Late winter in Dorset.

My visit home to Dorset in February coincided with an astonishingly warm spell of weather which permeated most of western Europe.  Beguilingly warm, many birds, insects and animals were tricked into thinking spring had arrived.  Short trousers and pale legs also made an unwelcome appearance in many places.  Birding in the UK is so easy compared with Germany, mainly because there are many more birders covering the ground and because of apps like BirdGuides which allow birders to accurately report in real time species they have seen.  A quick look at one's iPhone is sufficient to see what's about. I find this a refreshing change from being in Germany where most of the time I'm looking for birds with at best, one other friend and a dog!

My 'local patch' in Dorset, SW England.  Top middle right in the Fleet Lagoon, bottom centre is Portland with the harbour to the north, whilst Weymouth is home to RSPB Radipole and Lodmoor.

Screen shot - BirdGuides App.  The 'what and where'.  The how is up to you.

One of the spectacles of Portland Bill in the winter is the Short-eared Owl roost.  Normally one is able to see 3 or 4 birds quartering the fields from the late afternoon and with patience it is sometimes possible to see them from quite close range.  These owls must be some of the most photographed birds in the UK and sometime photographers try to get too close.  Remember, the bird must always come first.  Sure enough, 3 birds were present giving a fantastic display against the ocean.

Short-eared Owl, Portland Bill

Kestrel, Portland Bill

A North American Ring-billed Duck has been present at RSPB Radipole for several months existing quite happily with its presumably quite closely related Tufted Ducks.  As the weeks have gone by it has moulted into an extremely smart plumage and therefore definitely warranted a visit even if it meant observing it from a main road!  Radipole is a wonderful reserve attracting hundreds of visitors most of whom probably contribute to the RSPB's work.

Ring-necked Duck, Radipole

Ring-necked Duck, Radipole

Lodmoor is the second RSPB reserve in Weymouth.  Often underrated, this a super place where many species can be observed from close proximity. The reserve consists of a vast area of reedbeds and scrapes containing all kinds of waders, great and small.  I was really fortunate to come across a Penduline Tit, one of 2 that seem to be hanging around Weymouth this winter.  Other highlights included the obligatory Lesser Yellowlegs and some Marsh Harriers.  Here's a selection of some of the birds.

Lapwing, Lodmoor

Bullfinch - Lodmoor

Penduline Tit - Lodmoor

Teal - Lodmoor

Black-tailed Godwit - Lodmoor

Perhaps my favourite place to watch birds is Middlebere in Poole Harbour.  The warm weather succeeded in providing quite beautiful conditions to sit patiently in the hide and wait for nature to come by.  I was really hoping to see a Merlin but was disappointed.  Nor did I see any Hen Harriers despite 3 long visits - apparently there is only 1 wintering in the harbour this year.  Notwithstanding, the array of birds to watch here was truly amazing including hundreds of Avocets, Grey Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits and some scarcer species like Spotted Redshank.

Poole Harbour

Mainly Avocet - Poole Harbour

Little Egret - Poole Harbour

Much talk here is whether the Ospreys will attempt to breed here this year.  A re-introduction scheme has been running for 2 or 3 years and they are expecting the first birds back this spring.  Spoonbills continue to stay here too through there is no evidence of them attempting to breed.

Spoonbill - Poole Harbour

Mediterranean Gull - Poole Harbour 

Common Buzzard and Red Kite - Poole Harbour

Actually, the most wonderful thing about these few days was the weather and the light, especially seen towards the end of the day.  These photographs taken from the hide in Middlebere capture a little of the beauty of the scene, something that will stay with me for a long time.

The Middlebere Channel, Poole Harbour - late afternoon

The Middlebere Channel, Poole Harbour - late aternoon

Puckle and I enjoying the view