Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed

The weather was a full jacket colder today with the wind still centred around north east, fresh and with the sun struggling to burn through the haze it was a chilly morning. None of this seemed to phase the holidaymakers who, even at 07-00, were positioning towels and driving in windbreaks on the 'sands'. It may have been the conditions that kept the birds away with little to log even as far as Ferrybidge, and even there just a dozen each of

Ringed Plover and

Dunlin, now in 'black bellied' summer plumage,

4 Shelduck (these 2 plus 2 fly-overs) and single Oystercatcher, Turnstone plus a very bright Yellow Wagtail were not enough to tempt me to linger.

The only minor milestone there was that Little Tern numbers.

for me at least,

reached double figures (11) my personal highest total thus far.

Between Barleycrates and Reap Lanes the situation was in sharp contrast to yesterday, when Wheatear were counted in their hundreds and other common migrants were well represented. Today my count of the afore mentioned was 9, with again just a few Swallows and singles of Blackcap and Tree Pipit to make up the day total.

Further on this small bush looked rather interesting but I cannot find what it is, while 'steaming' round the Bill you only had to be able to read to identify the

Sea Cadet Training Ship 'John Jerwood'.

In the Bird Observatory garden there was this Eyed Hawk-moth which is one of the more common Hawks,

and named thus because when attacked by a predator it spreads its fore-wings to reveal an eye-like pattern making it look far bigger that it is.

On my way back I stopped to view this Bittersweet (which has always been known to me as Woody Nightshade??) at which time there was a text alerting me to a Wood Warbler on the Rodwell Trail. Just half a mile or so from my house this was most convenient and after taking a look at this dozing

Grey Squirrel I herd the Warbler 'trilling' from high in the Sycamore Trees. Following its movements for a while, it suddenly shot off down the train (singing as it went) but the singing continued above me. 3 of us saw 2 separate birds, which was a real bonus. With this 'first for the year' under our belts, Dave Tissington and I then set off for Ringstead in search of Nightingale, and on the way encountered our first

Wall Butterfly and

Holly Blue

and even though Orange-tip was seen last week today there was chance of something of a photograph. In all we had 2 Nightingales, which was a 'Year Tick' for each of us, and after watching some emerging

Brown-tailed Moth caterpillars we headed home.

All else of note along the way were 2 Spear Fishermen, a sight not often seen around here these days. Back in my youth just about every young man had at least a go at the sport which I pursued for many years.

The 'Year List' now stands at 233, of which 186 have been recorded in Dorset.

PS - Of all things by neighbours Roy and Joy have just passed half a Christmas Pudding, complete with hot custard over the garden wall, so it just remains to say Yum Yum!

The Alpine Maid - Traditional Song USA

With a continued chorus provided by Blackcap, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler etc, etc, the only change weather-wise was just a few wisps of high, cirrus cloud and a wind that had 'backed' to the north, increased to a gentle breeze bringing with it something of an early morning chill. That's all it was in fact, as before mid-day it had dropped away to zero making for yet another Summer like day - the holiday makers must be loving it.

In the cemetery I cast my mind back just a short 3 months when this fruit tree, as regular readers will remember, was favoured by many of the winter Thrushes (Redwing & Fieldfare) while deep snow lay on the ground.

Once again I favoured an early visit to Portland but as ever took a long look across Radipole Lake, as shown above.

With some minutes in hand before the first bus of the Sunday service, there was time for more viewing of the local scenes, this the Inner Harbour, Weymouth

and from the opposite side of the Town Bridge the Outer Harbour and the gateway to the open sea. With precious little at Ferrybridge, it was directly to Barleycrates where the birding was in sharp contrast - birds everywhere.

OK, most were Wheatear, over 300 by my estimation, but in addition a few Swallows were still passing through, and unusually 2 feeding on the ground with the Wheatears. A total of 4 Whinchats, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Stonechat and singles of Redstart (a male) and Grasshopper Warbler.

Reaching the West Cliff, this vessel was seen laying to a single anchor and carrying blades for wind turbines, but I just couldn't see the name. I needn't have worried as my friend Roy Henderson has a house that has a better view over this stretch of water than the Coast Guard, and had already text me telling me it is the M/V Liamare. Presumably these blades are for the proposed 'wind farm' to be built between the Purbeck Peninsular and the Isle of Wight, and another huge advantage of constructing such an energy source off-shore little needs transporting by road.

Not the only craft in the Bay as the Charter Fishing boys were out today 'mob-handed' - 'tight lines you lot!

All that was seen between here and the Bird Observatory where a few of the breeding Fulmar, once again lots of Auks (Guillemots and Razorbill) but no Puffin today, while some had seen both Manx and Balearic Sheerwater - oh for the latter! However, at the Obs 'good fortune was destined to strike very quickly, and when someone told me a

Subalpine Warbler had been caught, I thought it was a 'wind-up'.

The range of this dainty little bird, a female in this instance, usually stops short of North Africa and Southern Europe, but this one seems to have overshot and made the day of a lucky few.

Fitting into the category of 'Rare' just a few do show up on our shores each year, so it would be a great shame not to show it at every angle possible - so here you are!

