5th November 2024

Today's counts on the flooded meadows: Tufted Duck 1wF still on Causeway pond.

Greylag Goose 11 Canada Goose 53; Wigeon 26, Teal 3, Lapwing 13, Peregrine, Brambling (Little Straps near Waterbarn Cottages)

Tufted Duck 1w female

2nd November 2024

Very overcast and murky conditions this morning. The Tufted Duck 1wF was still on Causeway pond. Mill Mead held Little Egret 11, Greylag Goose 27, Canada Goose 51, Gadwall 2m, Wigeon 26, Teal 12, Mallard 32, Lapwing 14, Wood Pigeon 181 generally moving South.

The finches were feeding on the mixed seed crop at Little Straps, Chaffinch 52, House Sparrow 81, Yellowhammer 5, Reed Bunting. A Merlin scattered the feeding flock flying low south over the field at 1013hrs.

Northern Lapwing

30th October 2024

Puddletown Water Meadows Bardolf Farm - This morning Tufted Duck 1wF on Causeway Pond, Gadwall 3m, Teal 29, Wigeon 19, Mallard 29, Green Sand 2, Greylag Goose 8, Canada Goose 91. all on Mill Mead.

Tufted Duck 1w Female

23rd October 2024

 The rain is continuing to fall in the mild conditions. The hatches have not yet been dropped but there is a significant increase in water levels on the meadows.

A group of Goosander (4) were observed on Puddletown Water Meadows this morning. A Green Sandpiper and Canada Goose (6) were also new arrivals, 

Wigeon (15), Teal (14), Mallard (29) make up the wildfowl on the meadows.

19th October 2024

A storm is forecast to arrive overnight bringing heavy rain and up to 50mph winds. 

The first Winter Finch and WeBS Count was moved back a day from Sunday counts below;-

A Brambling was heard and seen in flight heading E near the Causeway pond at 0915.

Site totals:- Greylag Goose (2), Egyptian Goose (2), Mute Swan (12), Wigeon (18), Teal (23), Mallard (37), Moorhen (3), Little Grebe (6), Black-headed Gull (5), Common Gull (2), Herring Gull (174), Cormorant (8), Grey Heron (5), Little Egret (3), Buzzard (4), Kestrel (1),

Site totals:- Yellowhammer (16), Reed Bunting (1), Chaffinch (49), Brambling (1), Goldfinch (8), Robin (20), Stonechat (5), House Sparrow (41), Blackbird (12), Redwing (2), Song Thrush (2), Skylark (8),

Wigeon

10th October 2024

Cattle Egret

An afternoon's YBW hunt had me staking out the Causeway Pond. Herds of Cattle were in the fields either side of me which produced another record of a Cattle Egret which was commuting between the two herds. 

Chiffchaff

A pair of Stonechat were noted on top of the hedgerow at Broadfield with a handful of passerines which included, Bullfinch and a couple of Chiffchaff.

Cattle Egret

The Cattle Egret decided to dance on the backs of the more mature herd that was not phased by this birds antics!

9th October 2024

The search for the farms 2nd record of YBW continues with very few migrants on the farm today. A Blackcap, a couple of Chiffchaff and a few Meadow Pipit were small reward for time spent walking the banks of the River Piddle and Devil's Brook.

Redwing 3 heading N was a sign that winter is on its way!

A few Teal 7 were noted in flight at Puddletown Water Meadows but the Tufted Duck had moved on from the Causeway Pond. I tested out Merlin whilst at the pond and it identified correctly all the regular species bar one which I neither heard or saw (Spotted Flycatcher). 

There was a trickle of Swallow 12 today indicating their time in the UK is limited!

Great Cormorant

There was a small gathering of Great Cormorant at Burleston pond in the afternoon. 

Blackbird

It was also good to see a number of Blackbird back out in the open having spent the last 4-6 weeks in moult!