What A Day For A Daydream!

Weather-wise, probably the best day of the year so far? The wind had backed slightly, taking out that bitter northerly element, and decreased to no more than a zephyr while the sun shone, uninterrupted, from a clear blue sky. In the cemetery, Goldcrest were singing for all they are worth, and similarly on Radipole Cetti's Warbler are getting more brazen by the day. Noted as a 'skulker', when seeking a mate they often ascend a bush before letting out a most recognisable, fluid song.

Goldcrest, along with the Firecrest (featured yesterday), is the UK's smallest breeding bird at just 3 and a half inches in length and weighs just 0.2 of an ounce.

Cetti's Warbler

Later at Ferry Bridge, where the tide was still on the ebb, a dozen Brent Geese were still topping up fat reserves before heading north and c4 adult Common Gulls had also dropped in. Crossing the bridge a Greenshank, once much more common over-wintering bird hereabouts, flew up the Fleet calling, while a half grown Grey Seal languished on an exposed sandbank. The few small Waders seen were all on the harbour side of the road today, consisting of about 50 Dunlin and c17 Ringed Plover, and the c3 Little Grebe remained close by.

Greenshank (a photograph from the archives, not the bird seen this morning).

The driver of the bus to Portland was one of my former work colleagues who was pleased to hear how well I had settled into retirement. However, it seemed he was having a moment of indecision as he told me his working life was soon to terminate, and seemed to be seeking some reassurance. I simply told him that while at work I had only been 'addicted' to birdwatching, but since retirement I'd just got very much worse.

Alpaca grazing on the west cliff, I thought I'd returned from whence I had recently come.

Today's report at the Bird Observatory was once again quiet, but I always enjoy a coffee in convivial company but I was soon on my way in search of a migrant along the east cliff. That was not to be, but the weather was now so warm there was room for a little 'clout casting' and I also happened on the group pictured below.

Budding Geologists being put through their paces on the east cliff.

Another interesting feature of Portland is

this pair of Mulberry Units which was a type of temporary harbour developed in World War II to offload cargo on the beaches during the Allied invasion of Normandy. This pair of 'Phoenixes' found a home in Portland Harbour after the landings, and have intrigued visitors and locals alike ever since. These two prefabricated or artificial military harbours were taken across the English Channel from Britain with the invading army in sections and assembled off the coast of Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion of France in 1944.

A Day in the New Forest

Some of the Brent Geese at Ferry Bridge

Working on the premise that 'a picture is worth a thousand words' today's post is more pictorial than type-written. There was always a tentative plan laid to pay our, now, annual visit to the New Forest one day this week, but Wednesday / Thursday had seemed favourite. T had his morning an early visit to the cemetery produced about 6 singing Goldcrest and a pair of Coal Tit well into their courtship ritual, but Radipole remained very quiet. At Ferry Bridge c22 Brent Geese had gathered, along with a few Mediterranean Gulls and c2 Little Egrets, but there was also the sound of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and the mobile phone. Given the continuing good weather Bowie and Sheila had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to do the Forest run and were calling to invite me along. It took just 20 minutes to get home, and a further 15 to collect telescope, small camera and flask then meet at their house.

As usual, our first stop was Ibsley Bridge in the hope of finding Bewick's Swan, with just a single among about two dozen Mute Swans.

Woodlark

From there we continued north to Fordingbridge, took the bye-pass past Sandy Balls and into the New Forest proper. There we visited the 'Top Secret' Goshawk site, which only everybody knows about, and within 10 minutes watched a pair enjoying the mid-day thermals. Along with a few Common Buzzard and a single Merlin the weather started to deteriorate, and within the hour had turned from bright, sunny and still to overcast, windy and cold. It was time to move on, but not before recording Woodlark.

Mandarin (male)

Mandarin (female)

At Eyesworth Pond the Mandarins were immediately visible along with a couple of Canada Geese, Moorhen, Mallard and a couple of uncontrolled dogs swimming in the pond.

