The Final Countdown - Europe

What could well be my final visit ever to Radipole Lake ended this morning at 07:00, fortunately there was a succulent full English breakfast at the end of it to take out the sting. Bird numbers seem much reduced on previous years, except for maybe Cetti's Warbler and Bearded Tit, a muted dawn chorus, an inordinate amount of human generated clutter and still no sign of a Sedge Warbler. There was chance to discuss the latter with a RSPB representative, who suggested the cold weather might be holding them back, but my own observations suggest the contrary at Stanpit, Blashford, Farlington, Church Norton and Longhan to name but a few. So, what might be the last images from there (until a Penduline Tit appears) are reproduced below.

MUTE SWAN Signet

TUFTED DUCK males

MALLARD male

GREAT TIT

CETTI'S WARBLER

REED WARBLER

and finally, it was worth the walk

just to see this 'fine pair'.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL



Despite the announcement made some days ago ref a 'drop in production' we have managed to keep the ship afloat with only one or two days missed. Unfortunately, the pressures of getting my act together (coupled with lack of subject matter) are now bearing heavy and it could well be next week before the next post. If indeed time and photos allow we will publish again A.S.A.P.

The Season's Upon Us - Dropkick Murphy's

 

FERRY BRIDGE

was today's first destination but it would be impossible to visit

without a look across Portland Harbour to see what 'vessels'

had been blown in by the wind.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Vessel DILIGENCE

was secured alongside Q (Queen's Pier) 7 (berth) while

a second RFA, MOUNTS BAY was secured on theOuter Coaling
Pier but inboard of her was something of a little more interest.

Having thought her lines were familiar on first inspection this

fine small Cruise Liner was quickly proved to be none other than 

M/V DISCOVERY.

Not only a 'stable mate' of M/V Voyager in which I have recently 

completed my epic trip to the Americas and Caribbean, but also

the ship that took me on my greatest trip ever - Antarctica!

Over the other side of the road there was also something to send the pulses racing as I spotted this unusual looking Tern perched on one of the small vessel mooring buoys. It was at quite a distance, but there was a LITTLE TERN alongside it (Year Tick) but whatever would have a 'black cap', 'white throat and belly' and all else 'black'. Before continuing I should give a full description of my eye sight?? On the cusp of ringing the Portland Bird Observatory for assistance, it was realised that the after part of the bird was in fact the 'rocker shackle' of the buoy. Yes, Should Have Gone To 'Spec-Savers!

Close encounters of the SANDWICH TERN kind.

and the carpet THRIFT makes me glad to be back.

HERRING GULL

A fine subject, the bird to the left being in 'full' adult plumage

while the other was as near as damn it, just showing a trace

of older feathers.

That's when the LITTLE TERNs started to appear in numbers.

Announcing their arrival with that delicate scream,

most were in flight 

 

while a few were landing among the

SANDERLING

(these 2 were 'displaying' something not witnessed before)

and DUNLIN

both looking resplendent in 'Summer Plumage'.

LITTLE TERN

Unfortunately, the ever present CARRION CROW

must see this as a time of bounty and, if the opportunity

presents itself, will readily devour both eggs and chicks.

So, ever southwards towards Portland and the first visit to

Dear Friend

The Surreptitious Imbiber of Effervescent Libations

There followed an extended period of 'pulling up a bollard', 'swinging the lamp' (plus the lead), 'spinning a dit', 'shippin' 'em green' and other such nautical pastimes.

In between bouts of Juvenile

and Adult STOCK DOVES, Wood Warbler and a

Year Tick SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

our 'shipmate' Martin (Mego) Powell joined Secret and me.

The Big Boys at play valve was now wide open!

and as if by some sort of coincidence an ex-Royal Maritime Auxiliary Launch was 'on the stocks' back at Ferry Bridge. All 3 of us had at one time or another served in that Shipping Line. I am reliably informed that this had once been part of the Fleet at Devonport (Plymouth), now under private ownership and transported here by road for a refit.

In my relentless search for new sounds, bands and visual spectacles,

my latest acquisition are

DROPKICK MURPHY'S

if this lot don't do it for you (especially this track) and bring a 

huge smile to your coupon

then you might as well vote Conservative next time.

The Season's Upon Us

KLIK to BEHOLD

They Pulled Down Paradise - Put Up A Parking Lot

Soon after arrival back in Weymouth a late lunch (plus a tot or two) was shared with my friend Lesley Brown, and the prospect of a few additions to the lists during the next few days. Starting out this morning at 05:30 the intent was to enjoy once again the 'dawn chorus' that is associated with the reed beds at Radipole Lake. The songsters are mostly (Acrocephalus) Warblers, birds of the sedges and reeds, ably backed by a variety of common garden birds such as Robin, Blackbird, Wren and Song Thrush etc.







New on the scene since my departure are these ghost like and most pleasing sculptures at the northern end of the Rodwell Trail. Arriving at the reserve there was hardly a bird to be heard and after 3 circuits of the loop pathway a few Reed Warblers had come to life but not a single Sedge Warbler was recorded.

Heading towards Westham Bridge I encountering this young lady and her mum  who had, bravely in my opinion, rescued this HERRING GULL from the perils of the main road. We all agreed it best to leave the hapless bird on the grass verge close to the water, but just an hour later is was dead.

 

Looking towards WESTHAM BRIDGE there was the familiar
sight of the long staying





HOODED MERGANSER

which had been seen on Lodmoor the previous day and

describes as "of unknown origin"

Closer inspection revealed a 'ring' on the left leg

which perhaps points to it being the original bird?

 

Walking the western pathway there was just a single and vocal

WHITETHROAT

still seemingly looking for a mate.



A bold WOODPIGEON



and a 'call' Duck were all that was in photo range,

but Pochard and Bearded Tit had now been added to both lists.

After what easily qualified as the least productive and lacklustre morning I have ever spent on this once truly wild area I considered things could only get better. WRONG! That's when these 2 lumps if rock, completed with advertising hording

and this scale model of the Alamo were encountered. I am sorely tempted to 'trip off on one' but will resist save to ask, when are the 'mugs' pouring their hard earned cash into RSPB coffers going to tire of them nibbling away at the very Wildness that they are mandate to protect.

THIS AIN'T A F**KIN' THEME PARK!

OR AT LEAST IT DIDN'T USED TO BE.

 MULLET in the Backwater,

CORMORANT in the Backwater and

my ol' mate JIM, who keeps my glass topped up at various local Rock Festivals, taking his daily constitutional and coffee.