A week camping in wonderful Dorset was superb, weather excellent with views over Chesil Beach and Isle of Portland. Nothing on the agenda and no specific birding trips. A few local walks around the campsite for insects as well as birds was all that I managed, along with trips to Dorchester, Weymouth, Chesil Cove and Lulworth Cove. A most peaceful and relaxing time, if a little bit sun burnt by Friday.
Undoubted highlight was an early evening roe deer out in the middle of field. Stopped the car and watched for a few minutes and then, as quietly as possible, tried to get to the boot to get the camera. Needless to say, off instantly, so only this head shot possible. 50 swifts over the campsite seemed unusual, but the reason became clear about 30 seconds later as a hobby shot overhead in pursuit.
An hour viewing Ferrybridge gave sightings of a few gulls and feeding little terns, whilst back on the campsite, blackcaps and whitethroats called from hawthorn and buzzards were a daily sight. Skylarks sang continuously from hayfields, sometimes competing with chuckling red legged partridge.
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| Portland Bill from Fleet |
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| Overlooking Chesil Beach to Portland |
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| Herring gull that begged for food on the campsite |
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| Argumentative greenfinch |
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| Greenfinch |
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| Green woodpecker |
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| Ferrybridge herring gulls |
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| roe deer |
On one wander several moths were flushed from the grass, in particular a magpie moth and Chrysoteuchia culmella. Butterflies noted were large and small skippers, common blue, marbled white, small tortoiseshell and peacock.
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| Looking east from the campsite. |
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| Large skipper |
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| Chrysoteuchia culmella |
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| Another view towards Portland |
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| magpie moth...... |
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| .......in more appropriate habitat |
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| Ferrybridge. |
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| meadow brown |
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