Dinton Pastures

A veritable army (27!) of birders gathered at Dinton Pastures car park on a lovely early spring Thursday morning, eager to explore this rich and varied local area. There was much talk of possible rarities, especially Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (LSW) apparently back after several sightings along the Loddon river.

At 09.29 we set off (don’t be late when Gerry is there!) and headed for the mums’ feeding area at the end of Black Swan Lake. This yielded the usual ducks, geese and BH Gulls, plus the first avian babies – Egyptian Geese. There was a frisson of excitement when further up the lake a distant Goldeneye was found. It was not however to be the last we saw... Up the lake, count more Goldeneye, past the sailing club and over the road to Lavell’s car park aka “Bullfinch corner” – which duly obliged with good views of males in full breeding plumage.

Next stop was the Bittern hide on Lavell’s lake, into which most of us fitted if we all breathed in-&-out together. No Bittern to be seen of course, but the next best thing was two Snipe on the bund straight in front of the hide in most unsnipelike full view. Usual suspects, Wigeon, Shoveler etc abounded but not the hoped-for Kingfisher or LSW.

On then toward Teal hide via an ancient half-dead oak tree famous for hosting LSWs last year and last week. Some hopefuls hung around with ears pinned back, less patient folk went on to Teal hide and a few (me!) deciding this hide-for-six wasn’t going to take the whole group, continued directly on to the Loddon footpath –where we were treated to a brief glimpse of a Kingfisher downstream, never found again. Next stop Ron Bryant hide on Lea Farm GP, lots of unexceptional activity here plus more Goldeneye and a Shelduck, but no Pintail or Redshank – moved on from last week.

“..Spotted Woodpecker” the cry went up, causing a mass exodus from the hide, to no avail – we had not heard the weasel word “Great”...! Half the party legged it further down the river, causing great confusion to late leavers who could see parties heading in both directions! Eventually everyone ended up at Sandford Mill bridge, on the normal route to Sandford hide, but no – a detour over the bridge took us deep into fisherman territory back up the river hoping for – LSW! Did we find any? Need you ask?

The last leg was across the top of White Swan Lake, two Bitterns here in the reeds allegedly, neither showing of course despite intense effort. Just more Goldeneye and a Common Gull masquerading among the BHGs – well found Jane! Memo to self – always check big BHG gatherings for interlopers!

The morning and many of the group ended up back at the car park – a lovely morning outing, good company and 54 species found. Not a bad effort, worth a touch of lunch at the cafe we thought and proceeded to eat them out of their baked potato stocks. You would think they would be pleased at such large sales wouldn’t you, but apparently not! Memo to Brian – pre-warn them next time!?

Click here for a map. (SU783718)

Click here for information about Dinton Pastures.

Click here for list of birds seen