White Spikes and Reedbeds

 A Winning Day at Lodmoor and Beyond

I had planned a trip to Weymouth this weekend, hoping to see Sword-leaved Helleborines. Nature doesn’t often grant second chances, but today it did. After arriving too late last year to catch Dorset’s only Sword-leaved Helleborines, I returned on May 3rd, 2026, with fingers crossed, and they were in full bloom. Eight beautiful spikes stood proudly under the beech tree, and they did not disappoint.

Sword-leaved Helleborine

Bennett's Water Gardens

After seeing the Helleborines, I had to decide whether to head to Portland for the reported Turtle Dove or make my way to Lodmoor in hope of spotting the recent Bonaparte’s Gull. I chose Lodmoor, thinking it would add more sightings to my Dorset County List, which it probably did, even if it was only three extra birds. Not knowing Portland well, apart from the Bill area, I would have been unsure where to go or if I’d find the Turtle Dove.

The first birds I saw at Lodmoor were a screaming party of Swifts, wonderful to watch as they darted through the sky. Their lifestyle is incredible, spending almost their entire lives in the air and only landing to breed. Walking along the track and stopping at various viewpoints, I soon ticked off the first of my three new birds when a Common Tern came screaming past. Further along, I reached Tern Island, where the cacophony of Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls was a delight to hear and watch. Before long, I spotted my second new bird: three stunning Bar-tailed Godwits, one in its breeding colours. It was slightly too far for a decent photo, but the colours were wonderful through the scope. I made my way to the old bandstand to scan the Black-headed Gulls for the Bonaparte’s Gull, but despite staying for a while, I couldn’t pick it out. Another birder told me it might have gone off into Weymouth Bay. The final new bird was a Whitethroat singing from the top of a bush, though it flew off just as I pressed the shutter. It was a wonderful afternoon; simply being out in the midst of nature is great for the mind.

Common Tern

Brick Red Colour of the Bar-tailed Godwit

A Wonderful Bar-tailed Godwit

# 134 Common Tern  

# 135 Bar-tailed Godwit  

# 136 Whitethroat  

Other birds spotted  today included Oystercatchers, Shelduck, five Dunlin, Swifts, Swallows, and many more. As I was wrapping up and heading to the car, a Marsh Harrier was a delight to watch, gliding low over the reeds. A Great White Egret in its summer plumage was also a beautiful sight.

Something Different- Ballooning

 During the week, I got a WhatsApp message from my brother-in-law asking if I’d be up for crewing (following, tracking, and retrieving the balloon). Of course, I said yes and was happy to help. The launch was set for the evening of April 25th from the Barley Mow, which has a great adjacent field for balloon takeoffs.

I arrived at the designated time and waited for my sister Sarah and her husband Shaun to arrive. I was expecting to crew, but when they showed up with a couple of their friends, Shaun asked if I’d like to go up. I instantly agreed, having been up before and knowing how incredible it feels to be 1,500 feet above the ground, floating quietly with the occasional roar of the propane flame.

As we prepped the balloon, a large crowd from the pub gathered to watch. There were gasps of “ah” and “wow” as the cold air filled the envelope and the balloon began to take shape. Shaun lit the burners, filling it with hot air, and soon the basket was in position for me and Shaun’s friend to climb aboard. A few more blasts from the burners, and it was time to release the quick release and we were off, heading toward the Horton Inn area.

The views that evening were stunning, stretching to the Isle of Wight, Poole Harbour, the Purbecks, and the surrounding countryside. While keeping an eye out for power lines, I also scanned for wildlife and spotted deer, pheasants, and hares.

Eventually, it was time to land. Shaun, the pilot, found a suitable field just as the wind was dropping, but a hedge of trees blocked our approach. It was touch and go as the burners roared into overdrive to lift us above the trees. It was a relief when we cleared the top, close enough that I could touch the highest branches with my hand.

Getting the Balloon ready

Getting ready for take off

Up we go

The burner going for more lift

A View of the Barley Mow

Side of the Balloon with the Moon 

Looking up into the Balloon

The Burners 

Horton Tower

A view of the countryside

 

Third Time a Charm

 Saturday 18th, 2026.

