The Final Countdown - Europe

With just 10 short days to go before flying to Los Angeles, I have now started the countdown. Most things are in place, so the remaining evenings will be spent swatting up on what might be seen en-route then in the final 10 minutes throw a few things into the backpack and go. Flicking through the photographs from my last trip along the Alaska Highway in 2007, it was thought these may stimulate the reader into tuning in for the full trip. It would of course be most appreciated if ALL our readers, regardless of country, passed on the Blog Link to friends and family to share a FREE adventure.

Tufted Puffin

Dall's Sheep

Fin Whale

Moose

It was a strange start to the day weather wise, with the sky half covered, the wind speed a little reduced but an altogether colder feel all round.

At Radipole it was seen just how reduced the visibility was with the whole area shrouded in quite dense mist, with the Visitor's Centre (centre) barely visible just across the lake.

Looking to the north things were just the same with the Ridgeway Hills, only a couple of miles away, completely obscured.

With only this Moorhen to delay proceedings, it was straight to Ferrybridge where there was no more of interest besides 2 Shelduck and a single Grey Heron. To be fair, there were quite a few small Waders but all beyond the Little Tern colony and beyond ID range for me.

3 Yellow Wagtails did fly overhead 'calling' as I wandered across the Top Fields towards the Bill, but all else was this fine looking male Stonechat,

while at the Bird Observatory this Muslin Moth caught my attention just before only the second bird of the day was taken from one of the nets.

Some might say, 'only' a Chiffchaff but to me any bird seen 'in the hand' is a privilege and even more so as this may well be

the last bird I see, this end of the year, held by Professor Peter Morgan. He and Rosie return to Wales tomorrow and it could be that I'll be there to wish then goodbye, but if not, "bon voyage" both.

With only a Great Northern Diver and a Peregrine to stimulate the avian interest, attention was turned to what is probably the largest sailing vessel I've ever seen at sea. The Sea Cloud registered in Malta is a Sail-Cruiser and is heading for Weymouth, but by the look of her size I doubt she will get alongside there?

On the way home I encountered another 2 Yellow Wagtail this time far more obliging than the previous 3, settled in a horse paddock and seemingly unaware of my presence.

Finally, please don't forget to pass on the Blog Link
Thank You!

Long Tall Sally - Little Richard

With a few things to catch up on this morning and with the last couple of days producing very little, I decided to do the chores before going for the 09:30 bus to Portland. Having barely looked at the weather and with the mobile phone out of reach for the moment, I just caught the fading strains of the ringing tone. The missed call, timed at 08:17, was from Ian Stanley, which could only mean one thing, stimulating an immediate recall. Fortunately I was dressed and ready to go as Ian announced "Black-winged Stilt outside the Radipole Visitor's Centre"! At a brisk pace towards the reserve, making telephone calls and sending texts as I went, it seemed what is a short walk on any other day was on this occasion akin to a marathon. Just about to reach the bridge, and the 3 or 4 'birders' who had beaten me to it, the jangling of

Bearded Tit emitted from the reed-bed a chance not to be missed given the scarcity of this species so far in 2011. After a few 'clicks' of the shutter I reached the bridge

with this sight meeting my eyes, from l to r Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe (distant), the target bird and Common Tern.

A closer view of the Black-winged Stilt

and Common Tern.

The Stilt was extremely active, even taking to the air at one point and completing a circuit of the lagoon, before settling once again to preen. There are more pictures at the end of this post.

In addition it was noticed that some Coot chicks

are now hatched and, as usual, making strong demands on parent birds.

There were also a good number of large Common Carp viewable from the bridge with my mate Dave Tissington, himself a seasoned Carp angler, suggesting this individual to be in the region of 15 pounds in weight.

One sharp eyed member of the throng also spotted a male Garganey

some distance away but fortunately in open water so could be seen well. With the excitement subsiding, there was chance to take note of the weather and a Marsh Harrier, also at great distance and altitude, which featured a half covered sky, a generally chillier feel than yesterday but some bright sunny periods. Afforded a lift to the Bird Observatory by the Warden Martin Cade, I was now in the planned position had there been no rarity. However, it wouldn't be true to say precisely, as if I had made my own way to the Obs it is highly unlikely there would have been connection with this

Turtle Dove that did coincide perfectly with our arrival

but lingered only a matter of seconds. With 2 'Year Ticks' in the bag it was worth a short search for the Dove, but with no luck there was chance to capture this image

of a pair of Magpies breakfasting on a dead Rabbit.

