WHAT'S BUZZING OR FLYING NEAR YOU 2019

Muskrat, Ondtatra zibethicus.

This critter was at the very edge of the ice on the upper Hudson River in front of lock 2 of the Champlain canal. It was diving for what I believe were freshwater clams. Also, it was leaving a trail of empty shells on the ice so it was having a real feast. The photo was taken with a 600 mm lens from the shore and the image is the best I could get at that distance.

 

Little Gull, first one I have ever seen, the smallest UK Gull, it hasn't got the black head yet but it has a black beak.




Shovelers.

 

American Goldfinches in winter plumage. The males have bright yellow plumage during the breeding season.

 

Love your American Goldfinches @hydrogardener totally different to the Goldfinches we have over here in the U.K. Love all the photos you put up of birds..

@strongylodon Where did you see your Little Gull as we saw one last week at RSPB Lodmoor as well as Lesser Yellowlegs and a Spoonbill but even though we stayed there all day didn’t see the Penduline Tit but talking to others they said it took them eleven visits before they saw it but not too sure if that was this or last year

Saw our first Dartford Warbler for a couple of years over at Arne,we usually see them up on Selworthy Beacon but due to a lot of heather burning last year there was no sign of them when we were there last September

Back home today

 

The Little Gull was at Lodmoor on Tueday, I go there roughly once a month. It was my fourth attempt at finding the Penduline Tit but it was a no show. The Ruff was still there and was hiding in the long grass with the Yellowlegs, they are usually in full view.
I saw a couple of Dartfords at Arne this morning, a long way off but always to see

 

We saw the Ruff when we got the other birds but didn’t see the Ring Necked Duck but then again it was blowing a hooley and so was struggling to see much at all to be honest and my eyes constantly stream with tears

Visited Arne a few times and got some fantastic photos of young Sika deer stags and one of them is blind in its right eye due to a battle with another stag Arne was only around eight miles from where we were staying at Harmans Cross and we also visited Studland Heath several times.There has been an oil rig that we could see from several places but missed it being towed away at the end of last week.We also visited Old Harry Rocks which was good plus we visited Fort Henry which is where the long bunker is that King George,Churchill,Monty and Dwight Eisenhower stood inside.

Also went to Durlston country park and saw a dolphin breaching,Black Redstarts (Life tick)and Rock Pipits plus a young adder sunning it’s self on the edge of some gorse

The flying Scotsman is down at Swanage this next few weeks so everywhere is going to be busy but the fares to go on her is more than what we paid two years ago and is a shorter trip although we did go on the railway the day after arriving in Dorset

 

@Kandy, I went to Durlston today, I usually go at least once a month. The Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmars were showing themselves and so was the Black Redstart. I only saw half an Adder as it wasn't warm and too cloudy for basking.
Studland/Fort Henry is a favoured place for the few Ring Necked Parakeets, often seen and heard in the trees there.

Razorbills.




Fulmars.


Black Redstart, this is the first time I have seen a male here.

 

Goldfinch.

 

As the ice slowly melts and more open water is available the ducks are returning to the area. This female Mallard has sort of a Mona Lisa smile, perhaps she has been playing at log rolling.

 

Bramblings, close relatives of the Chaffinch and an uncommon winter visitor (particularly in Dorset, I had to go 'next door' to Hampshire) first I have see this year and they will soon depart for the Continent so I was lucky to see them.

 

Lesser Redpoll.

 

An early rare summer migrant Hoopoe turned up at Portland Bill yesterday. As we were going there anyway we stopped for a look but it was a long way off. Usually a continental bird but a few cross the channel in Spring.


Wheatears have just started to arrive from Africa and look smart despite the long journey.


A Raven was on it's nest on the cliffs and I noticed it had young chicks, while I was watching a Greater Black Backed Gull and a Peregrine Falcon dive bombed the nest but the nearby male Raven chased them off. Even a predator can get predated!


Common Lizard and common on Portland.

 

I've seen Crows here tackle Buzzards and Red Kites in flight, amazing considering how much bigger the birds of prey are.

 

At first, I thought I was seeing things but it was really a Mute Swan swimming around with a flock of Canadian Geese. Strange bedfellows indeed.