Back Among the 'Pheasant Pluckers'

Another start at first light following my usual track through the cemetery where it was all but bird-less. Radipole wasn't as productive as yesterday but the Lapwings remain, Cetti's Warbler & Water Rails were as usual vocal while some of the wildfowl were close enough to photograph.

A couple of female Shoveler,

male Tufted Duck

and female Tufted Duck.

On leaving the reserve, this 'colour ringed' Pied Wagtail was perched atop the Bowls Club and may prove interesting to one of the local recorders if anything can be made of the combination and colour of the rings? A walk along the sea-front killed a little time until once again I boarded the X53 service this time to the east. Today's target was a little more exotic than the Lyme Regis Dipper but no more exciting or beautiful.

Arriving at Christchurch, Dorset's most easterly town on the western edge of the New Forest, the 'welcome committee' could not have been better. Busking in the subway this man was playing the best banjo sound I had ever heard live - worth a 'quid' of any one's money.

My target had been at the Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve for a few days now and along with a Whooper Swan and a Curlew Sandpiper, both also of great interest, the prospects looked good.

A cursory scan across the marsh, there was little to see except for Mudeford in the distance,

so I followed the path (and the directions kindly sent to me by Kevin Lane the Dorset County Bird Recorder) to the

Visitor's Centre where there was a very warm welcome but the news on the Swan and Wader was not good, "not seen today"! On the other hand what I had come for was viewable from the window, so just a short walk back through the gate and the

Glossy Ibis was at point blank range.

This was an addition to the GB Year List, bringing the total to 159.

It must be at least a decade since I last visited this reserve so a great opportunity to refresh my memory, firstly looking across the marsh towards

Christchurch Priory,

then Hengistbury Head with Christchurch Harbour opening up to the left of picture.

There were a few other, more common, species to be seen like this

Blue Tit,

several Little Egret,

a fairly obliging Curlew

with lots of Mallard and

Mute Swans.

It proved most useful, in more ways than one, to have received an invitation to stay overnight at my friends in Parley Court, where on arrival Janet was digging potatoes for tonight's soup, followed by

both of us greeting Hugh as he brought home the main course. This was quickly turned to

this and very much enjoyed with a 'young' Burgundy followed by Lemon Tart and cream - yum yum!

Go West Young Man - Genesis

My first day back home and anxious to start some local birding I had decided to try for an elusive species that has been reported infrequently from the Lyme Regis area some 32 miles west of here. The 09:30 X53 service would take me there giving time to check out the cemetery and Radipole beforehand to give some indication of what was about. Plenty of Wood Pigeons overhead along with a few Redwing was sure sign that winter is on its way, while on site Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Magpie were all much in evidence. There was better to come crossing to the northern half of the graveyard, to find more Redwing (4) prospecting the 'berry' bushes while 2 male Blackcap, an unknown number of Goldcrest and a superb Firecrest were encountered during the wander. The very short time on Rdipole also came up trumps with 5 Pochard, 2 overflying Redpoll, a Water Rail also in flight, a Kingfisher, 7 Lapwing and a 'ring-tail' (female) Hen Harrier the first ever seen at this site.

Just an hour away, via some lovely Dorset villages including Portisham, Abbotsbury and West Bay plus dozens of Pheasants and a single Merlin at Langton Herring, the bus arrived under a clear blue sky, a gentle easterly breeze with plenty of sunshine. First port of call the seafront

to take in the panorama of this beautiful section of the Jurassic Coast. The pier running out to seaward, known as The Cob, is probably most noted as one of the locations for the filming of the Karel Reisz directed French Lieutenant's Woman.

Looking back to the east, along the Lyme landslips, can be seen the plateau that is Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast of England, but it was now time to start the search for my quarry which if seen would be an addition to my Dorset November List.

Starting at the mouth of the tiny River Lim and following its course to the north you soon pass

the Parish Church and the Fish & Chip shop where there is a slight bend in the river where, perched directly below me, was

this brilliant Dipper which I always think of as 'The Toff' of the riverbank complete with dinner jacket and starched white shirt.

The first I have ever photographed in Dorset, this little fella was quite content to stay in a small area, adding a great deal of excitement to the find.

Posing in just about every stance possible, this series of images show just how obliging this individual was!

and to cap it all, it was also singing most of the time!

Nearly always associated with this species but nowhere near as elusive is the Grey Wagtail, however this individual did seem a lot more camera shy and soon departed.

Back at the seawall, the ever attentive Herring Gulls had gathered but I was far more interested to watch the feeding antics of a number of

Rock Pipit, this one with a 'club foot' which didn't seem to hamper its hunting skills.

Each would survey the stonework until spotting a likely morsel,

then flying up and perching on the rock-face, rather like a Wallcreeper - I (we) wish,

proceeded to winkle whatever it was from the crevice.

On occasion this took quite a time and lots of maneuvering

before securing the prey, this time a Grub of sorts, but Spiders were also on the menu.

Despite having had a fantastic trip through a very special part of Europe, it's good to be back. During that time I was lucky to meet lots of lovely people, touch on 8 different countries (Italy, San Marino, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Belgium), those in red being new to me, and enjoy some great experiences. In addition the bird list reached 42, best of which were Blue Rock Thrush and White Stork, but it has to be said sharing the experience with such a dedicated 'Blog Readership' really put the 'cherry on the cake' - Thank You One & All!

PS - Have already had the atlas out looking at whereto go next with a 'short list' already forming.

Going Home - Annie Haslem (ex Renaissance)

Another notable addition to the Blog Stat Counter as Turks & Caicos Islands join the readership which in addition to San Marino, who use Italian links, make up 156 Countries / Regions. It would be great if the link could be passed on to all your contacts - Thank You!

Left Switzerland this morning by train and via

Basel and Zurich then took the coach to

Liechtenstein

I have to confess to a little cheating here as this is when the camera flash card started playing up.

Only a very short stay, in what is country number 125 - some may use the word 'twitch' but there was still a way to go to reach

country 126 and the last on this 'whistle stop' journey.

The camera was still playing up.

A local train took me onward to Brussels where I picked up the Euro Star for St Pancras, London.

On that train I met artist Hemadi who was reluctant to divulge his country of origin, but we did talk an awful lot about Oman, Qatar and Yemen from which I got the feeling he originated from the latter. Not that it would make an ounce of difference to me, as he was great company as we talk about art, travel, wine, music etc before deciding to head for the beer bar. Good luck to you Hemi, great to have met you.