Ian Dodd

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Frog spawn: first (two) clumps of spawn present in one of the ponds this morning; 13 days earlier than in 2023. Minimum of 6 frogs present.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

First Willow Warbler of spring trapped and ringed at Littlesea. Typical date.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

@cold957 First video was GBNews, so heavily biased! So not worth the airtime.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Slightly better photos today, showing wing bars this time.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Common Rosefinch, Littlesea, Weymouth this morning.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Green Sandpiper N over Littlesea, Weymouth two minutes ago.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Chickerell Firing Range this morning: Mistle Thrush and Woodlark. Neither recorded annually. Latter even picked up on Merlin.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

A good start for November: Ring Ouzel. The 64th species ringed in the garden since 2009.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

@freddyalway 2/2 .... on 25.10.2017 at same location.  It is not possible to get into colour/hue issues from photos so further evidence is needed to identify positively the bird in Fred’s photos.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

@freddyalway 2/2 ... on 25.10.2017 at same location.  It is not possible to get into colour/hue issues from photos so further evidence is needed to identify positively the bird in Fred’s photos.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

@freddyalway Thanks for comments on putative tristis.  While the collybita taxon has several described subspecies and there is evidence for clinal plumage differences the bird in question does not fit completely the typical tristis plumage – see attached photos of one trapped 1/2 ...

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

A reasonable day in Littlesea area today with Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Dartford Warbler (3rd for month) and Reed Bunting (100th for month) ringed. Got home to find Ring Ouzel in garden. Sadly dipped on Fred's GWE even though it probably flew straight over my head.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Redstart (first for autumn) showing reasonably well at Littlesea obs this morning.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

First Pied Flycatcher of autumn at Littlesea today; about three weeks earlier than usual. Also 2 Grasshopper Warblers East Fleet at dawn.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Painted Lady butterfly. First for year, Littlesea.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Bloxworth Snout. I hadn't realised there were so few reports of this coastal moth in Dorset until comments from Martin Cade and a look at various websites. Found in garage 22/04 in Weymouth.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

First Redstart this spring but we don't all live on Portland.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

Another 5 Red Kite east over Chickerell/Littlesea now.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

@PaulUpwey Paul, the original two birds apparently drifted west (via Fred), so you may well be right. My latest one was heading east towards Weymouth proper.

[Ian Dodd @LittleseaObs]

2 Red Kite currently just south of Budmouth School, Chickerell. Been there for at least 5 minutes.