All Our Yesterday's & Today's

The sun is shining the weather is sweet yeah, makes you want to move your dancing feet! (Finlay Quaye), so it cannot possibly be Wimbledon or Glastonbury?

So, if it stays fine, which it is forecast to do, we won't have Cliff Richard warbling at the All England Tennis Club and the ganja should stay dry at the latter. I guess we have all said at one time or the other, "where did those years go" but to see that today marks the 40th 'birthday' of Glastonbury beggars belief. The natural continuation of what used to be the world renown 'Bath Blues Festival', these musical gathering did run side by side in the beginning, with the BBF finally giving way to the much bigger event. I was at the very first of these now defunct gigs, where for the princely sum of £2.00 you got to see the bands mentioned on the poster below where, like the Isle of Wight Festivals that followed the saying was "if you could remember it you weren't there"! I do have some vague recollections, though a smoke filled (purple) haze, of Rory Gallagher chiseling yet more chunks off his already battered Stratocaster, Stan Webb (then of Chicken Shack with the incomparable Christine Perfect on keyboards & vocals) venturing into the audience with his 'trademark' extended guitar lead and Kieth Emerson (of The Nice, later to become ELP = Emerson, Lake and Palmer) knifing to death yet another set of ivories. Add to that the very first outdoor appearance by the then budding Led Zeppelin, who had release their debut album (I) just 2 months earlier and where showcasing (II), Jimmy Page took a violin bow to his Gibson Les Paul, for the first time publicly, during the seminal Dazed & Confused.

This poster commands 'pride of place' at the top of my stairwell, so each time I climb the 'wooden hill' I'm taken back to the Bath Rugby Ground.

John (Ginger) Prince, former Leading Seaman in charge of the Seaman's Mess aboard HMS Undaunted, and his lovely wife Val visited me last evening for a long awaited dinner date. Prior to my return from South America in February Ginge and I had only met briefly once since my 21st birthday in 1967. It was through the pages of this Blog that we met up once more, and it was great to see you again 'Old Ships' (and Mrs 'Old Ships').

Ginge and Val with the 'Cook of the Mess' poking his nose in.

Obviously, much of the conversation was centered around the Grey Ghost of the Dorset Coast (the colloquially dubbed HMS Unwanted) but by the end of the evening most of the world's Sea Areas had been 'visited'.

On the crest of a wave.

With the black topped funnel marking, denoting Captain of the 2nd Frigate Squadron, HMS Undaunted in her heyday. Seen here carrying out a RAS (Replenishment at Sea) with one of the fleets oil/stores vessels, this maneuver requires best 'seamanship' practices by all concerned.

One of a whole flotilla of Type 15 anti-submarine Frigates she met a useful but ignominious end.

Towed hundreds of miles into the Atlantic Ocean, her final hours were as a target for Exocet missile trials.

Disappearing into the deep blue sea.

A Magpie Moth that strayed into the garden overnight, and then on to Ferry Bridge and the Bill. The only signs of birdlife at the Bridge were c2 Common Terns, as the Little Terns continue to feed young and incubate eggs.

At the Bill there were plenty of Large Skippers on the wing,

plus a representative of the ever growing population of Pheasants there.

There were c4 Common Swift feeding above Top Fields, which were bedecked with

Common Mallow

The best sight of the day came while coffee-ing at the side of the Observatory pond, as this Emperor Dragonfly commenced

ovipositing (laying her eggs) below the water service.

Thought to be Hedge Bedstraw

An overflying Fleet Air Arm helicopter is an unfamiliar sight over Portland since the Squadron was disbanded and the Heliport closed down to all except the Search & Rescue 'chopper.

Field Bindweed

A Falmouth (FH693) registered 'crabber' heads for Portland Harbour.

and finally, Upstaging the 'Dorset Echo'.

A bit of action to report from today's walk which will doubtlessly appear in the local press in a few days time.

