Studland Birds

Due to an oversight, Garry managed not to mention the barely annual Ruff that he has photographed in the Brands Bay/Redhorn Quay area at Studland
@purbeckpilgrim.bsky.social

Had a look at Littlesea after the WeBS count. One of my best Studland views of:
Water Rail 1
They are a tricky species to see in a year at Studland

Still can't find the Female Mandarin seen 2-3 weeks ago

@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds

‪Brands Bay, Studland early evening & first WeBS count of the Winter season. Selected highlights:
Teal 14
Mallard 28
Shelduck 1
Blackwit 290
Redshank 51
Curlew 138
Whimbrel 7

@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds

#Knapweed and #Marjoram lead the popularity stakes for pollinators in Clayton Meadow in Dorset.

#PollinatorPals #wildflowerhour #DorsetWildlife #wildflowers #butterflies #meadows #bees #moths

Graylings having an average year on the Studland transects, but the grasses they lay on next to bare ground are all brown now. Not sure what the young larvae will feed on before they hibernate. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Amazed to see fresh Silver-studded Blue in my Studland transects this morning. Here shown with typical worn ones still around. Possible second brood or just a late one? @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

A Painted Lady butterfly in Clayton Meadow. They only have a brief lifespan so their primary focus is on reproduction.

#butterflies #BigButterflyCount #nature #conservation #meadows #dorsetbutterflies @lgspace.bsky.social #DorsetWildlife

Greenlands Farm. Pied Flycatcher near the open barn late AM per RBA

My first Clouded Yellows of the year at Studland, two flying madly around together with some Painted Ladies. A small migration maybe?? @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

The Small Copper butterfly is attracted by the Wild Marjoram in Clayton Meadow. The flower is a magnet for the butterflies in the meadow at this time of year.
#butterflies #BigButterflyCount #wildflowers #meadows #nature #conservation #DorsetWildlife

South Haven Studland this AM per Graham Armstrong
The highlight was a Gropper which showed very well by the start of the Heather Walk path. Ironic 20 blank years for the species here, then a spring songster & this showy autumn sighting
2 Whitethroats were first of the autumn
#DorsetBirds

A late AM visit to Brands Bay, Studland for the rising tide produced:
GC Grebe 7
Lapwing 1
Curlew 91
Whimbrel 5
Blackwit 22
Redshank 24
Dunlin 1
Med Gull 153
Common Gull 7
@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Pied Fly between Knoll Beach, Studland and Littlesea at 1220 in Oaks per RBA

First 2 Wheatear of the Autumn up on Ballard Down this morning
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

It’s a pity that part of Ballard Down isnt fenced off from the gazing animals and allowed to be reseeded from the Clayton Meadow plot
@claytonmeadow.bsky.social

If you are walking through the Glebeland estate above Studland village, then it’s worth detouring into the estate to see this unique plot of original Ballard downland, which isnt overgrazed by sheep & cattle like the main NT downland is
@claytonmeadow.bsky.social

Large White butterflies in Clayton Meadow on the ivy and Field Scabious.

#BigButterflyCount #butterflies #wildflowers #nature #conservation #meadows #DorsetWildlife

Brands Bay, Studland on rising tide:
Curlew 96
Whimbrel 4
Blackwit 9
Redshank 57
Dunlin 4
Com Sand 2
Med G 282 c80% of all Gulls
Com Gull 6
Grayling 2
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

RN Parakeet on its usual, but scarcely used, wires over the main road in Studland this evening
No sign of Purple Heron on Litlesea this evening
@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Looks like the Purple Heron is still at Littlesea today per @skyblue190.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Almost as exciting (for me)
COOT 1
Once a common bird at Littlesea
My peak count 121 19 Dec 2010 which crashed to 3 by Apr 2011
My only record since was 1 on 1 Feb 201
Carp trashed Littlesea around 2010-11 & we lost all the Diving Duck & Coot
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

No sign of the Purple Heron from the Southern end of Littlesea this evening
Also no sign of the Female Mandarin that was seen on Sat
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Good to see a Grayling butterfly in Clayton Meadow during the #BigButterflyCount.

Whilst still seen around the coast this butterfly has seen a large deterioration in numbers in recent years.
#butterflies @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #DorsetWildlife

I looked yesterday evening till dusk for the Purple Heron at Littlesea, Studland, but failed to see it
Given how erratic it has proved to be, then that doesn't mean it's moved on
Good to see 3 different young Mallard families
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Any further sightings of the Female Manadarin from people looking for the Purple Heron will be great to hear

On Sat, Kevin Lane saw a Female Mandarin at Littlesea, Studland
Only 3 previous records of a Male in Nov of 1980, 1981 & 1984, potentially the same returning transitory individual, as Littlesea was well-watched in those days
@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

First time posting on Bluesky and so pleased that I can share the purple heron aswell as the peregrin from Corfe
@studlandbirds.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Lots of Skipper butterflies in Clayton Meadow at the moment.

#butterflies #meadows
#BigButterflyCount