The Stonechats of Radipole Lake

On most occasions when I visit Radipole Lake Weymouth, I find a male and female Stonechat pair in the same general area.

Male

Female

Roe Deer - Radipole Lake

This buck Roe deer was some 200 metres away from my position and briefly appeared for a photo opportunity.

A large part of Radipole Lake is quite inaccessible to humans and an excellent place for deer to roam safely. 

The area is 87 hectares (215 acres) in size overall.

Local Birds of Colour

Getting out between the rain over the last week or two was difficult and not conducive to good photography. 

On the occasions it wasn't raining, trying to stand firm (even with inbuilt Image stabilisation in the camera) in 35 mph winds seemed impossible at times.  

The first images of the Lapwing were taken at Lodmoor Reserve Weymouth.

On a day when the sun was actually shining I shot these few images of a lone Oystercatcher at the waters edge Portland Bill.

In very strong winds at Ferrybridge I was able to shoot these images of another Oystercatcher as it searched for food along the edge of receding tide.

At the same time there were also a few Med Gull, but they were not that cooperative and persisted in facing away from me into the wind. I couldn't get to a better location for the shot.

Also at Ferrybridge a few wintering Ringed Plover were searching for food. 

They were more helpful and would walk towards me at times. 

Wren

The Wren - Always a delight to see and photograph.

The Dunlin - A Coastal Wader

A visit to Ferrybridge usually provides a shot or two of waders or geese of some kind. On this occasion three Dunlin were observed at the edge of the receding tide. In their winter plumage they continued feeding away and took little notice of me, although I was maintaining a good distance from them. 

The Dunlin is the most common of waders that can be found around the coast of the UK. 

In winter there can be up to 350,000.