Nobody's Fault But Mine - Led Zeppelin

Leucistic Herring Gull?

There's a question mark against yesterday's White-winged Gull at Charmouth Beach as someone has suggested it might be as stated above. Looks like I've made a 'cock up' (but N'sFBM) so have changed the captions on all of my postings and made the appropriate apologies. Anyway, I'll make best efforts not to let this happen again.

So swiftly on, and what a blessing that at long last we've had a day of continuous rain it felt like the homework would never get done! Great progress has been made in this direction, with the ironing completed before 08:00 after which I settled down to booking the next trip away after Scotland and sorting the logistics. Another trans-Atlantic adventure for June and July, much of which will be over familiar territory as I always promised myself that one day I would return to the

Alaska Highway. I also decided before the turn of the year that 2011 would be a chance to further a few ambitions and complete some travel ideals. The main thrust of this trip will hopefully be to find 2 of the 3 outstanding Gull species I have yet to see in the world (notwithstanding the above, I may be able to correctly identify these) and to visit the final 3 US States not yet seen. The Gulls are Yellow-footed and Red-legged Kittiwake each at the far extremities of this venture, the first being in Baja California, Mexico while the other will take me to the Pribilof Islands in the Bearing Sea.

Thus far the 4 day Pribilof trip is booked and finalised as is the return flight (Heathrow - Los Angeles LAX and flying back from Anchorage, Alaska to LHR) and the coach from Weymouth to the airport return. Next I need to book a 30 day Greyhound Coach Discovery Pass, which will take me through the 2 unvisited States, Utah and Idaho and as far north as Whitehorse in the Canadian Yukon. Unfortunately there is no coach service to the first of the States, Hawaii, but I'll think about the logistics of that when I get to LAX,

My start point, as before, will be El Segundo Beach which will present more Gull identification problems as hybridisation between the species is rife. Anyway, it'll give me something to do! From there as afore mentioned it is hoped to make it to Hawaii, anywhere will do, followed by a run down to Baja. The 2 remaining of the Lower 48 will be next before cutting back west to pay my respects to Jimi Hendrix in

Seattle, Washington skyline

where there might be a Western Tanager en-route?

will be by-passed this time as will a number of other excellent little stop-offs such as Newport, Oregon, where this

Northern Flicker was seen, and Merced in the same State.

Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia is an absolute 'must' as it holds just about all the American ducks at one time or another, not to mention close up views of Bald Eagle.

The start of the Alaska Highway proper is Dawson Creek, known as Mile Zero, then it's a long way to go through the

to Toad River where we stayed in the little hut left of picture. The tap water was like neat sulphur, but the small lake at the back produced no fewer than 21 species of Wildfowl during a 3 days stay.

This is also the highest point on the Alaska Highway, a few miles south of Toad River, which was clear of snow when we arrived but a 'white out' before we left.

Here I am hoping to meet the Leake family again, so will have to make some contact before then. Heather left and Colin with family and friends - what a place!

Others I will be most anxious to see again will be back-woodsman David Cartier and his Japanese wife Toshia who drove us, via

the 300 miles to

just inside Alaska, effectively the end Highway, from there it's a mere 200 miles to Anchorage, the largest city in the State but not the State Capital. There should be time to visit a couple of reserves before flying to

St George in the Pribilof's and then on to St Paul Island.

Returning a few days later, the intent is to take the train once again to Fairbanks cutting through some of the most fantastic scenery in the world, plus a 'must do' visit to

Creamer's Field Dairy. No longer anything to do with milk, the aptly named farmer gave the whole place over to the nation on his retirement, to be kept as a 'wild-life refuge' and 'bird ringing station'. The speciality here are the

Sandhill Cranes which often occur in the 'hundreds'.

Little 'Drummer' Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie

A little on the grey side this morning, but mild with some moisture in the air were all soon forgotten as a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard 'drumming' (excavating a hole in a tree) in the cemetery, while at the same time what could have been its partner flew off to the west. I don't know if Great Spot's have nested here before, it would be a surprise if they hadn't, as the setting is perfect while among the many mature trees there must be endless food. Perhaps needless to say I will be keeping my eye on the situation.

On Radipole, Chiffchaffs continue to sing, while there was a third GS Woodpecker plus half a dozen Redwing, but the limelight was stolen by the arrival of

c16 Sand Martins, not unexpected but a welcome addition to the GB Year List. Not at all easy to photograph on the wing and at some altitude, this silhouette was the best I could do!

Otherwise, Cetti's Warblers continue to get more bold by the day, Water Rails seem to have fallen quiet and there were a few more Gulls than yesterday including these sub-adult Herrings in various stages of plumage.

Now, please don't confuse my next move with a text received yesterday and confirmation of the sighting of an adult Glaucous Gull at Charmouth on the Dorset Bird Club web site, no it's just that I thought it would be nice to take a ride on the X53 bus and see what turns up. Yeah, alright!