Turning to leave the Ferry Bridge foreshore, palls of dark smoke were rising above Wyke Regis from a domestic house fire. It certainly looked serious enough, but as if to endorse that theory 3 fire fighting appliances raced to the blaze.

and reaching Sweethill, I encountered the Dorset Echo photographer snapping away at the Weymouth & Portland Dog Warden and a lady on horse-back. They were obviously there to further the story of a Stafford Terrier that, despite being on a lead, attacked one of the local horses. The story as I got it was, a young man taking his girlfriend's dog for a walk, lost control of the lead as the dog raced to attack what at first I thought was a foal. It turned out to be an adult of a small species of horse that the dog had quite badly bitten at the top of its front right leg. The dog owner then disappeared, but later returned to face the music, after which the story becomes dim. So you'll have to buy the Echo!

Wales Revisited

A late post yesterday wasn't my fault, I was forced into drinking 50 year old 'single malt' whiskey and 'fine red wine' while gorging on extremely good Chinese food, from 'Yum Yum' on Abbotsbury Road (advert) the best I've had since Guilin, China.

Guilin, China where just 2 years ago we watched the Cormorant fishermen catch much smaller fish than those shown on the TV advert.

after a hard day at the office, chiefy looks all 'Shagged' out!

Here are the culprits, Annie & Paul Harris who came round last night for a late celebration of Paul's 50th birthday. Armed with the afore mentioned '50 year old', it was all my pleasure to drink to the next 50 - Happy Birthday Mate!

On the doorstep at the crack of 11-30 (only joking) I found this Heart & Dart moth. It's been 16 years since I last laid a 'moth trap', seeing very few of these diverse insects except at the Portland Bird Observatory, so it was a 'mile-stone' to add this species to the garden list now standing at 5.

and returning briefly to the subject that is keeping me from enjoying my retirement to the full, I publish yet another point of view from long time local 'birder' Dick Morris who did in fact get through to my Comments page:-

Dick said... Aye aye Bagsy!
You already know of my thoughts about the RSPB! As regards Ferrybridge and the Little Terns I think we all know they are fighting a losing battle not helped by some inept Wardening and it was about time they left them to it (Terns that is). Build a big fence in March and hope for the best.

Which leads me on neatly to yet another e-mail to the RSPB:-

* From: Harris Paul
* To: Paul Baker , peter coe
* Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:57:14 +0000 (GMT)
* Subject: Fw: Little Terns

Gents, just for info, this is e-mail sent to Nick Tomlinson.
Bagsy, tried to post comment but it failed. I must be doing something stupid but will try again later.
Cheers

--- On Tue, 22/6/10, Harris Paul wrote:


From: Harris Paul
Subject: Little Terns
To: "Nick Tomlinson"
Date: Tuesday, 22 June, 2010, 18:43

Hi Nick, I trust this finds you well? To the point, I wanted to raise an issue with you re the Ferrybridge Little Tern colony. I had a call from Pete Coe last night. Pete had spoken to Luke at Radipole and was told by Luke (an RSPB employee I think?) that 'they' were going to Ferrybridge yesterday afternoon to ring Little Tern chicks. He told Pete they were doing this despite the fact that there were still birds incubating. To be honest both Pete and I were incredulous and I understand Pete made his feelings known at the time. This is a species that has just got back the tiniest toehold after years of failure. I simply cannot believe it is worth the disturbance at such an early stage in their recovery just to ring some birds. This especially so given that there are birds still incubating. Entering the colony would no doubt have flushed all the birds. How could anyone say with absolute certainty that exposing nests in this way would not allow any predators onto the eggs/young. Given the sterling work that has been done here to encourage the birds back, why risk failure with such a venture.

Is not Little Tern a schedule 1 breeding bird? Is the RSPB immune from the rules regarding disturbance of species covered by this schedule? I would be interested to know what permissions were given for this and from where? To my mind this is no different to walking into the reed-bed at Lodmoor and ringing Marsh Harrier chicks, also, as you know, a schedule 1 species. God forbid anyone comes up with that idea.
I look forward to your response.
Best wishes,
Paul Harris

My view:- I have known Paul for more years than either of us care to remember, one of that exclusive club of 'top rate' birders he is more content "getting on with it" than raising an issue. For him to do so highlights the seriousness of the desecration going on around here. The bigotry and intransigence that is the RSPB could never recognise this - have we all got it wrong out here - while they continue to loose support.