During the lull and a coffee that followed, there was time to look through one of the Moth Traps laid in the Obs garden overnight, and while the content was just 'common fare' I was mildly chuffed that my memory was still working at least a bit.

Powdered Quaker

Hebrew Character It was now time to head home, but just before leaving a

Chiffchaff was caught. Perhaps not the most striking of the British Warblers and likely the most common, but it is

remarkable in that some can, and do survive even the most severe winters GB can throw at them. In addition, all birds take on a new dimension when viewed 'in the hand' so I was more than please to see this one.

Chiffchaff head detail.

Dame's Violet

Finally, a word about the company I enjoyed today, not unusual at the Obs, but today 5 of these were children (including the Warden's 2 daughters) and a great pleasure to talk with these lovely people and give them a chance to have a go with a 'big boys' camera. It also makes me feel

THE FUTURE IS SAFE - THANKFULLY!

Pictures At An Exhibition - Emerson, Lake & Palmer

In a nutshell, the weather forecaster's message yesterday evening was "if you think conditions have been 'fine' thus far, you ain't seen nothing yet"! Even at 06-30 as I wandered through the cemetery the sun was shining brightly, the wind had dropped to nothing and the sky remained totally cloudless. In addition, Goldcrest, Blackcap and Coal Tit were in full voice and on a roadside verge this clump of

White Bluebells were well worth a second look. The first Common Tern in Weymouth's Inner Harbour this year were active as I boarded the bus, but from Ferrybridge there was absolutely nothing to report.

The conundrum concerning the Union Flag atop the Coast Guard Station at the Bill was that it was being flown upside down, which at sea is a signal for a vessel in distress or difficulty.

This morning as I crossed the brow of the hill, there was no flag flying at all, that is until the watch-stander appeared and hoisted a 'brand new' flag this time the correct way up!

I approached him on the subject, and felt his reaction was perfect as he showed concern that things were not correct, but then we lightened the situation with a few jokes. In fact I'd say it was a great pleasure to meet the Coast Guard! By now the day could only be described as 'HOT', and everywhere people were out enjoying the moment.

This lady horse rider was galloping up the 'Slopes' at such a pace that her dog was having trouble keeping up

while these Canoe-dlers were busy canoodling. Thus far all that was on the bird list were singles of Whimbrel and Yellow Wagtail, while the Wheatear count only ever reached 5 with the thin trickle of Swallows making up the bulk of sightings.

Below the cliffs both Razorbill and

Guillemot were on the sea in good numbers with a few more

Guillemots on the ledges. At the Bird Observatory things were also very quiet on the bird front, but my first Dragonfly of the year

a Broad-bodied Chaser perched long enough for a shot or two. That's when the call "Red Kite at Southwell" went up, with all but a couple racing for nearby cars. Duncan Walbridge obliged me with a lift and as we reached Bill Hill we saw the Warden pointing his camera in a northerly direction. An excellent sign that it was to be seen, and although it was at some distance a Red Kite (particularly on Portland) is a Red Kite!

Regular readers will remember this image of Brigadier General Othman Bin H. J. Jamal, Malaysian Defence Attache to the UK, presenting my friend Roy Henderson with his Malaya Medal.

On my way home today, I met other friends Ann and Dave Rashley who had seen the photograph above and told me that Dave had been at the same ceremony to receive the same award. Congratulations again to both you and Roy, and as always good to see you again today.

At the bus stop in Southwell this probable recent arrival Swallow posed for a shot, but after

such a long journey I can understand the need for an extended preen.

Goldfinch on the same wire.

Back in Weymouth it was always worth a look at the beach, where swarms of holiday makers were enjoying the gorgeous weather and equally gorgeous town.

Just a passer-by, but this dude looked the bizz in full Goth regalia,

I'd like to get the address of his tailor!

and finally, I received this E-mail and attachments from Karen Toleman daughter of my old Chief Engineer and great friend Clarance (Gunner) Toleman and thought them worth sharing with you.

Hello Paul,

Hope you are well and recovered from your Scottish adventures. Sorry I have not emailed before but have had some serious computer problems - hate it when this thing doesn't work! It was lovely to meet you and Lesley at the Bill the other day - Mum and I are really enjoying your blog and Mum was really pleased to see the kestrel on their hut in such detail.

Have attached a few of my pictures - the 'Morning sun' one is in acrylic and the Bird obs one is in oil. The back-lit screen makes the green look much brighter than in real life but you get the idea. I am trying to do 'Morning sun' again but in oil this time as it blends better than acrylic - it's very slow progress though because the weather is so good I can't stay indoors at the moment. The little owl is in pen and ink - they are one of my favourite birds - they seem to have such attitude! I was lucky enough to see a barn owl fly slowly over my garden the other night, the first one I have seen on Portland and close up, it was stunning.

Have forwarded your link to my friend in Wales; she used to live on Portland and is enjoying keeping up with the news and seeing the photos. There have been quite a few changes since she left.

The pictures of the Little Terns today were incredible - keep blogging!

All the best

Karen

Thank you so much Karen for the kind words and these real gems - the Little Owl is my favourite as it is 'alive'! Please pass on love and best wishes to your Mum & Dad (Madge & Gunner), Micheal and of course yourself - I will also contact Leslie!