The bird on Monday was a
PALE-LEGGED (or less likely SAKHALIN) LEAF WARBLER
A
Rarity? Only the first record for Great Britain and, according to my
list, first in the Western Palearctic! I don't have any photographs, but
know those who do Portland Bird Obs. and Brett's Goosey Ganderings.
I am duty bound to advise our 'clean living' readers that the second
LINK contains 'foul language' but feel unable to describe this sad state
of affairs more eloquently myself. In which case I would almost demand
that this is read as being in full agreement with Mr Spencer's
sentiment. I feel lucky that fate has chosen to shine on me in another
direction, as confirmation of my 'One Way Ticket' (meaning no time
limit) arrived this very day for my next trip, as I feel the 'national
fall out' from this extremely unsavoury and totally unnecessary affair
could last a very long time and even end in a petrol bombing! Brett
ain't the only weirdo in birding - think on!
While
back in a much happier world, it was my greatest of pleasure to take
the Dampney Family (Hugh and Janet left, along with recently engaged
Cath and Daryl) out for a meal last night. We dined at Prezzo, on
Weymouth Town Bridge, where the food and service were excellent but let
down by the poor quality wine.
Wishing my friends a safe journey home I decanter to Bowie and Sheila's house for a nightcap,
or perhaps a little more accurately an 'internal marinading'.
None
the worse for that it was an early start towards the Siberian Stonechat
at Culverwell, near Portland Bill, where on the way trees and hedgerows
were once again teeming with GOLDCRESTs (the best I could muster).
An attractive group of FUNGI in the cemetery on the way home was followed by a
a handful of REDWING (which were most vocal as we walked to the restaurant last night) and a
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF
which
I don't recall seeing at this site before. On the final straight, there
seemed to be a voice from above calling "we're watching you Bagsy"
which turned out to be so. There high on a house roof was
Chimney Sweep and sometimes Fireman James (Sooty junior) Stockley - a perfect end to the day.
PS:- It has only dawned on me, at the 'last knockings', that yesterday's readers totalled 715, now what brought all that interest on??
