A small stake out on the Water Meadows once the rain had eased. A Green Sandpiper, Greylag Goose 2, Egyptian Goose, House Martin 2, Coot 2.
The fields were being rotavated on the main farm which attracted 200+ gulls which were mainly Herring with Lesser-black Backed, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gull also present.
Not much new to report today.
The Barnacle Goose (12) flock was still in the vicinity of the Causeway Pond. The Cattle Egret (7) flock did not arrive until the afternoon feeding on the field directly behind Athelhampton House (nr Athelhampton Lane).
The water meadows held a good number of wildfowl including the Barnacle Goose (12) which remained late into the afternoon. A high count of Little Egret (39) on the meadows with additional birds at Athelhampton (2) total (41). A Sparrowhawk chased a Jack Snipe across the meadows with Snipe (3) dispersing as a result of the chase.
A female Mandarin was observed briefly on Causeway Pond.
Raptors: Buzzard (8), Sparrowhawk (2), Kestrel (2),
A flock of Cattle Egret (7) were feeding moving W from the field at Athelhampton towards Athelhampton Lane as the afternoon progressed.
A day spent on the farm with plenty of gulls attracted by furtilizer being spread on the fields. The highlight was and adult Yellow Legged Gull which was digi-scoped with poor results. Other gull species breakdown as follows:-
Mediterranean (6), Common (11), Black headed (202), Herring (83), Lesser black Backed (2),
The flock of Barnacle Goose (12) had increased in number by two spending the morning in the vicinity of Causeway pond.
A high count of Little Egret (30) was another product of the activity on the fields behind Mill Mead.
A day that felt very Spring like. The birds were also very active with Cattle Egret 4 on Puddletown Water Meadows before they moved E to spend the afternoon on the meadows at Athelhampton.
The flock of Barnacle Goose 10 that have been in the Dorchester area for some weeks gave away their presence when the flock were spooked from the meadows by a low flying Red Kite.
Gull numbers were high on the farm with Med Gull 15 and Black Headed Gull c200 washed up on Mill Mead.
Athelhampton held a pair of Goosander and Green Sandpiper 2. The latter was flushed by a low flying female Sparrowehawk.
The overnight fog lingered over the farm until at least 0930hrs this morning. Visibility was poor but I covered Athelhampton where the wildfowl were closest to the road.
There was a small influx of Greylag Geese (17) across the farm. This species has been uncommon on the meadows this year. The fog may have had a say in their arrival. A pair of Egyptian Goose (2) were present at Mill Mead.
There were also a good number of Chiffchaff (11) hawking insects along the river and at Mill Mead.
The warmer weather has seen an increase in raptor activity over the farm with Buzzard (8), Peregrine and Kestrel all taking advantage of mid afternoon thermals.
Wildfowl numbers are still high but there was a lack of Lapwing (13) on the meadows today.
A small mixed flock of Yellowhammer (45) and Reed Bunting (10) were noted at Big and Little Straps.
Collared Dove (3) were noted today. The Waterbarn Cottages pair have not been seen so far this year therefore it was good to see birds on other parts of the farm.
The farm above the ridge was not covered.
The Woodlark was singing from the same area today with a Brambling digiscoped at the North end of Higher Eweleze late afternoon.
Water levels at Athelhampton were high with a Goosander taking advantage of this raised levels through the channels.
A female type Pintail was present at Mill Mead early morning.
A day spent in Spring like conditions with bird song from all areas of the farm. Dunnock were the most vocal with Song Thrush exercising their vocal chords and a Woodlark singing in Higher Eweleze. A Brambling was also noted in this area.
Wildfowl numbers are still high but I did not visit all the key areas concentrating on the water meadows. The key counts were as follows:-
Song Thrush 4, Siskin 3, Med Gull, Lapwing 292, Wigeon 487, Snipe 13, Buzzard 5, Redwing 12,
WeBS:-
Site totals:- Canada Geese (82), Egyptian Goose (2), Mute Swan (18), Wigeon (623), Teal (126), Pintail (1), Shoveler (2), Mallard (39), Moorhen (5), Little Grebe (2), Cormorant (3), Grey Heron (4), Little Egret (9), Lapwing (399), Snipe (3), Green Sandpiper (4), Common Gull (1), Black-headed Gull (7),Mediterranean Gull (4), Herring Gull (17), Red Kite (2), Buzzard (7), Kestrel (2),
Winter Finch:-
Site
totals:- Yellowhammer (315), Corn Bunting (1), Reed
Bunting (6), Chaffinch (355),Goldfinch (35), Greenfinch (12), Bullfinch (4), Stonechat
(2), Robin (21), House Sparrow (45), Dunnock (15), Redwing (78), Blackbird (28), Song Thrush
(3), Skylark (7), Collared Dove (3).
