Wildlife of the Rodwell Trail
birds seen from the trail in 2023

previous years:  
2022 (90 sp)   
2021 (91 sp)   
2020 (103 sp)  
2019 (94 sp)   
2018 (108 sp)  
2017 (94 sp)   
2016 (76 sp)   
2015 (75 sp)   


yearly summaries:  
2022   (90 sp)  
2021   (91 sp)  
2020 (103 sp)  
2019   (94 sp)  
2018 (108 sp)  
2017   (94 sp)  
2016   (76 sp)  
2015   (75 sp)  
2014   (75 sp)  
2013   (66 sp)  
2012   (79 sp)  
2011   (84 sp)  
2010   (99 sp)  
2009   (98 sp)  
2008   (97 sp)  


best months:  
Dec 2013 (50 sp)    
Jan 2013 (50 sp)    
Jan 2010 (60 sp)    
Nov 2008 (57 sp)    
Oct 2008 (57 sp)    
55 species so far this year

Great Northern Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Gannet
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Red-breasted Merganser
Eider
Common Scoter
Sparrowhawk
Peregrine
Oystercatcher
Curlew
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull >
Common Gull
Herring Gull >
Great Black-backed Gull
Sandwich Tern
Guillemot
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Blackbird
Redwing
Song Thrush
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Firecrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Rook
Raven
Jackdaw >
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch
Linnet




Red Kite over Radipole, 28th Feb 2023



March 31st
On a very windy day the Gannet that flew west quite close in off Wyke Halt was hardly a surprise, neither was the Linnet there - a first for the year. Nearby a single Oystercatcher at Smallmouth suggested that its partner may perhaps be already on a nest. Goldfinches have been more in evidence this year with several sightings around Newstead Road and today one singing at Sudan Road.

March 26th
Just one Eider off Sandsfoot this morning but no less than 12 Sandwich Terns sat on the bouys, the first this year. At Buxton Road the Goldcrest was still singing and a Stock Dove was another first for the year.

March 18th
A pair of Oystercatchers at Smallmouth were the first for the trail this year, although there have been up to 4 at Underbarn through the winter. Just two Black-necked Grebes were off Underbarn, both looking very dark now. At Buxton Road the Goldcrest was still singing in the Leylandii at the top of the bank and at Marsh Road the rookery is now up to 6 nests.

March 12th
The new rookery at Marsh Road has now grown to five nests, including one crow nest taken over by a pair of Rooks. It seems they have also stolen all the twigs from a Magpie nest left over from last year.

March 5th
A solitary Brent Goose off Downclose was the first seen from the trail this year. Further out were 5 Black-necked Grebes and 55 mergansers, the most seen this winter. A Curlew was heard here again and at Buxton Road a Goldcrest was heard singing.

February 27th
A Firecrest that gave a brief view at Sandsfoot Halt this morning was the first for a year or two. A Raven flew over Wyke Road and in the harbour just one Black-necked grebe could be seen, with about five each of mergansers and Great Crested Grebes.

February 19th
Two Curlew heading towards Underbarn were another addition to the year's trail list as was a Green Woodpecker heard calling several times in the Hillcrest Road area.

February 12th
The Buxton Road Chiffchaff was still about this morning and the first Pied Wagtail of the year could be heard calling somewhere near Sandsfoot. From the end of Old Castle Road three dark Eider could be seen distantly along with a total of about 45 mergansers. A pair of Ravens were following each other around here and the first Grey Heron of the year flew across the harbour from Portland.

February 5th
Chiffchaffs have been quite scarce this year so I was pleased to get good views of one this morning next to the Buxton Road bridge. A distant Chaffinch singing in Verne Road was the first heard this year.

January 30th
The first Redwing of the year was at Newstead Road this morning.

January 27th
The first Great Spotted Woodpecker of the year flew over Rodwell Halt this morning. Nearby at Marsh Road was a Goldcrest which has been seen on several occasions recently.

January 22nd
12 Black-necked Grebes off Smallmouth this morning, the highest count since last winter. The Eider flock is now up to 5 birds, scattered across the harbour. A Coal Tit singing near Granville Road was a first for that part of the trail.

January 9th
An identical list again today off Sandsfoot, with the addition of a flock of 4 auks, probably Guillemots, flying south through the harbour.

January 6th
The first week of 2023 has produced a couple of Great Northern Divers, single Black-necked and Red-necked Grebes and 3 Eider all off the Sailing Club. At Buxton Road a Coal Tit could be heard singing off towards Bellevue Road.

more on my video blog ...