One good tern deserves another, Dorset holiday - 16-19/05/2014

We chose Dorset for our Sun holiday destination this year, and after carefully choosing the best time to go using the precedence of the weather these last few years, we still felt like we'd won a lottery with the weather. On day one we visited RSPB Arne, and we set out onto the reserve heading towards the coastal viewpoint. I was keeping my eyes and ears out for Dartford Warbler in particular, but we had no luck on that front. What we did see though was lots of Wood Ants in huge hives dotted about the heathland and the woods. They are much bigger than regular ants, and the swarms were very impressive.

Jess spotted this interesting shield bug, and took some good pictures.

After a great walk, we popped by the small visitor pod in the car park and were treated to seeing nestcams of nearby buzzard and barn owl, and also had close views of greater spotted woodpecker on the nearby feeder. 

The next day we visited Brownsea Island, eager to find a red squirrel. After spotting sandwich and common terns on the boat crossing from Poole  Harbour, we visited the Dorset Wildlife Trust section of the Island first. There were a few hides where you could gain access to the lagoon type enclosure, and these Black Tailed Godwit were roosting from the first - 

Next we visited the Sandwich Tern colony from the main hide, and the noise and hustle and bustle was a change of pace from the somnolent godwits. The terns were back and fore regularly, coming back with sand eels. There were also several pairs indulging their instincts shall we say!  

From there we set off towards the feeders near the visitor centre where apparently the squirrels frequent for food, but we had no luck. We found some stuffed squirrels in the centre, but were still without the real thing in sight. We walked right around the Dorset WT area, and marched on to see as much of the Island as possible. We walked to the far side of the island, seeing some amazing views of Poole Harbour and the other Islands, and on out way back, just when it seemed all hope was lost, Jess spotted our quarry, statuesque in a tree! 

The next day we visited RSPB Radipole Lake in Weymouth, where we see our first BEARDED TITS!! We rounded a corner and started out across a stone bridge, when I heard that familiar pinging call. A small flock flew out from the reeds, and we only had a glimpse on two occasions, but it was great to finally see some. There were reed warblers and cettis calling out from the reeds. Back at the centre we had time for a quick piece of cake, watching the gulls out over the water.

We then set off for the nearby RSPB Lodmoor Lake, where there wasn't too much on show, and we didn't hang around for long because it's basically a viewpoint over an area of reeds and water near the beach front. Some Sanderlings and an Arctic Tern had been seen earlier, but no luck by the time we had arrived.

Gwenffrwd-Dinas - 04/05/14

A year to the day, Jess and I re-visited the Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve in Mid Wales after popping home for a Sunday lunch. Upon arrival, the second bird I saw from the car park was a singing Garden Warbler, my first of the year, doing rounds in bushes near the car park. We took the long route around the reserve, keeping an eye for Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, and Wood Warbler. We even explored Twm Sion Cati's cave high up a steep valley side above the Tywi, but can't say that I rate his taste in hideouts!

These chaffinches were keen to share our biscuits!

We stopped off in Llandovery because I had a hankering for a pint, and from the car park I saw my first Swift of the year hawking above us. It was a very nice pint, if someone quickly drunk because it went slightly cooler, and then Jess drove us home to Cardiff.

 Bank-holiday Monday saw me getting a little stir crazy so I took a short visit back to Rudry Common where the wind was keeping most things fairly grounded, so I didn't stay long. 

Rudry Common - 03/05/2014

Being in the mood to explore somewhere new took me early morning up to Rudry Common. It was a bit of a chilly start, but there was plenty of birdsong in the air. Whitethroat, and willow warblers were in good numbers. At the top I stopped for a while watching this tree pipit displaying.

Whilst watching him a cuckoo started calling from down in the valley and it burst into sight only to be quickly sent packing by a pipit. On the way back there was a pair of stonechat and a bullfinch near the car park.