Woodman Spare That Tree - Please!

With rain predicted, and some having fallen overnight it was very much a case of 'get out and enjoy it while you can'. This plus full cloud cover had made for far milder conditions and with the wind no more than a gentle breeze I was out there! In the cemetery, Redwing and Blackbird continue to congregate in the fruit tree, but the bird highlight was a silent male Blackcap and a vocal Coal Tit atop the same fir tree. The sound of rushing water was next to be detected, and on investigation it looked every bit as though someone had pulled the pipework away from the inside of the Council tool shed with a full bore of water spurting everywhere. I reported it.

Things were fairly quiet at Radipole, the best being a couple more singing Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail but there were also 6 species of Gull including c42

Mediterranean all having a wash and brush up. This adult has nearly attained full 'summer plumage' while

this one seems to have just started the transformation.

Med & Black-headed Gulls

Herring Gull

Black-headed Gull. The other 3 were Great and Lesser Black-backed and Common Gull.

A male Teal passed close enough for a shot, but it was now time to walk the sea-front to Lodmoor. On the beach there I met up with Daragh Croxson who was able to direct me onto a Red-throated Diver in the Bay, before we moved to the Country Park to look for among others,

Brambling, here on the right. Very flighty, this is the nearest we could get. Here too were a good number of Redwing, far less Song Thrush, a couple of Mistle Thrush plus maybe as many as 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Rook was also seen on a telephone wire, and if you believe the 2010 RSPB local Reserves Report, we were extremely lucky to do so. In their pamphlet they describe this common and numerous Corvid as an infrequent and rare visitor to the area???? While on that subject it is also of note that they have included a record of Common Swift in February (earliest ever in Dorset by a Royal Mile) and a skein (the collective noun for Geese in flight) of Red-breasted Geese. My prediction, these 2 species will hybridise around about Christmas Day this year! To complete the RSPB knocking (but only for today) I would love to know why they found it necessary to 'MURDER' what, on the face of it, looked to be a perfectly healthy Sycamore tree on Beachdown Way. In the past I have personally recorded Goldcrest, Firecrest, Yellow-browed Warbler and both Pied and Spotted Flycatcher in what 'was' the only mature tree along that path.

Woodman, Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me, and I'll protect it now.
'Twas my forefather's hand that placed it near his cot:
There, woodman, let it stand, thy axe shall harm it not!

That old familiar tree, whose glory and renown
Are spread o'er land and sea, and wouldst thou hew it down?
Woodman, forbear thy stroke! cut not its earth-bound ties;
Oh, spare that aged Sycamore, now towering to the skies!

When but an idle boy I sought its grateful shade;
In all their gushing joy here too my sisters played.
My mother kissed me here; my father pressed my hand
Forgive this foolish tear,but let that old tree stand!

My heart-strings round thee cling, close as thy bark, old friend!
Here shall the wild-bird sing, and still thy branches bend.
Old tree! the storm still brave! and, woodman, leave the spot:
While I've a hand to save, thy axe shall harm it not.

George Pope Morris - 1830

Just couldn't resist this Moorhen, and as the rain started I decided to call it a day just as this

Black-tailed Godwit flew in

and began to feed quite close to the path.

Calling in briefly for a pint in the Swan, Weymouth, I bumped into a couple of Mates not seen for a while. Chas and Dale are former publicans at the George on Reforne, Portland but first met when I was still a member of the Warrant and Chief Petty Officer's Mess at HMS Osprey. It was great to see you both again, good luck in Germany Chas and I still can't believe your a grandma Dale!

and to continuing the Omani theme of the last couple of days.

For much of 1976 I was lucky to be part of the Dive & Salvage Team working at the Marine Division on Masirah Island, Oman, certainly one of (if not the) best jobs to come my way. Mainly inspection and refurbishing the navigation and mooring buoys this was a contract directly for the Sultan, but as a convenience we were accommodated at the Royal Air Force Camp. Temperature alone precluded any work outside of the hours 07-00 to mid-day, so there was plenty of time to pursue the multitude of recreational facilities including 'birding'.

