Dipping a Tawny Pipit!

Setting off this morning we were hoping to connect with the Tawny Pipit at Cogden. Stopping on route at Longham Lakes we found the Whiskered Tern resting on a buoy in the middle of the south lake. It soon took to the air and made several circuits of the lake but always remained distant during our visit.

Whiskered Tern

At Cogden we parked up in the National Trust car park and walked the shingle beach. A small group of birders were already doing the same. Although two birders thought they had seen a fleeting glimpse of the Pipit, we failed to find it and after two hours of searching decided to head towards Portland, stopping on the way at Ferrybridge where several Little terns were present for another addition to the year list.

Cogden

At Portland, we heard news of a Chough being present, and after walking towards the "Hut Fields" we found the Chough busily feeding on the cliff edge.

Chough feeding area

Chough

On the walk along the seafront, we encountered several Rock Pipits, which entertained us by displaying in the sky and then parachuting back down among the rocks. 

Rock Pipit

Scanning the sea from Portland Bill we saw numerous Guillemots and Razorbills resting on the sea and several were also seen on Pulpit Rock. A single Shag was also seen flying through adding to the day's total and the year list.

A report of a Roseate Tern present among the Common Terns at Lodmoor persuaded us to make a brief stop before heading for home, but we failed to find it and it was later reported in the bay at Greenhill.

The Tawny Pipit will have to go on my dipped list having failed to find it, and the fact it wasn't reported all day may mean it had moved on the previous evening. 

Although we dipped the tawny Pipit it was good to be at the coast again and I managed to add six additions to my year list while enjoying some fantastic scenery.