After seeing so many beautiful photos of the Red Spotted Bluethroat during the week, I decided I’d get up early to try and see it for myself. So, I was up at 6 a.m., washed, had breakfast, and headed to Wareham for the third time. I managed to grab the last parking spot near the Rugby Club and began the fairly long walk down to the gravel pits. On the way, I chatted with a couple of people heading back who told me the bird had been showing well, but there were already over 15 people queued along the narrow path, and it was only about 7:20! My excitement dipped a little after hearing that. When I reached the dirt track at the start of the GPs, I met a couple with a Welsh accent who asked if I was going to see the bird. They’d come from Tenby and made a weekend of it, planning to visit Arne later.

The weather was lovely, and it was pleasant walking down the track and along the river, surrounded by birdsong. As I rounded a corner, my heart sank a bit seeing all the people ahead, I’m not keen on big crowds. Still, some folks moved and I found myself near the front, though not quite there, as a few photographers were lying on the path with others kneeling behind them. Turns out they’d been there since 5:30 that morning.

Then a gap opened, and through my binoculars I had an incredible view of a small, robin-sized bird with long legs, a vivid blue throat and breast, and a bright red spot. What a stunning little bird , and a fantastic lifer! I snapped a couple of rough record shots; maybe I could’ve done better if I’d stayed put, but having seen it, and with so many others waiting for their turn, I thought it best to make room.

Lifer Red Spotted Blue Throat

After spotting the Blue Throat, I headed over to Middlebere for a wonderful walk across the heath and down the track to the Middlebere hide, taking a slow meander to refamiliarize myself with the area. The sunny, warm morning was alive with birdsong from Chaffinches, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, and Willow Warblers along the track, and on the heathland, Meadow Pipits, Blackbirds, and Dartford Warblers added to the chorus. As I made my way to the hide, I was hoping to see a bird I hadn’t encountered in a while—not for lack of presence, but because I hadn’t sought it out around the Poole Harbour area. Secretly, I’d been wishing one would turn up at my local patch, Longham Lakes, but one can dream. The Ring Ouzel didn’t make an appearance, but I did add three more birds to my county list: Willow Warbler, Cuckoo; my first sighting of the season, and a wonderful Sedge Warbler singing openly in the brambles behind the old barn by the National Trust Cottages. Unfortunately, my camera battery died on the way down the track, so the only photos I managed were of a Meadow Pipit, an Orange Tip, and a Speckled Wood.

Meadow Pipit

Orange Tip female  I think

Speckled Wood

As the late afternoon set in, I began heading home but decided to stop by a field I know that once had plenty of Green-winged Orchids (Anacamptis morio). Walking through the first field, which used to hold hundreds, it was disappointing to find none in flower or even rosettes. Passing through the open gateway into the next field, I noticed a patch of purple in the middle and found some small Green-winged Orchids, though only about 30 of these wonderful flowers.  

With the weather starting to warm up, I’ll be sharing more photos on my blog of my other interests, like orchids, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and possibly some moths. 

Green-winged Orchids also known as Green-veined Orchid

 

# 127 Red-spotted Blue Throat = Lifer

# 128 Sedge Warbler

# 129 Willow Warbler

# 130 Cuckoo

Decisions Right or Wrong

 Friday 10th April; On Friday afternoon after work, I decided to head to Swineham GP in search of the elusive Red-spotted Bluethroat. Was it a good decision or a bad one? What even makes a decision good or bad when birding? Being a Friday, I knew getting from Ferndown to Wareham would be a nightmare—and it was. I also knew the bird hadn’t been seen since 11:20 a.m., so what possessed me to set off at 1:30 p.m.? Not only would it have been a mega lifer for me, but it would’ve added a bird to my county list. This turned out to be my first wrong call of the weekend, as the traffic ate up precious time, leaving me with only about an hour and a half before I had to leave to beat the homeward rush. I didn’t see the bird I came for, but I did add two new species: Reed Warbler and Sandwich Tern. Was it a good late afternoon? It was nice to see these birds, bump up the list, and spend time with fellow birders I knew. Still, in the end, given the traffic, perhaps it wasn’t the best choice.

