Another Away Day

As ever on such occassions the Kid at Christmas syndrom kicked in with not a wink of sleep between swinging into the hammock at 22:00 and 'call the hands' at 04:00. The rendezvous with Dave Foot in Dorchester was, as ever, right on time and with him obligingly behind the wheel we were off to a sunny Devon. The prospects in the county were a rare American duck followed by a bevy of local beauties and a plan to ad lib should there be any time left after these visits. The weather was also on our side, sunny and still and over an hour later we arrived at

MANSANDS

an unfamiliar location to both of us.

Just about any site along the whole of the south coast throws up its own particular beauty,

and this was no exception

 but while admiring the views

 there was then

 THE SLIPPERY SLOPE 

to negotiate

 Unfortunately, and marring the day, there was a price to pay

as we encountered a trail of dead 

TOADS

which had undoubtedly fallen to some witless driver following this dangerous route

at night, the time when these Amphibians are most active.

It was just as the pool came into view, still some great distance away

that Dave first spotted the bird

(how the hell does he do that?) but we were going to have to get a lot closer for 

decent views and hopefully a snap/ video or two.

Like all poor photographers, there are always a plethora of pathetic excuses

for poor returns but the plausable ones here were distance along with an

unobliging duck - these are my best!

BLUE-WINGED TEAL

 After a last look at a stunning panorama and a most satisfied looking

DAVE

There was to be just one more final treat if only for me alone.

There on a distant horizon, ad about to round the headland, steamed an

Ocean sized Tug towing what looked every bit like an Old Girl that had seen her last days?

Maybe on her was to the breakers yard is not know but a huge reminder of when

I made a living out of such things - YES!

It would take 45 minutes to reach our next destination, Corsands, where along with Dave

we had seen the target birds a number of times before but never in decent weather.

MAYBE THIS WAS TO BE OUR DAY

Pulling into the car park it was found that all the clutter of bygone days had been cleared

and so were able to park close and adjacent to where the birds were most likely to feed, 

we didn't have to wait long before the first spanking male

CIRL BUNTING

landed directly in front of us.

At extremely close quarters, perfect weather and light there are no excuses for the poor quality of the images

No one more disappoined than myself!

He was followed by numerous more including 

more males

 then

females

their colse cousins

female and male

YELLOWHAMMER

and the occassional

DUNNOCK

During an ample platter of Devonshire's finest

Haddock, Chips and Mushy Peas

and still daylight left, there was the matter of filling those remaining hours. 

My suggestion of

LYME REGIS
was reaily agreed for a number of reasons including the beauty of

 The Sweep of the Bay

looking towards
GOLDEN CAP
the highest point on the Dorset Coastline
and the chance of a sea-bird or two.


Also famed for the filming of the
French Lieutenant's Women
this is surely one of my Top 3 towns of our home county

but there were other things on our mind.

The tiny
River Lym
(this ain't no Ganges) empties into the English Channel here and is arguably
the best place in Dorset to encounter the elusive Dipper.

It took a while during which time we also once again admired the

 GOTHIC ARCH
forming the largest bridge along the course and what both legend rumour tell us is a genuine

BANKSY?

and then, most bizarrely Dave spotted one flying over the rooftops

Usually only seen flying at Zero Feet it then took a further period of time
to locate it perched.

 While some decent views were obtained

the most 'magical' moments come about when this tiny

Thrush-like bird cannot be seen at all.

 This comes when it is feeding, which was during most of our viewing time,

when they will plunge from a rock into the fast flowing waters and 'walk'
on the riverbed in search of their prey - it don't get much better than that!
As if the Cherry on a very well Iced Cake our day ended in an exceptional way
as sat on the bridge parapet, awaitin Dave collecting the car, along comes fellow Wildlifer

NICK URCH (left)
a fine fella not seen for a number of years. The encounter was all too short
but it is hoped not so long until the next and with more time to catch up.
Here's to You Dear Boy!

THANKS TO ONE and ALL - ENJOY!