Low-Key

A low-key month so far, and results to match. With fairly regular sightings of Cory's Shearwater from Portland Bill, the sea has been pretty much the only source of inspiration, but we haven't yet had a blow decent enough to offer much hope of a Cory's from West Bay. Still, you've got to try, so today's half-hearted puff of SSW got me down there for an hour and a bit this evening...

One Balearic Shearwater, 111 Manx, 42 Kitts (all juvs, which is good news) and 2 Whimbrel. Lots of gulls feeding offshore - including many Meds - and a small pod of Common Dolphins through. Very entertaining.

My last seawatch was ten days ago, an early morning effort that produced 4 Balearics, 1 Manx, 6 Common Scoter, and an involuntary Gannet count. Punctuating the 150 Gannets was a most incongruous sight for early August...

Great Northern Diver. Serious feet.

To be honest I haven't been out much otherwise, and am yet to see Wheatear, Willow Warbler, or indeed just about any passerine migrant whatsoever. Perhaps I've missed all the birdy days and picked duffers.

It's been ages since my last decent gull, so a juv Yellow-legged at Cogden a couple of days back was welcome...

It's the lone bird more-or-less in the middle. Not exactly the proverbial sore thumb.

Juv Yellow-legged Gull.

There were shoals of whitebait very close to the shore, and a mobile, scrambling pile of gulls in attendance. Unfortunately it was impossible to get close to the flock, and folk walking the beach kept flushing them all. Still, hundreds of frustrating gulls was a lot more fun than empty bushes.

View east from Cogden Beach. The first tented village is a mile away at West Bexington, then another two miles to the Abbotsbury Beach colony. The fat end of Portland is about 13 miles distant, via the mother of all shingly slogs.

Guiding the Seaton Birdwatching Tram has been a highlight of the last ten days. I've done two evening trips, both with perfect weather and plenty of birds...

Two Common Sands on the estuary mud.

Chattering Blackwits on Black Hole Marsh

Estuary Curlew, beautifully lit by the evening sunshine.

Last Friday's prize bird, a juv Osprey virtually at eye level.

What a bird! It was happy punters all round. And happy guide, happy driver. All of us were very, very happy.

Two juv Greenshanks. Initially picked up on call, flying up the estuary, they landed and then scuttled along together, feeding non-stop. I like to think they had just arrived.

Finally, a visit to good friends Paul and Janet in NW Suffolk produced a few bits and bobs I don't see often...

Bleak. Haven't seen this species for many years.

It was quite a surprise to discover (or rather, be shown) how many Stone-curlews live in the Brecks. Lots!

RSPB Lakenheath. Saw Great White Egrets and a Bittern here...

...and two very distant Garganey, expertly picked out by the man with the scope, i.e. not me.

Rubbish heat-hazy pic, but dust-bathing Woodlarks are not ten-a-penny in deepest West Dorset. There were at least five in total. Cavenham Heath.

Least Carpet. A moth tick for me. Yes, I took the Moth Slate to Suffolk.

Another new one - Gypsy Moth. Former scarce migrant, but has colonised much of the South and East apparently. Certainly not a big deal in Suffolk. Presumably it will be here soon.

So there we are, more or less up to date. Except for moths...