Saturday 11th April; I made the same mistake of going in the afternoon. Why a mistake? Well, the day before, reports of the Bluethroat had come only in the early morning, with no sightings in the afternoon. So why repeat it? Was it the lure of a lifer or just wanting it on the county list, rather than appreciating it for being a beautiful migrant bird? Honestly, I think it was mainly for the list. I spent another two hours waiting for the bird to show, which it didn’t, though I did manage to tick off two more species: House Martin and Bearded Reedling. On the way home, news broke of a Hoopoe near Hartland Moor, but I didn’t see the update until I was already home and couldn’t go out again due to other commitments.

Sunday 12th April; I think maybe I should have arranged the family walk for Saturday instead of Sunday. I could have gone out after tea this evening instead of writing this blog, but I was torn. With work in the morning, I figured it was best to rest after a week of nine-hour shifts beside a noisy machine, thinking about coordinates, inputting data, and lifting heavy metal pieces all day—it’s both mentally and physically draining. I’m starting to think I’m not cut out for going all out, because in the end it came down to whether I wanted to go out just to tick off a bird for the sake of a number. It’s a lot of effort, and I can’t imagine how birders or twitchers manage to chase around the country—it must be exhausting and stressful. The idea of constant travel for birds is losing its appeal, as I enjoy wandering my local patches or visiting a few familiar spots now and then. Still, I’ve seen some amazing birds, including ones I might never have spotted without making the effort. In the end, maybe there’s no right or wrong choice—just a decision, whatever it brings.

# Reed Warbler 123

# Sandwich Tern 124

# House Martin 125

# Bearded Reedling 126

A western Marsh Harrier in its 3rd Calendar Year

Cuckoo Flower

Wood Anemone

Blue Bells

Garganey and Portland

 On the 3rd of April, I set off on a grey, damp late morning in search of the Garganey recently spotted at Woodsford Bridge. A drake and hen had been seen on the gravel quarry ponds there. Since I’d never visited the area before, I asked about parking and was told there was a small layby nearby. With directions from BirdGuides and Google Maps, I headed out late morning. Finding the spot was easy, and I parked in the small layby before scanning the pools with my binoculars, spotting only two Gadwall at first. Then, two Kestrels appeared over the field, calling and interacting, a pleasant distraction. A family with a dog began walking toward the ponds, and I worried they might scare the birds. Just then, a Red Kite flew overhead, catching my attention, and when I looked back at the pond, I saw the drake and hen Garganey in the middle. I quickly retrieved my scope from the car for a better view.

The Garganey seen I decided to head off to Portland with the hope of seeing some sea birds.

Rubbish photo of the male Garganey

I arrived at Portland at approximately 12pm and found a parking space and walked to the bill lighthouse It was very windy and when I got to Pulpit Rock I could see the see was very rough with waves crashing on to the rocks below. I soon noticed a large flock of gull off west cliffs and among some Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwake. On the sea I could make out Guillemots bobbing up and out of view among the waves.

Watching the Gannets fly by, I soon spotted two Manx Shearwaters riding the waves, turning this way and that, disappearing behind one swell and reappearing on the crest of another. Unfortunately, they were far off and best viewed through the telescope, and my attempt at photographing them was dismal at best. I watched as they headed further out to sea with the outgoing tide, likely following fish. 

I moved on to search for the Little Owl and perhaps a Wheatear near the Obs quarry. Luckily, just before a family walked down the path toward the quarry, I spotted the Little Owl tucked into one of the crags. However, the owl noticed the group and quickly retreated to safety among the rocks. Making my way back along the path, I scanned the many House Sparrows, hoping to spot a Tree Sparrow. A small bird lifted from the grass meadow, flashing a white rump, and I instantly thought “Wheatear.” The bird landed on one of the house aerials, so I focused the scope on it, and sure enough, it was a male Wheatear. With that, I decided it was time to head home.

Portland Bird Observatory

The Bill Lighthouse

 Pulpit Rock

Waves crashing over rocks

Gannet

A dreadful record capture of a Manx Shearwater

Today’s sightings included Garganey, Kestrel, Red Kite, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Little Owl, and Wheatear, with the Wheatear marking my 122nd species on the Dorset County List.

