A whole day’s birding to myself whilst the family went into Dorchester (Tom had revision to do). Hard work in the morning, though good fun trying. After a crab-sandwich and the pint I decided to drive off to nearby Cheyne Wears near the bill as I’d noticed there was a place to park in a more vegetated area than the bill. Birded it for about half an hour when I heard a Bee-eater! Looked up, and there were four of them, in-off the sea. They were quite high, and views weren’t the best, but a great self find! I later found out that they were seen by others at various places round Portland. Quite mobile apparently and gave people a run-around. They were also seen at the Bill the following day. I didn’t have views like these photos (taken by Joe Stockwell), but it was good to know they were seen by others, and were also videoed: filmed.
I celebrated with a drink in the pub overlooking the Bill before driving to Dorchester to collect the others.
Other stuff seen, included this Adonis Blue that I just managed to capture before it flew away…
This Rock Pipit with a huge number of flies and grubs…
And this Oak Eggar caterpillar…
We finished the short break with a trip to Osmington Mills where we started on a walk. The walk started well, with a Lesser Whitethroat was noted, but then we got caught in a huge storm and had to make a run for the Smugglers Inn pub where we dried-off, and watched the torrential rain for rivers in the village. After a bite to eat, we headed for home.
