Seagull, you fly across the horizon
Into the misty morning sun.
Nobody asks you where you are going,
Nobody knows where you're from.
Into the misty morning sun.
Nobody asks you where you are going,
Nobody knows where you're from.
A
peek out of the window at 05:00 and the town was once again shrouded in
threatening black clouds looking every bit like a continuation of
yesterday's wet weather. Hanging on for the turn of the high spring tide
proved beneficial as I missed the only shower of the day and also
caught up with this fine looking
LITTLE GREBE at Westham Bridge.
Whether
keeping a low profile during the breeding season or just simply absent,
this is the first I have seen for a number of weeks.
The
bus to Ferry Bridge and already there was a strip of sand exposed at
the southern edge holding a few small Waders, but they would have to
wait until I had investigated what this HERRING GULL hand caught.
Its
distinctive plumage showed that it is an individual that has taken up
residence close to the bridge in recent month and had caught a PIPEFISH.
A species that frequents the shallows and not difficult to catch I
would suspect, but for a Gull devouring it would be quite another
challenge. Narrow, long and bony makes it a bit of a bill full, but they
are also strong, pound for pound, have a leathery skin so frequently
found stranded and abandoned - bon appetite.
Not
all of the Waders further on were small as c2 Curlew, a Whimbrel and an
Oystercatcher were among 100 or so each of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, as
were c7 Sanderling, c2 Turnstone and what was likely 'the' Knot of
recent days. All else of note was a Little Egret in the margins until
the mobile phone crackled into life, "a rare bird at Portland Bill"!
Paralympic
Sailing starts over the weekend so already 'security' has been beefed
up. HMS Bulwark deploying Merlin Helicopter with regularity, Dorset
Police following suit, few more officers on the ground and as shown here
the Met Water Division patrolling local sea area.
Continuing
with Olympic business, I had chance today to serve a long outstanding
apology to this gentleman. I have known Dave Derby since the early 70's
but always thought his surname was Allan. In the Royal Navy, all with
such name are affectionately referred to as 'Derby' Allan and I have
always called him this. It wasn't until he was a Torch Bearer at the
Bill that I realised his proper name so had chance to redress the matter
this morning. All the best to you and Mrs Derby again David.
I
think secretly that Secret is becoming a secret 'twitcher' and likes to know
what is going on in the 'birding' world, so passed this mornings
message on to him en route to the Bill. We met up in Southwell
village and as we arrived were met by John and Morwellan Down and told
that the 'rare bird' was still in sight and not too far away - can you
see it yet??
Those
already in attendance gave us a clue, so we headed for the group
consisting of from left Keith Pritchard, Peter Coe, Martin Cade (Warden
PBO), Ken Parker, Neil Arnold, JW (Williamson), Neil's partner Chris
plus AN Other and there it was.
A splendid adult SABINE'S GULL
which I circled at a distance to bring you every angle possible.
A
bird of Northern climes, it would be more suited to areas within the
Arctic Circle right now than here in Dorset - but who's complaining?
On
the approach of a local dog walker with her 3 dogs, I kindly requested
she gave the bird a 'wide berth' which she duly did. Whether it was the
presence of the animals or not, the Gull soon took to the wing, gained
good altitude and disappeared to the west.
The Sabine's gull is named after the British general and scientist Sir
Edward Sabine, who discovered the species in 1818 on the west coast of
Greenland.
Having
photographed all but 3 of the world's 54 Gull species, these images
taken in the Pribilof Islands last year were the best achieved thus far
of Sabine's.
Today's bird provided a much sort after closer view and shot than previously.
