I Like It That Way - Brian 'Poole' & the Tremeloes

Watching the giant Ash Tree swaying in what Beaufort would consider a force 8 to 9 gale from the comfort of my bunk, first thoughts were "is it worth getting up anyway"? It's always worth it and despite yesterday's dearth of anything 'wild', let alone birds, I sprang out of bed like a Thompson's Gazelle at the crack of 11:30 (only joking on both counts). A decent start to the day as I let out the Chickens and feeding them at the same time, to see a

LITTLE GREBE on the Parley main pond,

a species I have not seen there before but once again no Mandarin. With all the animals fed and those that need it 'excersised it was time to attend to the moth trap, maybe for the 'last time' the way things are going. Only 4 insects were photographed from the haul yesterday and anotated as The Shark and Wormwood Shark (both new to the farm). In fact they were ALL the 'same' species Blair's Shoulder-knot with the appropriate ammendment being made and ditto 'thanks' to Paul Harris for putting me right. This Moth malarky is not coming back to me at all as I thought it might, but feel I'm a little to long in the tooth to become a 'quitter' now - Ever Onward!

Apart from a most interesting Hoverfly, that escaped just befor the first camera click,

what I believe to be the MALLOW was the only addition today? With no Airport pick-ups and the only caravaners arriving this evening I was now free for 3 or 4 hours until duty once again called, so off to circumnavigate Poole Harbour. First stop

where an Osprey has been seen over the past few days, a potential addition to both Year and October Lists.

The walk through the wood at Sherford Bridge produced c2 Nuthatch, lots of Goldcrest, Chaffinch and Tits,

while looking across the heath to the bog itself there was something of a swarm of Meadow Pipits, an untold number of Stonechat, a Dartford Warbler and the first c5 Jays that became c13 before the day was over.

 

MISTLE THRUSH and Blackbirds were taking advantage of the Hawthorn Berries close to the road which I took towards Middlebere.

Narrow country lanes nearly all the way but all the tree trunks were not confined to the neat stacks made by the Forestry Commission Loggers. No, one was squarely across the road, result no doubt of last nights gales which had now happily abated.

About turn and access Middlebere Hide via Soldiers Road and Norden,

 

where first to be seen was this posing BLACK-HEADED GULL.

Looking east along Middlebere Creek

 

about a dozen CURLEW were feeding the last couple of hours of the 'flood tide' as were

 

c3 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, c3 Little Egret, c2 Oystercatcher, c7 Canada Geese plus several Teal and Wigeon but not much else.

In the opposite direction

a GREY HERON flushed from the reeds as a most welcome

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL appeared from nowhere.

At quite a distance, it didn't make for a perfect image but this set are the best of this species I have yet taken in this country, so happy with my efforts!

With little else to keep me it was onward, via Corfe Castle and these splendid views across Studland Heath (centre) and Bouremouth Bay (right),

Poole Commercial Harbour (centre, distant)

and more of the heath and Pasture Land to the west.

The recently reported Garganey (Duck) at

BRANDS BAY (BP's Witch Farm Oil Drilling Derrick centre) was worthy of a look but not found,

but a GREENSHANK did make up in part for the 'miss'.

Heading to the Sandbanks Ferry, and in turn home, these 3 ROE DEER quickly crossed the road

and several SIKA DEER were seen during the day.

In That Quiet Earth - Genesis

Only having reported the lack of a new country during the month of September a couple of days ago, one duly turns up in the shape of MYANMAR (formally Burma). We of course extend a warm welcome to the readership in the hope that the Blog Link will be spread throughout the land!

A beautiful start to the day with some mist lingering over the River Stour and

the early morning sun livening up the Parley Pond after the last few showery days. Still no sign of the Mandarins though but a few Swallows were heading south, Wood Pigeons seemingly increasing in numbers and Pied Wagtails everywhere.

 

There were 2 dozen Moths caught overnight including what is believed to be 3 new species for the farm. BLACK RUSTIC,

BLAIR'S SHOULDER-KNOT

 All Blair's Shoulder-knot.

Otherwise a very quiet day of duties on the farm rather than 'wildlife spotting' so hope the weather holds to get a little further afield tomorrow.

Homeward Bound - Simon & Garfunkel

but not for long!

Despite some heavy overnight rain, the moth trap still provided 3 additions to the Farm List one of which proved to be something of a scarcity in the county.

THE SALLOW, looking a little anaemic due to over-exposure, along with

COMMON MARBLED CARPET were not altogether unexpected

but DEEP-BROWN DART was a completely new one on me.

