The Bagsy Blog

Monday, 29 August 2016

Helicopter - Bloc Party (a little Indie for a change)

As we peeped out of the 'porthole' at 06:00 yesterday morning all the signs were that it was going to be a Bank Holiday Sunday, it could just as easily have been a Monday but we'd had the fore-thought to check the diary. The anemometer was whizzing round at about 20 knots, it was still partially dark and the rain clouds were gathering apace which were 3 good reasons to hoist myself back into the hammock! Within one minute the first rain drops were drumming on the roof of Slight Return II, a sound which is thought most theraputic, which simply increased and persisted for a further full 90 minutes. Not even a consideration to monitor Moth Traps in such conditions, unless you want everything soaked and egg trays scattered to all points of the compass, so also time for a leisurly cup of coffee.

Over the last week we started to catch the delicate and tiny

VESTAL

but don't let the looks fool you as this is a serious
Long Distant Migrant

which on occassion can travel from as far away as the
Sahara Desert.
Our annual total has now reached c21 with a pulse of c10 yesterday morning alone.
Also within were

CYPRESS PUG

TAWNY BARRED-ANGLE

YELLOW BELLE

HEART and DART

and the deminutive, but no less attractive, Micro

PYRAUSTA AURATA

was also in one of the traps.

At the Irrigation Pond one of the adult

COOT

was at the favoured mid-water preening perch,

while the only remaining juvenile has taken to suning (wot sun)
on the banks of the Island.

Also taking it easy there was a moulting

ROE DEER

before taking to the hoof and nicking some of the local groceries.

Finally. the juvenile

LITTLE GREBE

surfaced right before our eyes,

after which it only showed very intermitantly.

The Gravel Pit only threw up this single

RABBIT
as they say on Portland!
Merritown Heath showed a little more of interest as
'not before time'

GREYLING (Butterfly)
was seen for the first time this year nectaring on the
Bell Heather.

Continuing in that vein, signs are already visible that

Tim and Adam's
spreying regime is taking effect and it is hoped

that in years to come this whole area will be rejuvenated with

ERICA

There were also a good number of very mobile

COMMON DARTER

on the wing, making them a little difficult to get to grips with,
but with the 'flyers' that followed life was made a little bit easier.
During that 90 minutes 3 differing 'service' Helicopters put in a show
starting with what is thought to be a

ROYAL NAVY MERLIN

COAST GUARD
who have, unfortunately, been extremely busy this Summer Season.

The local

NATIONAL POLICE HELICOPTER

stationed at Bouremouth International Airport seems to put in a
collosal number of flying hours hopefull detering
'those who do not wish us well'.
It is always worth a look behind the
Eco Recycling Unit
especially as full permission is in place with the only proviso
being to activate hazzard warning lights whilst on site.
Here there is an ever ready water supply, albeit from puddles which
rarely, if ever, dry out. My plan for the winter is to have a meeting with
Justin Dampney with a view to making a few small adjustments which it
is hoped will benifit next years migrants and breeding wildlife alike.

On the day we found the first Autumn arrival juvenile

LAPWING

not thought to have bred here as they have been absent for a while now.
There was also a rather coy looking

STOCK DOVE

It was noticed on the way back that the

HIMALAYAN BALSAM

was again in prolific growth despite the slashing and spraying

that took place during May.

Entry

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Ukraine	10
Australia	9

Sunday, 28 August 2016

Going Home - Dire Straits

Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)

We had plenty of those entertaining us in appalling conditions

last weekend, and what a piece of music to accompany

our own humble effort.

After the washout that was the Bournemouth Air Festival some, if not most, of the participating aircraft remained here until the following day, likely so their crews could take a well deserved rest. This again was most advantageous for us as with camera poised we simply laid in wait as they began Going Home! Again we don't even pretend to know any of the aircraft identifications so this will just be a montage of images and something of an 'easy day at the office' for us.

and lastly

but by no means least

what we believed to be c2

EURO-FIGHTERS TYPHOON

It would be true to say that these aviators, male and female, are surely

Brothers in Arms

Not the best video of this fine, fine track but the most representative as

ONE JUSTICE

Even Knopfler sheds a tear during the performance!

Entry

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Oman	11 Welcome, this brings back many memories of Masirah Island we will have to dig out some photies!
France	10
Ukraine	9

Saturday, 27 August 2016

The Return of the Giant Hogweed - Genesis

Still attempting to get the outstanding Moth Images to you
from all that time ago, While the weather still remains hot and sunny
with patches of heavy rain.

GRASS EMERALD

SMALL PURPLE BARRED

DARK SPECTACLE

ROSY MARBLED

and the fabulous

BEAUTIFUL YELLOW UNDERWING
all additions to the Year List when caught.
There was also a 'fairly scarce'

STRIPED LADYBIRD

round about that time as well.
Off for the usual wander and

PHEASANT

for some reason have been keeping a low profile lately and it isn't
even the Shooting Season!

Yes, it's been here before but how nice when they are obliging for a change?

GREEN SANDPIPER

and a 'second'.

While not wishing to make a bee-line to the offices of those who oversee

and manage the Heath, it has for a while now been the intent to bring to

their attention the damage that the

FERNS
are doing to the Heath.

Far stronger and more prolific growers than the Heather,
in large swathes they are now taking over all before them!
Is it another case of
The Return of the Giant Hogweed
continue listening for the excellent composition that is
Firth of Fifth
in my humble view the 'finest hour' for Steve Hackett
at the 'guitar break'!

ENTER

TIM and ADAM
who had beaten me to the punch and were already spraying the invader.
However, these 2 young men had been encountered, but not met, before
and an eye was being kept out for them.
See Trail Cams.