Hear, Hear the Pipes Are Calling - Scotland the Brave!

The predominant feature of today's weather was the 'cold' as this morning cars were once again covered in frost while I was very soon wishing I'd "ne'er cast a clout" (ref:- ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out, meaning don't remove any clothing until the May blossom is in bloom - arguable). However, it wasn't long after 07:00 that the sun started burning through the light cloud and things got a little warmer, but leaving the lee of Radipole for the sea-front and the easterly wind it was Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Difficult to say exactly how many Goldcrest there were in the cemetery, but after about half an hour trying to count the different birds singing, the conclusion was at least double figures.

At Radipole the counting became a little easier as there were 4 male and 1 female Bullfinch, c6 Chiffchaff and c10 Greenfinch. Both Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were also vocal with the latter becoming less reluctant to leave cover.

At the concrete bridge this Great Crested Grebe was just crying out for a photograph

as was this most obliging Dunnock.

This small 'mob' of Coot looked quiet sedate posturing with beaks in the water and tails held high,

until breaking into a fighting fury attempting to attract a mate.

Absolutely nothing of note along the promenade, not even a ship in the bay, but on arrival at Lodmoor I immediately met up with Darragh who quickly pointed out this

distant Sandwich Tern (second from right) my first for the year. He had also seen the

Spoonbill, that has been here a few days now, which was also some way off. Together we continued around the reserve noting an increase in numbers of

Shelduck, some seemingly arriving as we spoke, plus one particularly obliging

Robin. As we continued along the north perimeter we witnessed a fantastic avian sight, although again too far away.

This pair of Great Crested Grebe at first close together, neck stretching and posturing before swimming apart, each collecting a bill full of marine growth then closing again at great speed.

At this point, breast to breast, there was much head shaking, crest erecting and exchanging of gifts,

much of the weed clinging to their plumage, before parting company again. Wonderful stuff, just a pity the pictures weren't a little closer.

The bad news arrived just a little further on as I viewed the handiwork of the week-end vandals who set fire to the main reed-bed. There may be more to be said about this as the week draws on and we get the opinion of others?

So, it was on to Portland where at the Top Fields my first sighting was of

my friend the lovely Horse Lady Annie. Also an ex-Royal Navy rating we have much in common and always lots to talk about. Great to see you again my dear! At the Observatory I had a small duty to perform as requested by e-mail from New Zealand. Denise Rathke , sister of Mike Munro who feature in yesterday's post, complete with Barn Owl box, wrote to say how pleased she was to see the photo and asked if I could give him a big hug for her. I can report Denise that Mike got all 'hugged up' this morning, and also reciprocated - but "I'm not in love, so don't forget it, it's just a silly phase I'm going through" - 10CC.

The good news was that the Hoopoe was still in attendance (here complete with Grub), plus they had caught and 'ringed' a Firecrest (along with Goldcrest our countries smallest resident bird) both of which I went looking for.

The 'Crest' was once again not to be, but as can be seen from these images

the Hoopoe was putting on one hell of a show.

Finally, on the way to catch a bus home, this

Chiffchaff stopped catching flies

long enough for me to capture these shots.

All else of note is the finalisation of my next trip away, with coach, flights, car hire and some accommodation booked and paid for prior to heading to Scotland for a week at the beginning of April. I will endeavour to bring you daily reports as ever.

It's Been A Long Time Coming - Beverley Knight

In line with just about every other human being on the planet, my thoughts today are very much with the people of Japan and more particularly the residents of Sendai on Honshu Island. Every day of April 2007 was spent travelling the full length of this mystical country, and despite the scenes of devastation on our TV sets I'm sure some places were familiar to me. Stopping off for a couple of days, literally placing my life in the hands of a complete stranger, the memory lingers long with me.

One simple rule on my travels is, never turn down the opportunity of trying bizarre or weird foods and Fugu, the deadly Japanese fish, was a not to be missed moment.

I sometimes think that if Chef had been a beneficiary to my will, he may not have done such a good job,

but I survived the platter. Note:- in the 'vintage year' of 1958 there were 176 reported deaths from this delicacy in Japan.

This was the view from my hotel the following day - Heaven!

It was an early start to get an early bus this morning, as the text announcing the arrival of a Hoopoe at Portland Bill coincided with my lunch date of yesterday. The short walk from home threw up

c32 Carrion Crows (this being about half of them) in the trees along the redundant railway line, while in the Harbour

most of the Charter Skippers were engines ready and getting underway. Among them Lone Shark III, under the skillful command of Richard English, who I have enjoyed some fantastic fishing with in Sharks I & II but am yet to sample III. "Tight Lines" Richie!

