Portland and Lodmoor

Yesterday My family and I went down to Portland in search of quite a few things, first off an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler which wasn't the main target as I had one a few years back at the same place however the main bird was a Thrush Nightingale and the Little Bittern at Lodmoor. On arrival we dipped the Red Rumped Swallow by about 20 minutes so we decided to head off to Portland to try and see the Thrush Nightingale but yet again there was no sign for about an hour and a half so we sat round the Obs quarry till about half 4 only managing to hear the Nightingale which was annoying because t didn't show so we couldn't tick it.

We then moved back down to Lodmoor to try and see this Little Bittern but that hadn't been seen for over an hour aswel so as you might see a pretty dire day or so we thought!

At around half 5 a man shouted Bittern but unfortunatley none of us saw it as all were looking through a hirundine flock to try and find the Red Rumper but shortly after I found the bird again this time perched at the top of the reeds giving all present good views and it then flew left over the reeds towards beachdown way and this is when we left for Portland again.

We arrived back at the Obs quarry to find everyone starting to run so we did the same and there it was the Male Thrush Nightingale sat right out in the open on a bush and it showed for about 20 secs at the most but a good enough view to tell what it was. A look for the EOW was fruitless so we decided to head home.

Once home o shit we forgot the scope so luckily put a message out on rba and some kind man had found it so all good and a good day out!

Female type Little Bittern perched in reedbed at Lodmoor RSPB

Poor record shots of the Little Bittern at Lodmoor RSPB.

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