Rosie Oh Rosie - Don Partridge

Not even out of my front gate this morning a Peregrine was seen in a 'stoop', but it was Wrens and Wood Pigeons that predominated as songsters in the cemetery this morning, but not to be outdone there was also vocals from at least 2 Goldcrests. It must have been the sun that once again got the chorus going, and except for just a thin cloud cover and a slight chill on the light, easterly breeze it was set for another fine day.

At Radipole the man who feeds the Robins had already done his work, with this one busily feeding young, while not too far away my first

Lesser Whitethroat, one of my favourite Warblers, of the year was 'reeling' away in a tall bush. Apart from a couple of dozen Sand Martin and the now daily throng of Chiffchaff, Blackcap plus Sedge, Reed, Willow and Cetti's Warblers it was time to move on to Lodmoor

but not before noticing how the Sedges are now growing apace.

It still seems there is no end to the roadworks that have plagued Weymouth for over a year now, this is King Street looking towards Radipole

and south towards the Jubilee Clock which is also still undergoing refurbishment.

Arriving at Greenhill, it was a case of the 'same old faces' as I see this chap roller skating along the Prom most mornings, and on the Moor I was quick to join up with Daragh for a wander round. He had already seen 2 Ringed Plover plus a Little Ringed Plover, which were not relocated, but it was not too long before we found

a pair of Shoveler,

the late staying pair of Wigeon (noting today that the female has somehow damaged her right wing) and

the Long-billed Dowitcher that also shows no sign of leaving.

This Sedge Warbler holding territory on the southern perimeter path, must now qualify as most photographed Warbler in the Borough so obliging is it,

while one of the 2 pairs of Oystercatcher appears to be incubating eggs?

At the end of this leg of my walk, a Mute Swan put to the air, overflying this

lone Black-tailed Godwit feeding in the margins. There were also 5 Wheatear, 3 Little Egret, singles of Lapwing and Fox while in Weymouth Bay at least one Great Northern Diver is still present.

Ferrybridge held little more than 3 Sandwich Terns and a few Red-breasted Merganser while at Barleycrates Lane the

resident flock of House Sparrows are engaged in some serious nest building.

On the West Cliff it was noticed that the conversion of the almost derelict Blacknor Fort is now close to completion, and I would guess that this almost ruin has now been upgraded to one of the most sort after properties on the South Coast? Also along this section, there was an almost continuous trickle of Swallows flying in.

At Reap Lane there were an estimated 50 or so Wheatear in one of the fields

and on reaching the brow of Culverwell hill, it could be seen that there was some action close to the Portland Bird Observatory but unfortunately it was not 'avian'.

No, in fact it was one or the other of the national TV companies filming a series called 'Spring Watch'

and you could hardly access the Obs for cameras and cables.

However, the television crews seemed to be hard at it, and filming very soon began

with probably the presenter being recorded at the top of the Lighthouse.

Leaving for home, I was lucky to meet visiting 'ringer' Ian Lees and photographer Ivor Porter who where about to leave for home. Thinking they had left yesterday and I had missed saying goodbye, it was good to do just that today as there company has been excellent value - safe journey both and see you next time!

Continuing towards home, it always most interesting to note the diversity of insect life, with this 'red-eyed' creature possibly being a Cluster-fly,

and this Butterfly being a Speckled Wood my first of the year. Omitted from yesterday's post, was the sighting of several Orange-tip Butterflies which was also a first for 2011.

Finally, this bright blue flower caught my eye and with reference to the Field Guide looks every bit like Green Alkanet?

and a PS for Rosie Morgan who, quiet rightly, corrected my grammer this morning:-

(Short) Shrift? Not a word you hear every day. In fact, apart from in this expression, it is now so rarely used that it's hard to think of a shrift that isn't short. The verb form, shrive, is also now an almost forgotten antique. A shrift is a penance (a prescribed penalty) imposed by a priest in a confession in order to provide absolution, often when the confessor was near to death. In the 17th century, criminals were sent to the scaffold immediately after sentencing and only had time for a 'short shrift' before being hanged.

