The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix

Uganda is the 138th country to join our readership, and receive the same warm welcome as the previous 137. We have been a little short of African (especially Central African) following so there is a special reason to welcome readers there. It is thought this addition may be due to the daughter of fellow 'birder' Frank Peach, who has been working in the country for some time now. If indeed this is the case and you are enjoying the read, we're off to Alaska backpacking for 7 weeks in 10 days time, so maybe you will spread the word to others in the country and to any other friends or family you have elsewhere in the world. Thank You and Good Luck!

The 'wind' was the main feature of the weather (and the day) as it remained in the west but increased in strength to a very stiff breeze. Otherwise, there was plenty of blue sky over Weymouth while arriving at Ferrybridge the whole of Portland was shrouded in grey! Despite all of this, there was news from Lodmoor to say that the Savi's Warbler was showing extremely well, which is unusual for a 'skulker' even in calm conditions.

At the Bridge, all that was in evidence was a medium size flock of small Waders that would need closer inspection.

Walking the extensive fore-shore of the Low Water Spring Tide, the vast majority of these (100+) were Dunlin with 19 Sanderling and one or two Ringed Plover.

Sanderling. The whole flock seemed a little nervous,

Sanderling. so it was thought best to back off, leaving them to feed the 'flood'.

and as the saying goes "it's an ill-wind that blows no good", as demonstrated by these early morning wind surfers flashing past the South Ship Channel in Portland harbour.

It seems an age since I've seen Bus Driver and fellow 'birder' Mark Hill, but this morning as my bus stopped at Easton Square I manager to capture this shot. Hope you and Annie are in good health mate!

Reaching the Top Fields the focus was still on people, maybe as well as there were no birds, as local farmer and land owner Curtis Gould was driving his tractor towards me. Curt is responsible for keeping the puddles filled with water during the absence of rain, providing the local Hirundines mud with which to build their nests - Well Done to you Mate!

My first Meadow Brown of the year appeared as I walked towards the Observatory, like much wildlife this year very early, but once there another treat was in store.

Only the 'third' occurrence of a May Highflyer Moth on Portland was caught in one of the traps overnight Friday and on the way home there was loads of

Ribwort Plantain growing all along the main road.

With reference to the upcoming trip along the Alcan Highway and elsewhere, here are a few more photos from the 2007 gig which will hopefully whet the appetite?

Caspian Terns 'fish passing'

Marbled Godwit

Hudsonian Whimbrel

and finally, a big Thank You to David Tissington, my travelling companion on the recent Scotland visit, for the additions to my garden pond. 9 Goldfish he tells me but each completely different to each others in size, shape, colour and pattern as to be thought different species. I'm certainly looking forward to watching them develop!

The Final Countdown - Europe

With just 10 short days to go before flying to Los Angeles, I have now started the countdown. Most things are in place, so the remaining evenings will be spent swatting up on what might be seen en-route then in the final 10 minutes throw a few things into the backpack and go. Flicking through the photographs from my last trip along the Alaska Highway in 2007, it was thought these may stimulate the reader into tuning in for the full trip. It would of course be most appreciated if ALL our readers, regardless of country, passed on the Blog Link to friends and family to share a FREE adventure.

Tufted Puffin

Dall's Sheep

Fin Whale

Moose

It was a strange start to the day weather wise, with the sky half covered, the wind speed a little reduced but an altogether colder feel all round.

At Radipole it was seen just how reduced the visibility was with the whole area shrouded in quite dense mist, with the Visitor's Centre (centre) barely visible just across the lake.

Looking to the north things were just the same with the Ridgeway Hills, only a couple of miles away, completely obscured.

With only this Moorhen to delay proceedings, it was straight to Ferrybridge where there was no more of interest besides 2 Shelduck and a single Grey Heron. To be fair, there were quite a few small Waders but all beyond the Little Tern colony and beyond ID range for me.

3 Yellow Wagtails did fly overhead 'calling' as I wandered across the Top Fields towards the Bill, but all else was this fine looking male Stonechat,

while at the Bird Observatory this Muslin Moth caught my attention just before only the second bird of the day was taken from one of the nets.