Return to Wales

You may remember a few days ago Bowie & Sheila and I headed off to Wales to 'twitch' the Marmora's Warbler, then headed to Kenfig Pool in search of Orchids. While there, Bowie headed for high ground, armed with GPS, in an attempt to find Fen Orchid. In his attempt, he stumbled upon a strange variety which neither of them had seen before. To be honest, his delight and arm waving at the top of the hillock was more akin to finding the end of the rainbow!

What I know about Orchids you could write on a postage stamp, so I copy their letter and photographs below.

Hi there Bagsy

Here are the photos of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, and I believe the Orchid to be Dactyloriza purpurella what I believe to be a variety of Northern Marsh Orchid. It is of the variety called atrata and its deep dark colour is referred to as 'hyperchromic'. In the Field Guide 'Orchids of Great Britain', Harrap states that in Great Britain this only occurs in Hartlepool, but my own research among fellow authorities, who have seen these photographs, fall 50% for D. purpurella (Northern Marsh) and 50% say D. praetermissa (Southern Marsh) so we are really no further ahead. Stan Jordan, who we met in the Scilly Isles, found 2 plants at Kenfig last year and posted photos on HOS; (link below), so we are still trying to fin a 'real expert' who can decide
http://www.hardyorchidsociety.org.uk/hyppraet.htm
what it is.
Regards Bowie (Lorne) & Sheila.

3 views of the Orchid in question.

Southern or

Northern

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly

and a couple of shots sent to me by a friend, no idea of origin.

Osprey with Carp.

Osprey with Trout.

Robin the Terns of Their Sanctuary

Modern technology is hardly my 'strong suite', and am wondering if indeed I haven't scored an 'own goal' in my quest for support in keeping the RSPB et al out of the Little Tern colony at Ferry Bridge, Portland? Since yesterday's post I have received 'dozens' of e-mails and telephone calls for help in posting a Comment, a process that is alien to me. However, all is not lost as over the next couple of days I will be able to include some of the e-mails on the Blog.

All of these Little Tern images were taken at Ferry Bridge, Portland

With every respect, we are all 'good kids' sat there night after night in front of the 'idiots lantern' watching Tiger bones being ground down to produce aphrodisiac potions, and Bear bile pumped from hapless creatures while still alive, but these serious infringements on wildlife are much closer than India or China. The 'globally endangered' Little Tern has, in recent years, had less than a toe-hold in the once thriving colony on Chesil Beach despite best effort of the Fleet Warden and his team, outside volunteers and yes the RSPB. Why then did the latter, at the very least, sanction an invasion of the colony by 'ringers' on Monday. By my own observations and hearsay evidence, there are at least 10 pairs of Terns, so far, successfully nesting in the colony most of which are still sitting on eggs. Even those with little more than a basic knowledge of wildlife know that the consequences of disturbing any bird at its nest can have a number of dire consequences from total abandonment to further risk to predation.

but for how much longer?

As afore mentioned, I talked at length to the RSPB Tern Colony Protection Team Leader, John Dadds, yesterday at the site where he assured me that a 'Risk Assessment' had been carried out by himself and his team. He informed me that there was some consternation among the group, with one member being adamantly against the idea, an element of don't knows but in the main an agreement that the project should go ahead. Now there's democracy for you! His own opinion was that there was little or NO risk, certainly not enough to abandon the idea, so the invasion went ahead.

This delicate, tiny bird, just 9" long migrates from West Africa, and back, every year.

It is of primary importance to remember that the Little Tern is afforded special protection as a Schedule 1 (the highest priority) species under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and as such those disturbing, interfering with or in any way damaging them are subject to arrest by the police.

Secondly, Mr Dadds told me that all precautions were taken to cause as little disturbance as possible and the ringing procedure was carried out with expedience. Not convinced, I will ,with similar brevity, make one or two observations.

(a) Once 'incubating' bird, or birds, are 'flushed' there is no knowing when they might return to the nest, leaving the eggs exposed to every kind of danger.
(b) While I would benefit the RSPB with having some kind of chart/plan/GPS coordination of each nest they are aware of within the colony, some may have been overlooked (the Little Tern is not the only species nesting within the perimeter fence) with any being vulnerable to trampling.
(c) Having spoken to a number of very experience bird ringers since, I have learnt that there is a complex series of documentation that must be fulfilled before permission is granted to carry out such actions. 'Hands up' all those who would like to view these papers.

