Having fallen behind a day, the
bulk of the post refers to yesterday but today at 06:00 Weymouth and
surrounding areas were bathed in bright sunshine, a gentle breeze and
blue skies. What happened next, on the day the Olympic Torch Relay
arrived in the Borough, is a natural tragedy in itself which will unfold
tomorrow.
An early morning walk along the Rodwell Trail saw a number of species, such as this SONG THRUSH,
still feeding young, others included Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Blackcap and Great Tit.
My
arrival at Ferry Bridge coincided with the fishermen there emptying
their nets, with a few more fish than I have seen of late.
These
included GREY MULLET in the nearest box and BASS in the other. By this
time it was low water, so again there was a chance of an early returning
Wader and I didn't have to wait long.
even doing a little wing stretch before leaving it to continue feeding.
With
the news from the LITTLE TERN colony on Chesil Beach being good, at least c9 young
birds and still adults sitting on eggs, I approached to the barrier fence
where the adults continued fish carrying. However, there was another
surprise to find that
the
Knot had followed me and was now resting within the colony. This was
when I started to notice a small movement of Common Terns, counting 26
before arriving at the bus stop.
With
Skate, Shark and Dogfish egg-cases being very similar, I wouldn't like
to say which this is but most likely to be that of the latter.
As the water recedes there is now a healthy carpet of Sea Samphire,
which I and others have picked from time to time in small amounts as a flavour in a number of recipes.
A
rather raged looking LITTLE EGRET flew overhead as I continued counting
the Common Terns which were now crossing Portland Harbour (east to
west) with a further 53 counted during my 10 minute wait. Quiet at the
Bill is an understatement, and while there were a few Manx Shearwater
passing off-shore
all else on offer was this EYED HAWK-MOTH in one of the Bird Observatory moth traps.
