What's Going On? - Rory Gallagher

What's going on,
Can you correct my vision?
Helping my decision.

Since our reincarnation the Daily Hit Count has been in the region of 150,
no quarrel with that, you get what you get, but

What's Going On Link

This morning we woke to find a massive 

984

on the counter.
Got a feeling someone has taken us at our word and disseminated our Link?

We were only joking!

A Quick Back-track - Please keep sending it!

First for the Year

DEEP-BROWN DART

PLANT BUG
Pantilius tunicatus
 were about the extent of anything interesting from the traps,
so ever onward for our usual rounds of the Common and Heath.

 At the Irrigation Pond an infrequent visitor in this adult

 MOORHEN

 which may sound strange to some where we say
Green Sandpiper is far more common here across the year.

 an a very close relative
COOT

 At the Merritown Gate the ground was covered by the

Lairs of an unknown

GRASS SPIDER SP
which looked most attracting with a little dew and a kiss of sunshine on them.

After paying heed to our suggestion not to carry out these works in April,
the Town Council, who have a 999 year lease on the Heath,

 have commenced reaping the Heather seed to plant on the
 roadside verges of the newly refurbished
A338 Ringwood to Bournemouth Spur Road.
We are desperate to see this venture succeed (not 'suck seed') as in the first instance
the Environmental Department in the Council listened to and acted upon the
recommendation of those 'on the ground' and additionally it will be a joy to behold!
Apart from being an

AGUSTA 1094 GRAND
(Posh 'Chopper)

we have no idea why this aircraft was hovering low above the
Eco Recycling Works

for about 2 hours yesterday. Other than the above it can be taken as read
that it was costing someone and arm and a leg!
and while on the subject of Helicopters, was there really any convincing reason
why the Dorset Police Chopper needed to fly fairly low over the Heath, putting
to flight every Wild Creature in its wake? This short clip is titled

Pigs on the Wing

(Pink Floyd)

No disrespect meant to our
Boys in Blue!
Once, back in the wonderful 60's, there was a poster
stuck to my bedroom bulkhead proclaiming
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE 'PIGS'
NEXT TIME YOU'RE IN TROUBLE
PHONE A 'HIPPY'!

A little more Rory to end our Post

s'il vous plaît 
Edged in Blue Link

Has to be one, if not THE, greatest Guitar Intros in Rock 'n' Roll.

"Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak,
so sleep Silent Angel, go to sleep".
Rock 'n' Roll Trivia

On arrival in the UK, along with Chas Chandler (then base player with The Animals) on his very first visit, Jimi Hendrix is  reputed to have been asked by the interviewer "what does it feel like to be the Greatest Guitarist in the World"? Without a second thought he replied, "I wouldn't have a clue but maybe if you go ask Rory Gallagher"? My personal alegences have always been devided, but maybe Hendrix steels it with the intro on 'All Along the Watchtowers' alone?

WE INTEND PUBLISHING A 'MINI POST' MANANA!

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Black is Black - Los Bravos

There was only a single thing on my mind at dawn yesterday,
and that was to get up to the Common in quick time to
see if there had been any activety associated with the
New Scrape,
but we cannot always have what we want, when we want it
as first of all there were the Moth Traps to consider!

 Continuing the recent trend of at least one new species for the Year

BLACK RUSTIC
 adiquately filled the bill and of more minor interest

 SPRUCE CARPET

 PINION-STREAKED SNOUT

WASP attacking a LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING
along with a

 HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD

regarded as destructive, but they cover a diverse selection of both colour and pattern.

Being as Hugh both financed and organised the digging of the Scrape,
but doesn't give houseroom to 'coincidence', so it was by definition that

the throng of birds had been attracted to the recent diggings!

 The approach to the
Subsiduary Pond
had been widened, so now allows for observations from the side windows of
STRANGE,

while the whole of this tiny watercourse can now be viewed without restriction.
Nothing to report at this first visit, but this was always considered
a more long-term part of the project.

GREY WAGTAIL

was first to be noted just around the corner, in fact c7 of then the
highest number ever recorded 'together' anywhere across the
Recording Area.
In company with a number of other passerines such as
Dunnock, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove and Goldfinch
all taking full advantage of the recently turned ground.

 
Looking North
c2 of a total c5

 GREEN SANDPIPER

were in attendance,

a record count for this year at least,

continuing to open the account with a further Bang.