(d) yes I know that's 4 observations. What value the equation of disturbance v scientific knowledge gleaned. There are many, including myself, who fully agree with bird ringing, where indeed would we be without it? However, the nub of this issue is the disturbance of a colony that is literally on the edge of extinction, and no amount of ringing or reasoning can replace that. The chances of there ever being a 'ring return' from one of these birds could be described as Nil, and also extremely unlikely of them being detected, with positive identification, on a returning bird.

and finally on this subject, for today at least, and having directed the reader to the link below, a word for the 'unidentified' Neil. He was the only person to take the time to respond via the Comments box, and while not a work of 'grammatical excellence', nor one that I agree with, I would vehemently defend his right to voice it! Strange then that all the way through he is at pains to state an opposite point of view then in the final sentence completely contradict himself.

Printed as publish by Neil, spelling mistakes and all.

"i would like to appeal to other readers to condone these unhelpful views And congratulate all those people working hard and deticated to bird conservation work in dorset . Neil"

Dictionary definition of the word condone = to overlook or forgive.

Thank you for your kind support Neil!

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/FD67AE6C-97A4-4974-B887-A7B7980C0170/0/littletern.pdf

* From: EdwinWllnd@aol.com
* Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:58:41 EDT
* Subject: LITTLE TERNS CHESIL BEACH

Mr Tomlinson

As I bird frequently in the Weymouth Portland area I along with many others was more than pleased to learn that the Little Terns on the Chesil were breeding and indeed hatched young.

To learn yesterday that the site of breeding had been entered by ringers to band these birds left me and others totally astounded. What on earth is going on here as this species has such a fragile hold on the Fleet ringing them is totally out of order causing massive disruption and disturbance to the birds of which they can well do without.

I along with others would like to know who is taking responsibility for this decision to take this intrusive action and that the full and proper permission was granted in the first place as it is outrageous and in my view totally out of order. In my experience this just a scene of complete self indulgence and would like to know your immediate answer to this as this species is almost minus on the recovery list.

I await with interest your full answer.

Regards

Edwin Welland

Edward Welland is the Chairman of the Portland Bird Observatory, but stresses that this is a personal view and not necessarily that of the PBO. Ed has had an active roll in birding and wildlife generally for 5 decades, having forged great respect throughout those fraternities.

and on a lighter note

Watch your back son!

The Lord of the 'Ringers'

Based on information received overnight, this morning I made a B-line for Ferry Bridge hoping to meet John Dadds (RSPB Team Leader for the Little Tern Colony protection scheme) or any member of that team. I could see from the 'safety' of Ferry Bridge that the incumbent 'lookout' in the bivouac on Chesil Beach was Danny ? from the RSPB Visitor's Center at Radipole, and knew from our last encounter there would be no value in approaching him. On that occasion, through a tirade of verbal abuse he clench his fists at me offering physical violence (what price RSPB Public Relations given his position). However, as I took up my position close to the Little Tern colony, the watch was changed (Danny purposefully giving me a wide berth) his relief being Mr Dadds.

We had never met before, but not surprisingly he was aware of me, particularly through this Blog, where in recent days I had praised his efforts and success with the terns this year, but had also, it seems, wrongly maligned him in the past. As the Little Terns started to arrive this year I was pleased to note that all RSPB works at the colony were completed, but a couple of days later saw John within the perimeter fence moving shingle. I interpreted that as invasive, took a photograph and produce it through these pages. I took his point that long distant viewing can present an obscure picture, as he was filling a breach in the fence and offered a personal apology, which I would like to extend to a public apology here and now!

We talked for what must have been over a hour, both conceding that some things could have been handled a little differently in the past (an alien attitude for me as far as professional RSPB personnel are concerned) but my main thrush was to find out if my informants had been correct in saying that Little Tern chicks had been 'ringed' yesterday. There was a definite reluctance about his answer, but he finally confirmed that c5 had been 'banded' but, he was at pains to point out, not by the RSPB. It took just 30 minutes to find out who had ringed these chicks!