Marsh Tit

'Shore-sides, there was no shortage of Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tit, an obliging Treecreeper plus a vocal Nuthatch, but no sign of the occasional Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Having pulled away from the car park, in an attempt to leave, it was a last minute bonus to see a male Wood Duck swimming across the water. Scarce at the best of times, even in a feral / escape state, this majestic duck holds no place on the British Bird List, but given the presence of Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe et al in the country at the moment, who is to say that this too is not a true 'American vagrant'??

Bowie spotting yet another Coal Tit.

Treecreeper

Into the heart of the 'ancient woodland' it wasn't long before we were picking up more Tits, Treecreepers, Nuthatch etc and even a suspected Woodcock which unfortunately was not confirmed.

Sheila, maybe a little disgruntled not having quite got enough on a 'springing' Woodcock.

Given the sunny quality of the day, there was great expectations of a few Butterflies. In the event, there were only c2 seen both Brimstone's, as shown.

Nuthatch at a feeding station.

Firecrest

At Bolderwood, we once again had high hopes of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but unfortunately this was not to be. Instead we found a couple of Firecrest, and cannot imagine anyone would disagree if I observed there's no finer bird in the forest?

Hawfinch

The day ended, as they always do on these winter visits, at the Blackwater Arboretum. The extremely bad news here is still no cure or slowing of the Sudden Death Oak Disease which has blighted the area for almost 2 years now, with large tracts of woodland still fenced off in the hopes of finding a cure. However, on the plus side the population of wintering / roosting Hawfinch remains healthy as we saw at least half a dozen. In addition to the species mentioned, Mistle Thrush and Crossbill were also added to the 'year list' bringing the total to 115.

Puffins @ Portland Bill

With no time restrictions on the 'bus pass' at week-ends and Puffin best seen early morning at Portland Bill, it was the first bus for me this morning. Under an overcast sky and again little wind, there was going to be no problems with glare or wind blown watering eyes so all it needed was for the birds to show. Up to c3 have been in the area for the past few days so prospects were good. Bumping into a couple of fellow birders, they decided to continue their walk as we reached Pulpit Rock where my patience paid dividends as c2 Puffins flew in from the south to settle on the sea under the west cliff. Numbers of Puffin on Portland rarely reach half a dozen, though there are some records of successful breeding but looking at the 'distribution map' (which applies to the mid-year period only, as most disperse into the Atlantic Ocean during the winter months) we are very lucky to have them at all.

The remainder of the day was a fairly quiet affair all round, with even the Bird Observatory having only noted a few Red-throated Divers, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails but there was a little redress just before I caught the bus home. Last Sunday's walk from Langton Herring village to the Fleet fore-shore to see the Bufflehead had resulted in the sighting of no Pheasants, something I would have considered virtually impossible. By the same token, it was only a very short time ago you would almost have to send a description to the County Recorder if you saw one on Portland. It would seem the tables are turned as a male bird was in the Eight King's Quarry field as I walked up from the east cliff, and entered the log as the second 'year tick' of the day.

Pheasant (male)

Migrants still remain 'thin on the ground' but a few Meadow Pipits have made the effort.

While Rock Pipits are actively pairing up close to the rocky shores at the Bill.

The ever present Common Kestrel.

Year List now stands at - 102

Indication of the weather today as Weymouth Skipper Dave Gibson takes an early party of charter anglers out in Lady Godiva this morning.

Another view of Portland, looking north along the East Cliff towards Cheyne House. I love this spot!

The 'Ton-Up' Kid

Grey Wagtail

With an almost total lack of wind, full cloud cover and no rain forecast it was definitely a day for a good look at Portland Harbour. Via the Rodwell Trail, as usual full of birdlife, it was pleasing to find Grey Wagtail still in residence and hopefully due to breed in the near future. The harbour opens to view as you arrive at Sandsfoot Castle, which brings me neatly to the last of the Monarchs to leave a mark on our local area. Henry VIII (1491 - 1547) reigned through a turbulent period during which time he commissioned the construction of much fortification, especially around our coast. In the Weymouth / Portland area we are still able to enjoy 2 of his castles, although in the case of one that may not last a lot longer.

