A Dorset Doddle

Posted on by beestonbirdman

We have just come back from a stay close to Corfe Castle on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The holiday was bracketed and punctuated by wind and rain but we still had some trips out and the view from our accommodation was delightful. These comical chickens made regular use of the patio furniture and our alpaca neighbours enhanced the view from the lounge.

Our nearest nature reserve was at Arne overlooking Poole Harbour. I had hoped to see a Dartford warbler but I was content with sights of wheatears and a distant view of an osprey.

At Lodmoor RSPB in Weymouth. We saw ringed plovers, oyster catchers, a black tailed godwit, sandpipers and two great white egrets but the only good photos were of a grey wagtail and a little egret.

And finally a painted lady butterfly at RSPB Arne.

Beautiful Insects in the Garden

Posted on by beestonbirdman

Just after posting some pictures from my visit to ANR on Monday a peacock butterfly alighted on our buddleia – aka the butterfly bush.

Approaching the bush for a close-up of the peacock I noticed a dragonfly resting on one of the spent flowers. It appears to be a female Southern Migrant Hawker

Later a painted lady settled on a leaf on the apple tree. Waiting for it to open its wings fully I noticed that the under-wing was also quite photogenic.

These remarkable insects migrate many thousands of miles from Africa in large groups at high altitude at speeds of up to 30 mph

Miscellaneous Birds

Posted on by beestonbirdman

Some of my spots from today. Clockwise Green Sandpiper (1 of 3 at ANR), juvenile female GS Woodpecker (Garden) and a Lapwing (ANR)

I had thought that the jay might have ousted the woodpecker but I am still seeing them both regularly, but not together.