They Only Call Me Mushroom 'Cus I'm A Funguy!

The predicted rain started the moment I left home this morning, but unfortunately was not accompanied by the also promised high wind. It was hoped that this, coupled with stormy conditions in the Western Approaches overnight my have encouraged something interesting to fly over Ferry Bridge (such as a Skua or Petrel) or better still, settle. Unfortunately, the first thing that met my eye, before even reaching the cemetery, was the short line of Elm trees that once stood by the side of the road had been felled! All had scummed to the dreaded Dutch Elm Disease and were probable in danger of falling into the adjacent school grounds, but nonetheless had been (along with an overgrowth of Ivy and Bramble) the regular nesting site of Blackcap, Song Thrush, Chaffinch and Blackbird at the very least.

It would seem that the rain was encouraging bird-song as the graveyard was full of vocalists, not least Great & Blue Tit but the third most active species, and very welcome too, was Goldcrest. Most of the pines seemed to be hosting a number whilst an adult Robin, also vocal, continued to feed a juvenile.

Probably due in part to the frequent mowing, fungi is only occasionally found here so this unidentified species was a welcome sight, although I have to say they look rather like some you could expect to find in the local Asda supermarket.

The Rodwell Trail was also full of song proving particularly that the numerous Wrens haven't gone away but just remained silent of late, and the tunnel of trees gave some shelter from the rain by now getting even harder. At Ferry Bridge the bows of the small boats were all still on an easterly heading, indicating the 'flood' was still in progress but this was short lived as I reached the Fleet Reserve Visitor's Centre. Here the overhang of the building affords some protection from the elements and with the variable wind remaining in the southern quarter it was quite comfortable scanning what birds were there. As yesterday an array of Mediterranean Gulls, sporting just about every plumage phase in the range, were again accompanied by 50 or so Black-headed Gulls and maybe as many as 200 mixed Dunlin and Ringed Plover with the occasional Turnstone.

This 'second summer' Great Black-backed Gull was one of just 2, the other being an adult,

while more interesting was this juvenile Common Tern which landed only briefly,

before flying purposefully south.

A lone Little Egret was the only other feature of note as it flew back and forth a few times, and so to add a little more interest here are a few more images, from the archive, of scarce and rare visitors to the UK over previous years.

White-billed Diver at Copperhouse Quay, Cornwall, and an

American Golden Plover on the Scilly Isles.

This Chough was photographed at St David's Head in Wales, while a male

Woodchat Shrike was much closer to home at Portland.

Long-billed Murrelet couldn't even have been on anyone's 'fantasy list' as this highly unlikely individual paid a visit to Devon in November 2006. I recall 'twiching' a close relative of this bird, an Ancient Murrelet, on Lundy Island (12 miles off the coast of Devon in the Bristol Channel) in June 1990. Accompanied by birding friend Hugo Wood-Homer, I well remember my words as wedescended the steep cliff to meet the awaiting M/V Oldenburg for a return to the mainland, "we'll never see another Murrelet in the UK in our lifetime", and the taste of boot leather on the occasion described above!

PS:- The Murrelet is the only one of the 5 species featured that has not been recorded in Dorset.

Insects Keep Up The Interest

It hasn't been what could be described as a productive day, but compared to yesterday the weather conditions were far better. The sun already shining at 06-30 and with barely a rain cloud in sight the only 'fly in the ointment' was a near gale force wind. Along the Rodwell Trail things were as baron bird-wise, but there were a few insects on the wing, while at Ferry Bridge at least I managed to get onto the foreshore today. There, about 100 Waders were feeding while a small cluster of Gulls, always raising the chance of an oddity, made for an interesting scan. Unfortunately, I had already missed what might have been the best of the bunch as Peter Saunders informed me of a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull which had flown off just moments before my arrival.

Speckled Wood and

Painted Lady (scarce so far this year) were seen on the Trail, as were the usual flock of

House Sparrows nearly always recorded but rarely published here!

A closer look as the tide started to fall at about 08-30 produced a few

Dunlin feeding among the Samphire, plus c7

Mediterranean Gulls including this 1 of 3 juveniles with c4

'first summer' birds, this one bearing a ring. There were also more

Ringed Plover than I have noted here this end of the year (but I have been away) with adults being in the majority plus a couple of

juveniles. I found out later in the day, from Hugo Wood-Homer, that a Sanderling had also been there. There were also a few

Turnstone

most still retaining at least some of their 'summer plumage'.

A walk from Southwell along the east cliff turned up nothing, but stopping for a coffee and a catch up chat found there had been a few things seen this morning. Again it was left mainly to the 'insects' to provide the interest finding a few

Common Blue butterflies plus this single

Common Darter dragonfly. On the way back I did eventually see one migrant bird but this lone

Wheatear was all except for a juvenile Peregrine patrolling the Top Fields in search of a meal.

A weather system close to shore but still in the Atlantic as I write, looks like it will bring gale force winds and heavy rain to Dorset tomorrow, so with high (spring) tide being just after 8 'o clock on the morning looks like Ferry Bridge will once again be worth a try?

As well as Pete Saunders, who is always willing to give me a few pointers on taking better photographs, I also bumped into Colin Robertson a fellow 'twitcher' in days gone by and Roger Quiggley now Skipper of the Fleet Observer glass-bottomed boat. Roger and I worked together or several years on the old Trials Vessel 'Whimbrel', he as a Senior Scientific Officer and me in every position from Able Seaman to Captain. Great to see you both again!

