The Moments That Make Up A 'Dull Day' - Pink Floyd

This was the bleak scene at Ferry Bridge mid-morning, looking back towards Weymouth.

The morning was met with heavy rain which looked unlikely to clear for quite a while, so I was force into starting to replace the sealant around my bath - now if that hasn't captured the readers imagination I don't know what will. The rain stopped coinciding nicely with the turn of the tide so made my way to the bus, via the cemetery where there had been a small 'fall' of Goldcrests, and Radipole.

Crossing Westham Bridge, the small numbers of wildfowl seemed to be congrigating close to the footpath allowing me some close shots of

Little Grebe,

the Hooded Merganser again plus

a sleeping Great Crested Grebe.

With only one hour of the Ebb gone there was still little mud to view but this juvenile Herring Gull and Mediterranean Gull made for a photo call. Dunlin and Ringed Plover were first to arrive as the water receded, closely followed by 4 Sanderling and a single Redshank.

A lone Rock Pipit alighted briefly as a slow trickle of Sand Martins flew over head and 10 Sandwich Terns arrived in dribs and drabs settling on the expossed sand to preen.

That's when today's best bird arrived

in the shape of a Red Knot which quickly disappeared onto the Bladder Wrack down by the bridge.

It took a bit of relocating to secure these shots, but in the process

3 Turnstones were also found this one seeming to be minus one leg.

That's when the rain started again making for an early retreat, maybe tomorrow will prove a little better weatherwise??

Finally, it's a pleasure to report that Spain have now reached 'treble figures' on the Stat Counter. Keep spreading the LINK please!

Nothing to Declare

There was more to be said about the weather today than the wildlife, with conditions changing hour by hour, but with the first bird of the day being a Yellow Wagtail flying over my house there was sign of promise. Things started a little cooler than yesterday with the westerly gale having moderated to a breeze, but by the time the sea-front was reached (with just a single Dunlin at Radipole added to the list) the sun was shining brightly bringing with it some warmth.

My friend Janet Reed had enlightened me to the 205 service from Weymouth to Portland Bill, on which the 'bus pass' is valid, so thought it well worth a try. I shouldn't have been surprised when both Janet and Johnny turned up to catch the same bus, while between us we did our best to welcome 2 lady visitors to our town and set them on the right walk around the Island.

The most numerous migrant at the Bill were Wheatear numbering about 2 dozen along with a few Meadow & Rock Pipits.

There were also a few Alba Wagtails both White and Pied, but apart from 3 Lesser Black-backed and a single Great Black-backed Gull it was like the grave. Under these windy conditions the sea is always dramatic

and worth photographing. This image is looking from the active lighthouse (on the Bill) along the East Cliff towards the Portland Bird Observatory.

The Obs Quarry as its known locally, on a good day a fine catchment for migrating birds, but not today!

Finally, on the way home it was worth a stop at Chesil Cove as 8 Grey Phalarope had been seen there earlier in the day. Reaching the sea wall I bumped into Ian Dodd, also recently arrived, who updated me on the number saying there were 10 seen within the last hour. We both saw 8 but at great distance only getting any sort of idea when they took to the wing. Together we visited the foreshore at Ferry Bridge but this was most disappointing with just a few Dunlin, Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling. It was at this point the squall arrived from West Bay and had it not been for Ian I would have been soaked - so a fast return to base.

Let's hope we can do a little better tomorrow.

In One Hand, and Out The Other

Very windy, gloomy, overcast with some light rain was how the day started, but it did brighten towards the afternoon becoming relatively pleasant. The cemetery was all but devoid of bird-life, while at Radipole the first interesting sighting was a flower.

I think this could be Hedgerow Cranesbill? but feel sure someone (John) will put me right if not!

Seemingly escaping the gale force wind, there were 16 Grey Herons lining the edge of the lagoon

while a 17th took to one of the perch rails, while a steady trickle of Sand Martins passed overhead to the south.

I find it almost impossible not to photograph Gulls, particularly one of my favourites

a First Winter Mediterranean Gull.

Walking towards the Westham Bridge Sluices it was clear the wind had also been busy blowing the Horse Chestnuts (Conkers) from the short avenue of trees but had to recall that in my boyhood none would have remained on the ground for long! Do children still play 'conkers' or have the Safety Police banned that as well?

