LODMOOR - WEYMOUTH BAY - NEWTON'S COVE - NOTHE FORT - OLD QUAY
WEATHER: beautiful sunny day, with a light breeze. Temp 8 -12C
With a high pressure sitting over southern England it would have been rude not to go out and enjoy it. Dawn and I arrived in Weymouth just before 10am, we parked near the north entrance to RSPB Lodmoor and began our trek. It was a little nippy at 8C but with plenty of sunshine it did not feel too bad.
the lagoons at Lodmoor, not many birds were seen from the West Track
We watched a bunch of Greenfinches as we started along the West Track of Lodmoor, a couple of Cetti's Warblers burst into song as did Chaffinch and Great Tit. The water level on the lagoons of Lodmoor was quite high and very few birds were present on them. We saw the usual bunch of species: Common Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Mallard. Also Little Egret, Black-headed, Mediterranean and Herring Gulls and a Marsh Harrier flew over quite high up. I did see a single wader until two Oystercatchers dropped in, not even a Lapwing.
Looking across to Portland from Weymouth
The sea in Weymouth Bay was flat calm, but very birds were seen on the water, just a few Cormorants and Shags and a single Great Crested Grebe. We walked right into the centre of Weymouth along the not-so busy promenade, we made a quick stop to enjoy a tea & coffee sitting in lovely sunshine.
It was 12:30 when we arrived at the Old Quay we bought our lunch of fish and chips and watched the world go by as we ate them, being mindful of the Herrring Gull 'pirates' that steal food from your hands.
The Old Harbour at Weymouth
From the Old Harbour we walked across the Town Bridge and found our way to Newton's Cove where we were completely sheltered from the cold breeze. In the Cove we saw a Great Northernn Diver, Great Crested Grebe and a few more Shags.
Newton's Cove looking eastward, yu can the White Nothe Cliffs in the distance
In the bushes we found 3 Common Chiffchaffs and we heard another one singing from the trees. The rocky scree around the base of the Nothe Fort held a couple of Rock Pipits and what I am sure was a Black Redstart, it flew away before I got a full view of it and it never reappeared.
above and below - Common Chiffchaff
Making our way around to the pier alongside the harbour entrance we encountered a bunch of Ruddy Turnstones, in actual fact, they flew towards us and landed not a meter away. They obviously were used to being fed and seemed disappointed that we had nothing to give them, except for our admiration.
the very tame Ruddy Turnstone flock
The walk back along the seafront went uneventful, but when we reached Lodmoor for the second time we watched a large flock of Golden Plovers (50-70) they flew very high before dropping down again. The only other remarkable event was that of a Marsh Harrier performing its display flight.
Oystercatchers at Lodmoor
Over the reedbed to the north of the reserve we watched a male bird flying up very high and then stooping down, almost dropping to the reedbed before swooping up and flying high again to repeat the performance. What a lovely sight to finish our walk with?