A few days in Dorset, based in Dorchester,
to look at the wonderful wildlife of this area
Day 1: RSPB reserve at Radipole
This is a unique reserve in the middle of Weymouth consisting of a large Lake and extensive reed beds
The highlight for me was a pair of Mediterranean Gulls. 8 species of Butterfly were seen along with Norfolk Hawker and Emperor dragonflies
Day 2 : Tout Quarry and Ferrybridge
On the second day I went to Tout Quarry on the Isle of Portland, one of the best nature reserves for butterflies in the UK. Unfortunately the high temperatures and windy conditions were not the best for butterflies, but I did record 9 species including Chalkhill Blue and Silver-studded Blue.
I also made a brief stop at Ferrybridge on Chesil Bank, which runs between the Isle of Portland and the mainland, to see the colony of Little Terns that nest on Chesil Bank.
Day 3: King Barrow and Lodmoor RSPB reserve
The morning of Day 3 saw me back on Portland, this time to visit Kings Barrow nature reserve. Unfortunately the conditions were much as the day before. I did manage to add Small Blue Butterfly to my list as well as seeing more Chalkhill Blues.
In the afternoon I visited the RSPB reserve at Lodmoor on the edge of Weymouth. Lots of Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns and a small party of Mediterranean Gulls
Day 4: Brownsea Island
Travelled to Poole to get the ferry over to Brownsea island, part of which is a nature reserve run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Lots of Common Terns and Sandwich Terns, plus some Redshank, Avocets and single Curlew and Greenshank, but the highlight undoubtedly was the party of 8 Spoonbills that were present.
Pete's Favourite Things 