Thought I'd have a look at the wintering Long Billed Dowitcher at Lodmoor today, arrived on site and after 20 minutes located the bird at the western end of the reserve. Had a good look at the bird which appears to be in suspended moult, however a nice looking 1st winter individual. Then as I went for the camera a Peregrine went over and spooked the nearby Lapwings taking the Dunlins and Dowitcher with them, luckily the dowitcher returned and showed well.
Other Waders today came in the form of several Snipe, 400+ Lapwing, 4 Blackwits, 30+ Dunlin & a single Redshank. Also Common Buzzard & Kingfisher
The photo above shows part of the marsh at Lodmoor where the Dowitcher spent most of its time this morning and the photo below shows Portand in the distance viewed from the bay at Weymouth.
After leaving Lodmoor I decided to pop in to Radipole Lake and check out the pre roost gathering of Gull's at the nearby car park. There were at least 4 Med Gulls with a 1st winter and 3 adults including this adult above wearing this green colour ring with the letters AJCY. This is presumed to be either a french or Belgium ringed bird.
Video clip below is of the Dowitcher, all in all a rather nice day, and now 19 species of wader for the year.