May 2nd 2009

Originally planned as a day out to see the Crested Lark at Dungerness, Kent but the Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and Collared Flycatcher at Portland Bill, Dorset meant the crew had a change of plan so I went with the flow. I have seen both in this country and abroad so was more interested in any other migrants we could pick up and the weather looked good for butterflies in the New Forest, Hampshire later.
The Collared Flycatcher showed well at Sweethill, Southwell, but there was no sign today of the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler and I missed the Goshawk that went over. With many birders all over the bill we also managed to catch up with Short-eared Owl, Grasshopper Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Puffin and Pomarine Skua.
Called in at Radipole Lake RSPB to see the male Hooded Merganser that’s wintered there though its credentials are questionable then on to various locations in the New Forest finding 9 species of butterfly including Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary two species I have not seen for ten years or so with the duke being seen in good numbers at some locations and the marsh are out slightly earlier this year. Also Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper and birds in the area included Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Wood Warbler and Crossbill.

Richard