Tuesday 18 August 2020

The Tender Trap - F.A. Sinatra


While our policy for life remains:-
"What is for you will not go by You" 
she or he who persists will eventually, and surely, reap rewards but we readily admit
there have been a few veiled 'moans and groans’ atween these pages in recent weeks.
Mainly about poor catches from the Moth Traps, which also seems representative across our home county of Dorset?
Bingo! - it happened on Sunday that we caught, in one of the traps close to home,
what is thought to be only the 20th record ever for Great Britain of a
SHINING MARBLED
As far as the Field Guides are concerned Manley states there has been but a
single record in Great Britan on 28 October 2006 from Hereford.
Otherwise Bernard Skinner sees it like this 
concuring with the above.
However, rumour has it that a specimen has been taken on the
Isle of Portlad, Dorset
with the total across the country now standing at c20 of these delightful litte creatures?
Our only hope now for the Mothing fraternity and our stalwart readers is that the moment can be enjoyed by one and all, as we enjoy so many of other entusiast around the County!
We are by no means claiming any 'skill' be attached to this capture but
we do set a trap high on a bund, close to home, hoping for just an occassion!
EUREKA!
A little way down the pecking order came a common and numerous
 INGRAILED CLAY
 and in about the same division
 COMMN WAINSCOT
 In all the kerfuffle we almost forgot to mention the lone
 PEREGRINE
 that cut across the early morning sky, only the second of the year!
It didn't land with this archive image added for more clarity. 
Before heading north we also managed a short session with a flighty
 LITTLE EGRET
 which then became a bit 'snap-happy'
landing a couple of times along the course of the 
River Stour.
Up at the Ponds juvenile Mallard numbers have increased to 27
but gone are the days when parent birds and little 'balls of fluff'
were happy to waddle or swim by at near point blank range, hence no snaps.
However, things were a little different at the
Gravel Pit
where mist was still hanging a little low but yet another (or the same)

 COMMON SANDPIPER
was
gorging itself.
It has been a number of days now that we have been hearing
 CETTI'S WARBLERS
along the course of the
Moors River
and seem to remember that juvenile male do practice their
Vocal Skills
in preperation for next years courtships.
The other c3 Moth Traps? Don't even ask but you'll hear no complains about that
 as somebody has to wander this
Sacred Patch on a Daily Basis.
P.S.
We now have the
 original
and now a second
BEEHIVE
get the toaster going Paddigton!
Under the cercumstances perhaps best then to cut along to the 
Sewerage Works, 
likely the best place to see a
Pied Flycatcher
which, had we not drawn a 'blank', would have been only a 3rd sighting here
since records began in 2013.
However, we did not leave disappointed as
 a female
GOLDCREST
 was obliging before spotting the second
 Wader of the Day
 GREEN SANDPIPER
seemingly finding norishment in what is left of the recent rains.
Just one more treat, which may be a record breaker, before arriving back at barracks.
 Line upon line of
ROOKs
interspursed by 
Jackdaws
 more than has ever been counted here before
which,after a number of counts,
 ammounted to a maximum of
c157.
While permission is granted to enter selected bounds of 
Bournemouth International Airport
we like all other members of the general public have had that suspended
during the current situation so no counts have been possible there of the
thriving Rookery there. 
We are rather hoping for a new wave of readers today on account of
Sunday's good fortune and welcome you with open arms.
We respectfully request, if that is the case and you enjoy our humble efforts,
you pass on the link to all your addressees please.
Thank in Anticipation - Bagsy.