I rarely phone the Observatory for information, but today the 'twitch' overtook me and was pleased to hear Martin confirm that the bird was still present. On the way HMS Ocean was still cruising around off the Bill and in far clearer conditions took the opportunity to bring you a better picture.

The only other maritime movement was the small freighter Arklow Raider "Butting through the Channel in the mad March days" - John Masefield's poem 'Cargoes'. Then suddenly, there it was flying right across my track, but soon landed on the Common not far away.

The Hoopoe

Front

Back plus

Port and

Starboard. There was no sign, for me at least, of the Black Redstarts today, nor did I see the Firecrest but a single Wheatear had put in an appearance at the Reedy Ditch so I was already well pleased. All of this 'birding' is alright if you have nothing else to do, but there are those who have to complete the building of the Equipment Shed in Helen's Field!

I 'clicked' Mike Munro just as he was about to leave the Obs, complete with a single Barn Owl and several 'small bird' nesting boxes (made out of off-cuts from the main building) which will be the final touches to the construction. It is hoped that Mike's family and friends in New Zealand enjoy reading this in the knowledge that he is happy and healthy (except for the knees after nailing the roof on).

So, what has been 'a long time coming'? Well, shortly after biding Mike farewell, Duncan Walbridge arrived and told me of presence of

Little Owl at the Grove. In all my years of bird watching I had never failed to see this species at least in the first month and mostly the first few days of the year, but it has taken until now to add it to the 2011 GB Year List.

Searching the quarry site on the east of the Island, one bird was seen for a split second but what must have been a second was photographed taking the sun as these Owls often do.

PS - it should be pointed out that the Sam Cooke, Beverley Knight, Tom Jones et al song isn't in fact titled It's Been A Long Time Coming (this being the key refrain of the lyric) but A Change Is Going To Come. I guess in the case of Little Owl either would fit, but know which I prefer.

Calling in to Radipole on the way home in hope of a Sand Martin, none were seen but the abundance of blossom (this being Blackthorn) more than compensated for this.

Just a few Martins have already been seen and this week should see more, but for now I was content to look at this Willow blossom

and this of an unidentified fruit tree (along with Gorse) before heading home.

Paul Harris sent me this image of a maritime (binnacle) table and 2 Captain's bow chairs in the recently refurbished Ship Inn, Weymouth Quay, and to end should just say how nice it was to see Niel Arnold and Christine today - see you again soon I hope!

Puffin & Blowin'

What seemed an unlikely, but no less welcome, addition to the World Readership List today Iraq joined our ranks at number 131. A little known country to myself, I hope one day to discover its secrets of history, fine art, architecture etc at first hand. For now, a huge welcome is extended and the hope that our new visitor will increase the readership further by passing the 'link' on to friends and family!

While Mike Munro and Richard Newton continue their fine work constructing what will be the Portland Bird Observatory farm equipment stowage, I was gathering pace across Top Fields making haste for the Bill in hopes of seeing a Puffin.

One the way, this far more obliging Kestrel than yesterday,

landed right in front of me paying no attention to the clicking of the camera.

Same as yesterday, both Black Redstart were still in the Bill Quarry today accompanied by c3 Wheatear but there birds were reluctant to be photographed. A cursory search for the Purple Sandpipers again came to naught, but

out to seaward the Helicopter Carrier HMS Ocean hove out of the mist, and by my calculation if she maintained course and speed her ETA Wyke Church would have been 08:45.

Fortunately, without my help, she altered course to starboard passing the Observatory at about 2 miles, heading for Portland harbour. It was about that time the Puffin showed up, flying in from the south and landing on the sea followed by a second that continued on to the cliff.

An obliging Raven also flew directly overhead, and landed briefly on the Common,

while at the entrance to the Portland Bird Observatory, this Pheasant perched on the wall, looked every bit like a Sunshine Sentinel. A report did arrive of a part albino Blackbird just a few fields away and later a Hoopoe was seen close to the Lighthouse, I missed both.

As if to make up the disappointment, our good friend Tracy Baker jogged past the bus stop continuing her training for the Iron Man Challenge later in the year. The wave of course has to be shared with Joy.

The highlight of my day was saved for this afternoon when I met up with my

eldest daughter Julie, her partner Nigel and Hannah who we will always consider a family member.

We all enjoyed our meal at Bella Italia, but not as much as the Italians who's rugby team beat France this afternoon.

This was Hannah as a child on one of our trips to London.