No disrespect meant but I have never been over enamoured with this village, the church dating from 1836 being about the only notable feature, but get down to

the sea-side and it's quite a different matter. Immediately west of the small promenade is a section of 'land slip', but no means as dramatic as those between Seaton and Sidmouth, but just as interesting (always a fantastic walk), while a little further along

Lyme Regis can be seen, with its world famous Cob jutting out into Lyme Bay. Oh, hang on a second, that Gull looks rather pale wonder what it is?

Now that's a lucky discovery that I uncovered all on my own, an adult

Glaucous Gull.

A little distant and at all times in the full glare of the sun (moan, moan, moan) but what a bird!

To continue with the Geography lesson, to the east stands Golden Cap

and a little closer so the reader can see that it is the highest point on the South Coast of Great Britain (another fine walk). I did spend a full hour looking at the Gull, but this was punctuated by texts and phone calls alerting others to its continuing presence

plus a look at this tiny Black Crab

Before heading back to catch the bus, I did check-out the Heritage Centre and the Beach Cafe mainly to advise potential 'twitchers' that both are open every day, times at the weekend being 10:30 to 16:30. Well worth a visit to both I would say. Good Luck to Meirel Whaites and staff at both establishments. PS (sorry) there is also an excellent Fossil Shop which, I was advised by potential buys, is excellent value compared to others along this coast!

Close by I found this map of the Jurassic Coast, one of the best I've come across, and feel sure it will be of some interest especially to our overseas readers who might like to get a better idea of the 'lie of the land' here. Right Click on the image, then right click on it again to magnify.

and just when you thought you'd got Far From the Madding Crowd! It's rare I go far without meeting someone familiar, and what nicer couple would you wish to meet than fellow Portland Observatory friends Phil & Sue Johnson taking a walk and the sun on their own turf. Great to see you both, and don't forget that coffee!

On the way back to Weymouth I took a few shots of Dorset scenes, through the bus window

starting with Symondsbury, just west of Bridport and tucked in the valley between Colmer's & Old Warren Hills.

This was followed by a shot of Bridport itself, looking up the High Street from the west, a town I always consider, in the nicest possible way a 'time warp'. Little seems to change here except for the sometimes frantic music scene.

While finally, I was almost able to get the full length of Bucky Doo the West Bay 'gig' being launched at the fishing village slipway.

Welcome back Bowie & Sheila from your Orchid Expedition in Cyprus, glad it was a success. Thank you for the cider, which I needed after the warmth of the sun on that bus, plus the Marzipan and plain chocolate Bounty Bar, you know the way to a man's heart.

and finally, I have to mention the coincidence of having tea with Annie yesterday and today's star bird. It was just 20 days over 2 years ago that we first met on the beach at Swanage, while photographing my last Dorset Glaucous Gull (by MY, I mean, like today's bird, initially found by somebody else) and she was collecting the most minute Cowry shells I have ever seen.

So, with that in mind I dedicate these photographs of the Swanage bird to Annie!

adult Glaucous Gull, Swanage 25/02/2009

Another Good Day In The Field, and Elsewhere

Despite the wind having backed into the north east, it was a little less chilly this morning but it was altogether more blustery. It may well have been the strength of the wind that laid most of the bird life low, with barely a tweet coming from the cemetery and even the Gulls had completely abandoned the north end of the lake at Radipole.

Not so the car park further on, as I found this still maturing Great Black-backed Gull among the small flock of Black-headed Gulls, but there was nothing more to keep me here.

With the blow directly in my face the walk to Lodmoor was bit of a struggle, but as it turned out well worth every pace. This extremely striking Lesser Black-backed Gull, appearing 'all legs' was just the start, as meeting up with Daragh he whetted my apatite with the prospect of

Little Ringed Plover which, according to his account of things, were found by fellow birders Niel and Christine Arnold yesterday. There were in fact c2, my first of the year, while only a few feet away a Water Pipit, still in winter plumage, was an addition to the Dorset annual total. c2 Marsh Harriers were also seen, and as if to try and keep some symmetry

c2 Spoonbills were also there. Before leaving the Moor c3 Bearded Tits and a single Common Buzzard were recorded while this

lone Moorhen made for a decent picture.

At Portland Bill there were even leaner pickings, and while the Hoopoe of recent days was still there it didn't come into my view. There were however c2 Goldcrest in the Obs garden as was this Bumble Bee.

Returning to Radipole in the hope of a Sand Martin it was a case of photographing anything that presented a decent image. This bathing Coot was fair game

as a male and

female Gadwall past by within 'clicking distance'. Another female Marsh Harrier was quartering the reeds in the vicinity of North Hide,

and this Black-headed Gull, swooping for bread was also worthy of a shot, as was

a far more obliging Small Tortoiseshell than the one yesterday.

From here I headed for the Weymouth Pavilion where there was an exhibition and explanation of the proposed 'wind farm' intended for an off-shore site between Purbeck and the Isle of Wight.

On the way the Police helicopter was seen in action, apparently monitoring an accident somewhere in the town, and at the event also had a long overdue meeting with a lady I met on the beach at Swanage 2 years ago. Annie and I enjoying a nice cup of tea and an all too short chat, but it was great to see you again nonetheless!

The 'GB Year List now stands at 189