gryllosblog   Gryllo's (aka Ian Lewis') blog. All things to do with travel, wildlife especially birds, history, architecture and anything else that interests me.

After spending all of yesterday on non-birding activities, I was glad to get back to Durlston this morning.

Ringing was very rewarding, busy, but not exceptionally so, with an interesting mix of species. For once Chiffchaffs were not the most numerous birds handled, that honour went to Swallow, with 44 trapped. We also caught a few Sand and House Martins. The species mix is changing again, still plenty of Blackcaps and Chiffs, with a few Whitethroats still around, but Robins, Dunnocks, Goldcrests and Meadow Pipits are becoming more obvious. A total of 123 birds were ringed of 15 species.

Sean Walls (L) and Mick Cook (R) are joined by visiting ringer Warren Clayden (seated)

Visible migration now involves more than just hirundines. There was a steady passage of Pied Wags, Meadow Pipits and Siskins in the early morning.

The first Meadow Pipit of the year to be trapped at Durlston, hopefully the first of many

In the afternoon I headed to Middlebere in hope of seeing the remarkable flock of 20 Spoonbills that has been present recently. Unfortunately only two were there, I later learnt that the other 18 were on Brownsea.

90% of the flock was missing !

A lone Spoonbill and 500+ Black-tailed Godwits

 

Also present were a female Marsh Harrier, 550 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot and a Yellow-legged Gull.

A near-adult Yellow-legged Gull. Middlebere is a regular site for this species which seems to prefer to feed in areas where fresh water drains into the harbour.