Mister Blue Skies - The Electric Light Orchestra

WOW! Firstly today, we take great pleasure in welcoming the Caribbean Island of Aruba to the readership the 135th 'country' to do so. Here's hoping you enjoy the slant on another way of life and would ask you to pass the link on to everyone you know - Best Wishes!

Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao, it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles, the southern island chain of the Lesser Antilles.

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Sun is shinin' in the sky, there ain't a cloud in sight,
It's stopped raining 'n every body's in a play and don't you know
It's a beautiful new day hey,hey!

and so it was until entering the cemetery this morning to find the carpet of Primroses, Bluebells, Sweet Violets etc, that I have been reporting in recent days, no more than a pile of mulch.

Having written to the Council for at least the last 10 years the message just isn't getting home, it being almost as if they time the mowers to destroy the height of these wild flowers blooming.

It is my strong belief that it will be those who should be protecting these precious gifts that will, to a great extent, be those who destroy them. Unfortunately, this was not the end of the disaster, as I crossed the road to Radipole to find a forlorn

Steve Morris (who I described yesterday as 'The Robin Man') armed as usual with his tin of live maggots, but today awaiting the arrival of the County Environmental Office who he was hoping would save the nest of chicks also reported yesterday.

The 'pipe-layers' who have already decimated much of the hedge almost the full length of the Radipole Nature Reserve, are now rapidly approaching the Robin's nest site having already disposed of a Dunnock's home. Yes, we all want our gas, water, electricity etc, but which 'prick' at the Council PLANNED to have this work done at the height of the breeding season. I can only assume they had taken their guidance from the RSPB who are past masters in this department.

Anyway, not to worry, to quote Dee Stephens the Dorset Manager for Natural England about this time last year when she said, "it doesn't matter if the RSPB dig up a colony of Southern Mash Orchids as there are PLENTY more on the reserve". Where do they get these tossers from????

Such language is not usual on this site, but perhaps needless to say I for one am seething!

There was nothing to report from Radipole but meeting up with Daragh again at Lodmoor, very soon

2 Little Ringed Plovers were entered in the notebook as were a number of other Waders including 2 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, a Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit and of course the ever present

Long-billed Dowitcher. I hope saying this isn't the 'kiss of death' as just last night my birding friend Jo Lawrence wrote to say she would be down for a weeks 'birding' in May, and could I get the Dowitcher to stay that long - I'm working on it Jo, while Daragh also sends his regards.

Returning to the viewpoint over the Salt Marsh, we were soon to hear the familiar screech of a Common Tern,

with first one, then

3 and finally c7. This small group, which are likely the first to return to the Moor this year, were all in

full voice, carrying and passing fish and prospecting what has become a traditional breeding site, 2 islands constructed by the RSPB.

The Common Moorhen was of course present, as where several Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, a female Marsh Harrier and a steady trickle of Swallows. With a lift part way from Daragh I was able to take a close look at the progress on the re-paint of the Jubilee Clock, and as I did so another familiar sound fell on my ears.

A single Whimbrel was slowly flying across Weymouth Bay, letting out its most distinctive 'trill' as it quickly disappeared over the house, adding another species to my Year List. (archive photo)

This is how you will be greeted when you visit this Magic Island, but I arrived this morning to an equally welcoming sight, what might be described as A Tern for the Better!

At least four Little Terns were perched on the small mooring buoys just inside Small Mouth, but

I only reported 3 at the Observatory as the distant bird in this shot was overlooked.

For those not as familiar with this dainty little sea-bird, here is another archive shot.

In the same area were 5 Sandwich Terns and 6 more Common Terns, but today not a sign of any Red-breasted Mergansers. Continuing to the top of the Island and Barleycrates Lane, there were both Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers in the garden of an abandoned house, while there was a second

and third Sedge Warbler as my walk progressed. In addition there was a steady stream of Swallows flying north along the cliff, later to be joined by a single Yellow Wagtail, a couple of Stonechat and plenty of Linnets and Meadow Pipits.

After a welcome cup of coffee at the Observatory, this Wren put in a brief appearance, while at home my attention was caught by a ruckus caused by the local Gulls. This, I thought, could only mean one thing, the arrival of an early and first Honey Buzzard (ever the optimist) but no, it was only this pair of

Herring Gulls

having a bit of fun on a rooftop. The final record of the day was of a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, as they passed over my house, but this was not to be the last story.

My neighbour Shaun was telling me this morning how leaving his house yesterday he heard a screeching that he thought worth investigating. Reaching his garden gate, there in the middle of the road was a Sparrowhawk, wings spread, and with a firm grip on a Starling both yelling at the tops of their voices! Enter the local black Moggie, which quick as lightning jumps onto the Hawk which looses its grip on the Starling. The smaller bird flew away and within seconds the Raptor also shakes free flying straight into another neighbour's car, leaving the Cat bemussed. As far as is known, all 3 are doing well!

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!