Without A Shot Being Fired

The forecast told the story today, with heavy showers predicted for the morning then brightening up later in the day. Having got myself off to an early start, thinking I might dodge some of it, light drizzle was already falling as I arrived at the cemetery a taste of what was to come. Apart from the rain there were few birds to see, just 5 species seen plus 2 others heard, so to Radipole at a quickened pace. Not a lot different there, or along the Rodwell Trail to Ferry Bridge where the 'days' birding was brought to a halt as a rain bearing squall arrive from West Bay sending me scurrying for a return bus. I hadn't even put the camera to my eye! However, "it's an ill wind etc, etc" so cut my losses by visiting the supermarket before heading home to more domestics.

During the course of the afternoon I did get round to some long awaited photograph editing and in the process selected a few shots from the archive of species rarely, or never, seen in Dorset but all were taken in the UK. Enjoy!

Lapland Bunting, Hampshire.

Parrot Crossbill, Nethy Bridge, Scotland.

Snow Bunting, atop Cairn Gorm (mountain), Scotland.

Little Crake, Devon.

Little Crake stern view.

Little Crake detail.

Penduline Tit, also Devon.

Red Grouse, The Lecht, Scotland.

and finally the Zennon, Cornwall Snowy Owl.

In closing, I'd like to welcome Saudi Arabia, our 88th participating country, to the readership, good to have you aboard As Salam Alaikum, along with South Korea making up number 89 and to you also 환영

Oh, I Believe in Yesterday - The Beatles

Nigel, Julie & Lee arriving at Terminal 3, Heathrow Airport yesterday afternoon, Welcome Home my lovely girl and boys.

After the delight of seeing the family again after their month in Australia I was all but 'confined to barracks' today by adverse weather. The advantages were, the pond and water butt both filled up, I got those 'must do' chores done and now have time to catch up and post some of the outstanding items from the past 2 weeks.

My final day with Andy Lindsay, in Derby, was in fact spent in Nottinghamshire on the banks of the River Trent. Adjacent to the Attenborough Nature Reserve, this too was a boyhood stomping ground, with familiar sights being Beeston Weir, Boots the Chemist's factory and Meadow Lane Infants my very first school.

We immediately came across a lone Egyptian Goose,

which was soon joined by a second and then

a third. Eventually, they became a gaggle of 8 but by then out of range for a photograph.

At the abandoned Lock Keeper's cottage there was just a glimpse of the bizarre as this Indian Peafowl put in just a brief appearance.

There were signs of breeding Cormorants in this dead tree,

while a search through nearby foliage this 2-spot Ladybird was found as was

this 7-spot Ladybird.

Insects continued to interest as a number of Brown Hawkers were seen buzzing around,

and a single Common Darter allowed a photo shoot.

Waterside plants were represented by this Arrowhead and

Yellow Water Lily,

Having travelled down to Northamptonshire the following day to visit

David and Jan Penney, we spent part of the evening walking along the

Grand Union Canal before enjoying an excellent meal in the canal side pub The Navigation.

Having visited Pitsford Reservoir that morning there was time the following day for even more 'birding'. It's true to say that I turned Dave on to 'birding' several Christmas Day's ago onboard the Floating Oil Production Platform 'Buchan Alpha' in the North Sea. Meeting for a brief chat at the turn of the shift, he asked why I wandered around the upper-deck every morning for 2 to 3 hours never missing regardless of weather conditions. Dave was an avid breeder of Parrots in his early to mid adult life, so took little persuasion to join me for a short while, and like he said "it's better than working"! Viewing the inactive starboard 'flare boom' he noted that, as usual, it was covered with Gulls so I suggested he took the binoculars to see how many different species were there. Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls were fairly obvious, but he did notice the all 'cream' immature Glaucous Gull. That was it, his 'birding' life had taken off, and he has visited me each spring and autumn since.


I bet you remember this Dave!

Summer Leys is one of many such reserves to emerge from redundant gravel workings.

Two views of the reserve, this from the car park,

and here from the eastern end.

First, and most prolific of our 35 species here was Long-tailed Tit, there were dozens of them.

One of an estimated 4 Green Woodpeckers managed to evade attempts to photograph it, but stayed just long enough on this post

before again flying away.

Great Tit were active at the feeders, but there was no sign of the predicted Tree Sparrows so as well we got them yesterday.

The Greylag Goose is much in evidence here, so impressive in flight.

A lone Oystercatcher fed on a neighbouring field.

Finally, we visited a stretch of the River Nene which has its source in Northants and finally reaches the sea via the Great Ouse.

A favourite with all forms of oarsmen (or in this case oars-women) while its banks and adjacent pastures were, on that day, ideal

for several dozen Yellow Wagtails feeding prior to migrating south.

Finally, after such a trip with so many memories I should thank everyone who made it so including Hugh, Janet, Daryl and Gavin Dampney (including girlfriends Kath & Kate), John, Marion, Robert, Brenda and of course Mrs (Doris) Wood 'senior'. Jim the Medic & Liz, Andy, Shaun & Sarah Lindsay plus all our friend Glen Wicks (with Roy Wood), also David, Jan & Rheannan (hope that's spelt correctly) Penney.

So Many THANKS to all of you, with the hope of meeting again soon!