September's birding by bike

Last September was seriously hard work for building my non-motorised year list: I cycled over 250 miles and added just 2 species to the list (Wryneck and Little Stint). It wasn't 'wasted effort' of course, as staying in shape is part of the purpose of the exercise - but it's fair to say the reward to effort ratio could have been more favourable. September 2022 was a bit of a contrast as a steady stream of minor rarities kept me on my toes.

Whinchat, Wareham Common, 4th September

Garganey, Piddle Valley, 6th September

The first week of the month had been quiet but by Saturday the 10th things were moving with a smattering of Wryneck sightings across Dorset. None of them had really been pinned down so I decided to head to Durlston in the hope of finding my own. A pleasant walk along the coast path and back via the ridge didn't produce one. It later emerged that, unbeknown to me, around the time I was locking up my bike, the ringers were pulling one out of a net about a hundred yards away! 

Wheatear, Durlston, 10th September

Adonis Blue, Durlston, 10th September

As I was arriving at Durlston, another Wryneck had been reported at Lytchett Bay and I thought I might head there later if I had no luck at Durlston. Although this would involve retracing my steps for the 11 mile journey home and then carrying on for another 6 miles around Poole Harbour, I was feeling fresh enough to go for it. Unfortunately, the Lytchett bird also appeared to have moved on but as I searched for it, local birder James Leaver incredibly found a third Wryneck - his second in as many days - on Creech Heath, just 4 miles from home in Wareham. After returning home from this frustrating double-dip I grabbed some food and arranged to meet Steve Smith at Creech in the hope of relocating James's bird. 

Old Harry Rocks from Durlston, 10th September

Red-necked Phalarope near Abbotsbury, 11th September

At first glance we didn't fancy our chances as we arrived to find a site with plenty of dense cover in which a small, cryptically plumaged bird could hide. But after not too long a likely looking movement in distant gorse caught our eye, then, after we had advanced much closer, we had a brief but conclusive view of the Wryneck in flight.

Little Grebe, Wareham Common, 

Barn Owl, Wareham Common

After missing two Wrynecks earlier in the day it was very satisfying to finally catch up with one, and we hung around hoping for further views. As we did so, I heard the unmistakable call of a Bee-eater to the north. I called it immediately and within seconds Steve, who was in a slightly more elevated position, picked it up in flight. I ran to his side and managed the briefest of glimpses as it swooped low and then out of view. Whilst the briefness of the view was a bit frustrating, it was academic in terms of being added to the year list as I allow myself to count 'heard only' birds - so onto the list it went as species number 207 for the year.

Cattle Egret with Little Egrets in the Piddle Valley, 17th September

Black-tailed Godwit, Swineham, 17th September

After 36 miles that Saturday bombing back and forth in search of Wrynecks, I could really have done with a rest day on Sunday 11th - but the birds had other ideas. My neighbour Trevor Warwick located yet another Wryneck, even closer to home on Wareham Common. I joined him and as we tried in vain to relocate it, news broke of a Red-necked Phalarope on a tiny shooter's pool above Abbotsbury in west Dorset, a 54 mile round trip from where I stood. 

Along the River Frome, 17th September

River Frome, 17th September

This offered the chance to claw back a species which I had missed in the spring as work commitments kept me in Reading the very night that one was located with a wader flock at Studland. It was a one night only bird and a highly desirable one at that. So the opportunity to add this species to the year list was not to be missed. It was a measure of my improving fitness that, although I didn't leave Wareham until after lunchtime, I made it to the Phalarope site and was still back in time to rustle up dinner that evening. 

Parasol mushroom 17th September

Same mushroom 2 days later

Four days later and another opportunity to add to the year list arose in the form of a mystery Wagtail at Lodmoor. Initially reported as Eastern Yellow, opinion later veered towards Citrine with the possibility of a hybrid also being actively considered. It was certainly an ambiguous bird with a completely different pattern on the left-hand side of the head compared to the right. At the time I went to see it the identification was still being debated, but I figured either way it was probably going to be a Dorset tick so took advantage of the light evenings to cycle down after work, see the bird and treat myself to pie and chips at my favourite Preston chippy on the way home. Sound recordings subsequently confirmed the tentative identification of Citrine Wagtail so onto the list it went.

Citrine Wagtail, Lodmoor - the left hand side of the head looked good for Citrine...

Citrine Wagtail - the more confusing right hand side!

The following weekend was extended by the unexpected bank holiday granted to mark the Queen's funeral. After British Cycling (now sponsored by Shell(!)) made a crass announcement discouraging *any* cycling on the day of the funeral I felt almost morally obliged to head out on the bike. Imagine the RAC or AA advising motorists not to drive! As it happened, news broke early that day of a Rose-coloured Starling on Portland - another species I had missed earlier in the year in Swanage due to work commitments keeping me away from home, so I could not afford to take second chances and was on the road soon after. 

A long-staying Wood Sandpiper at Swineham, 18th September

The Wood Sandpiper was joined by a Little Stint on 20th September

I packed double the normal amount of fluids and food assuming that every shop would be shut as a mark of respect, but was surprised to find that all the garages remained open. Clearly selling fossil fuels was not disrespectful the late monarch at all. And when I reached Weymouth it seemed that you could even buy a Greggs pastie, as long as it was from a Greggs within a garage, and the sale of the pastie was therefore incidental to the sale of the fossil fuel. Priorities!

Ruff, Blackwit and Lapwing at Swineham, 20th September

Ruff at Swineham, 20th September

On the way down to Weymouth I respectfully observed the 2-minute silence at the viewpoint overlooking the Osmington White Horse, carved in tribute to Elizabeth's great-great-great-grandfather George III. From there a rapid descent into Weymouth was followed by the gentle inclines of the Rodwell Trail to Ferrybridge before the daunting climb up the north face of the Isle of Portland. For the first time ever I made the ascent without getting off the bike to push, and within a few minutes was turning into Reap Lane. For the second time this year Julian Thomas was on hand to point out the Rose-coloured Starling immediately.

Green Woodpecker, Lodmoor, 19th September

Bearded Tit, Swineham, 19th September

Whilst I paused for breath and took some record shots, news came through of a Red-backed Shrike at Lodmoor. This would be a good year tick and was conveniently on the way home so I packed away the camera and retraced my steps. The Shrike had been found by Brett Spencer who provided some helpful directions to its location on the old tip, where Dave Bishop, last seen in a pub car park in Hampshire when I cycled to Blashford for a White-winged Tern, was watching the bird. The Shrike performed nicely, completing a two-tick day and putting a spring in my step for the 17 mile journey home. 

Rose-coloured Starling, Portland, 19th September

Rose-coloured Starling, Portland, 19th September

The Shrike turned out to be the last species I would add to the non-motorised year list in September, bringing the total to 211 (compared to 204 at the same stage in 2021). 222 miles had been cycled and 6 new species added during the month - a significantly better reward to effort ratio than September 2021!

Red-backed Shrike, Lodmoor, 19th September

Red-backed Shrike, Lodmoor, 19th September