Babblers Rule U.K.

Another cracking day, helped on by perfect weather conditions for wandering, a few birds and a mass of Butterflies. Radipole only produced the 3 Ruddy Shelduck, so an early bus to Portland. At Barleycrates the Ivy banks were alive with insects and in order of quantity it was Bees, Hoverflies, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, singles of Small White an Tortoiseshell, while birds were represented by 6 Siskin, 125 Goldfinch, 5 Stonechat and a single Wheatear. At Culverwell I checked out a single Clouded Yellow, as a Merlin flew low across the fields and there had been some trapping success as a few Wrens, plus single Blackbird and Chiffchaff were already ringed. Rounding the last bend before the Observatory a very familiar call filled the air, but not one I had ever heard on the Island. Bearded Tit for sure and looking up there were 2 of them that soon landed in the field right next to me. Despite the fact I hear and/or see these little beauties nearly every birding day in Dorset, this brought music to the ears being my first Portland record. What happened next was the 'cherry on the cake'. Given the location, close to a number of mist nets, it wasn't long before Ian Dodd was teasing the male bird from one of them, while climbing even higher on my list of 'best pals'! This was the second 'goody' from his hands in nearly as many days, while all my previous records paled compared to this avian marvel at such close quarters. I await the 'hat trick' Ian. Just minutes after release a Mistle Thrush flew round the lighthouse, followed shortly by what could only have been determined as 2 Red-throated Divers, by those far more sharp eyed than I. While well over 200 Swallows gathered on the wires above the Obs Quarry I started for home, stopping short at Top Fields to watch, Sod's Law kick in, with all 6 Grey Partridges 'leking'. Paul & Tess had been extremely keen to see them, but during our week-end together didn't get a sniff.

Bearded Tit in the hand - skillfully held by the Warden at Portland Bird Obs

Ditto
Ditto

While in the Tate Modern a couple of weeks ago, I happened on the book titled 'Wall and Piece' by Banksy, who, I must admit, I'd had rather written him off as a mindless wall spoiler. On the contrary, while stood there thumbing through this volume I started to chuckle, then laugh followed by a mild attack of hysterics, and while 'art' always depending on the way you perceive it, this is pure genius. The man not only has an inventive style with graffiti, he also has a razor sharp wit with an uncanny way of reversing a meaning in a single sketch (take a look at 'The Flower Thrower'). I received my copy from Amazon today, so no prizes for guessing what I'll be doing this evening.

The Flower Thrower - Banksy

Violence - Banksy

I live in hope that I won't be 'done' for reproducing the images above, I see it more as an advert than an infringement of copywrite. However, should I be 'banged up' in the Bridewell, I'll simply instruct my barrister to quote the man himself, who advocates, "It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission" - Amen!

and so to the Oil Rig once again

Dunlin - a frequent annual visitor

Reed Bunting - annual, but a good fall of 'many' during October 05

Fieldfare - many thousands particularly during Autumn movements, but, without exaggeration, thought to be 'hundreds of thousands' on some occasions

Yellowhammer - only a single record on Buchan involving c4 individuals

Merlin - annual, and unforgiving in their hunting technique (this one has a Redwing)

The Final Countdown

A trio of Twitchers - Me, Tess and Paul Lifton at the Portland Bird Observatory

Tess & Paul atop the Lower Lighthouse, Portland - apart from birding P & T are serious Lighthouse Twitchers, and while the 3 at Portland were not new, their venture up this one was a first

An 07-00 start saw us in the Longcroft cemetery, where we quickly added Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Song Thrush and extremely lucky Redwing to the list. A drive to Littlesea for low water allowed us to add Knot and Curlew to the list, while also on the Fleet at Ferry Bridge the 2 big misses of yesterday, Turnstone and Ringed Plover were recouped. At the Observatory things seemed bleak, although an excellent 'spot' by Paul had Little Owl booked, but there was little else of note especially as we 'dipped' Grey Partridge and a Barn Owl. Our final call was Lodmoor, where once again our luck prevailed, adding Willow Warbler, Bearded Tit and a final Kingfisher to a total of 89. Paul's predicted 90 won the weekend count, with Tess at 86 coming second. The 'local lad' sent them packing to Hampshire without tea, and a threat never to darken Dorset's door again, magnanimous in defeat as ever. P & T returned home to add a creditable 4 species to their GB List while yours truly was content with a Year Tick. Their message to mutual friends being good luck, until we meet again.