The DUKW (colloquially known as duck) is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was designed by a partnership under military auspices of Sparkman & Stephens and General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious attacks. The designation of DUKW is not a military acronym – the name comes from the model naming terminology used by GMC. The RAF on Masirah Island had one of these contraptions, but were at a loss to ever launch it for want of a driver with a Marine Ticket. Between us we had 3 such qualifications and while we were on the island it barely ever left the sea. Each member of the RAF was on a 12 month posting to the base, and were ever eager to show visitors and guests around their own, sand filled, department.

High jinx were a huge part of such a posting, and the pilot of this Hercules Transport plane rued the day, as a new boy, he complained of not being able to see the aircraft directional landing 'bats'. With these giant copies, and under close supervision, I was allowed to land the aircraft and direct it to its stand.

This little fella was being 'stoned' by local children so I saved its life - it was by no means singular in the 'stoned' department!

We were also invited to fly on tactical missions, this one was a run down to Salalah in the desert, part of which was a 'beat up' landing at each end of the flight. A simulation of running into enemy mortar fire whilst landing, the plane would touch the deck then at the steepest angle and highest speed possible beat it out of there. Sitting in the co-pilots seat with that much G force was an indescribable sensation.

Local children, whose homes left a little to be desired, but being so close to a military base their families enjoyed plenty of job opportunity plus free medical care etc.

Fishing was a huge part of the recreation and with the 'duck' we could get off-shore to some very productive wrecks where

Grouper, Snapper and these Bull-head Bream were plentiful.

Men That Go Down To The Sea In Ships

January seemed rather slow in passing to me, but now it's over there's time to reflect on the most prolific first month 'birding' I have ever had. 2008 was the closest total with 157 species seen, while this year the tally reached 176. In addition 14 mammals were seen, including the Brown Rat that scampered across my path on the way home, so am looking forward to adding a few more during February.

A grey, dank start to the day but as yet no rain, however as indicated by this rainbow above neighbouring houses to the west, it wasn't too far away! As I keep an 'on going' Dorset Month List, the most obvious start to the month had to be the Waxwings frequenting the berry bushes just a mile or so down the road, where I arrived at 07-45 this morning. There was a full three quarters of an hour wait, during which time the light drizzle had started,

but that's when c4 birds flew in.

Unfortunately, only 3 were ever close enough together to fit the same frame

but nonetheless all were most obliging.

Veracious feeders, they were picking berries

at a great rate of knots,

sometimes doing a little flick into the air

and occasionally passing from one to the other, which is not unusual.

Unfortunately this 'passing' ritual was not photographed, but just about every other manoeuvre was

until seeming satiated, they then flew off.

Moving on to Langton Herring, I encountered a number of Pheasant, this one probably feeling 'lucky' a this is the last day of the shooting season, while further ahead there was a small covey of half a dozen Partridge. Expecting Red-legged as being the most common of the 2 much reduced populations, it was a real bonus to see they were in fact Grey. There was a moment when I considered one of them might be a Red-legged but have never witnessed the two species in a mixed party. If anyone has witnessed this phenomena I would be most interested to hear about it. It wasn't long before they disappeared into the wood, and as I approached Herbury Gore and the waters of the Fleet, there was much 'whistling' of Wigeon, 'cackling' of Brent Geese plus the high pitched 'calls' of a few Redshank, all of which were seen. However, I was here to witness a far scarcer sight than this, and after a very short scan of the Kale fields came across the huge bulk of c2

Great Bustards

Part of the Salisbury Plain project to reintroduce what is the heaviest flying bird in the world,

a few are now starting to range quite widely with a number having been recorded in Dorset airspace. Unfortunately, locating these birds coincided with the start of heavy rain which, coupled with their ever increasing distance away, didn't allow for the best of photographs.

Such great range belies the true size of these Turkey size monsters, but just briefly a Carrion Crow settle close to them looking like a Starling by comparison.

The project relies heavily on Russian wheat farmers, on the Steppe, to find nests with eggs which they sell to the programme

and while there have been fatalities, by and large all is going well.

and changing the subject completely, I was surprised to read this article in the latest edition of the Free Portland News. It has been several years since I have read a copy during which time it has grown from a 4 page 'flier' to a 72 page 'tome', so to find myself featured in it was quite a shock. Seems Charlie Richards, who quite rightly describes himself as a fellow 'birder' had recalled this incident and thought it worthy of publication, I must agree and at some stage intend sending a reply.

