RSPB Lodmoor Portland Bill And Ferrybridge Dorset August 2024
We headed west from our base near Swanage, Dorset, this morning and over to Weymouth. We arrived at our lovely friend’s house, Jon and Sue, about nine am. We greeted with tea, biscuits, and warm Welsh cakes – how lovely. Jon and Sue had very kindly offered to show us around their local patch as we were in the area, so kind of them. Jon also showed us some beautiful moths that he had trapped in the garden overnight, moths really can be lovely.
Moths and tea done we all jumped into Jon and Sue’s car and set off. After a quick drive around some downland with good points to look for migrant birds pointed out we arrived at RSPB Lodmoor. This new reserve for us lies on the outskirts of Weymouth. Pools and reedbeds lay just inland from the seawall and there were lots of birds to see at close range. Our Dorset trip list was quickly boosted. Green Sandpipers were a delight to see, feeding in the pools along with Common Redshank, a Sanderling, Ringed Plover, and Dunlin. A Peregrine spooked the birds into the air at one point, plenty of Mediterranean Gulls here, and warblers included Cetti’s and Common Whitethroat.
We then headed south, through a busy Weymouth, glad Jon was driving, and out onto Portland Bill, a huge headland that sticks out into the English Channel. Jon and Sue had kindly booked a table for lunch, and we enjoyed delicious food with a sea view! Even from our table we saw a flock of Common Scoter and Gannets! We walked down to the point where we saw a lovely Northern Wheatear, Portland Bill is famous for its migrant birds. Looking out to see not a lot moving with the offshore wind but two Northern Fulmars passed very close, and we watch a small pod of bottle-nose dolphins leaping out of the water.
On again, back north, to Ferry Bridge to look for waders, the visit was perfectly timed, just as the tide was dropping and lots of birds were close to the car park. We had super views of Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, and Ruddy Turnstones, along with a Sandwich Tern and more Mediterranean Gulls.
Next, we toured a few viewpoints overlooking Portland Harbour, for future reference, good winter birding here. We enjoyed a welcome cuppa overlooking the harbour as it was not a hot afternoon.
We collected another lovely friend, Cherry, and all went to Sue and Jon’s house for a most delicious homecooked dinner, great company, perfect end to a lovely day.