Where to go in West Dorset?

[Perry Grin]

Hi All - advice and guidance please.......

I am visiting the inlaws in Melplash this February and have a pass for a mornings birding. Apparently Maiden Newton for can be good for dipper - is this a possibility? Where else can I get a good few hours birding reasonably close by - 30 mins max in the car?

TIA

Perry

[LynM]

Not sure about Dippers at Maiden Newton, but you could do worse than head to the coast. It will only take you 10 mins or so to get to West Bay for starters, then you could head east to West Bexington and Abbotsbury. Unfortunately the swannery is not open at this time of year as many other birds gather on the Fleet too. Inland you could try Eggardon Hill, possibly see Buzzards, again, only about 15 mins form where you are staying. Sometimes there is a good selection at Maiden Castle on the outskirts of Dorchester too.

If you are going coastal, try to check tide times before you go.

[GuyF]

I've yet to see a Dipper in Dorset but I believe Lyme Regis can be quite a good spot, they can sometimes be seen along the River Lim which runs through the town, although this isn't an area I've visited much so I'm not sure where abouts the favoured locations are.
Like Lyn I'd recommend a visit pretty much anywhere along the fleet at this time of year, that should give you a good variety of birds. Although you can't access Abbotsbury swannery (the most westerly part of the lagoon) you can park by Chesil Beach a little further to the West and then walk East along the beach until you reach some concrete tank traps overlooking the lagoon. You'd probably need a scope, but there can be huge numbers of birds up here with a pretty good variety. The Mute Swans are the most famous residents, but if you search through the large flocks of commoner ducks you may find some Scaup, with Long-tailed Ducks and Black-necked Grebes often being reported during the winter. There has also been a Glaucous Gull hanging around the area between Abbotsbury and West Bexington recently, and it may be worth having a quick look out to see as Divers, Grebes and interesting gulls are sometimes seen.

Butterstreet Cove is another good spot. There have been 4 Whooper Swans overwintering in the area and depending on the tides there can be many ducks and geese amongst the thousands of Dark-bellied Brent Geese are smaller numbers of the Pale-bellied and a couple of Black Brants.

At the far east of the fleet is the Isle of Portland. Ferrybridge can be another good spot for the Brent Geese, and there are often high numbers of Mediterranean Gulls there too. Portland Harbour can be excellent for Divers, Grebes and sea-ducks. Over the winter all regular British divers and grebes have been seen in the harbour at different times, and with a scope you should be able to pick out a few interesting birds. Portland Bill itself may be quite interesting, there have been Balearic Shearwaters hanging around off the tip recently, and you may find some Purple Sandpipers or a Short-eared Owl.

Unfortunately the birds will probably be quite distant at most of the spots I've mentioned, but if you're lucky you may well be able to find some interesting species.
Guy

[LynM]

I didn't mention Portland or Ferrybridge as I was thinking of the travelling time from Melplash....reckon that it would be beyond the 30 minutes mentioned. It would be my first choice I must admit!!!1

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by LynM

I didn't mention Portland or Ferrybridge as I was thinking of the travelling time from Melplash....reckon that it would be beyond the 30 minutes mentioned. It would be my first choice I must admit!!!1

Ah sorry! I hadn't spotted the 30 minutes travelling time bit, that probably would put Ferrybridge and Portland out of reach. The West Bexington and Abbotsbury area may be the best bet in that case.
Guy

[leifus]

im not sure how far away durlston (swanage) is from where you are but the birds there are spectacular (coastal birds)

[LynM]

Originally Posted by leifus

im not sure how far away durlston (swanage) is from where you are but the birds there are spectacular (coastal birds)

Too far, unfortunately!!! Melplash is just north of Bridport.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by LynM

Too far, unfortunately!!! Melplash is just north of Bridport.

ahh shame. Durlston in May/June is STUNNING

[Perry Grin]

Thanks all for advice. I wasn't planning on taking the scope, but may now change my mind!

Are there any websites you can recommend for recent sitings?

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by Perry Grin

Thanks all for advice. I wasn't planning on taking the scope, but may now change my mind!

Are there any websites you can recommend for recent sitings?

The Dorset Bird Club site is a useful one, sightings are updated daily (although sometimes quite late in the evening)

Dorset Bird Club - Latest Sightings

And then the Portland Bird Observatory site, although concentrating on the Ferrybridge end of the Fleet, may help to give an idea of the birds that are in the area.

Portland Bird Observatory - latest news

I hope you have a successful morning wherever you choose to go!
Guy