Sailing - Rod Stewart

It was a simple equation of intrepid or stupid this morning as the storm clouds rolled in on the stiff westerly wind, with the chances of rain being more a case of 'when' rather than 'if'! 'When', as it turned out, was just a few hundred meters from home as I exited the bird-less cemetery with a downpour of Biblical proportions leaving me as wet as one of the Cormorants seen feeding while passing Radipole Lake.

On the subject of feeding birds, it was strange (the first time for me) to see a Great Black-backed Gull feeding on corn at the path-side verge usually reserved for feral Pigeons and more confiding Waterfowl. But enough of that and on to the bus. The rain continued to increase, especially across the Beach Road, but moderated as we reached Avalanche Church

but there was still need to shelter in the lee of a convenient hedge as I surveyed a gloomy looking Bill Road towards the Observatory. On the way I managed to clock up 13 Wheatear and a trickle of Swallows and Martins heading straight out to sea regardless of the conditions.

In the Obs garden there was this rather sickly looking female Pied Flycatcher but that was all seen there. After coffee it was a walk to the Obelisk at the Bill,

and on the way there was just a single Yellow Wagtail flying over and this small group of hardy (or stupid) anglers.

Out to sea there was a largish tug towing an even longer barge, and with reference to the AIS (real time) Vessel Traffic and Position web-site (thanks to Mr Cade) it was seen to be the Panamanian registered Tug Courbet bound for Sete, France on the Mediterranean Coast. Rather her than me shaping up for the Bay of Biscay on such a day!

At the point, all of note were 2 passing Mediterranean Gulls while further on at a wind and sea battered

Pulpit Rock

there were a few Gannets

and Shags flying by. There had been a number of Balearic Shearwater and Arctic Skuas, plus an unexpected Puffin but not seen by me.

In the Bill Quarry several of the resident Starlings waited on the rocks while I passed by, and headed for Ferry Bridge.

There, the tide was still pretty high but given the wind and sea conditions not a surprise to see the sailing fraternity mustered 'mob-handed'.

The shallows on the western shore of Portland Harbour has become something of a Mecca for

Sail-boarders and

Kite-boarders alike, and while the action is always exciting today there was a special treat as this guy showed off his skills.

At a speed estimated to be over 30 knots, he raced across the wind then at the opportune moment launched himself high above the sea surface, and achieving the horizontal.

All of this was no more than a few yards from the shore, and as I stood there alone marveling at these skills I couldn't help but applaud loudly.

Not all of these maneuvers met will success, but even the 'crash landings' were spectacular and didn't seem to phase him one bit. Let's hope it isn't too long before we see both of these disciplines become Olympic sports!

Plodding the foreshore watching the Sea (Marsh) Samphire uncover as the tide dropped back,

my, and probably the Counties, first Brent Goose flew out of the now clearing sky. On the wing for a full 10 minutes, it eventually settled on the sea

but was continually harassed by a juvenile Herring Gull.

Only letting up for short periods, it would have been understandable if the Goose headed elsewhere

but eventually it settled

and occasionally came quite close.

Friends on the Foreshore

It was warmer from the start today, and with just light clouds covering half of the sky and the wind now a mere zephyr it looked like it would stay that way. Plenty of (common) bird life in the cemetery with a small 'fall' of Robins having joined yesterday's throng, in addition there were also singing Chiffchaff and Coal Tit (both plural).

Over at Radipole Lake it was more or less a case of same, same with the large influx/emergence of Red Admiral Butterflies continuing from yesterday as well. There were also plenty of Sand Martins passing through but very few Swallows and House Martins,

while what looked like the Arctic Tern, present here for a few days now and far better captured by Dave Chown, was today in company with Cormorant and Mallard.

Always a delight to record, via their easily identifiable 'pinging' calls, let alone to see are

Bearded Tit which today were both visible and audible either side of the path at the north end of The Loop.

It seemed the Carp anglers were not even out of bed yet, but feel sure that if their 'bite alarms' activated they would soon be in attendance.

There was some time to check on the progress of the Mute Swan cygnets before heading to Portland, and with c5 at the Concrete Bridge and the usual c7 close to the Visitor's Centre this was the highest total personally recorded this year.

Even in this juvenile state, some are looking serene already

while most are showing plenty of white in the wings when outstretched.

Looking back north from the seaward end of Barleycrates Lane, the West Cliff and West Bay had taken on a tranquility not seen over the past week of stormy weather.

A lone Kestral was perch a little further along, but it wasn't until arriving at The Barns that anything else of note was spotted.

There, a male and

female/ juvenile Common Redstarts were seen together, the photographs being a couple from this Spring.

Things remained very quiet throughout the return walk across Top Fields, Culverwell and down to the Observatory, probably adequately endorsed by resorting to photographing Flies?

However, on the way to the bus this bold Rook seemed unperturbed at my presence, while at

Secret's house a single Common Darter allowed just one shot.