 Looking South

 Martin and Loz had also reduced the height of the retaining bund
which is considered as something of a 'double-edged sword'.
On the one hand there is now a clear view up the full length of the lake,
but without that added cover much more stealth will be required to get close to the Birds.
That will not present a problem.
The scrape now continues around the Southern Shore where a single

 COMMON SANDPIPER

was located but the smaller neighbouring pools

(one of which can be seen top left in this image)

have been left untouched.

A Trail Camera has already been stratigically placed on the fore-shore

and already a Grey Wagtail has been showing some interest,
but the burning question still exists,
"does anyone know if it is Spring Tides tonight"?

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We Are Family - Sly and the Family Stone

We met round the Harbins Farmhouse dinner table, a couple of Sunday's ago, on the occasion of Gramp's 84th birthday, and it would be true to say that there was something of an instant mutual attraction. Bee Keeper, Upholsterer and now a part of this extended family Chloé (getting to be a bit of a dab-hand at this accented é business!) had been forewarned about my penchant with Moths particularly and all other Insects beside, and appeared to be champing at the bit to get a look at a Moth Trap. A beautifully sunny pre-dinner stroll down to the garden pond and her wish was my command, and mightily impress she asked if she could accompany me one morning.

We are now back to the present and that's just what she did, not only showing extreme enthusiasm but also working as a Lucky Charm, producing the following Firsts for the Year on here inaugural visit.

 a pristine

 PINK-BARRED SALLOW

 MALLOW

 it's not intended to rhyme, and

 

another Autumnal special

BEADED CHESTNUT

and a migratory

GEM

A fantastic start to the day was extended by an appointment to meet again next week for more (just goes to show what excitement does for you, may even remember to to get a photo next time) but time was pressing as there was another meeting with a family member. For long enough now Hugh and I have been discussing the advantages and prospects of 'scraping' the southern shore of the Gravel Pit but with a vibrant business to run the timing had been put on hold. No problems with Plant here as there are more tractors, diggers and bulldozers than in the collective backyards of Messrs Balfour and Beatty but skilled, certified operators are a little like rocking horse droppings! Enter the next family members Loz, partner of the lady above and his Dad Martin, who between them could probably re-build the Great Wall of Chine in a couple of weeks, so 'small beer' a Wader Scrape. By the time I got up there, having stopped at one or 2 locations en-route, Martin had already put in a full shift but my tally had included

 LITTLE OWL

 and

 

 CETTI'S WARBLER

 both going vocally bonkers close to the River Stour post dawn,

 and a

 COMMON SNIPE

 square in the middle of the Heather on the Heath.

Plan had been to to take Before and After photographs but with work

in progress we did what we could.

Looking North

 and South

 the starting point the

North East Corner

In addition, this is the self-made

 Strange Rover Track

leading to a small subsidiary pond close to the Irrigation Pond.

Even perched as high as the driver's seat the water can hardly be seen,

so a little clearance work here will be undertaken while the digger id on the ground.

My personal prediction for this spot has always been

 WATER RAIL

but not so far anywhere in our Recording Area!

We will bring you the Finished Article in days to come, and THANKS for tuning in!

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A Horse With No Name - America

Some excitement on the agenda for this Post, but firstly, as ever, the Moth Traps
in what looked like a sure sign of rain? Starting with a

First for the Year

AUTUMNAL RUSTIC
and what in days gone by may have been considered a 'late appearing'

BEAUTIFUL HOOK-TIP
but some authorities state that they are now being noted throughout September.

Two variations of
LUNAR UNDERWING

and a slightly better example than the previous migratory
GEM

Looks like the Fungus Fest has started here with a species of
LEPIOTA

Although permitted and open to my gaze this is pretty much a neglected track

as far as our daily rounds are concerned,

but yesterday a beeline was made for it with very good reason.

Given the 'heads-up' on the arrival

of some very special new residents by Gary Clarke the Cowman, today

we were prepared to walk the extra 9 yards!
A Horse With No 'MANE' (sic) Link

A small clutch of 'predated' Wood Pigeon eggs found on the final gatepost

before clapping eyes on the

New Arrivals.

c4 EXMOOR GELDINGS

brought in to keep unwanted vegitation down.
It was thought an idea to photograph and introduce each individually.

Thankfully these usually

Wild Mammals

have not been given names.

HERE'S HOPING IT STAYS THAT WAY!

The videos are a bit of pot-luck as there has been no time

to edit or delete so must be taken as seen.
While the Horses are going to be contained alone in the area known as
The Island

their well established neighbours

were not going to let them have all of the

LIMELIGHT

The Calf

and the awkward one which would not let me pass even though
in a hurry to get back to
ANTARCTICA!

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