Tea For One - Joe Bonamassa (Led Zeppelin)

This morning was as much about expectation as anything else, as the Rare Bird Alert among others had, at close of play yesterday, announced the arrival of both Ortolan and Cretzschmar's Bunting in the county and not a million miles apart.

Even at 06:00 the weather was warm and by the time I got to the bus stop at 07:00 the sun was shinning, the sky was blue and the wind nothing more than a zephyr a day set fair for a good walk. With a little time in hand before the first bus, there was time to pay a short visit to a mate I hadn't seen for many a month, and as his anglers for a charter fishing trip were already boarding

Flamer IV, in the inner harbour, it was great to see

Skipper Colin Penney after such a long time. So out of the picture I I hadn't realised Flamer III had been superseded by a new generation boat. The promise of a pint at a later date, the bus dropped me at Ferrybridge where there was even more action as again unbeknown to me the annual Dorset

24 Hour Endurance Challenge was well underway. The chap in the orange coat was an official, but the other 2, competitors, had left Studland at 18:00 yesterday evening to start the course that would take them along the Purbeck Peninsular via St Alban's Head, then along its west coast, via the notoriously steep Bat's Head, to Ringstead, Osmington, Preston, Weymouth, around the Portland Coastal path and the Bill and along the Fleet to Charmouth close to the border with Devon. This by my estimation is close to 60 miles, which would 'puff me out' if I took the bus, good luck to all participants and organisers, and of course your charities!

As for birds, there were a total of 9 Sandwich Terns ( a couple perched on the small mooring buoys) plus

3 Mute Swans flying south high above the

Chesil Beach before loosing altitude and disappearing behind the West Cliff, Portland.

Before continuing my journey to the Bill, it was noticed that the Thrift (Sea Pinks) are now in bloom and when the 'carpet' of flowers is complete I'll endeavour to bring you a picture!

Walking Barleycrates Lane to the cliffs

an un-photographed female Redstart was seen, along with this far more obliging Dunnock,

while along the coast dozens ofGarden Snails were taking advantage of the overnight moisture and this

small boat fisherman was busily pulling his Crab pots. There were quite a number of bird watchers on the hoof today, but unfortunately the birds were not playing their part as most were sitting on the Observatory veranda 'yarning'. Not that I mind this one bit as it gives opportunity to catch up with those who have been absent over winter. John (JR) Ricards being one of those who's repertoire doesn't end at 'birding;. His knowledge and conversation on the subject of contemporary music is, I hope, in line with my own and this morning was no exception as we wandered through Jethro Tull, Yest, Genesis et al, before realisation that we had both discovered Joe Bonamassa at about the same time. With that, he kindly loaned me 3 of Joe's albums, containing a number of tracks that I have not thus far heard one of which is on the Juke Box as we speak.

Natural Break - have just had to get out the 'Air Guitar', free with the February edition of Classic Rock Magazine, and play the 'lick' from New Day Yesterday, then turn my attentions to his rendition of the Zeppelin classic Tea For One - you really ought to keep me away from such things JR, but thanks anyway!

That's when the Tree Pipit got caught in one of the mist nets, and the conversation turned dramatically, another 'first for the year'. Thanks to Peter Morgan (el Prof) this was also added to the 'Bird in the Hand' photo file. After this there was little in the way of bird action, and as fellow 'birder' and friend Julian Thomas had decided to investigate the Ortolan, I was only too happy to keep him company on the drive to Christchurch.

On the way a Jay put in a brief and distant appearance, while one of the 2 pairs of Garganey (Ducks) were showing, but only via the telescope, across the lake - an addition to the Dorset year List. It was obvious the couple of dozen people across the watercourse were looking at our target, and very soon we joined them only to find the bird being less than 'showy'.