Dipping the Dipper

 On Wednesday, 25th March, I went on a birding trip with my good friend George Green. We’d planned to visit either Dancing Ledge for Puffins or Maiden Newton for Dippers, and chose the Dippers—a smart move given the strong winds, which would have been worse on the cliffs. George knew the route, so he drove and picked me up at 9:30 am. It was a short drive, and we found a good parking spot in Maiden Newton near the river. From the first bridge by the school, we had a quick look, then crossed a small footbridge into a field and followed the riverbank, scanning for any sign of a dipper, but had no luck. We wandered through the village, checking a few more bridges without success, and just as we reached the farthest point from the car, rain began to fall, quickly turning into a sharp hailstorm. Luckily, it didn’t last long—just enough to send us back to the car. Once there, we considered our next move, as no dippers had been spotted in Maiden Newton.

Plan B took us to Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve, with a few stops along the River Hooke en route. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any birds along these stretches, even though the habitat looked perfect for Dippers. According to *The Birds of Dorset*, this should be prime territory. So why are they so hard to find in Dorset, especially in the east, when most sightings come from the west? A Tetrad Survey from 1987–1994 estimated 25–30 pairs. That was some time ago, but with such ideal habitat, what’s stopping these wonderful birds from expanding their range?  

At the Kingcombe Visitor Centre, our first stop was the café for a warming coffee. We both went for large cups and the most delicious fruit scones with jam and cream. If you visit, the scones are highly recommended—slightly pricey, but very filling and absolutely delicious.

After finishing our drinks and food, we headed to the River Hooke, and along the way, another memory surfaced. When I first arrived at the centre, I thought I had never been there before, but as I walked to the river, I realized I had visited back in the late ’90s—around 1998 or 1999. I had volunteered to survey otters on the River Stour in Dorset and attended a course on tracking them by their prints and spraint, as well as learning to tell the difference between otters and mink. Otter spraint has a sweet, violet-like smell, while mink give off a strong, musky odor. All these memories came flooding back as I walked along a section of the River Hooke, which looked much the same as it had all those years ago. I had a fantastic time on the course and thoroughly enjoyed surveying the River Stour at Iford Bridge and around Julian’s Bridge in Wimborne.

The R.Hooke

Looking down stream 

Cuckoo Flower also known as Lady's Smock

As no Dippers were seen along the section of river, we headed to a bird hide we’d spotted earlier while having coffee. This turned out to be a great decision, as while watching various birds come and go to a single peanut feeder, a Marsh Tit appeared; a bird I thought I’d have to make a special trip to see at places like Gaston Wood or Thorncombe Wood.

It was a wonderful outing to places I hadn’t visited before, and even though we didn’t see a Dipper, if anyone has tips on spotting them at Maiden Newton, please share. I’ll be going back, as it’s most likely just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. The only Dipper I’ve seen in Dorset was on the R. Allen in August 2019, just a short 2–5 minute walk from home!

Archive picture from August 2019 Dipper on the R.Allen

Marsh Tit

Coal Tit

# Green Woodpecker 110

# Marsh Tit 111 

Meeting the Forster's Tern

 Saturday March 7th 2026, I am on my way to Poole Park with the hope of catching up with the Forster's Tern. There are a few blogs and pictures about of this bird. This is my short account of this wonderful Tern that arrived in Dorset in 2023.

When if first heard about this bird I was at work and could not go off straight away and had to wait for the weekend. When the weekend arrived I heard that the tern was being seen from the then new Rockley View Point at Lytchett Field area. I arrived at the small car park to find it was full so I parked up on the lane and proceeded to walk down Slough Lane. arriving at the point there were a couple of  unknown birders still there so I asked if the tern was about and was told sorry mate it as just flown under the bridge, the bridge is a railway bridge that separates Lytchett Bay and the Rockley and Lake Pier area. Dip one that was a start of a series of dips and being unable to get to see the bird due to work of family commitments a total of seven to eight dips  that year. The next two year following I always seemed to be in the wrong place or it never showed up especially when I did a few trips after work to Shipstal Point. I decided after a while if I was going to see I would and if not so be it and gave up trying to connect with the Bird.

The Forster's Tern arrived again this year 2026 and was first seen off Baiter and in Parkstone Bay and of coarse, it began to be seen in Poole Park while I was at work, with me hoping it would stay until the weekend as the sightings suggested this would be the best chance I would have with catching up with this nemesis.

