South Milton and Bolt Tail

South Milton and Bolt Tail

Saturday 21st March

Seven of us gathered on a glorious day in the National trust car park beside South Huish water meadow. A Sedge Warbler greeted us singing well, along with some Mallard Canada Geese and a Heron in particular, and Swallows and House Martins at times skimming the water. We then proceed opposite, to the beach, to scan the area for any sea birds. A couple of Great Black-backed Gulls rested on top of Thurlstone Rock, with a Cormorant just below them, preening itself. Some very distant Gannets were also seen.

We then continued up the road to the gateway to a path heading across a field towards South Milton Ley - which is where we caught sight of a bird perched on the fence with a beak full of food. Our first thought was that it could have been a Spotted Flycatcher, but decided in the end it was a Rock Pipit. As we walked down toward the footbridge we spotted a Reed Warbler among the masses of reeds, along with Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Dunnock and Stonechats. Another Sedge Warbler was singing away as we entered the path alongside the DBWPS reserve at South Milton Ley. There was a worn-looking Buzzard being mobbed by a Raven.

We then walked further along the coast path when we spotted a seal, curiously popping its head up from time to time. It stayed around there as we stopped to have our lunch. After lunch, we continued along the path by the Thurlstone golf course. We came across half a dozen or so Whimbrel feeding in a cove - which was fantastic. Then a couple of Shelduck flew out to sea. As we walked towards the road there were some rooks o the golf course and a helicopter in someone’s garden (not a giant Sparrow, Richard).

Linnets were in abundance at this time. We scanned the marshy area opposite the golf club where we saw Mallard Little Egrets, Moorhen and Coot. Goldfinches were overhead and Cetti’s Warblers were singing loudly. From there we headed back to the car park for the second part of the day at Hope Cove.

When we got there we walked along the coast path and up a steep climb to the top of Bolt Tail. Skylarks were singing well. We rested a while there to scan the sea. There were Greater & Lesser Black-blacked and Herring Gulls and Fulmars gliding in the wind. A single Wheatear appeared on top of the cliff. Further along, we were able to pick out Shags with their young through the scopes - which was an excellent sight. On the walk back down into Hope Cove, we saw and heard a Chiffchaff in a bit of woodland.

By then, three of us decided to walk the mile or so back to the car park at South Milton sands. I’m glad I did as we got an ice-cream, and a Spitfire flew over too. We spotted some Oystercatchers after hearing them, and also a few Rock Pipits and a couple of Whimbrel on the beach, just before we got back to the car park. It turned out a very enjoyable day. Thanks to everyone for your help and assistance.

Number of species seen: 51

Steve Mole

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Mute Swan

Canada Goose

Shelduck

Mallard

Pheasant

Fulmar

Gannet

Cormorant

Shag

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Buzzard

Moorhen

Coot

Oystercatcher

Whimbrel

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Sandwich Tern

Wood Pigeon

Sky Lark

Rock Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Stonechat

Wheatear

Blackbird

Cetti’s Warbler (heard only)

Sedge Warbler

Reed Warbler

Whitethroat

Blackcap (heard only)

Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Goldcrest

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Magpie

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Raven

Starling

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Reed Bunting

Alphabetic order