My first Blog pleasure today is to welcome the United Arab Emirates (Salam alikoum) to the readership, and while I know this is not Oman I'm wondering if this addition is anything to do with meeting the Omani National Sailing Team the other day? In addition, we now have readers from the Asian/Pacific Region and while not specified as to country there is the same welcome as above. To increase readership and Country Tally (now standing at 73) we ask ALL readers to pass this link to their friends and families, it's always good to welcome new interest! Thank You.
http://bagsy-thecaptainslog.blogspot.com/
The intention was to catch the 05-20 X53 service to Abbotsbury, in an attempt to catch up with the Gull-billed Tern of yesterday, but in the event I was offered a lift by 'long time' birding friend Ken Parker. As it happened we followed the said bus for part of the drive, arriving at the Abbotsbury Swannery Water Meadows at about 05-45. Unfortunately, Kenny only had about 90 minutes during which time we did shift location trying the beach a little further west, but at both met with no success. Returning to the meadows, I was left alone but within the hour the Tern put in a brief appearance flying distantly over the hide, across the Fleet before turning east towards Ferry Bridge. Not totally satisfactory, but a view nonetheless, I stuck it out a little longer until Ken anounced by phone that he was about to return.
The Water Meadows with the Fleet Lagoon in the middle distance and the Chesil Bank in the background. The Hide is left of center, the artificial Tern Island to the right of that and to the extreme right many of the large 'herd' of Mute Swans can be seen if magnified.Informing Ken of my brief sighting encouraged us both, and acting on further information we returned to the beach in company with a 'twitcher' from Herefordshire, but again no luck. News came over on the pager at about 09-00 that it had been seen from within the Swannery bound, so it was time to play our 'ace card'. We have friends who work there and let us in, allowing us to venture to another hide overlooking the nesting Common Tern Colony where we immediately picked up on the target bird. Unfortunately, it was very mobile but allowed decent views but no photographs.
As we looked from the meadows the Cruise Liner 'Saga Ruby' steamed west at the start of another cruise.
Swannery staff members David Wheeler and Steve Groves flanking Ken Parker.
At the hide we also encountered these Black Swans, long time residents there, as are a few Bar-headed, Greylag and dozens of Canada Geese. During our stay we also recorded a number of Whitethroat and Blackcap, c5 Ravens, singles of Peregrine, Green Woodpecker, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and heard a There were also several Common Terns at the hide feeding young.While in the area I took advantage of a long overdue look around this most picturesque village and I'd like to dedicate the rest of this post to former resident of Abbotsbury and my next-door neighbour Joy Langford, her family Andrew, May, Trevor and Oliver, but not forgetting friend to all of us Roy Henderson.
The Duck Pond
The old Abby ruins viewed across the pond.
The Tithe Barn. I did try to get to Gerald's room but Lynne Arnold didn't have access and there was no one there who did.
The Abbot's house.
The entrance arch and Abbey ruins.
The Parish Church of St Nicholas.
Ancient, but undated, effigy.
View down the Naive.
and towards the Choir and Gallery.
I just had an idea that this was Don & Liz's old house?
The Old School now the Strangways Hall.
The Ilchester Arms public house, many a good night spent here!
The main street looking west.
The Swan public house, had to pop in for a 'pie & a pint'.| Num | Perc. | Country Name | |||
 | 2158 | 84.13% | United Kingdom |  | |
| 115 | 4.48% | Estonia |  | |
| 86 | 3.35% | Netherlands |  | |
| 49 | 1.91% | United States |  | |
| 28 | 1.09% | Canada |  | |
| 21 | 0.82% | |||
| 17 | 0.66% | Japan |  | |
| 15 | 0.58% | Australia |  | |
| 9 | 0.35% | Spain |  | |
| 8 | 0.31% | Denmark |  | |
| 6 | 0.23% | New Zealand |  | |
| 5 | 0.19% | Colombia |  | |
| 5 | 0.19% | Argentina |  | |
| 4 | 0.16% | Norway |  | |
| 3 | 0.12% | Ireland |  | |
| 3 | 0.12% | Belgium |  | |
| 3 | 0.12% | France |  | |
| 3 | 0.12% | India |  | |
| 2 | 0.08% | Russian Federation |  | |
| 2 | 0.08% | Moldova, Republic Of |  | |
| 2 | 0.08% | Germany |  | |
| 2 | 0.08% | United Arab Emirates |  | |
| 2 | 0.08% | Portugal |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Turkey |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Costa Rica |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Indonesia |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Sweden |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Finland |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Belarus |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Croatia |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Mexico |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Thailand |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Poland |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Cyprus |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Ecuador |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Italy |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Singapore |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Europe |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Czech Republic |  | |
| 1 | 0.04% | Asia/pacific Region |  |
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