However, Ortolan on the list, is Ortolan on the list and

slowly but surely it started

to show more of itself

giving decent 'scope' views

and not too bad for a photo or two.

Part of the vast expanse of Longham Lakes and

some of the 30 or so other 'birders' enjoying not only a Year Tick, but my first ever 'spring' Ortolan.

Among those in attendance was, of course Julian left and for the second time this year George Green, author of The Birds of Dorset and co-author, along with Martin Cade, of Where to Watch Birds in Dorset & Hampshire. Having not seen George for about 6 years prior to the White-tailed Eagle in February the 'No 68 bus syndrome' kicks in and there he was again - good to see you George!

Home was now very much on the cards, but there 'pager' crackled to life to tell us of a Night Heron seen at the River Stour Country Park but last reported flying downstream. As luck would have it my dear friends the Dampney's just happen to own this 'beat' of the river, and were more than happy to welcome both Julian and I to make a search. All in vane unfortunately except for a second House Martin of the year for both of us, and

this Wood Pigeon sitting on eggs. However, neither Julian or I baulked at the Cider and Chocolate Cake served on the patio after the event - Good to see you Hugh. Janet, Daz and Kath, see you again as soon as I run out of food or good wine!

Robert Plant 1948 - Forever!

It was directly to Portland this morning, in the hope of a good 'fall' of migrants but in the event, along with the weather, things were much the same as the past few days. A quick look was all that was needed at Ferrybridge as there were only 2 Shelduck on offer, while further on at Chesil Cove the 3 Garganey of last evening also seemed absent.

The 3 Garganey at Chesil Cove yesterday © Martin Cade the Warden of Portland Bird Observatory. In my view a splendid shot!

Before reaching Helen's Field, a short walk from Sweethill, 2 Grasshopper and a single Sedge Warblers had entered the log, followed by a Swallow and a few

Wheatear

a couple staying long enough for a photo.

At the Obs, Duncan Walbridge had brought along the best overnight catch from his 'moth trap' a Brindled Beauty that is the first on record for Portland. Meanwhile, the 'ringers' were also having a degree of success catching mainly Willow Warblers, then out of the blue came the first

Reed Warbler caught this year

which a couple of us onlookers were happy to photograph.

Cowslips are also starting to appear, as well as my first 'wild' Arum of the year - Lords & Ladies which had grown at an angle making it impossible to photograph.

However, Chiffchaff,

Linnet

and Common Whitethroat

all proved a little easier in this department, as did

this flying insect (there had been a 'hatch' with quite a few on the wing) that could be one of the Ichneumon Flies, but I have no idea which?

and finally, a return to last night and to Lyon!

Robert Plant
(the man who's going to present me with my Lottery cheque)

My dear friend Andy Lindsay had alerted me to the BBC4 documentary last night, followed by an Electric Prom concert, performed at The Roundhouse, London by the former Led Zeppelin vocalist and present day solo artiste RP. There was also a call from Julie, my eldest daughter, just to make sure Dad wasn't missing the most sensational songster that ever lived, ably assisted by vocalist Patti Griffin, guitarist Buddy Miller, the Oriana Choir and his own current group Band of Joy.

The first time I saw Robert Plant was soon after he Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John (Bonzo) Bonham had formed the legendary 'Zeppelin', in fact it was at the 1969 Bath Blues Festival the very first time the band ever played an 'outside' gig.

My last encounter with the irrepressible Robert Plant was at the Theatres Antiques in Lyon,

France when, in 2006, Jim the Medic took me for a 60th birthday 'run ashore'.

A few beers before the gig were very much in order, and as Mr Plant once said when referring to his 'barnet' "sad old hippies always keep their hair long", know what you mean Bob!

The 'flower seller' brought a splash of colour to the day.

Lyon Cathedral overlooking the ancient Roman amphitheatre.

Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation on stage.

Goodnight Ladies & Gentlemen.

Jim the Medic, after the ordeal.