In the 'birding' world news like this spreads like wildfire, and (excluding John Dadds) everyone I met today with an interest wanted both to discuss it and condemn the actions of yesterday. As I pointed out to most of them, there was a term in the Royal Navy for those who would sit in the messdeck bemoaning everything and doing nothing to resolve matters. They were called 'Lower Deck Lawyers', but you don't have to be in the navy to be one of them!

Since trying to bring some sense to prevail within the RSPB structure in this Borough I have been surrounded by LDL's, who to my face agree with most of what I advocate,but not a single so called 'conservationist' or 'lover of wildlife' has been prepared to publicly support, what John Dadds rightly called, "my campaign".

At this time I really don't wish to voice any more of my opinions save to say there is an opportunity here for anyone to make just the slightest ripple. At the bottom of this post is a COMMENTS link, all you have to do is click it, in a single sentence state your view about the happenings at the Tern colony yesterday then click Post Comments. This is available for all to read and will be read by those who continue to rip the hearts out of our reserves, and don't forget

The RSPB define 'SILENCE' as Success

For those unfamiliar with the terminology and situation described above, this colony is now believed to be the only one on the South Coast of England and certainly the most vulnerable. For many years the Fleet Warden Don Moxom has worked tirelessly to deter both predation and human disturbance (some in the name of conservation) but slowly the colony depleted with less and less Little Terns returning each Spring from West Africa. Over the past 7 years the situation has become critical, with just 1 (known) chick being produced during that time, and no breeding taking place at all last year. I still maintain that failure in 2009, at least in part, was due to the RSPB still erecting signs and banging in fence posts until mid-May, long after the birds had returned.

Among the Little Terns there was a single Whimbrel, but otherwise the 'birding' was extremely quiet.

c2 Little Terns waiting for the RSPB to leave the colony last year so they could get a look in. By back-loading this photograph you should be able to access 'Properties' and see when it was taken.

Hedge Bindweed

More of Old Weymouth

The Boot Inn

the plaque tells the story.

Weymouth Old Town Hall

Ditto the plaque.

Midsummer Madness

Light airs, bright sunshine and little cloud welcomed in the Summer Solstice, so calm being the wind the c5 merchant packets at anchor in Weymouth Bay were tide rather than wind rode. Across Radipole and in the cemetery, young birds were most predominant, accompanied by singing Chiffchaff and the usual Blackcap. With reference to the latter, so long has he been vocal now that should a lady happen along he'll be too knackered to do anything about it?

There were c3 young Pied Wagtails feeding at Pottery Lane,

while this Reed Warbler put in just a brief appearance before I came across both

this adult Moorhen and

the first juvenile Coot I have seen this year. Before leaving the reserve it was worth taking a shot of this handsome

Lesser Black-backed Gull before walking over to Lodmoor. There the story was similar

with this mother Mallard showing off her new brood, paying scant attention to me.

In the roadside ditch this Song Thrush was also busily collecting to feed its young. The first Common Tern chicks were being exposed to the world for the first time, while being continuously being fed by the adult birds. In addition there were about a dozen Black-headed Gulls (including a recently fledged youngster), c2 Lapwing, a flying Marsh Harrier and a Ruddy Duck.

It would be untrue to say there was 'nothing' at Ferry Bridge, but single Oystercatcher, the summering pair of Red-breasted Merganser and a few Little Terns were expected, while

at Portland these 2 juvenile Goldfinches were part of a 40+ mixed flock, along with Linnets,

and while not wishing to be branded sexist, a 'female' Broad-bodied Chaser (Dragonfly) should compliment the 'male' presented last week.

Out of the Archives

While at the Bird Observatory, the conversation turned to yesterdays discovery of a Tufted Puffin in Veranger Fjord, remote northern Norway, where Martin Cade, the Warden, had himself been in May last year. On that occasion he missed a Soft-plumaged Petrel by just 2 days, and now a second extremely rare bird had shown up again at the very same place. This generated memories of my first experience of this species in Alaska during my 2007 back-packing expedition, so here is a shot of

a Tufted Puffin taking off just south of Seward, Alaska.

