13th November 2024

Today's counts on the farm, Geese; Greylag 16, Canada 149, Shoveler 1m, Wigeon 59, Lapwing 55, Raven 2, Redwing 13, Reed Bunting 13, Yellowhammer 16, Chaffinch 64, Stonechat 2; Wood Pigeon 687 & Stock Dove 51 (fields)

Stonechat Female

12th November 2024

Today's counts on the flooded meadows;- Geese: Greylag 15 Canada 133; Lapwing 74, Shoveler 1m, Wigeon 73, Teal 12, Gulls: Common 16, Herring 36, Black Headed 30,

Herring Gull 2nd winter

8th November 2024

 A full day spent on the farm. Sightings of the day were a Merlin that flew E through Tractor House field at 1620. Barn Owl 2 were noted at dusk during the walk back to my car.

Chaffinch (135), Yellowhammer (13), Linnet (35), Reed Bunting (15) numbers are increasing with the feeding stations now open.

Goldfinch (13) Siskin (12) feeding in the Alders at Athelhampton.

Visits to the flooded meadows produced the following counts:-

Wigeon (44) (Mill mead), Teal (6) and Green Sandpiper (2) (Athelhampton), Mute Swan (16), 

Redwing (6) and Meadow Pipit are present on the meadows.

Yellowhammer 1st winter

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.