Some might say, 'only' a Chiffchaff but to me any bird seen 'in the hand' is a privilege and even more so as this may well be

the last bird I see, this end of the year, held by Professor Peter Morgan. He and Rosie return to Wales tomorrow and it could be that I'll be there to wish then goodbye, but if not, "bon voyage" both.

With only a Great Northern Diver and a Peregrine to stimulate the avian interest, attention was turned to what is probably the largest sailing vessel I've ever seen at sea. The Sea Cloud registered in Malta is a Sail-Cruiser and is heading for Weymouth, but by the look of her size I doubt she will get alongside there?

On the way home I encountered another 2 Yellow Wagtail this time far more obliging than the previous 3, settled in a horse paddock and seemingly unaware of my presence.

Finally, please don't forget to pass on the Blog Link
Thank You!

Long Tall Sally - Little Richard

With a few things to catch up on this morning and with the last couple of days producing very little, I decided to do the chores before going for the 09:30 bus to Portland. Having barely looked at the weather and with the mobile phone out of reach for the moment, I just caught the fading strains of the ringing tone. The missed call, timed at 08:17, was from Ian Stanley, which could only mean one thing, stimulating an immediate recall. Fortunately I was dressed and ready to go as Ian announced "Black-winged Stilt outside the Radipole Visitor's Centre"! At a brisk pace towards the reserve, making telephone calls and sending texts as I went, it seemed what is a short walk on any other day was on this occasion akin to a marathon. Just about to reach the bridge, and the 3 or 4 'birders' who had beaten me to it, the jangling of

Bearded Tit emitted from the reed-bed a chance not to be missed given the scarcity of this species so far in 2011. After a few 'clicks' of the shutter I reached the bridge

with this sight meeting my eyes, from l to r Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe (distant), the target bird and Common Tern.

A closer view of the Black-winged Stilt

and Common Tern.

The Stilt was extremely active, even taking to the air at one point and completing a circuit of the lagoon, before settling once again to preen. There are more pictures at the end of this post.

In addition it was noticed that some Coot chicks

are now hatched and, as usual, making strong demands on parent birds.

There were also a good number of large Common Carp viewable from the bridge with my mate Dave Tissington, himself a seasoned Carp angler, suggesting this individual to be in the region of 15 pounds in weight.

One sharp eyed member of the throng also spotted a male Garganey

some distance away but fortunately in open water so could be seen well. With the excitement subsiding, there was chance to take note of the weather and a Marsh Harrier, also at great distance and altitude, which featured a half covered sky, a generally chillier feel than yesterday but some bright sunny periods. Afforded a lift to the Bird Observatory by the Warden Martin Cade, I was now in the planned position had there been no rarity. However, it wouldn't be true to say precisely, as if I had made my own way to the Obs it is highly unlikely there would have been connection with this

Turtle Dove that did coincide perfectly with our arrival

but lingered only a matter of seconds. With 2 'Year Ticks' in the bag it was worth a short search for the Dove, but with no luck there was chance to capture this image

of a pair of Magpies breakfasting on a dead Rabbit.

Returning to the Obs it was noticed that this Honeysuckle will doubtless soon be in bloom, and with a single Pomarine Skua plus about 30 Manx Shearwaters for good measure it was soon time to catch the bus for Ferrybridge for the turn of the tide.

Nowhere near the number of Waders as in recent days, but there was a single Sanderling among the 60 or so Dunlin but there was disturbing activity close by.

Having reported yesterday the sighting of the first Little Tern on a nest, today the RSPB construction gang have moved in! It's the 20th of May for Christ's sake and here are John Dadd and his marauders building, heaven knows what, a matter of a few yards from this sensitive breeding colony of Globally Threatened Sea Birds. Am I alone in thinking this is tantamount to 'breaking the law' or am I also a little too sensitive?

Is it the new Fleet Visitor's Centre, a Hamburger & Trinket Store or just the RSPB once again trying (without success) to justify their existence - LEAVE THEM TERNS ALONE!

A sub-adult Herring Gull finds a tasty Limpet for lunch.

Finally, a Pink-legged Pictorial

Black-winged Stilt in company with a Gadwall

In company with Shelduck

"Oh by the way, which one's Pink" - Welcome to the Machine (Floyd)