Returning to the Obs it was noticed that this Honeysuckle will doubtless soon be in bloom, and with a single Pomarine Skua plus about 30 Manx Shearwaters for good measure it was soon time to catch the bus for Ferrybridge for the turn of the tide.

Nowhere near the number of Waders as in recent days, but there was a single Sanderling among the 60 or so Dunlin but there was disturbing activity close by.

Having reported yesterday the sighting of the first Little Tern on a nest, today the RSPB construction gang have moved in! It's the 20th of May for Christ's sake and here are John Dadd and his marauders building, heaven knows what, a matter of a few yards from this sensitive breeding colony of Globally Threatened Sea Birds. Am I alone in thinking this is tantamount to 'breaking the law' or am I also a little too sensitive?

Is it the new Fleet Visitor's Centre, a Hamburger & Trinket Store or just the RSPB once again trying (without success) to justify their existence - LEAVE THEM TERNS ALONE!

A sub-adult Herring Gull finds a tasty Limpet for lunch.

Finally, a Pink-legged Pictorial

Black-winged Stilt in company with a Gadwall

In company with Shelduck

"Oh by the way, which one's Pink" - Welcome to the Machine (Floyd)

Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind

It maybe a little premature to mention the 'S' word just yet, but given the azure blue and clear sky, virtually no wind (except on exposed coasts) and shirt-sleeve temperatures it was 'Summery' to say the least. Another day for heading directly for Portland, I was taken there by a bus driver familiar to me but whom I knew nothing about. After a chat it turned out that Ian 'Whacker' Payne was not only in the same branch of the service as myself but was also a member of the Submarine Service during the years I served. I hope you get a chance to look at the Blog Whacker, and if so welcome aboard!

It was soon apparent that Landowner Curtis Gould's gesture to keep the mud flowing for the

resident House Martin population by keeping the puddles topped up with water was not a one off.

The water continues to keep the soil soft and is undoubtedly instrumental in helping towards successful breeding this year - let's hope so and THANKS Curt!

With little else on offer it was straight to the Portland Bird Observatory where things were little better, but as good fortune would have it there was a moment of respite

as the Warden found this Lesser Whitethroat in one of the mist nets. As the good fortune didn't last, after a coffee and bun, I turned my attentions to Butterflies and headed for the West Cliff.

On the way this slightly unfamiliar looking 'chopper past overhead, which I intended to investigate on my return home. As luck would have it a visit to Mountain Warehouse on St Mary;s Street, Weymouth to buy a 'dry bag' for my camera had the problem solved. One of 3 most helpful assistants in the shop just happened to be an aviation boffin, and quick as a flash advised that it is a Royal Navy (Westland) Lynx Wildcat AW159 which is one of only 3 prototypes flying at the moment. As a rider, I would say that anyone requiring camping, travel or equipment of that ilk, this is the store to visit!

With plenty of insects on the wing, it wasn't long before both Male and

Female Common Blue Butterfly were seen,

with the male even allowing a glimpse of the under-wing. However, it was some a little less common that I was searching for, but would have to wait a little longer for that.

In the meantime, it was interesting to note this shining example of what is thought to be Oedemera nobilis which unfortunately has no 'common name' on a Thrift flower.

The Auks on the ledges seem to be doing well also, with this group of Guillemots being look over by a single Shag.

As stated a couple of weeks ago after our visit to Osmington Mills, it is an uncommon sight these days to see Spear-Fishermen in our waters, but these 2 fellows were doing just that and had at their disposal some of the most upmarket gear, including the boat, I have ever seen.

A few Small Heath Butterflies also put in an appearance but then the prize I was hoping for,

one of more than a dozen Small Blue Butterflies.

Swallows were also landing on the compound fence and it was also noted

that the Thrift (or Sea Pinks) here are still in full bloom, well behind those at Ferrybridge which are now withering rapidly.

Finally today, I walked back along the East Cliff where, close to Chenye House, I saw Peregrine, Common Buzzard and Kestrel but, even after a long search, no sign of any Wall Lizards at the adjacent Duncecroft Quarry - I'll try again later.