I hope this scan is readable, but by 'left clicking' on the article this will enlarge it, then by clicking the image once again increase its size further still.

What with this and yesterday's encounter with the Royal Omani Navy, it had me scurrying once again to the photograph albums, hoping that these pictures will be of interest to the readership?

This is the Ocean Salvage Tug 'Confiance' (a French word for confident, but has no other connection with that country other than the name) seen cutting across Portland Harbour.

Here she is again this time in Chatham Dockyard undergoing a refit. I remember first clapping eyes on her as she lay to a mooring buoy as part of the Reserve Fleet in Porchester Creek, Portsmouth Harbour, looking every inch forlorn for her 6 year stay there.

The moment I put may hands on her controls I realised she was just right and was so determined, as the Chief Officer, to get her 'shipshape & Bristol fashion', let's just say I was not the most popular bunny in the hutch! Confiance carried out many major tasks and in doing saved a number of lives, there are still those who approach me today and reminisce about all the hard work we put in to make her the smartest in the Fleet. My ex-wife once said to me that she considered I loved that ship more than her, and how RIGHT she was - that's why she's EX!

A 'Motley (but fantastic) Crew' back row l to r are Stoker Jack Locke, Stoker 'Taffy' Williams, Chief Stoker Dougie Baker, Able Seaman (AB) George Greenwood, AB Gary Cluet, AB Richard Brooks, front row l to r Chief Engineer Dennis Westcott, Captain Albert (Curly) Hanger, Me, AB Steve Garrnet, AB Jim Creasy, Bosun Stan Robers and Second Engineer Conrad McCautrie. Some of whom, particularly our Portland & Weymouth readers will remember well no doubt.

One of the smaller jobs we undertook was to free a 20 ton Mk 8 Naval Gunnery Target from around the West Shambles Buoy just a couple of miles off of Portland Bill.

In a heavy sea and rapid tide there was no other way except for 2 of us to jump onto the target

and bolt crop the 4" wire tethering it to the buoy.

This done and a new tow secured, it was considered far to risky for us to get off so had a rather cold and wet run back to port.

and by coincidence, this is the Royal Omani Naval Vessel 'Dhofar' being towed through the English Channel on a training exercise.

Finally a couple of late items, whilst referring to Phil Collins as an amassing drummer, I did of course mean amazing, but it did generate a little mirth for Andy Lindsay and Sheila Edwards so I got something right.

Also I attached my Year List to the Surfbirds web-site and seem to have perplexed one or two when describing myself as "Patriotically ENGLISH, even though they have stolen our identity". By this I mean we, along with the Scots, Northern Irish and Welsh, are the only countries in the world that do not have our 'Nation of Birth' on our passports. I for one strongly resent having to live under the collective banner of the United Kingdom - let's get out on the streets and make the Students Protests look like a Vicarage Tea Party - Power to the People!

and it is hoped that I can remember to change the header photograph every month????

Asalam Alaykum - Oman

By and large, the local cemetery has been overlooked during the past few days, and so on the last day of the month it was worth prolonged scrutiny today. There had been yet another night of hard frost and it was only the diminished wind speed and total cloud cover that prevented it from being 'bitterly cold'.

Entering the north section of the graveyard first my hunch was almost immediately rewarded with the discovery of a 'pair' of

Blackcap (male) and

Blackcap (female). A Warbler, one of just 4, that can be seen with a degree of certainty during the winter months in England, the others being Dartford and Cetti's Warbler plus my very next sighting a

Chiffchaff. It is unheard of in my little world not to see one during the month of January, but as previously stated it was the final day before it was added to the Year List. Over the road, the favoured fruit tree once again came up trumps as I counted 50 Redwing flying in and out before confusion prevailed as to whether they were in or out bound. It was indeed a 'Thrush' moment all round as Blackbird too was plentiful, Song Thrush nearly reached double figures, Fieldfare were represented by c2 birds as a Mistle Thrush also obliged by flying overhead.

At Radipole some of the lake had once again frozen over, but seemed to have attracted a few more wildfowl, particularly these Teal, plus more Shoveler and Gadwall.

