30 December 2016

12 hours in amazing Dorset

Date: 29/12/2016
Location: Dorset, Lodmoor & Radipole
Weather: Blue Skies and Stunning
Species Highlights: 

Dunlin, Little Egret, Godwit, Kingfisher, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Snipe, Beared Tit, Med Gull, Buzzard, Gadwall, Shoveller. Plus a stack more.
Observation: 

A restless night and a early rise i headed to Weymouth, i looked on weather it seemed blue skies and sunshine reported and for once it was right !

This Cananda Goose my first spot on first light at Lodmoor.


Walked through resevere towards Beach and  this was what greated me 8:15 and sun up.


More Geese taking flight for breakfast. 
Great orange glow coming from sun.


Did 2 laps of the Lodmoor reserve with the light second time around better for bird photography 5 or 6 Reed Bunting with Dunnocks and many Robins and Blackbirds about.


Only 1 Little Egret but feeding and looking amazing in the light.


Dunlin also Feeding, i was the only birder on reserve ! All to myself !


Lots of Snipe, bit further away these, such great camo.


Little Grebe's on it for Breakfast, little crackers!


So this Kingfisher from the shelter on the reserve when i walk arount to West Path  she was still there slightly hiden by reeds. 
Strange Colour just shows how the sunlight acts on these little stunners!


On getting back to van this Magpie was almost posing and made a excellent end to my visit to Lodmoor, the common ones sometime the best .


The short drive to RSPB Radipole and within minutes of entering reserve found these !


I say found the smalll group of other photographers helped !
But a group of 10 or so Bearded Tits swaying in the breeze on the reeds, with plenty of "Ping, Ping, pinging " going on  Plus shutters ratling off too !


After watching for about half a hour left them to it to see what else was about .


The Weymouth Reserves alway such a friendly places with some old faces i know, plus new faces i follow on Twitter or Flickr but didnt know by face but do now !
Anyway stood in shetter listening to stories of missed Bitterns and Marsh Harriers minutes before i got there, always the way then Danny Dench shouted Bittern ! 
The Bittern flew parelle to shelter !


Managed to rattle of quiet a few shots perfect even if i do say so myself !


Love the Urban Background in this one, shows what a excellent job the RSPB do in Weymouth !


It didn't end there either, the Marsh Harrier's kept popping up over reeds the female showing the best. With a few perfect passes looking amazing against the Dorset skyline.


Marsh Harriers , Cor !!


After making a loop around reserve went back to the shelter for a bit more chatting and another Bittern it seems, this one flying back from where it flew to earlier. 
Had many more great shots of Bitterns and Marsh Harries a superb day was had.
Really happy with new lens it seems to be working well !


Thanks For Looking !

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