Not seen for a number of weeks now, the Hooded Merganser is again showing on the lake and getting back into smart plumage again.

Little Grebe

At Ferry Bridge among others were a single Bar-tailed Godwit, probably as many as 40 each of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, a single Turnstone and 3 Sanderling.

A lone Wheatear, not at all cooperative, was likely waiting for a lull in wind speed,

a brief appearance of a Little Stint (archive photo) was followed by the arrival

of these 3 Sandwich Terns, the one to the rear being a juvenile, and what may have been the same Arctic Tern of yesterday?

Seeing a 'live' Cockle Sp on the foreshore is now an uncommon sight, and while I take no delight at witnessing any ones misfortune, there was an irony to this

Bookable Offence on the car park. Earlier I had resorted to using the telescope in the Fleet Visitor's Centre to confirm the identity of the claimed Little Stint. While there it was unavoidable listening to this lady talking to her friend, describing how she has successfully made quite a few pounds from the recent claim by the new Tesco Supermarket on Portland. They say that if you can find one of their products cheaper elsewhere they will not only give it to you for free but also refund full amount, and also give a 'credit' compensation. Continuing she said she has committed most Tesco prices to memory and keeping a mental note of her purchases she claimed to have made an average of £15 per week of late. Leaving the Centre and seeing the traffic warden I alerted the women to his presence, but too late to save her a £60 fine. Never mind, by my calculation it will only need 4 weeks in Tesco to recoup the damage!

and finally, a short video clip of the tidal action at Small Mouth (Ferry Bridge) this morning. At 'spring tides' particularly, it never ceases to amaze me the volume of water that passes through this narrow channel. Hope the film tells the story!

Deborah - T Rex

Sheila, I think Bowie's had too much to drink (but I'm alright).

Last nights party would have been fine had it been contained in my house, but being invited to return to Bowie and Sheila's for a Gin & Tonic (or 2!) as a nightcap it degenerated into a 'great evening'. The film, Master and Commander, is an epic and would have been totally enjoyable had Howard not preempted every scene having seen it before, but then everyone needs a hobby?

So, up at the 'crack' of half past 10, I bye-passed the cemetery and Radipole to catch the last of the ebb at Ferry Bridge and was not disappointed to find a few

Turnstone,

an Arctic Tern, 5 Sanderling, a few Dunlin & Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel plus the presumed same 2

Bar-tailed Godwit.

When you receive an e-Mail with no fewer than 3 PLEASES it would be difficult not to comply with the request. Obviously my friends Deborah Tessier and Simon Earwicker are missing Portland very much, asking if I can give them an update of the happenings at the Observatory and surrounds, which will be a great pleasure.

Unfortunately for you Deb there was not a single sole at the Obs, but I did see Curtis Gould on my way past the Barns, always a great pleasure and laugh.

Looking back on myself.

The Higher Light and the 'oldest' of the 3 Portland Lighthouses.

Portland Bill (the latest and active lighthouse) from above Culverwell.

Bet you know where this is Deborah? Portland Bird Observatory housed in the second oldest of our lighthouses.

Across the wind swept Portland Race.

Towards Cheyne House.

The Eight Kings public house, Southwell.

Fortuneswell from the Chesil Beach sea wall.

Chesil Cove the southern most end of Chesil Beach. There have been 2 Grey Phalarope here for the past few days which, not through lack of trying, I had not seen until today. Only one was seen, too distant even to raise the camera, but one is enough!

Winter plumage Grey Phalarope Norfolk, England 2005.

A couple of shots from the archive of this most unusual Wader. Unlike the rest of the family the 3 Phalaropes are happy feeding in open water, both fresh and salt, by swirling in small circles bringing invertebrates to the surface.

Summer plumage Grey Phalarope Barrow, Alaska, USA 2007.

and finally, in answer to your last question Deborah

Happy and I'm smiling,
walk a mile to drink your water.
You know I'd love to love you,
and above you there's no other.
We'll go walking out
while others shout of war's disaster.
Oh, we won't give in,
let's go Living in the Past.

Once I used to join in
every boy and girl was my friend.
Now there's revolution, but they don't know
what they're fighting.
Let us close out eyes;
outside their lives go on much faster.
Oh, we won't give in,
we'll keep Living in the Past.