2 Turtle Doves, but no Partridge - these 2 obligingly flew into the Obs garden as we arrived

a few more Off-shore birds

Moorhen - infrequent, but a bit of a heart stopper when a crew member reports a 'red billed' bird swimming with the Guillemots!

Little Auk - frequent and sometimes numerous winter visitor

Little Auk - this individual sat on top of our satellite dome for a full 2 days

Common Scoter - not as frequent as might be thought

Eider - annual and occasionally long staying

Chasing a Big List

It was up at 06-00 and out an hour later for our first day of the 'bird chase' and hoping to get P & T a couple of 'lifers'. Radipole, compared to in the week, was poor by comparison and dreams of 40 species before Portland were dashed. The only redeeming factor was the Hooded Merganser was in view, and like many hundreds of visiting birders before them, they'll leave Dorset with it in their log, regardless of provenance. Thinking things were bad there, worse was to follow as we didn't see a single Wader at Ferry Bridge, with just Little Egret, Linnet and Meadow Pipit being new on the day list. Precious little was happening at the Obs so the short walk to the quarry was thought to add Little Owl, but that too was absent. Surely things would change, and fortunately we didn't have to wait long. Our arrival at the Obs gate coincided with Ian Dodd who had just tended the mist nets in the field opposite, and he had bagged a Yellow-browed Warbler. My guests were completely awstruck by the size and pattern of this little gem, and maybe needless to say this was a welcome addition to their World List. The Ruddy Shelduck were on show at the North Hide, when we returned to Radipole, with the only other additions being Long-tailed Tit, Whinchat, Water Rail and an overflying Siskin. With the day total standing at 64 and seemingly few birds we decided to take a break for a well deserved snack and cup of tea.

Yellow-browed Warbler - also a Year Tick for me

bringing my annual total to 247

Brimstone Butterfly - this seems a little late, but I'll have to check

Batteries recharged, we continued the quest and headed for Lodmoor. Armed with Daragh's morning report we were prepared to chase the 6 outstanding species he had reported and hit straight into Reed Bunting. Both Godwit, Wigeon, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker, Pochard, Lapwing and Stock Dove followed in fairly quick succession, with a look over the sea wall netting a lone Common Scoter. Arriving at the Marlborough for haddock, chips and mushy peas the list stood at 75, then we attended Joy next doors 70 birthday party, followed by an earlyish night. We're all looking forward to tomorrow!

Willow Warbler - annual in good numbers both migrations

Siskin - on occasions large falls both ends

Linnets, Brambling and what I have never been happy with as Song Thrush?? Comments please!

Greenfinch - annual at both migrations

Song Thrush - scarce, like buses, but when one arrived so did a few others

Migrants & Rolling Stones

The Strolling Bones - anyone for a spoon of 'Brown Sugar?'

The Liftons arrived at 19-30 and we immediately got down to discussing strategy for tomorrow over a slice of pizza and a cup of tea. Two days of local birding, when us 3 get together we usually have a side bet as to how many species we may see during the time allowed. Tess decided on 86, Paul (my Winger) thought 90 while I went for 96, obviously I'll let you know the score after the week-end. With that out of the way, we headed for Pete Smith's No6 on King Street for an evening of Rock 'n' Roll. Robbie McIntosh, who never leave a 'tern unstones', was at it again after the blistering performance of 9 Stones (Polygenes) on Sunday, this time with a Rolling Stones set. Part of this combo was Marco Rossi of Gothic Chicken fame and leading 'gig' scribe with the Dorset Echo. Multi skilling is one thing, but among all his talents I had never seen him behind a drum kit, but he fitted the bill beautifully. As the evening wore on and the classics rang out, a few faces from the past turned up, with the combination of both taking me back a few years, in fact to 1964. That was the year the Stones themselves played the Gaumont, Weymouth, (where the Old Rectory now stands) my eldest sister queueing all night to get tickets. I also remember no hearing one chord above the then craze of girls screaming, but nonetheless a night to remember. As people came over to say hello, I decided to ask if any of them had been at that gig, and it turned out 2 others as well as myself had been there!