A quick visit turned into a days outing with the feeding stations holding a good number of finches.
Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer 290, Chaffinch 275, Bullfinch 6,
Fertiliser was being spread on Top Down which saw c500 gulls lingering in that field. The magority were smaller Gulls:-
Black-headed Gull 350, Mediterranean Gull 54, Common Gull 72, Herring Gull 40,
The Barnacle Goose 6 were on the water meadows this morning.
A dull overcast day calm on the Farm with a few noteable site counts:-
Merlin low East past Bardolf Manor House at 1142hrs. Barnacle Goose 6 (Athelhampton), Canada Goose 108, Shoveler 2 pairs, Wigeon 404, Brambling flight East at 1400hrs (Athelhampton), Great Spotted Woodpecker 3, Yellowhammer 103 (The Shales), Reed Bunting 5, Chaffinch 105,
Water levels at Athelhampton are very high with good water levels at Mill Mead and Waterbarn Cottages. Wildfowl were scattered across the flooded areas. Lapwing 350, and Snipe 6 were noted on Mill Mead.
A calm sunny day which provided perfect conditions for raptors and they did not dissapoint. A Red Kite was noted in a tree at Green Field. The adult bird remained on the farm for most of the afternoon. Buzzard 6 were noted at Mill Mead, Limepits, and Waterbarn Cottages. Kestrel 3 were noted around Waterbarn Cottages.
The stormy weather continues with water levels reaching new heights on the meadows!
Wigeon 270, Teal 125, Canada Goose 119, Egyptian Goose 4, Lapwing 180, Green Sandpiper,
An afternoon spent on the farm which produced a high count of Reed Bunting 107 at Big and Little Straps.
Wildfowl numbers were up on Puddletown Water Meadows Canada Goose 202, Wigeon 410, Teal 70 with Lapwing 551.
23rd January 2025
A late visit following heavy rain saw good numbers of wildfowl on the water meadows:-
Shoveler imm, Wigeon 305, Teal 65, Greylag Goose 2,
A late afternoon movement of Lapwing 254 W towards Mill Mead.
Barn Owl, Merlin low flight over North Field at 1630, Jack Snipe Waterbarn Cottages and Tawny Owl 2 Green Field.
16th January 2025
Water Rail heard at white bridge at Athelhampton and a Kingfisher in flight over Athelhampton Road at 1505hrs.
Shoveler 1 drake, Wigeon 250, Canada Goose 192,
Hawaiian Goose and Swan x Greylag Goose on Mill Mead.
WeBS counts:-
Site totals:- Canada Geese (187), Greylag Goose (2), Barnacle Goose (7), Egyptian Goose (2), Mute Swan (18), Wigeon (483), Teal (185), Mallard (31), Goosander (1), Moorhen (5), Little Grebe (3), Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (4), Little Egret (8), Lapwing (291), Snipe (12), Green Sandpiper (1), Common Gull (3), Black-headed Gull (18),Herring Gull (14), Buzzard (5), Kestrel (1), Barn Owl (1).
Winter Finch Counts:-
Site
totals:- Yellowhammer (115), Reed Bunting (8), Chaffinch
(227),Goldfinch (3), Bullfinch (7), Stonechat (2), House Sparrow (43), Dunnock
(5), Robin (16), Blackbird (16), Skylark (11), Collared Dove (5).
It is with a sad heart I pass on the news that Hugo Wood-Homer passed away yesterday.
In the short time I knew him he was an inspirational figure expanding my ornithological knowledge at his home Bardolf Farm!
I will endeavor to continue his work recording the birds that traverse the Farm. I'm certain Hugo will be watching!
Rest In Peace Hugo!
Green Sandpiper, Snipe (7), Shoveler (pair), Wigeon (228), Teal (115), Lapwing (60), Canada Geese (96),
A day on the farm with water levels higher than in recent visits. The wildfowl were scattered across the site with a reduction in finches at Big and Little Straps.
Egyptian Geese 3, a pair in flight and a single bird on the meadows at Athelhampton.
Shoveler 2 a drake and female at Athelhampton.
Lapwing 230 NW over Athelhampton, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black-headed Gull 41, Little Egret 6, Jack Snipe (Devil's Brook).
Chiffchaff 3 east side of cattle shed.
A small stake out on the Water Meadows once the rain had eased. A Green Sandpiper, Greylag Goose 2, Egyptian Goose, House Martin 2, Coot 2. ...
