Autumn Almanack - The Kinks

Dinner with Bowie, Sheila, Paul and Annie last night turned into
a late one, in fact this shot of the
KING GEORGE the THIRD STATUE in WEYMOUTH
was taken just before boarding the last bus to Portland at 23:15.

Overnight, the weather remained perfect for Moth catching so much so the first Insect out of the trap at Weston Street was the first specimen I have ever caught of

 CLANCY'S RUSTIC

 later followed by a further 2 in the Secret Garden.
Others caught between the 2 traps included

 LARGE WAINSCOT

 BLAIR'S SHOULDER-KNOT

 and GREEN-BRINDLED CRESCENT
the first I have caught since returning to Mothing.

 However, thought the best catch of the day was not a Moth at all

 but this beautifully coloured and patterned and as yet unidentified
Ichneumon Wasp 
click on this link to see how some of these creatures procreate!
If you can enlighten us please send to 
captbagsy@btinternet.com  
While attending to the trap at Secret's there were also good
numbers of birds passing overhead, mostly identified on 'call'.
 
 First was a lone
GOLDEN PLOVER

 followed by a few
MEADOW PIPIT,

 SISKIN,

 SKYLARK,

GREENFINCH
 plus a single

 SONG THRUSH
 
 At the Portland Bird Observatory we were met by a couple of
distant RAVEN and a

LITTLE OWL

in the neighbouring quarry. It seems to have been something of an Owl day as there were those who saw c2 each of Little and Barn Owl, while another observer saw c3 Short-eared Owls in the Top Fields. Finally, from our Temporary Representative in Cornwall these 3 fine and no too common species none of which I have ever seen.

AUTUMNAL RUSTIC

 BRINDLED OCHRE

FLOUNCED CHESTNUT

Thanks to the Pasty Yafflers!

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Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

Something of an ANNIVERSARY today as we publish our 1,500th Post! The Bagsy Blog has been running now for a total of 1531 days or 4 years, 2 months, 9 days and amazingly (to myself at least) only 31 days during this period passed without publication.

 This was our first simple offering

Welcome to My Blog - 14 August 2009

After a preliminary run I think this Blog is ready for 'launch'. It is intended to keep you up to date while on my travels, publish day to day happenings and show some of my archive photographs. This Wandering Albatross, at 'point blank range' was captured 2 miles off Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand late 2008. Watch this space!

Back to last night, but certainly not for long, as foul weather set in right from the start! Early evening had lulled me into a 'false sense of security' as the wind dropped and the setting sun shined brightly. On my way back from Weymouth, JD Wetherspoon's and another rack of pork ribs, it was decided to lay both Moth Traps one in the Secret Garden and one at Weston Street. At 04:00 I was woken by very heavy rain clattering against the window and a wind that could only 'guesstimated' at about Force 6 to 7 on the Beaufort Scale (30 to 35 knots). What chance of a Moth at all, but at first light the total from both traps was 25 with the most notable being  

FEATHERED RANUNCULUS

A quick drive to the Portland Bird Observatory

where things were equally dismal

but these 4 stalwart 'Sea Watcher' (looking for sea-birds)
were braving the elements. Not for me though, next port of call was

close to the PORTLAND COASTGUARD STATION

where the WINDSOCK was still at full stretch.

The HIGHER LIGHT
the first built of the Islands 3 Lighthouses was where a
Black Redstart had been seen yesterday, but not by me this morning.

A quick look along The WEST CLIFF

and then back down the hill to where the

ARMY were erecting a Mobile Communications Station.

A look back south from the Pulpit Inn before coffee with
The Secret Lemonade Drinker after which we visited Radipole.

Here a GARGANEY had been in residence for a few days

but yesterday we had been unable to spot it. We had left there mid-day yesterday and ironically it was relocated again at 17:00. No matter as we did catch distant views of it today but with no chance of a photograph. The Duck seen today is nowhere near as bright as the images which are from the 'archive' and for illustration purposes only. Onward to Weymouth Esplanade to see if we could find a Slavonian Grebe, also reported yesterday, but without success.

There were very few people about but some were enjoying

the trill of the
SEALIFE TOWER

3 connecting Panoramas of Weymouth's Georgian Sea Front.

2 disconnected 'dippers' of the Slav Grebe,
Moi and Secret. Dropping him at home I bought a sarnie

and headed for NEW GROUND at the top of Portland

where the views from left include West Bay (part of the English Channel), the world famous Chesil Beach, the village of Wyke Regis in the far distance, with Portland Harbour plus the National Sailing Academy (of 2012 Olympics fame) separating it from Fortuneswell in the foreground.

Also to my right is the VERNE CITADEL part of which is a
PRISON.

Archive photo of a 

BLACK REDSTART 

seen very briefly at Chisel Cove.

HERE'S HOPING YOU ARE WITH US FOR THE NEXT 1,500 POSTS!!

Final message for Hugh and Janet "Keep Enjoying It, See You Soon"

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Call It Stormy Monday (but Tuesday's Just as Bad) - T-Bone Walker

Just as well the Moth Traps were not deployed last night as any self respecting Insect would surely have sort sanctuary in the nearest Bramble Bush. As the hours of darkness ticked by the rain appeared to get heavier and the wind stronger at least that how it sounded as it lashed against my bedroom window.

More realistic than defeatist, hopes had faded of much to be seen even before arriving at Portland Bill were all on offer were a few fairly close Gannets rounding the Obelisk.

 My word will have to be taken on this as I for one wasn't going to brave the elements to try for pictures with the wind gusting hard against the windscreen.

Turning around to start back north there were a small group of Gulls on the car park including Great Black-backed, which flew off immediately,

 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL

 and HERRING GULL

not an astonishing collection, but at least something for the Post.

 CARRION CROWs

seem to have move out here in droves since my last visit, but the prospect of an awaiting Full English Breakfast was more enticing than the Eye of a Gale! Despite the continuing rain, after eating I headed for Secret's house and after a coffee we decided to take a look at Ferry Bridge were the Spring Tide was still high but about 150

 BRENT GEESE 

had gathered close to the Visitor's Centre.

Onward to Radipole and more Gulls including this young

 HERRING GULL

which stood out among a mixed flock of Black-headed and

 MEDITERRANEAN GULLs

 best of these was also a youngster in beautiful plumage.

 Further on this

CORMORANT

 was putting on a fine performance while undertaking ablutions

 and then predictable taking up perch

 to dry out.

 LITTLE GREBE

 and GREAT CRESTED GREBE

showing the last vestiges of juvenile plumage.

 Also of no surprise was to see a digger on site this time

preparing the foundations for a Dry-Stone Wall, Why oh why

do the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird need to keep adding

mountains of 'man-made tat'........No, I'll leave it at that before I

burst another blood vessel. It's your money they're wasting!!!!

 Still with light rain in the air, it did feel much less windy as we 

stopped for a quick look at the River Wey where it passes under

the road at RADIPOLE VILLAGE on the outskirts

of Weymouth. Nothing else to report so it must be time for yet

another Rack of Ribs at The Swan Public House.

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