Unknown, Margret, Mole and Russel Edwards, Bowie's brother recently returned from 3 months in Zambia, getting 'Satisfaction'

Barbra Perry - who's name is synonymous with that top Weymouth restaurant, a real 'Honky Tonk Woman' (one of the three of us at the '64 gig)

Roger Davis - Councilor of this Parish, no 'Sympathy for the Devil'

Sooty Stockley - he knows 'em all, 'Paint It Black' (also at the '64 Stones gig)

This really was a night to remember, as much for the characters as the music, great to see all those faces again.

and a few more migrants from Buchan Alpha



Sand Martin - not at all common off-shore

House Martin - a little more frequent than the above, but still scarce

Swallow - by far the most common and frequent of the Hirundines

Pied Flycatcher - sparodic, with a couple of good years reaching double figures

Collared Dove - common and regular at both seasons

You've gotta larf ain't ya? - Quote of the Week had to be that from the BBC 's Washington correspondent who, reporting on President Obama controversially being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and NASA's search for water on the Moon. He suggested "the American people must be waking this morning , bewildered, to find Obama has the Peace Prize, and America have attacked the moon". It could only happen over there!

Introducing Frederick the Fantastic

It's now later in the day!

Well, here is the wee man, the third in line to bear this most popular 'Baker' name. The lineage runs, Frederick the First (my father), (Paul) Frederick the Incomparable (me) and Frederick (David) the Younger.

For the extremely impatient (which includes me) here are the first photos of my second grandson. Captions will follow later in the day.

Frederick, straight in at the 'deep end', love the gaiters

I've never seen my little girl glowing quite so much, motherhood suiting you love?

Yes, I can see why dad looks so puffed out, I feel the same when I watch someone working hard

Goldcrest - annual during both migrations, with many dead

Garden Warbler - it may be noted that an amendment has been made to last Monday's post, where I stated the picture was a Chiffchaff. Paul Harris kindly put me right, and guess this is an ideal opportunity to reiterate, correction to any mistakes or misidentifications will always be gratefully received

Chaffinch - again numerous at both ends

Brambling - this was another bird that caused a sensation when first sighted, because of the partial albinism

Starling - often many thousands move through

Jackdaw - rarely alone, when a number do arrive they usually stayed for days, if not weeks

Hooded Crow - seen during both migrations more or less annually, and in similar numbers to their all black cousins

Only did Radipole today for a meagre Common Buzzard, Hooded Merganser, 3 Ruddy Shelduck and a small movement of Meadow Pipits.

View of the Heli-Deck

Reflections of Little Grebe (again)

After an encounter with 'white van man' deliberately driving the wrong way down Cromwell Road to save himself 10 seconds, it was on to Longcroft Cemetery for a 'no bird' experience! Walking along the quay opposite Debenhams I did find the most obliging Little Grebe ever. So close was it, that the photographs showed the refection of my bright red jacket in the water. The bus ride to Portland was curtailed as we reached Foord's Corner and the rain became torrential, so once again I was beaten by the weather. Anyroadup, this gave me an opportunity to get a few things for an up coming party and for the arrival of my protegees. It was to have been a full week-end with my 'trainees' (tongue in cheek expression), but unfortunately Dave Penney had to call off due to unforeseen circumstances. On the up side Paul & Tess from Emsworth should arrive Friday evening for what will undoubted be an excellent couple of days, particularly if the weather holds.

My visit to Asda too was with a huge up side as I bumped into ex colleague and good friend Jack Fancy who is now 85 and looks not a second different to the last time we met. One of my fondest memories of Jack was the time he spent building a 16' long fireplace for me in my first house in Reforne Close on Portland. Apart from having much time to get to know each other better, it was an eye-opener to see at first hand this master craftsman's skill. He hewed ever block of that natural stone right there in my lounge, fashioning compartments for my discs, tapes, stereo and TV equipment, like a child moulding plasticine.

White Van Man - after the ordeal

Finally today, I can report my first glimpse of Frederick David, at least photographs. While dad & mum have been a bit busy, to say the least, and enterprising company in Sydney visited the hospital and took some early images. First impression? Better looking than his POME grandad and not quite as wrinkly, bless his cotton socks!

Jack Snipe - an annual visitor to Buchan, which for some reason unknown seemed to like flying into windows. A number were nursed to recovery from an unconscious state over the years

Ruff - more or less annual

Knot - ditto

Golden Plover - ditto, with one causing a near disaster as a casualty of an air-strike with one of our crew change 'choppers

Migrants Various - can you see what any of them are yet?

Greylag Goose - annual passage bird, given to regular landings on both rig and sea

Barnacle Goose - one of the great avian delights to see dozens flying by or landing