Both castles were built during the same era, but Sandsfoot Castle, open to the elements on the northern / Weymouth shore of Portland harbour, has suffered the ravages of wind, sea, weather and cliff erosion so may not be with us for much longer. Now within the confines of a small park, the high ground offers an ideal vantage point for bird watchers searching for waterfowl in the harbour.

On the other hand Portland Castle has stood for the same time period, virtually unscathed. Safe in the sanctuary and lee of the Isle of Portland, the prevailing weather and seas have barely touched this stout building which still houses a very interesting museum.

Red-breasted Merganser (male)

With no Divers or less common Grebes to be seen, only Great Crested & Little Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser and a continuously 'yaffling' Green Woodpecker were noted. With such a low tide it was easy to walk the fore-shore down to Ferry Bridge where c2 Brent Geese, c3 Little Egret, c83 Dunlin and c17 Ringed Plover also entered the log. The latter was something of a milestone, being the 100th species for me in UK this year.

Ringed Plover

Continuing along the track of the disused railway, the only other additions for the day were a number of Meadow Pipit, Skylark and a lone Kestrel. At my destination, after enquiring about the buildings below, I found this Cormorant and while not a rare bird thought it looked rather resplendent and worth a photograph.

Cormorant

Of local interest.
If like me you have been curious to know what the new building on the old heli-port is, look no further. The new Royal Yachting Association HQ is made up of an office complex on the ground floor, a series of about 30 cabins on levels 2, 3 & 4 plus galley and restaurant on the top level. This is for the exclusive use of RYA members, so unlike the National Sailing Academy (Olympic Complex) you, me and Joe Public will not be welcome, so doubt we'll be seeing any Somali Asylum Seekers or unmarried mums in the area.

and while I was 'poking my nose in', also found out that the old heli-port office complex plus the Control Tower come under the cover of a 'Listed Building'. I was further informed that there are plans in existence to convert it into some kind of accommodation.

and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Some of the c21 Carrion Crows described.

Being bisected by Longcroft Road, I have always considered the cemetery to be of the same, but discovered today that it is in fact the Melcome Regis Cemetery. Arriving there at first light, I was first met by the sweet sound of a singing Goldcrest followed by the cacophony of a number of rowdy Corvides. On closer inspection I found a 'murder' of an unprecedented c21 Carrion Crows, all in the same fir tree, the highest count by far for me at this site. Known to gather on Weymouth Beach, a favoured scavenging area, in large numbers this species is not considered gregarious, with some using the rule of thumb, if it's alone or just a pair it will be a Crow, any more and they'll be Rooks. Continuing the morning trend of locating birds on call or song, the next was a Blackcap in full voice which on my approach soon disappeared into an ivy bank.

Blackcap (male)

Continuing to Radipole NR, again song not sight was the order of the day with Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail being the most vocal. A loan Dunnock close to the Visitor's Center was also making a contribution, but at least it was viewable. The only other record of note was another look at the fine Hooded Merganser, which has been with us for many months now, catching small green crabs close to the Gurkha Restaurant.

Dunnock, also called Hedge Accentor or Hedge Sparrow.

Taking the bus, more out of expedience than laziness, to Overcoombe Corner in the hope of finding at least one of the c3 Water Pipits reported a couple of days ago, I happened upon c2 straight away. They, like the Blackcap, were additions to the 'year list' but in similar fashion they also beat a hasty retreat making for yet another wait to capture this species with the camera. A walk to the top of Horselynch Copse, mainly for a photo shoot of the wood and Moor, produced Common Buzzard and Green Woodpecker, but with the 09-30 threshold for the 'bus pass' long past it was time to head for Dorchester and guaranteed Partridge.

