Garganey at Longham

I located the pair of Garganey reported at Longham Lakes today within minutes of arriving as they hugged the edge of the eastern-most lake. A jogger with dog accessory flushed them (see flight shot) but fortunately they re-settled near the bank in the south-east corner of the lake where the top picture was taken.

Flight shot practice

Half an hour to spare before a meeting in Swanage was spent practising flight shots of passing Fulmar at nearby Durlston Country Park. Never as easy as you think...

Mandarins at Cannop

The resident Mandarin Ducks at Cannop Ponds were wary first thing this morning when mist shrouded the water. Returning later they seemed to have warmed up and became very approachable. My first Tree Pipit of the year was also seen just across the road from the ponds.

Forest Spring

Visiting Nagshead RSPB is always a highlight of a visit to the parents in the Forest of Dean. As well as seeing the parents, of course. Only one Pied Flycatcher was back on territory and I could find no Redstarts despite many being reported on the south coast in recent days. Too early for Wood Warbler, but not for Cuckoo, with one being heard and seen from New Fancy View. Back at Nagshead, Blackcap (top) and Chiffchaff (below) were in full song.

Short-tempered Lark

Another Dorset tick this morning with a pre-work twitch for the Short-toed Lark present for several days on Portland. While staying mostly on the ground this bird didn't hang about, motoring between the furrows of a ploughed field with visible impatience.

Stonechat in song

Male Stonechat singing on Portland this morning:

Bluetail at Durlston

Walking around Durlston with Hamish Murray on Tuesday, we were speculating idly about what the next good rarity at the site might be. Of the various possibilities discussed, a spring Red-flanked Bluetail was not among them. So when Durslton ranger Katie Black found one this morning it was a huge and pleasant surprise. Herding the family together for the afternoon out, we arrived on site at about 1400 and saw the bird at 1420. I hadn't seen it again when I left at 1545 but it was seen again just after 1700. The famous Winspit bird of 1993 appeared a few years before I started birding, so this was also a superb addition to my Dorset list.