my mobile but found it to difficult. It was very nice to watch this little duck and at one point it was calling/or making a sound that reminded me like the sound when you run a finger down a comb gently. Then over west fields near the pump house another Swallow came in and went over the lake.

other bird seen were Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Tufted Ducks, Great Black -backed Gull,
many many Mediterranean Gulls, Shoveler,and Gadwall

Managed to get back over to the lake and grab a quick record shot of the Garganey.

Male Garganey

Male Garganey