Winter has little going for it in my book, but at least its existence serves
to build anticipation for spring. And spring is always worth hanging around
for...
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A Cogden Chiffchaff among the Blackthorn blossoms.
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I was quite surprised when the above stripey head turned out not to belong to
a Willow Warbler, and it was easily the brightest Chiff among
20+ scattered around Cogden yesterday afternoon. Anyone with half an eye on
social media will know that the South West has lately seen an exceptional
influx of Hoopoes, and obviously I want one. No joy yesterday, but
cheery little migrant warblers are a nice consolation. Cheery little migrant
moths too...
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A diminutive Diamond-back Moth kicked up from the Cogden grass
yesterday.
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I got off to a really slow start this year. The image folders on this laptop
prove it, with photos from just one date in January and none at all in
February.
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West Bay Purple Sandpiper on 19th January...
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| ...and two. |
March was heading the same way, until I decided one day to walk in to town for
an errand via the interesting, scenic route and take my birding kit. And a
small eruption of alarm-calling Herring Gulls led my eyes to this...
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Young White-tailed Eagle drifting N over Bridport.
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That was quite exciting, and reminded me that I do actually like looking at
birds. So the following day I visited Cogden for the first time since
November...
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March 13th - Male Wheatear...
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...and a female.
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Portland, crisply picked out by the late-afternoon sun.
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The Bill. Tip of the obelisk just visible between the lighthouse and
Pulpit Rock.
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Since that day I've been back a few times, occasionally straying onto West
Bexington turf...
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Female Cirl Bunting at West Bex...
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...and a lovely male.
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The West Bex Mere is a bit further than I normally bother with. Probably I
should make the effort more often...
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One of my favourite ducks, a drake Pintail is just stunning.
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Female Pintail is pretty smart too.
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Little Ringed Plover
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| Grey Plover |
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| Dunlin - one of two. |
Three species of wader on the deck was a nice treat; especially the plovers, neither of which I see very often.
I'll close with a couple of shots of the bird that, for me at least, spells the end of winter...
