After missing my Scotland trip due to ill health back in June I’d been waiting a chance to get away for a few days.
With the weather looking reasonable I decided upon 4 nights on a Campsite overlooking Chesil Beach, Weymouth in Dorset.

There were three places I wanted to visit; 1. Portland 2. RSPB Radipole Lakes and 3. RSPB Lodmoor.

Wheatear

Not knowing the best places to go on Portland and around the Bill I popped into the Portland Bird Observatory to ask the question. I have to be honest and say the welcome I received was not one I would have expected. “Sea to the front and Fields behind” was more or less the response.
I said thank you and just walked around in my own time.

Although mid September there was not much to be seen, a Redwing was spotted on the west side of the Island. Regret I was on the east side at the time !

Even so, an enjoyable walk along the rugged coastline, the Quarries and bush.

       
Lapwing alongside a Redshank – Little Stint – Black Tailed Godwit

       
Juvenile Linnet – Kingfisher – Cormorants

       
Distant osprey – View of Arne – Another Little Stint

RSPB Radipole Lakes. I’d heard a lot about the Lakes and how bountiful they are with birds but maybe due to the time of the year I didn’t see much, the Reeds were very high and the viewpoints didn’t come up with anything.

RSPB Lodmoor on the other hand was most enjoyable and I met quite a few Birders who were really nice, showed me points of interest and all good for a banter amongst themselves.
Basically the place is split into two, the main part is about one mile square and you walk around the perimeter paths. Some parts are also Public Footpaths.

On my way home from Weymouth I called into RSPB Arne for a couple of hours and I have to say the scenery and flora there are quite splendid.
Again, not many birds to be seen and being quite cloudy, Dragon Flies and Butterflies were quite minimal.

Sunset from Sea Barn View Campsite, Chesil Beach, Dorset

However, although very distant, I did see an Osprey. RSPB have erected some tall telegraph poles around and about, screwing a flat platform on top in hope that next year they may breed there.

A good few days away and even if it was a case of seeing birds I have already seen, you’re seeing them in another location with different surroundings.