  Driving into the park brought back some childhood memories as my nan and grandad used to live in an old house that was behind the crazy and pitch and put golf courses, and overlooked the park. As I ked I spent many a summer in the 70s at the park. I found a parking space and headed for the group of people near the model yacht pool. Here I came across Nick Hull and asked is the tern still about and Nick pointed the tern out sat on a small post among the the Black-head Gulls. I got the bins on it and a sense of relive passed over me with the three year wait/trying to see the bird. I started to setup the scope for better close up views and the bird took flight. It flew very fast and erratic over the main lake before climb high and out to Baiter! 

So with the bird going AWOL I went to look for the Mandarina Duck that was on one of the smaller ponds over the back near the little train and cricket pitch. The train was going round the small track as I walked that way and remember the many journeys I had on the train when the engine at first was like a stream locomotive then becoming a blue and yellow diesel engine. I eventually found the Mandarina Duck a smart male bird on the very small pond near the cricket pitch.

Male Mandarin; a very colourful bird

Back to the tern and I noticed that everyone had vacated the the area and were on the other side of the lake. So I made my way round the model yacht remembering how I sailed my little fiberglass hulled yacht with its blue sail across the lake and running along the board sometimes a bit scared as when it was chopper the thing used to sway with the waves. I eventually caught up with the crowd and had some good views of the Forster's Tern before if flew of again, but returned back to its original post near the model yacht lake. 

Forster's Tern

Now the bird list is going up slowly but surely  up to 109, though only two months in chasing the birds I have discovered one thing that I do miss going round my local patch Longham Lakes. Yes it can at times feel mundane but it is always exciting when something new turns whether if is found by friends or just one of the many people who like to walk round the place taking pictures. 

The list even though I list my bird seen here they can also be found on BUBO  

# 103 Glossy Ibis

# 104 Red legged Partridge

# 105 Mandarin Duck

# 106 Collard Dove

# 107 Forster's Tern = lifer 

#108 Kestrel

# 109 Great spotted Woodpecker

GLOSSY IBIS IN THE BAG

 After many attempts during January and February and in some awful weather to see the pesky Glossy Ibis which I always seemed to miss or could not locate February came to a close and I still had not seen the birds.

Sunday 1st March and I am off to see Glossy Ibis at Wareham, during the week I kept getting reports that the birds were showing well from the North Walls. Would they still be there when I arrived I certainly hoped so, Unusually for me on a birding trip it was quite nice weather for a change. I found somewhere to park on a very narrow road below what they called West Walls and North Walls, these are earth ramparts built by the Saxons to defend and keep Wareham save from invaders, more about this later in the blog. I climb up the side of West Walls ramparts and walked along the top until I came to North Walls and  could look over the waterlogged fields of Wareham Common. There in front of me and on the others side of the river were the glorious Glossy Ibis all ten birds out in the open in the flooded field feeding. Yes got them in the bag and on the year list  finally.

Three of the Ten Glossy Ibis

record capture

The 10 Glossy Ibis coming in to feed.

Glossy Ibis

It was wonderful standing on top of the wall watching these birds feeding and flying around the common and to see ten of them all in one place. My 1st was a single bird back in May 2016 at Lytchett Fields. 

While standing on the wall/ramparts something dawned on me and I did wonder what the place might of looked like with a palisade and armed warriors patrolling the ramparts on the look out for Viking invades. I have been to Wareham manty time and past over the years but never visited them which I found a bit odd as I have an interest in Saxon history.

This interest began after reading Bernard Cromwell's Historical novels the Last Kingdom.

Signage telling a story about the walls at Point 3 walk

a view along the west wall

Then discovering King Alfred brother was buried in the local church Wimborne Minster I had to go and investigate. 

Wimborne Minster

 So on one Saturday morning I popped into to the Minster to have a look round it is real interesting inside with the arches and stained glass windows. After looking round I got talk to someone in the church that was working. I was told King AEthelred  is supposedly buried under the Pulpit.

The Pulpit 

Apparently back in Victorian times they made a brass plaque to honour ( if that is the right word) and now it is on the wall up by the alter. 

The Plaque to King AEthelred