Open University Heathland Birds Workshop

Wareham Forest, Saturday March 27th 2010

list of species seen

Trip Report

A fine morning with just the occasional bout of fine drizzle. We started off by seeing mostly woodland birds with a pair of Nuthatches putting on a great display flying in and out of a hole in a tree. Later on a Green Woodpecker and a Treecreeper were also seen but not by the whole group. Out on the heath a few Buzzards were seen as well as a lone Raven but there were very few birds in the heather. One Stonechat gave us very good views but sadly there was no Dartford Warbler under it, as is often the case (they use the Stonechats as sentries!). A close look at the heathland floor revealed hundreds of red-topped spore bodies of the lichen Cladonia.
The pines here gave us the chance to sort out the differences between Coal and Blue Tits, with the daffodils growing under them initiating a great deal of discussion about the features of Wild Daffodils compared with the cultivated varieties. Also under the trees was a very active Wood Ant nest, with its occupants making the most of the sunny spells by warming themselves up on the top of the nest.

The day's list...

Birds

Little Grebe
Mallard
Gadwall
Tufted Duck
Buzzard
Wood Pigeon
Lesser/Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard)
Green Woodpecker
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Robin
Stonechat
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Siskin

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