Venezuela - Harry Belafonte

Another lovely day weather-wise and one on which I have been in transit, only as far as Portland, where the only thing to let the side down was a lack of migrant birds. It might be a contradiction in terms to say in the next breath that 3 species of those that did arrive were additions to the Year List. As usual, the Moth Traps were tended first off, then as I have taken just a back seat roll as replacement Lord of the Manor while Hugh and Janet are swanning it in the South of France, there were just a couple of duties homely duties to attend to before the leash was slipped. It can also be reported that there were c4 additions to the Property Moth List as well, but all of that will have to wait until the photos have been edited. For now (this evening), there is an invitation to a Mother's Day dinner not surprisingly as I have often described myself as an Unmarried Moth-er. Today's images all relate to yesterday - with more to come soon!

From the Traps

Pachygnathe Sp
SPIDER

 STRAWBERRY SNAIL

 and a clutch of eggs thought to be those of the
Hebrew Character Moth
While attending the traps this

 STARLING

looked resplendent in what little sunshine there was, and while I am not licences to catch or handle wild birds, in over 40 years 'birding' it would be rather strange if one didn't come to hand. On the Oil Rig especially there was plenty of opportunity to pick up exhausted and injured birds, so I have a fairly extensive list of 

'Birds in the Hand'

 MAGPIE
until today was not one of them.

 GOLDFINCH

 are now regular visitors to the feeders after being absent from there throughout the winter. During that time they were present around the property but must have been finding natural food somewhere or other.

The sun came out to greet me as Stanpit Marsh

 and looking towards Stanpit Village
there were still a few
DARK-BELLIED BRENT GEESE

 Grazing and Resting Brents.

MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE and FISHERIES
Oil Spill Response Aircraft

 REDSHANK

The CURLEW has landed.

 New Boardwalk beyond the Bailey Bridge.

 CARRION CROW

CHRISTCHURCH HARBOUR ORNITHOLOGICAL GROUP
'Birders Bench'

 Good use of Flotsam!

 LITTLE EGRET

 A veritable 'carpet' of

 DANISH (or Early) SCURVY GRASS
is covering the roadside verges close to
Bournemouth International Airport

While at various other locations these images were secured.

BLACKBIRD

LAPWING

male GADWALL

male WIGEON

female WIGEON

male MALLARD

'Flight' of SHOVELER

 A male SHOVELER has also landed.

 HOATZIN
as close to 'living prehistoric as you're likely to get.

With Venezuela returning to the Readers Top Ten, it jerked memories of my journeys during 2 visits there, especially the time spent with David Ascanio and Friends. I hope you are all reading this as it comes with my VERY BEST WISHES and memories of that fabulous bird.

Entry	Pageviews
United States	669
United Kingdom	648
Canada	114
Germany	65
Russia	35
Estonia	30
France	13
Indonesia	11
Venezuela	10
United Arab Emirates	9