Having been out of the 'game' for some while combined with leaving my Moth Field Guide at home, I had to recruit help from Paul Harris to confirm my identifications. Having got the first 2 (almost) right, I had put the third down to Black Rustic which I am told is the only confusion species with Deep-brown Dart. By no means an annual sight in Dorset, I further found that 2 have been caught by Martin Cade, Warden of the Portland Bird Observatory (2007 and 2008), while over the years our farmer friend Hugo Wood-Homer seems to recall he has secured about 5 records. Thanking Paul for all his efforts, he found it of sufficient interest to send the record and photograph to Dorset Moth Group.

A stiff north westerly wind plus every sign of rain was the order of the day, but a minor emergency and the recovery of the Clancy Moth Book saw me return to Weymouth during a break in farm duties. More or less on the way is Hartland Moor which had to be worth a look, and where I found a couple of

 DARTFORD WARBLER,

 a few GOLDCREST, which are also building in numbers back at Parley,

and a STONECHAT.

Unfortunately, time was short but not to short to forsake a visit to Portland having been absent now for almost 2 weeks. Very little to report bird-wise, but

WALL BUTTERFLY was still on the wing, while the 'lines' of the

Yacht SCEPTRE, passing close under the East Cliff, where worth more than a second look. All else to report was another first yesterday when I ate Grey Squirrel for the first time. Seemingly the 'in' dish at many upmarket restaurants these days, when the opportunity arose I took it - That's Life!

A Walk in the (Black) Forest - Horst Jankowski

Dogged once again by heavy and regular rain showers, I did make a bid for Middlebere on the western edge of Poole Harbour, but there was another snag - traffic! Neither a worker or a scholar I had forgotten about such things, but having taken a full 30 minutes to reach Bear Cross (2 miles away) it was a quick 'about turn' at the next roundabout. The rain was now becoming persistent and as I had to pass Parley anyway, decided to return and look in the moth trap.





LUNAR UNDERWING is another new species for the property, but I was a little confused that all there Moths bear the same pattern but not colouration. A little help from Paul Harris assured me that they were all the same species but distinctly different in colour.

It's not only Moths that are attracted to the 'murcury vapour' light, most insects would likely be curious but this morning the largest haul was of the tiniest Flies imaginable, 'thousands' of them. Maybe a dozen or so CADDIS FLIES were also trapped along with singles of

HOVERFLY Sp and



an unidentified BEETLE

which spent most of its time in the upside down position.

Finally, and almost overlooked was another addition, this LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING. With the sky clearing a little it was thought worth another sortie but this time in the opposite direction to

the NEW FOREST where PONIES of the same name abound.

Off the main road at Cadnam and past the ROYAL OAK at Fritham and to another of my favourite places

where all was tranquillity, few people, no dogs and a guarantee of birds at 'point blank' range if offered some incentive. Apples and cheese at the ready and camera poised, the idea was to photograph anything that moved - what a great place!

male and female CHAFFINCH were first to appear, but as soon as the 'snal' was scattered



GREAT TIT too made an entrance, but what was that 'steaming' across the pond?

One of only 3 MANDARINs seen today (unfortunately in Hampshire) but at very close quarters. Other birds included:-

BLUE TIT,

a really scruffy GREAT TIT,

a really dapper MARSH TIT, that I just couldn't stop snapping,

and a very close call with a COLLARED DOVE.

Only 'one' ROBIN seen today

but most obliging and willing to pose like those around it.

BLACKBIRD and

NUTHATCH were also evident, but best show of all came when I threw a lump of cheese to the ground.

Most species gathered round, but particularly BLUE TITs which were prepared to fight to keep others at bay.

A couple of Chaffinch also joined in but seemed little impressed with what was on offer. As the cheese dwindled in size a cheeky Great Tit attempted to fly off with it, but found it too heavy,

unlike the male Blackbird who swooped in like lightning, returning just as quickly to the cover of the bushes with his prize.

Leaving Eyeworth, I was happy just to roam around the forest for a couple of hours where there is always something of interest to see.

Starting at the 'secret' Goshawk watch point and strolling the heath

young shoots of GORSE were visible

along with plenty of HEATHER.

Passing the LAMB INN at NOMANSLAND

the Forest opens up to 'common grazing' and where I found this fine looking herd of Cattle.

Not much of an idea as to species of this big fella,

but think this one might be a Hereford?

Passing the last of the cottages, I rejoined the main road and stopping only briefly at Blashford Lakes I was delighted to find Kieth from In Focus, the Optics Company, in the Tern Hide. A chance to catch up, but again the rain was setting in so a dash for the car

capturing this small flock of STARLINGs and

a pair of MALLARD on the way.

Finally, a little amusement from regular Blog Reader Willie Downs. In German, the sign says Please Do Not Lie On The Bed, hope you enjoy it as much as I did



http://www.youtube.com/embed/9wm-Ge8LL7o?rel=0