This in turn led to a discussion about the differences between Marbled & Long-billed Murrelet and their very close relative Black Guillemot. A single of the later, almost exclusively associated with salt water (the sea), was once found in the fresh water area of Lodmoor, while both Murrelet's are just as likely to be recorded inland and often nest in trees.

Great Britain's first, and still only, Long-billed Murrelet was found at Dawlish Warren on 7th November 2006, and initially identified as a Little Auk, later being seen by many hundreds of 'birders' at Seaton.

This 'summer plumage' Black Guillemot graced the Buchan Alpha sea-area for several days, some years ago,

and at one stage photographed 'underwater' clutching an unidentified object in its bill.

and as I wended my way home, the Maersk Boston, which had previously been anchored in Weymouth Bay for 3 days, appeared as she rounded Grove Point.

The medium size Container Ship Maersk Boston heading in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean.

A Load of Rubbish - But Not In Exeter

So, did anyone notice what was 'missing' from yesterday's Exeter street scene photographs? I bet all the English readers did, as the complete absence of any 'litter' would be alien and immediately noticeable. I didn't realise such a clean city existed in the UK, so congratulations to residents and visitors alike for sticking to The Law and disposing of their rubbish in the proper fashion. As I understand it Exeter introduced 'on the spot' £80 penalties for any transgressors a year or so ago which appears to be working very well. A short period of harsh punishments would be welcome in Weymouth I know and feel would have the desired effect in very quick time!

I walk past these garages almost daily, but never even dreamed of what lay within. This morning, heading for the early bus, I encountered 2 gentlemen preparing their obvious pride and joy for a session of charity work at Poole Park. The Fire Engine is a 1963 Karrier, Carmichael from the Dorset Brigade,

while the 'pump' tender is a 1939 Dennis. I don't know the 2 gents concerned, but certainly they had more important things to do this morning than stand around 'yarning' to me. Let's hope we meet again soon.

The morning was bright and sunny enough, with just a light breeze from the west. However, as the day wore on or when cloud obscured the sun it was chilly, while at Ferry Bridge it was down right cold!

Black-headed Gulls have, to my knowledge, been absent from the area for the past couple of months but a few post breeding birds are now showing up here and there.

British Red-breasted Mergansers, in general, should now be in Eastern or Northern Europe engaged in breeding. This year, a pair have decided to stay in the southern reaches of the Fleet, but have for the most remained well away from human disturbance.

Today I watched the 'pair' leave the undisturbed waters adjacent to the Little Tern colony and swim across the lagoon and close to Ferry Bridge.

The female was content to sit on a rock, close to the bridge, until a passing kayak

put both birds to flight, sending them back to their sanctuary.

Once again on Portland there were few birds to report except for a good number of juvenile Great Tit (above), a mixed flock of about 40 Linnet/Goldfinch and a recently fledged family of Wrens at Culverwell.

There were of course Whitethroat singing from just about every available perch, seeming, as a species, to have done very well this year.

There were also a couple of comments on yesterdays post, one of which came from the Jellicle Cats

* From: DANIEL CAUTE
* To: captbagsy@waitrose.com
* Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:33:20 -0700 (PDT)
* Subject: Re: Thank You For The Music

Thanks Bagsy.

Great photos - you've pretty much covered the culture of the Jurassic Coast without once needing to focus on ammonites. Your record of Portland is particularly impressive because there is much wild beauty within this bleak and desolate place which requires 'seeking and finding'. You probably learnt how to 'seek and capture' at sea. Or perhaps it's the inner ability bestowed upon those born in the Chinese Year of the Fire Dog.

see you again soon

Dan and the Jellicle Cats

while from Jonathon Hudston, whose 'Real West Dorset' website is well worth a look, some kind words that can be viewed by clicking on 'Comments' at the bottom of yesterdays post.

and finally an unexpected 'year tick' as I checked my dhobying (washing) in my back garden this afternoon. Paying more attention to the 'heavens' than the job at hand, and with binoculars close by I watched a Hobby fly in from the south, and fly amok among the few Swifts that still remain. As a matter of trivia, the table top football, cricket, hockey et al games invented by Peter Adolph (1916 - 1994) was refused a trademark under the name Hobby (coincidentally Mr Adolph's favourite bird) so he resorted to calling it after the raptors Latin name Falco subbuteo.