Firecrest, Dorset, 26th Jan.

I grabbed a few hours birding at Radipole Lake while my girlfriend went for a job interview at nearby Dorchester. I bumped into this hyperactive Firecrest along the buddleia trail but the extremely dull light made it impossible to photograph although i did enjoy watching it for 45 minutes. Other highlights were the many Cetti's Warblers, Bearded Tits, 4 Med Gulls, Y-l Gull and the escaped Hooded Merganser.

Hooded Merganser and Friends

A smart duck enjoying its freedom.

Mediterranean Gull

I saw 3 adults and a 2nd winter around the car park but persistent heavy showers nearly always coincided with them being present on the tarmac.

Tufted Ducks

1st-winter Yellow-legged Gull

Fox, RW, 24th Jan

A nice Fox passing by the back garden at 8.30am, minding its own business until it spotted the Chickens feeding under the bird feeders. As it homed in on the Chickens i was torn between photographing it or shouting at it.

Displaying Goldeneye's, RW, 22nd Jan.

Eyebrook, 21st Jan

Red Kite, Iceland Gull, Kestrel and Goosander.

Pintail, RW, 18th Jan

A lovely sunny day with brilliant light but unfortunately it's a Sunday and the bird hides are full of dim-wits. People hanging out of windows firing cameras at pointless subjects, flasks hitting the floor and people getting lodged in the doors because they are either to fat or that they have forgotten they are carrying a rucksack on their backs - usually it's both. I gave up and spent the afternoon watching snooker.