Lunch Time News Flash

 May 20th,  

I had just sat down in my car to have lunch at work, and one bite into my delicious cheese and pickle sandwich, my phone burst into life. Swiping to answer, I saw it was my good friend George Green and instantly thought, “What’s he seen now?” I answered with, “Hello, George,” and he replied, “Red-footed Falcon on the heath!” My first thought was, “Oh bugger, I’m at work.” George explained where the bird was and told me to give him a ring if I came up later so he could meet me. My mind raced would it still be there at 5 p.m., or should I go now? “Sod it,” I said to myself, “I’ve got to go now while I’m on lunch break.” Off I went, racing to the location but driving carefully.  

After parking the car, I ran down the track, past the house and gate. I paused when I heard a Curlew calling, spotting it in the sky as it chased a Buzzard out of the area. Picking up my pace again, I rounded the corner and saw George, who signaled for me to slow down. “The bird still here?” I asked. “Right in front of you, in the dead tree,” came the reply. Lifting my binoculars, I saw him ; a magnificent male Red-footed Falcon, in full view. I wished I had my camera. I’ve seen RF Falcons before, but never a male, and what a stunner he was, with shades of blue-grey. After soaking in the sight and chatting with George, I figured it was time to get back to work.  

Unfortunately, on May 21st,  

I recently read some upsetting news on Facebook about people leaving the paths to see the RF Falcon, and I’m very disappointed in those who’ve wandered off the paths. Yesterday afternoon, I had great views of the bird perched on a dead tree, all from the path. Having known the heath and its birds for many years, I urge everyone to stick to the paths. Part of me feels like suppressing such news, even if it made me unpopular, but I also want people to enjoy seeing birds as I have from reports by others. The heath is deeply special to me in many ways.

Red-footed Falcon pictures by George Green

                                                         Red-footed Falcon ©George Green

 Red-footed Falcon ©George Green

# 143 Red-footed Falcon

Birding in May

I’ve been trying to think of a title for my new blog, which is really a mix of my birding adventures in May. A bit about me—recently I read an Instagram post from someone at Birds of Poole Harbour, describing how she grew up as a young birder without knowing anyone who shared her passion, and how discovering the BTO changed everything for her. It took me back to my own childhood in Birmingham in the 70s, when I was fascinated by birds but knew no one else who was. I’d wander through fields and along canals near home, chasing butterflies and catching red-breasted sticklebacks, dragonfly larvae, and caddis-type creatures. I didn’t have binoculars back then, and my only bird book (which I still have) was Garden and Field Birds, a 10th birthday gift from my mum, brother, and sister. I soon learned to identify Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, and in summer, Swifts, Swallows, and House Martins, though I still wonder what more I might have known. In 1978, Mum, my sister, and I moved to Dorset. Starting a new school and making friends was daunting, and again, no one I knew was into birds or wildlife; though fishing was popular. Then came an embarrassing moment at school around 1979 or 1980. Gazing out the window, as I often did, wishing I was outside, I spotted a large bird flying toward the building. As it got closer, I could make out its shape but couldn’t identify it. Excitedly, I blurted, “Miss, there’s a stork flying over the playground! I need to phone the RSPB!” I was told off for staring out the window and informed that storks don’t come to this country, while classmates teased me with silly comments. Later, I read in the Evening Echo about a White Stork sighted near Ringwood. After that, I stepped back from birding for a while, spending more time fishing with friends, though I still loved spotting kingfishers, coots, and moorhens.

My first bird book

Jumping ahead to 2011, I gave up fishing as birds began to draw me in again. This time, with the internet at my fingertips, I discovered Blashford Lakes, the BTO, and the Dorset Bird Club, all of which boosted my confidence. It wasn’t until I found the Birds of Poole Harbour that my confidence truly grew, thanks to bird walks led by Paul Morton. Paul would guide small groups across heathland and around the harbour, sharing his knowledge about the area and its wildlife. It was thanks to him that I saw my first Great Northern Diver, a bird I never thought I’d spot in Dorset. I’ve had quite a few firsts on those walks, but one I’ll never forget was a day on Morden Bog in May 2014 what an experience.  

So, what’s my point? Without people like Paul and the Birds of Poole Harbour, the Dorset Bird community offering help with IDs and encouragement, I’m not sure where I’d be. For any young and aspiring birders or birdwatchers out there, I would say get involved with the BTO youth programs and the Birds of Poole Harbour youth events. It’s a fantastic time to be a young naturalist, with so many resources available, and I hope it only gets better from here!

  

A Bird Walk

On May 9th, 2026, I joined a good friend for a bird walk around our local heathland. It’s not my first time helping with such walks and won’t be the last, with a Nightjar walk coming up soon and a wildlife walk at Longham Lakes on May 30th. We met at Whitesheet car park at 9:30 a.m. for a leisurely stroll, keeping an eye out for birds and plants. Right after leaving the car park, we heard a Blackcap singing and Goldcrests calling, spotting two of them flitting about in a pine tree. Further along, we came across a Lapwing, which sprang into action to chase a low-flying Buzzard. George mentioned a good spot ahead for Tree Pipits, and sure enough, one perched atop a small birch began singing. Just as I hoped it might parachute down, it did so, landing on a dead tree stump. Along the way we also noted Jay, Whitethroat, Skylark, and while some heard a Nightjar and a Woodlark, I unfortunately missed them. We spotted Lesser and Greater Stitchwort, Tormentil, and Speedwell Germander. A Chiffchaff was heard, and the sight of two Dartford Warblers in a dispute, topped off by the call of a Cuckoo, made for a truly delightful walk.

Tree Pipit

May 16th 2026

Durlston Country Park

I visited Durlston with my son to see the Guillemots and Razorbills, and they didn’t disappoint. There were around 100 Guillemots, with rafts of them on the water and many more packed onto the ledges it seemed there was barely enough room for them all. Among them, the Razorbills stood out with their dark black backs and stout bills. We stayed for a while, watching and listening, as Fulmars glided in and out from the cliff face on stiff wings; a real delight to see. Reaching the lighthouse and gully, we soon heard singing Whitethroats and spotted another target bird for the County List, the Rock Pipit. Four Swallows came in off the sea just before drizzle moved in from the west, and two Gannets headed west into the mist; an adult followed closely by what I took to be a second-year bird. With little else spotted, we hiked back up the road to the sounds of Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds, and more Whitethroats, heading for the car and home after another pleasant walk.

Whitethroat

Guillemots on the ledge

Razorbill

Two Razorbill with Guillemots

# 137; Tree Pipit

#138;  Jay

# 139; Garden Warbler

# 140 ; Razorbill

# 141; Rock Pipit

# 142; Hobby 17th May Longham Lakes

   

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.