Shrike 1 Forster's Tern 0!

Tuesday 2nd April 2024.

A male Siskin was one of several showing very well on the feeders and nearby trees at the Arne RSPB site.

Today, I went birding with both Emma and Matt Parkes again and this time, we headed to Dorset to hopefully catch up with two special birds. I knew that rain was coming in this afternoon and so we had to get to Dorset fast to firstly go for the Forster’s Tern at Shipstal Point, on the RSPB Reserve of Arne and then on to Morden Bog for the Great Grey Shrike. Matt had kindly picked me up from my house and then we headed westbound first to Arne where the bird had been seen this morning and showing well off Shipstal Point. I have never been to the Arne RSPB reserve and the guys were waxing lyrical about the amphibians seen on this cracking reserve. The Springwatch team have been doing their programmes here recently due to both Ospreys and White-tailed Sea Eagles in the area. Were we to be lucky with the Tern and Shrike?

Above, a pair of Siskins on the feeders by the reserve entrance and below, one of a few Curlews on the beach at Shipstal Point.

Above and below, there were two Great Crested Grebes seen on the sea from Shipstal Point.

Above, a late flock of Brent Geese flying north-east across the sea and below, one of several Sandwich Terns present today at Shipstal Point. At least a dozen birds were in the area.

A superb Sika Deer Stag feeding just north of the woodland.

Arne RSPB Reserve, Dorset:

Arriving at the RSPB car park, after showing our membership passes, we walked up to the bird feeders where we were rewarded with some superb Siskins showing just feet away from us, along with a few Goldfinches and Chaffinches. If you were going to get some close views of the Siskins, then this was it. We were shown on a map by one of the Volunteers on how to Shipstal Point where the Tern was seen last and making our way through the woodland to the beach, we had sightings of Coal Tits, Chiffchaffs and a superb Sika Deer stag out in the fields. On reaching the beach, we thought we had stumbled across the Forsters Tern almost immediately and sat on a spit just off the beach; however, joy turned to disappointment when we realised it was a Sandwich Tern just coming out of winter plumage. Hurrumph! Getting nearer to the beach, we spent the next couple of hours checking the many Sandwich Terns present, but it wasn't to be. There was no sighting and no further sightings for the rest of the day of this rare American Tern. It wasn't all gloom and doom as there was a supporting cast of at least two Great Crested Grebes on the sea; at least two Mergansers were also on the sea and waders here included several Curlew and Redshank and good numbers of Oystercatchers. A large flock of Brent Geese flew north over the sea and then headed towards Brownsea Island in the distance. Matt picked up a male Peregrine flying low over the sea and was last seen heading south-west. A few Swallows were also seen flying high over the sea heading north and also a couple of Linnets. After having lunch, we decided enough was enough and so we made our way back to the car. On reaching the RSPB Shop and a quick bite to eat, the rain started falling, but this didn't put us off trying for the Great Grey Shrike at Morden Bog.

Above, very few photos were taken here at Morden Bog as the weather was seriously bad. Heavy rain thwarted us in taking any photos, but what I did take was (above), Emma checking out the map of the area and below, we found this Fruiting Elf Cup Lichen growing on the heath. 

Morden Bog, nr Sandford, Dorset:

It was pouring with rain all the way to the reserve and on arrival, the rain simply didn't let up. If anything, about 30 minutes later, it was getting heavier. Unfortunately, we got a damn good soaking for our efforts, but to cut to the chase, we believe we actually saw the Great Grey Shrike perched high up on a conifer and again on another conifer. Emma managed to take a photo of the bird and she was sure it was the bird judging by the photo, but it was mostly a very distant silhouette in the appalling weather. Apart from a couple of Meadow Pipits flying over the heath, near the Decoy Pond, there were virtually no birds at all. And who could blame them. Then I found the Shrike perched distantly and a passing birder said he had seen the bird an hour ago in the same area. So, despite a thorough soaking and some mud surfing by my good self (how the hell I never slipped over is a mystery!), we were happy to ‘year-tick’ the Shrike. On our walk there across the heath, we found some interesting plants that turned out to be Fruiting Elf Cup Lichen, a species I have never seen before. Just goes to show, there is always something interesting around to be found. It was a shame about the weather here for the place looked so good to go birding. Maybe another time.

In Hampshire today, an Osprey was on Long Island within Langstone Harbour and a Whimbrel was on the foreshore at Southmoor, with a female Goosander nearby. An adult Little Gull was on Budds Farm and a couple of Willow Warblers were by Woolmer Pond.