This mornings 'Jesus bird' (walking on water) was represented by this Grey Heron, but it was now time to hurry on view the 'low water mark' at Ferrybridge. There, c2 of both Shelduck and Curlew were present as were just a few Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Mediterranean Gulls but the number of

Little Grebe had increased to c9 (these are just c7 of them) my highest count of the winter.

The day I tire of Portland is the day I hope to 'fall off my perch' and while there is always great and unique beauty here, today under a leaden sky with the sun trying its hardest to peep through it just seemed to have an extra dimension which spurred me to share a few of the scenes with you!

Walking the East Cliff south and towards the Portland Bill Lighthouse, there are 3 of these 'sheer-legs' used to raise and lower small boats used by the pot fishermen to catch crab and lobster (take it from someone who knows, these are the best in the world. If you know differently, I'm all ears).

One of a number of sea caves along this stretch of coastline and directly above this is what has become known as

The Whoosh Hole ( due to the noise the sea makes when forced through the cave and upwards). Carved out by the power of the sea over many decades, I remember in the 60's a hapless yacht foundering just off-shore and becoming jammed in the hole - oh for a photograph! From here,

you can see the second of the boat cranes, the active lighthouse at the Bill and to the left the Trinity House Obelisk.

In this closer view Soweto by Sea can also be seen. A mass of wooden sheds that go under the heading of Beach Huts, but love 'em or hate 'em there here to stay!

This is Reedy Ditch fed by off-spill water from the surrounding farmland and a spring, which coupled with the bushes at Culverwell (above) is a superb catchment for birds. I doubt there would be many disagree that headliner in this was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a trans-Atlantic vagrant, that appeared here in 1979. While I was more than content to end the month with a Chiffchaff and a huge total of 176, in the relentless search for more there was at least one plausible addition - Little Owl.

However, with a predator on the loose there was little (NO) chance of seeing one at the first traditional site. Can you see it yet?

This Black Cat proved lucky for neither me or the Little Owl! This is the moment the silence was shattered by an overflying aircraft.

There was a time when Portland was a veritable Hornet's Nest of helicopter activity, but since the Royal Navy disbanded the Heli-port at the north of the Island these 'petrol pigeons' are now scarce. Every reason then to suss out what this 'low flyer' was up to

especially as it 'landed' just west of the Bird Observatory. Being a bit of a 'Shrinking Violet' and a 'Nosy Git' there was only one course of action, bowl over and get the buzz. Met by 2 of the attendant company, one had a Royal Navy badge on his woolly hat which simply implied 'game on'. I did suggest what they were doing might be 'SECRET' it would be understandable if they couldn't divulge what was going on. I then suggested that if that were the case, physically knocking the information out of them was an option. In true RN fashion this was taken as the humour it was meant to be, and these 2 hilarious lads gave me the guff.

The Royal Omani Warship 'Al Shamikh' (photograph © Martin Cade) is undergoing 'maker's' (BAE) sea trials, and today was gunnery proving. The 'chopper, on hire to the builders, was being used to measure and calibrate the gunfire, for more information (recommended) visit the link below.

A timely reminder of my own visits to this fabulous country -

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCcQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tradearabia.com%2Fnews%2FDEF_190697.html&rct=j&q=bae%20oman&ei=vf9GTaPJOsi6hAea_PGCAg&usg=AFQjCNHwBRm06BRukikEX3xhdqWBHgO4IQ&sig2=kyzzSAt3PM-kLIyYHik3lw&cad=rja

Redwing were much in evidence on my way home, and this

Common Buzzard was far too

tantalizing not to loose off a few shots.

the final 2 items include my continuous whistling today of 'Goldfinger' as we learned of the death of magical composer John Barry. No need to expand on this, save to say his compositions will live forever!

and this e-mail from my encounter yesterday with Ian and Rachel, I'll let them explain:-

* From: Rachel Foster
* To: captbagsy@waitrose.com
* Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:58:30 +0000
* Subject: Well Hello!

Hello Bagsy.
Returned to Rugby teatime and have just perused your blog... wow! can`t believe our photo is up already... THANK YOU!!!
what a lovely character meeting you today was a truly awesome moment!
Tried to find you on Facebook, but no luck.. if you look for me my name is Rachel Foster and Ian Haynes.. look us up and add us.
Love and peace

Rachel and Ian x

I simply hope ALL my meeting are the same as this!