Of all days, when time was of the
essence, disaster struck early morning. With some long outstanding
business to attend to in Weymouth, the hope of a little field-work as
well and a need to be back at Parley by noon we could have done without
the hindrance of a broken Moth Trap lamp. Further incentive to make an
early start and also take in the
(complete with Joe Stockwell)
was
yesterday's capture there of a 'rare' Moth never before recorded in
Dorset. The first 30 minutes of the drive to the half way point, Bere
Regis, was hampered by fog but then the sun appeared with the rest of
the day being bright, sunny and still. Reaching St George's Church,
Portland on the hour a
SPARROWHAWK
the
first notable bird of the day flashed in front of me (there were to be
c2 more before the day was over). Reaching the Obs, it was found that
the Warden Martin Cade had kept the Insect of my Desire, for
verification and was only too happy to allow me a look at and photograph
my first ever
With
Joe Stockwell, Assistant Warden, Committee Member John Lucas and 2
young lads from Hertfordshire the only others in attendance, it was a
change from the usually bustling veranda and lounge, but there was
plenty else going on. The Moth Traps had already been attended, with the
content now being scrutinised, while I was content scanning the sea,
where the Italian built
could just be seen, screened by both mist and a flock of Starlings. Argus was formerly the container ship MV Contender Bezant,
being requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and
purchased outright in 1984 for use as an Aviation Training Ship,
replacing RFA Engadine. In 1991, during the Gulf War,
she was fitted with an extensive and fully functional hospital to
assume the additional role of Primary Casualty Receiving Ship which in 2009 became the ship's primary function.
JOE at the nets.
During
this period both Wardens had been busily tending the usual string of
Mist Nets placed to catch (migratory) birds, part of which was a
Between
times Martin was quizzically looking at another small Moth and when he
started to photograph it I was curious to know if this too had any
special significance. "You bet it does" he replied, "another 'first' for
the County!"
so this image from Wiki should give a clearer picture.
Not bad for a 50 minutes visit!
Next
on the agenda, and equally pleasurable, a visit to see my Ol' Shipmate
the Secret Lemonade Drinker where luckily I also found Mrs and Daughter
Lemonardo, a fantastic bonus. With the ladies off to work, a couple of
'bollards' pulled up and all the lanterns swinging we got down to tales
of the sea and the mundane task of 'computer fixing'. With the bane of
my life now fully functional, sides splitting from persistent laughter
and the coffee tank full, there was time for a wander around the Top
Fields before my next, and mundane, rendezvous. Clouded Yellow
Butterflies had been reported 'on the wing', which was my target, while
Secret was anxious to see a Yellow Wagtail - Game On!
The trudge up Sweethill and along to the Barns produced nothing,
but arriving above Culverwell, a small stand of bushes
close to the coast, the first returning migrants started to show.
WHEATEAR
over 40 in number were quite approachable and we,
Secret that is, did spot a
HARVESTER SPIDER
It was likely to be 'harvested' itself if the likes of these young
STONECHAT
caught sight of it.
WALL BUTTERFLY
Reaching the highest point of our walk, which affords lovely views
both east and west along the English Channel, we could also see
all 3 of Portland's Lighthouses.
THE HIGHER LIGHT (oldest of the three)
(second oldest) and now the
PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY
and the current ACTIVE LIGHT at the tip of Portland Bill.
BROWN KNAPWEED
COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY on COMMON FLEABANE
With
time also at a premium today, the rest of the adventure will have to
save until tomorrow. Did we see the Yellow Wagtail or Clouded Yellow?
All will soon be revealed!
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