By the time I reached Ferry Bridge, the Ebb was almost over so just a short stop only to find my friends John Gifford and his sister Maggie searching the exposed sand. Just a little journalistic licence here John, but I know the secret will be safe with you both - don't tell them your name Pike!!!!

Little to Report

Another 'cop-out' post today, featuring photos from the archive, in view of the fact I have had a most frustrating afternoon not knowing what the hell I'm doing on my new 'note pad' laptop. The plan is to minimise even further the baggage for foreign trips with this nifty little device seeming to be the answer, but so far all I have got is 'bogged down'.

The early morning chill air was soon countered by bright sunshine, changing things from autumnal back to summer-like. In the cemetery even more birds seem to have arrived to join the Goldcrests of yesterday, including double figures of Blackbird, Chaffinch and House Martin feeding on the wing. At Radipole the highlights amounted to a single Green and 2 Common Sandpiper, while both Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff remain particularly vocal.

Around the Bill area Hirundines were most obvious with Swallow predominating, House Martins heading south in good numbers and just a sprinkle of Sand Martins. There were also a few Wheatear around the Top Fields and a number of Blackcaps had been caught at the Obs. As for Ferry Bridge, as 'low tide' gets later in the day there were just 4 each of Sanderling and Mediterranean Gull, otherwise just usual fare.

White-breasted Woodswallow

White-necked Heron

Water Monitor

Dusky Moorhen

Australian Gannet

Wandering Tattler

Black-tailed Native Hen

Yellow-throated Miner

Australian Grebe

Crimson Rosella

The Moments That Make Up A 'Dull Day' - Pink Floyd

This was the bleak scene at Ferry Bridge mid-morning, looking back towards Weymouth.

The morning was met with heavy rain which looked unlikely to clear for quite a while, so I was force into starting to replace the sealant around my bath - now if that hasn't captured the readers imagination I don't know what will. The rain stopped coinciding nicely with the turn of the tide so made my way to the bus, via the cemetery where there had been a small 'fall' of Goldcrests, and Radipole.

Crossing Westham Bridge, the small numbers of wildfowl seemed to be congrigating close to the footpath allowing me some close shots of

Little Grebe,

the Hooded Merganser again plus

a sleeping Great Crested Grebe.

With only one hour of the Ebb gone there was still little mud to view but this juvenile Herring Gull and Mediterranean Gull made for a photo call. Dunlin and Ringed Plover were first to arrive as the water receded, closely followed by 4 Sanderling and a single Redshank.

A lone Rock Pipit alighted briefly as a slow trickle of Sand Martins flew over head and 10 Sandwich Terns arrived in dribs and drabs settling on the expossed sand to preen.

That's when today's best bird arrived

in the shape of a Red Knot which quickly disappeared onto the Bladder Wrack down by the bridge.

It took a bit of relocating to secure these shots, but in the process

3 Turnstones were also found this one seeming to be minus one leg.

That's when the rain started again making for an early retreat, maybe tomorrow will prove a little better weatherwise??

Finally, it's a pleasure to report that Spain have now reached 'treble figures' on the Stat Counter. Keep spreading the LINK please!

Nothing to Declare

There was more to be said about the weather today than the wildlife, with conditions changing hour by hour, but with the first bird of the day being a Yellow Wagtail flying over my house there was sign of promise. Things started a little cooler than yesterday with the westerly gale having moderated to a breeze, but by the time the sea-front was reached (with just a single Dunlin at Radipole added to the list) the sun was shining brightly bringing with it some warmth.

My friend Janet Reed had enlightened me to the 205 service from Weymouth to Portland Bill, on which the 'bus pass' is valid, so thought it well worth a try. I shouldn't have been surprised when both Janet and Johnny turned up to catch the same bus, while between us we did our best to welcome 2 lady visitors to our town and set them on the right walk around the Island.

The most numerous migrant at the Bill were Wheatear numbering about 2 dozen along with a few Meadow & Rock Pipits.

There were also a few Alba Wagtails both White and Pied, but apart from 3 Lesser Black-backed and a single Great Black-backed Gull it was like the grave. Under these windy conditions the sea is always dramatic

and worth photographing. This image is looking from the active lighthouse (on the Bill) along the East Cliff towards the Portland Bird Observatory.

The Obs Quarry as its known locally, on a good day a fine catchment for migrating birds, but not today!

Finally, on the way home it was worth a stop at Chesil Cove as 8 Grey Phalarope had been seen there earlier in the day. Reaching the sea wall I bumped into Ian Dodd, also recently arrived, who updated me on the number saying there were 10 seen within the last hour. We both saw 8 but at great distance only getting any sort of idea when they took to the wing. Together we visited the foreshore at Ferry Bridge but this was most disappointing with just a few Dunlin, Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling. It was at this point the squall arrived from West Bay and had it not been for Ian I would have been soaked - so a fast return to base.

Let's hope we can do a little better tomorrow.