14-15th March

As I was in London on the 14th March, I decided to visit Hyde Park, mainly in search of the Scaup that has spent the winter there, but also to see some of the park's other waterfowl that often show at very close quarters.

Sadly, I discovered that my camera had run out of battery before arriving at the park. I was, however, able to enjoy fantastic views of the very tame Mute Swans; Canada, Egyptian and Greylag Geese; Coots; Moorhens; Mallards and Tufted Ducks. I was really pleased to find a female Goldeneye skulking around the base of the reeds on the Serpentine. This bird is extremely likely to be wild as no collection is kept at the park. Eventually I found the Scaup, bizarrely coming to the bread someone was feeding to the numerous Coots, Ducks, Geese and Gulls. I couldn't quite believe that it was a Scaup- how on could this species, usually found on the sea in Britain, or alternatively on large lakes and reservoirs, be so tame?!! I really wish that my camera was working, though I did try to take some pictures on my phone (which, to make things worse, I later discovered had a dirty lense.).

Scaup, Hyde Park. These photos, taken with my phone's dodgy camera really don't do justice to the amazing sight of this remarkably tame Scaup (the bread it was being fed can be seen in a couple of these pictures). The bird was literally no more than three feet from me at times!

Before coming across the Scaup, I had found five Ring-necked Parakeets squawking around the park. These birds really are completely out of place on a cold, grey London day, but nevertheless an enjoyable one to see.

I was determined to find my first summer migrants of the year on the 15th. I headed down to Portland Bill, where I quickly found a group of five Wheatears. More Wheatears continued appearing, as I saw at least 25 in total. The arrival of Wheatears at Portland has been one of my birding highlights of every year since I have been living in Dorset, and with this my last March in the county, there was a touch of nostalgia to the occasion today.

Wheatears, Portland Bill. Without a doubt, this is one of my favourite British birds.

Five Fulmars passed the Bill, the first of the year for me, but there was very little else of note around the Bill. As always, Rock Pipits were everywhere:

Rock Pipit, Portland Bill

Razorbill (top left) and two Guillemots, Portland Bill. It was very nice to see the seabirds back on their nests, though sadly I couldn't find any Puffins.

I then headed to Avalanche Road, followed by Reap Lane. I saw nothing of any real note at either place. Then, I went to Portland Castle, where I found at least six Chiffchaffs.

Chiffchaff, Portland Castle

Next stop was Ferrybridge, where I finally found my first Ringed Plovers of the year, with eight present. I then continued on to Lodmoor. I sadly failed to find any hirundines, nor any waders, though a Marsh Harrier and these two Spoonbills certainly made the visit worthwhile.

Spoonbills, Lodmoor. They seemed to be performing some sort of mating ritual (which can sort of be seen in the top picture). Perhaps they will stay and who knows what may happen??

Finally, I headed to Radipole, where again I failed to find any Sand Martins (the cold, overcast conditions certainly weren't conducive to finding this species). A few Chiffchaffs and a single Snipe that flew overhead were the only birds of any note on show.

Shelduck; Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Radipole

Meanwhile, with five additions in the past two days (Scaup, Ring-necked Parakeet, Wheatear, Fulmar and Ringed Plover), my year total has moved onto 130- just 370 left to reach my target of 500 birds worldwide this year!