Horselynch Copse

Alighting at Queen's Avenue, Dorchester it's just a mile and a half to Maiden Castle and a similar distance to Monkey's Jump, with the prospect of a few decent birds. Within sight of the car park there were at least c30 Golden Plover in the harrowed field to the left, (one or two showing 'black bellies' of summer plumage) plus another dozen the opposite side of the track. Close to the Martinstown road a small flock of Fieldfare preceded me down the hedgerow, while c2 high flying Peregrines selected the same target, both missing what had to be the luckiest Stock Dove in Dorset today.

Maiden Castle (photo blagged from Internet)

The largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort in Britain, Maiden Castle was first laid out in 600BC over the remains of a Neolithic settlement. During the following centuries the hill fort was extended and additional defences thrown up around it, including vast multiple ramparts enclosing an area the size of 50 football pitches. The site was home to several hundred people during the period 800 BC - 43 AD but in that latter yearn the might of the Roman Army became too much for the fortification, with the inhabitants moving to the new town of Durnovaria, modern day Dorchester.

Golden Plover

Fieldfare

Walking the diagonal path across the field from Monkey's Jump to Poundbury I could hear the calls of a covey of Partridges, so I diverted from the path to investigate. That's when I noticed the farmer 'clocking' me from the road so beat a casual retreat and didn't see the birds. However, I did see c10 about an hour later when I picked them up from the butcher in town. I'll be quick to say that these are Hampshire 'farm reared' birds so nothing had to be 'blasted' to slake my hunger for these delicious game birds. Bon Appetite!

Peregrine Falcon

During conversation at last nights dinner, there were a couple of local facts came to light which I found interesting. The first from John Down concerning the 'isolated' house Swallow's Rest on the main A354 Weymouth to Dorchester Road. It had often intrigued me as to why it was there in the first place, but also how anyone could have obtained planning permission in the first place. Recently refurbished, someone has thrown a huge lump of money at this property, but it certainly wasn't always like that. For many years occupied but looking derelict it was originally build as home and workplace for the man who would light the indicator lamps on the train tunnel close by. Probably during that time there was no such thing as planning permission, or the importance of the job superseded it?

Swallows Rest on the A354

and secondly from Paul Harris, whose observation discovered that looking through the newly constructed footbridge on the crest of Ridgeway Hill, all you can see to the south is Lodmoor, the arch perfectly 'eye-browing' it. Unfortunately today the view was obscured by a heap of chalk and items of plant.

Slack Hammock & Slack Migrants

Lifeboat passing Portland Bill.

It was an acute case of 'slack hammock' (the Navy expression for being late out of bed) this morning, as I made the mistake of answering the phone at 20-30 last night. An emergency call from Bowie and Sheila asking me to go to The Boot with them. A rare occurrence these days, I thought I would but despite limiting myself to 2 pints, in Weymouth's oldest pub, it still went to my head very quickly. Nevertheless, I was glad I did as apart from them, recently returned from South Africa, there was Bowie's brother Russell, just back from Zambia and Jim Brooks from 3 months in Thailand. There seemed to be a little one-upmanship going on, but some good yarns to say the least.

So, at the crack of 10-30 I wandered through a relatively bird-less cemetery and Radipole NR, then caught the bus to Portland. Walking the east cliff with the fresh easterly behind me and the sun beating down (again) from a cloudless sky, there was no need to be anywhere else. On the birding front things were much the same there, but I did record my first Owl of the year and later, close to Pulpit Rock, another addition to the 'year list' a Kittiwake. That makes the total 94. Calling into the Portland Bird Observatory for a coffee, Martin (Cade) the Warden had similar news and no (true) migrants since the Wheatear on Monday. I use the word 'true' to indicate a migratory species that does not spend the winter in the UK, there have of course been incoming Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail etc. A walk through Top Fields produced just a single Common Buzzard, so I continued on to Southwell village and caught the bus home.

Little Owl in the East Cliff Quarry

and here's one we made earlier.

All the 'wildfowl' are looking good at the moment, but this pair of Tufted Duck were just offering themselves up at Radipole. Male above.

and Female

Pulpit Rock, just a little more than a stone's throw north of the active lighthouse.

Have any of these local photographs made you think you should pay us a visit? Come on down!