Dorset stuff : Abbotsbury

Common Tern, Abbotsbury, June '18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Whooper Swan, Abbotsbury, June '18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Common Tern, Abbotsbury, June '18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Copyright TDW

Med Gull 1st Summer, Abbotsbury, June '18 (Copyright T D Wright)

A lift into Dorset last month gave me the chance to clock a few different species. I'd not been to Abbotsbury for a long time so enjoyed the walk round. Nice selection of terns, gulls and wildfowl.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Colyton, 03/07/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Colyton 03/07/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Although I've seen HH before (and in Colyton too) I've never had the camera handy until yesterday. So I'm glad to be able to supply pics this time but still feel frustrated by the lack of quality. If only it had performed for longer I might have achieved the perfect shot. Oh well, back to the World Cup...

Damselfly sp.

Damselfly sp., Borrow Pit, 06/05/2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Wonder if the Garganey ate it?, Borrow Pit, 06/05/2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Before finding the drake Garganey at Borrow Pit early in May, I photographed this damselfly which I still can't make up my mind about. It appears to have white pterostigma (or pseudo-pterostigma) which made me think of female demoiselles. However, it seemed too small and knowing the amount of variation within blue damselfly species I started to think of them. It's not apparent from these pics but I think I recall seeing a reddish tint to its eyes.( It's almost a month ago now so is possibly a casualty of my limited computing opportunities due to work commitments and the fact that EDDC's library computers are often not working when I visit them). I'm still not sure what I had though! Can any damsel experts help me out with the I.D. ? Comments welcome...

Damselfly sp., Borrow Pit, 06/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Damselfly sp., Borrow Pit, 06/05/2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Broad Bodied Chaser

On Bank Holiday Monday, I finished work early and decided to cycle down to Black Hole Marsh as it's often calmed down from the weekend rush by Monday evening. From Island Hide there were no new waders but still Barwit and Grey Plover...

Grey Plover, BHM & Axe Estuary, May 2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Barwits & Dunlin, BHM, May 2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Anyhow, I decided to cycle back up to Colyford Common to look from the hide for any waders there. Nothing much yet as no water on the scrape but I struck lucky as the blue flash which made me hit my brakes was not a bird but a dragonfly - a Broad Bodied Chaser! A Coly Common first for me...

Broad Bodied Chaser, Colyford Common, 28/05/2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

A cracking male too! It repeatedly flew from this perch but always returned to it so I was able to use maximum zoom and still get reasonable shots of it. I then moved back and watched it through bins for a bit before realising that I needed to head for home as these early starts for work require a good night's sleep. I was loath to leave it though; I've waited a long time for a moment like this one.

Broad Bodied Chaser, Coly Common, 28/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Broad Bodied Chaser, Coly Common, 28/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

BBC

Broad-Bodied Chaser, Colyford Common LNR (Copyright TDW)

Garganey - A Crackling Bird!

Well I've been so busy with work lately that it's been impossible to get this blog updated. Even today, I'm being frustrated by the inefficiency of modern computers and their related software applications. I'm of the opinion that the creators of Microsoft should be put on trial for crimes against humanity. They should also refund all of the money they've taken from people for products which are not fit for purpose. This would bankrupt them overnight and a good thing too.
       Anyway, since I last blogged I've found a few interesting things. The  Garganey at Borrow Pit was a fantastic surprise as I was looking for insects there due to the lack of birding action. This library computer will not allow me to show you any of my photographs of it so text only I'm afraid. The 'crackling' call was nice to hear in the intimate surroundings of Borrow Pit; especially as I had the place to myself (to begin with!). Lars Jonsson once described it as sounding like somebody dragging their finger across the teeth of a comb. Well, each to their own but I thought it sounded like a roding Woodcock's croaking call. A rare treat to have a drake Garganey in close proximity.
     On Bank Holiday Monday I visited Walters Mound and enjoyed a 'rattle battle' between 2 Lesser Whitethroats. I even saw one chase the other out of its territory. I also heard one singing at Colyford and at Colyton WTW so an arrival of LWs seems to have occurred. I'm now out of time so will add more news when I can get onto a computer that works!

ADDENDUM 02/06/2018: PHOTOGRAPHS AT LAST!

Garganey, Borrow Pit, 06/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Garganey, Borrow Pit, 06/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Finally! The brownish bill is a normal variant I believe even though every field guide shows them with a grey bill. Superb bird in either form.

Windy Wheatears 'n' Waders

    On Saturday we had a good arrival of Common Sandpipers along the estuary. At least 9 were visible from Tower hide at 2pm but Mike Lock told me he'd counted 11 which I can well believe as I saw 2 on BHM. Strangely, as the tide came in they disappeared and none remained on BHM at 7pm! Where did they go? Anyway, I was still rewarded with yet another LRP as well as the 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin which had hopped across from the estuary. Also 9 Whimbrel graced the BHM islands.
     On Sunday, an arrival of passerines meant that even the estuary got in on the act with Wheatears at Coronation Corner and Colyford Common. Both seemed to be seeking shelter in streams and ditches with the cold North wind blasting away. Some more waders would be nice now with other Devon sites notching up Pec & Curlew sands ( S.Huish) and Black-winged Stilt (Exminster RSPB). Come on Black Hole!