A week in Swanage, Dorset

My wife & I spent our usual week at the end of August in Swanage, Dorset, one of our favourite holiday spots. Although not what I would call a birding holiday, I did manage to squeeze a few hours in here and there. The weather was very kind and we had some extremely warm sunny days. A few mornings and afternoons were spent at Durlston Country Park, where I discovered two rare plants that I had not seen before – Autumn Ladies Tresses (the last Orchid to flower in the year) and Autumn Gentian. A few migrants were about including Redstart, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Several family parties of Stonechat were also seen, as well as a small flock of Common Scoter at sea. Despite the warm sunshine, I didn’t see a single Adonis Blue, seems they have not had a very good season. However, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Small Heath were all on the wing.

Plenty of Mediterranean Gulls were about the coast, including an adult winter that was very obliging on the beach at Burlington Chine, otherwise most were seen in flight out at sea.

We spent a morning on Brownsea Island and managed to see three Red Squirrel. Plenty of waders on the lagoon including Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, c200 Avocet and numerous Black-tailed Godwit, also Common & Sandwich Terns still around. At least 85 Little Egret but the Spoonbills seemed to be absent during the time I was on the reserve. A thoroughly enjoyable and chilled out week. Setting me up ready for Shetland in a few weeks time………. Year List moved on to 195

 

Above three images – Autumn Gentian – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Above three images – Autumn Lady’s- tresses – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison© – the last of the years Orchids

Above four images – Mediterranean Gull – adult winter – Burlington Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Above three images – Black-headed Gull – adult winter – Burlington Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

1st winter Herring Gull – Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Juvenile Herring Gull – Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

1st Winter Herring Gull – Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Adult winter  Herring Gull – Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

3rd Winter  Great Black-backed Gull – Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Common Tern – moulting adult – Brownsea Island, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Painted Lady – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Red Admiral – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Red Bartsia – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Rest Harrow – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Old Man’s Beard (Traveler’s Joy) – Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Hawthorn – Durlston Country park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Durlston Country Park, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Durlston Lighthouse, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Early Morning, Branston Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Ballard Down from Branston Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Ready for the sunbathers – Swanage Beach – Looking towards Ballard Down – Tony Davison©

Looking towards Ballard Down, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison© 

Gig Boats, Swanage – Tony Davison©

The Old Pier, Swanage – Tony Davison©

Above two images – “Surf Up”, Burlington Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Looking towards Durlston Country Park from Swanage Bay, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Looking towards Burlington Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

The Pines, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

“The Surf Shack”, Burlington Chine, Swanage, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Above three images – “Fond Memories” – Swanage Pier, Dorset – Tony Davison©

Peacock – Brownsea Island, Dorset – Tony Davison ©