21.2.08

Went to Wareham Forest again today looking for the Great Grey Shrike, and once again I failed!
There were lots of other nice birds around though, so I can't complain. Along the first path, a Little Egret flew up from beside the stream and landed in a tree. Out on the heath a heard, and then saw, a Dartford Warbler singing from a spike of gorse. I continued along the path and at the bottom, in a mossy area, there were 2 Woodlarks. I sat down and watched them for a while, occasionally one would start singing. After a while they got used to me being there and they were feeding quite close, so I was able to get some better shots than last time I saw one.




Eventually, I carried on up the path, a very colourful Green Woodpecker flew across the path and a couple of Roe Deer leapt out of the heather and ran across the heathland. A Buzzard flew over and then a bit later on a distant Raven glided over the pine trees. I came across a gorse bush which had atleast 5 Dartford Warblers in, although they soon scattered when I arrived!
Further round the reserve there were more Dartford Warblers as well as some Stonechats, Wrens, Meadow Pipits and another Green Woodpecker. On the pond in the middle of the heath there were 12 Tufted Ducks and a few Mallards.
Here's a poor shot of a Dartford Warbler


Walking back towards the car park I came across a large flock of Siskins in the alder trees along the stream. I'd hoped that there might be some Redpolls amongst them but unfortunately I couldn't see any.

In the Garden the number of Siskins has increased again, we had 12 on the feeders yesterday. I think it must've been a good winter for them!