Images from Weymouth 25th March 2019

I spent an afternoon at Weymouth in Dorset where one has the luxury of two RSPB Reserves, Lodmoor and Radipole,  within a few miles of each other. Who could possibly ask for more?

Black tailed Godwit

Around ten Black tailed Godwits were feeding in the water, probing their long bills deep into the mud below as they progressed in stately and elegant fashion back and fore. Some were still in their grey brown plumage of winter  but others had begun the commencement  into breeding plumage, with neck and breast  beginning to turn brick orange and the feathers on their upperparts becoming chequered with orange and black.

These birds were of the Icelandic race and will eventually fly there to breed but for now they were feeding avidly, no doubt preparing to put on reserves of fat to sustain them on their long journey northwards.

I rather like Black tailed Godwits. Their name itself having a mediaeval ring to it. A satisfyingly large wader possessed of  a benign expression and extraordinary long bill and legs allowing them to seek their food in deeper waters than other wader species.

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shovelers are a contradiction in that their outlandish spatulate bills make them look rather weird and unbalanced but the male's plumage is a spectacular amalgam of colours taking your eye away from the bill to admire the sheer exotic beauty of the male's plumage.

They swim with a characteristic head down top heavy appearance with the bill held close to the water as if it is too much for its head to support

Eurasian Teal

Britain's smallest duck but perfectly proportioned. The male's delicately patterned plumage of  grey vermiculated flanks  and a myriad of spots on its creamy breast are counteracted by a head of rich chestnut colour overlaid with a crescent that looks like green satin in the sun. Irresistible!

The curious cricket like call of the male rings around the marsh betraying their presence in hidden gutters of water and stands of sedge grasses by the water's edge.

Ring necked Duck

And finally something a little more exotic, all the way from North America. A male Ring necked Duck was found during the winter at Radipole and has remained throughout to moult into its fabulous adult plumage. Superficially rather like a Tufted Duck but with a distinctive large and domed head that does nothing to detract from its appeal.