(She's Just A Woman) - Led Zeppelin

Given the 'spur of the moment' decision to spend a few days in France the post for our departure date was back healed, so it was in fact Thursday 12th inst that Portland was visited. While I'm about it there is a huge calamity to clear up from yesterday when it was was proclaimed that the 'Largest Rodent in the World' is the COYPU. After a timely prompt and a reminder that I have spent so much time in South America from fellow 'birder' Steve Smith, it became obvious that I was getting completely mixed up! The 'largest rodent is in fact the CAPIBARI and the photograph, taken in France, is a COYPU - Thanks Steve!
A little ambitious maybe given the date, but as I had to go to Portland today an early start was in order to check-out the Woodcock site at

 Unlikely to have left the breeding grounds as yet, but

there was always a chance and anyway just looking around

 the sun was rising above what has historically been their

Roost Site

 while across the road and to the east there were equally 

Stunning Views.

Not surprisingly no Woodcocks were seen, but having made such an early start (05:30) there had been no time to attend to the Moth Trap so I was getting close to withdrawal symptoms! A bonus by way of a small herd of

FALLOW DEER

in the gloom went some way to compensating. Continuing west, a stop was made at Oakers Wood where in June 2009 I found this

 LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER's nest.

 There is a lady who, once she reads this, will strongly contest who

did and who didn't make this find but here are the facts.

She was on MY PATCH in MY COUNTY and as already stated SHE, by definition, is a WOMAN so surely evidence enough in my favour?? Yes, I can already 'smell' the E-mails cutting through the ether! Having said all that it would be a GREAT PLEASURE to see you again Jo (Lawrence), for another 'birding' foray, anytime you can drag yourself away from the stresses and strains of the Cabinet Office! Anyroadup, a point is made of visiting the site whenever I pass that way, and today it came up trumps. Good to know as this tiny House Sparrow size bird must now be a contender as Dorset's Rarest Breeding Bird?

Arrival at the Portland Bird Observatory started low key as I had missed, by just seconds, a pristine

 male COMMON REDSTART 'in the hand' (archive photo).

 However, the Moth Traps were available to peruse with 

Best in Show being the 'migrant' and relatively 'uncommon'

BORDERED STRAW.

additionally there was
MULLEIN WAVE

FEATHERED RANUNCULUS

HUMMING-BIRD HAWK-MOTH

and BEAUTIFUL GOTHIC
all of which I have caught in a previous life but not thus far at Parley.

As the 08:00 CONDOR FERRY passed the Bill bound for the
Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey) and my time was running low,

Assistant Obs Warden JOE STOCKWELL
came up trumps with a parting gift plucked from one of the 'mist nets'.

LESSER WHITETHROAT

was an excellent end to my short visit here. The rest of my limited time away from Parley was spent with short, impromptu, visits to the Secret Lemonade Drinker, 'swinging the lantern' and 'shippin' 'em green' (the waves that is) an even shorter visit to my mate John Gifford and unfortunately no reply at Lesley Brown's house on the way back.

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