Snowdrops and Owls

Today was Snowdrop day - with a never done before - walk around the woods of Burton Agnes hall.  Some interesting sculptures too.  Worth a visit…..  and a bonus with a Buzzard fly-over, got some funny looks staring at the sky when everyone else was looking at the flowers.

And then having some time to spare at the end of the day I headed for Buckton pond hoping for owls……

Scarborough in the afternoon

A trip to Scarborough today ……  objective:  to photo the 'resident' Great Northern Diver and Black-necked Grebe…..  success!!!   followed by a visit to Holbeck for  bonus Med. Gull at Holbeck (and an unexpected meeting with an old friend)

                            got it                                                  lost it

found it

A week in Dorset

Just realised I hadn't done a blog for this trip…………   what is life coming to!!

Looking for somewhere to go in January, after some serious discussion, sealed by a boat trip to Brownsea Island and the temptation of red squirrels I decided to head south for a change  -  I'd never been to Arne RSPB reserve and didn't really know the area but…..

Armed with a couple of birding guidebooks to the area - and the news via twitter of a starling murmuration - I survived the drive (Red Kites on the M40) and 'landed' at my home for the week  - the Lifeboat College…..

The Lifeboat College is exactly what it says, however as well as conference/training facilities it serves as a hotel for random guests such as myself, every room with a view, good restaurant and breakfasts to feast on.  All that and supporting the RNLI!!  Funny seeing lifeboats lined up alongside being refurbished, tested and generally looked after.  Unfortunately birding got in the way of looking around the factory or I would have seen the new Shannon class lifeboat being built for Bridlington.

the factory and the hotel

Sunday  - it rained - but the boat trip was worth it - no red squirrels  - ah me….  but….Avocet, Spoonbill, Merlin, Great Northern Diver…..  Spotted Redshank….not bad for mid-Jan I thought!!   

The walk back to the hotel provided an envious few minutes as I passed the Sunseeker super yachts along the way.    The rain had ceased by then so I spent the afternoon walking the Holes Bay perimeter - 5 minutes from the hotel!!   Grebes, Wigeon, Little Egret and a Red-headed Smew.  Thanks to the local birdwatcher on a bike for the latter!!

Monday - and I headed for Arne - raining again but so what…   An enjoyable few hours - close views of Goldcrest being still, Long-tailed Tits and the days target species Dartford Warbler plus circa 24 spoonbills albeit distant.   "well worth the walk in the rain" as RSPB Arne tweeted later in the day (cheek!!).

Tuesday and it was Studland - the 'home' of the (now) famous starling murmuration - via Sandbanks (highest property prices outside London??) with a quick stop for some Brent Geese.  My first stop was Shell Beach, then Little Sea, Knoll to Middle beach (with cake in between) and finished with the starlings at dusk - WOW!!  nothing really describes it so hopefully the photos help.

Wednesday and I headed for RSPB Radipole and Bearded Tits - failed on the first go round in spite of some local hints - a (very) muddy walk to the new viewing area at the north of the reserve gave views of a Marsh Harrier - and a little thing flitting around but not staying still long enough to ID.  Stopping on the walk back - and about a dozen Bearded Tits feeding on the reeds….. BOOM!!

An enjoyable walk around Lodmore in the afternoon with great views of Snipe doing what Snipe do followed by a dash into Swanage for the chocolate shop (essential) and then back for more starlings - this time with a sunset behind…

My last day and back to Arne, this time in the sun so I could enjoy the views over to Poole and the ferry terminal….. not so good for birds this time, only one lonesome Spoonbill but 100s of Avocets feeding away on the opposite bank (typical).   Then a dash across to enjoy my last evening with the Starlings - and unexpected bonus (??) of Chris Packham and Micheala Strachan filming for Winterwatch.

A brilliant week - with the Starlings being the stars!!

three things - yes, I will go back and yes the Lifeboat College is a great place to stay - and buy a season ticket for the Studland Ferry!!