Poor Fieldfare.

Sat on chesil beach, enjoying the peace and quiet and scenery and trying to catch a fish or two!! watching various amounts of thrushes and finches arrive in off the sea through the fog.
Large quantities of Redwing and Fieldfare was struggling ashore against the headwind. I did feel for them as it was a biting easterly.
There was a lone Fieldfare that landed on the brow of the beach probably 20 yards away from me. It had probably flown across the channel and was no doubt looking forward to a breather. But almost instantly a Sparrowhawk swooped over the ridge and helped himself to a meal!! I wish I had my camera!
Such a sad end for the Fieldfare.
The fishing was poor, but the birding was much better!

Quick lunch break bird watch.

Sneaked out for an hour, from work at lunchtime today. I am fortunate that I work 10 minutes from Lodmoor.

Plenty of Canada Geese and Teal at Lodmoor. Shelducks aplenty as well. Not the best of birding sessions I have ever had but glad to escape the office!!

Purple Heron??

Where are you? I have read the forums, reporting the Purple Heron at Radipole. So my search has begun. I have walked and stalked all round the reserve, but I have had no sightings of this bird. My search will continue. The lakes are full of Teal, Gadwell and Shovellers. A sure sign that Winter is coming!! I think I will have to try and find a bit more time to continue the search. On a positive note, the Pied wagtail roost is starting to grow again at Weymouth port. A lot of White Wagtails are in the group. Lets hope this number grows over the next few weeks.
I have been lucky enough to see the Red Backed Shrike and the Yellow browed Warbler on Portland. I am going to hunt the Barred warbler today...
A report will follow soon.