Caribbean Queen - Billy Ocean

The Netherlands Antilles (our 14th Caribbean Island [Group])become the 154th country to join the readership today, and in traditional fashion we extend a warm welcome and hope if you enjoy the read that you will pass on the 'link' to many others. Thank You!

Otherwise, with absolutely no changes in the weather or bird scene whatsoever, it has been by and large a dull day. Given the state of the tides recently (an early morning ebb) I have somewhat neglected the cemetery and Radipole lately, but that was redressed this morning.

Little but a few Goldcrests at the former, there is now a good show of 'berries' on various bushes that should help our feathered friends in weeks to come. This Holly looked well laden, while

a Cotoneaster, growing up a gravestone, looked more aesthetic that fruit barring.

The Yew Trees, synonymous with graveyards in the UK, are looking good too, but it was now time to cross over to Radipole. Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail could both be heard long before arriving on the Reserve, while withing a few yards

these 2 Eurasian Wigeon hove into view

along with good numbers of Mallard, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler. In addition there were still good numbers of Siskin flying overhead as a lone Kingfisher announced its presence with a piercing 'peep'!

Along the approach path to the Visitor's Centre a number of Bearded Tits could be heard 'pinging' away in the reeds, with c11 flying across the path and others staying put. Total number not known. On the still exposed mud there were c2 Black-tailed Godwit along with this Little Egret,

but it was this unusually 'rufous' Snipe (Species) that caught my eye! Luckily Bob Ford was on hand to provide not only a telescope but also some help with identification,

with the most likely call being Common Snipe. However, I am still not sure about this, so have past the photos on to others who might be able to sort it out one way or the other.

Arriving at Ferry Bridge, there were probably as many as 70 Brent Geese feeding the falling tide, but most took to flight and headed off down the Fleet before I even made it to the Bridge. In addition there were c3

Sandwich Terns,

an Arctic Tern, a single Bar-tailed Godwit and without an accurate count would have to say in excess of 30 Mediterranean Gulls.

Holy Diver - Ronnie James Dio

A note for any readers visiting this site via the links on the
Portland Bird Observatory website.
As 'birders' you may find interest in the posts of Tuesday 4th October and 14th July 2011 ref
'dark phase' Long-tailed Skua!

Another great start to the day, as not only did a Grey Wagtail fly overhead at the exact same spot as yesterday but a Firecrest was also letting out its gentle call from the bushes at the north end of the Rodwell Trail.

This, the smallest of all Great Britain's breeding birds, surely has to be in the Top 5 of every bird watcher in the land. Photo from the archive.

A close relative is the same size, Goldcrest which was also represented by about half a dozen along the full length if the trail. Another reasonable day weather wise still on the mild side, with short bursts of sunshine breaking through an otherwise overcast sky while the fresh breeze still lingers in the westerly quarter.

As stated before the Rodwell Trail follows the course of the now (unfortunately) redundant Weymouth to Portland railway line along which rail workers must have grown a variety of fruit trees plus other plants. This example, loaded with fine fruits, is inaccessible so should provide a good supply of food for Redwing and Fieldfare when they arrive from their northerly breeding grounds.

In addition there were a couple of Bullfinches, always a treat to clap eyes on, small parties if Long-tailed Tit, while on the wing and seemingly migrating south were Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and

good numbers of Siskin unfortunately too high to see let alone photograph.

At Ferry Bridge, for the third day running, I was greeted by a small skein of Brent Geese, this time 7 and a little further on

19 Mediterranean Gulls in a feeding frenzy, catching I know not but there was a good deal of squabbling going on over whatever it was.

Portland was once again very quiet, but this Kestrel did pose for a couple of shots, while down at

the Bill both Turnstone and

Rock Pipit were also content to linger.

The report of Condor around here only ever refers to the Cross Channel Ferries which ply the route from Weymouth to the Channel Islands on a daily basis.

On the way home I once again called in to see my mate The Secret Lemonade Drinker, who allowed me to liberate this Hummingbird Hawk-moth from his garage. Unfortunately, before I had time to photograph this extraordinary 'flier' it succumbed to a severe case of death - Amen!

Before leaving, Gary showed me this fine 'resin cast' of this Hard Hat Diver meticulously correct in every detail.

Of mutual interest to us both, as at one time or another we have both been professional divers ourselves, although neither of us ever used this equipment known as Standard Diving.

Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles

A note for any readers visiting this site via the links on the
Portland Bird Observatory website.
As 'birders' you may find interest in the posts of Tuesday 4th October and 14th July 2011 ref
'dark phase' Long-tailed Skua!

Arriving onto the Isle of Portland proper, the first place you encounter is Victoria Square which bounds the north end of Chiswell (pronounced Chisel) Village before starting the long and steep climb through Fortuneswell and onward to Top Hill. As I ascended this morning all that had been seen were 2 Grey Wagtails, and given that the wind had 'backed' to the west with the sky still looking grey and the wind a little more than a breeze it seemed likely that this would be all the bird-life likely to be encountered this morning. But there's much, much more to Portland than birds!

Almost at the top of New Road stands 'The Spirit of Portland' a tribute to the 2 traditional industries on the Island. Facing north, a Fisherman hauls his crab pot

while looking in the opposite direction the Stone Mason wields his hammer.

Only a few short steps further on at Priory Corner you realise the climb was hardly worth it - yeah alright. Still my favourite view in the world despite having looked across the Iguassu Falls, Taj Mahal, Nazca Lines et al, show me anywhere to top this!

Apart from the expanse of West Bay and Chesil Beach on the left, Wyke Regis nestles in the background, with Portland Harbour middle distance and Fortuneswell & Chiswell underfoot.

Ride the Scree - Genesis is what the quarry spoil here reminds me of as it tumbles down the cliff-side.

However, the target of my desire today was Tout Quarry and more particular the southern end.

On the way you have to pass by Lano Bridge said to have been built by the Quarry Man during his meal breaks. There is a plan afoot to refurbish this simple but magnificent feat of hand built stone craft.

The whole area of this now redundant quarry, owned by The Portland Stone Company, has been kindly given over to the public at large and has been utilised by budding masons, sculptors and visitors alike.

The Stone Circle is used for religious ceremonies by Dolmen, Druids and the Elfin to name but a few

making quiet and peaceful homage at this Arthurian style site.

You don't have to walk far to find some of the sculptures, with children well entertained looking for the likes of The Bear,

Elephant and

Bison. It would be impossible for me to visit the Island without calling into the Portland Bird Observatory, and while on the way all I saw were a pair of Blackcap today was more about Moths. Long before reaching the gates, the 'jungle drums' had rattled out a message of a RARE find in the Moth Traps overnight.

Rare indeed, this Egyptian Bollworm should be no closer to Portland than the Mediterranean and is only the second specimen of this insect to visit the Island, and I think only the 6th for Great Britain. Other, more common, Moths caught overnight included:-

Shuttle-shaped Dart

Beaded Chestnut

The Delicate

Common Marbled Carpet (all by kind permission of the PBO Warden)

while The Vestal was caught by Richard Lambert in his Weymouth garden.

Big In Japan - Alphaville

Neon on my naked skin, passing silhouettes
of strange illuminated mannequins.
Shall I stay here at the zoo, shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes.
You did what you did to me now it's history I see
Things will happen while they can, I will wait here for my man tonight
It's easy when you're Big in Japan

Of the many hundreds of Siskin that must have flown overhead here in the past few days, there has barely been one visible, only betraying their presence by a distinctive call. Today was to change all that as within a few paces of home 2 flew overhead at such an altitude that some colour was discernible, as did wave after wave of Meadow Pipits. What had brought them down from the heavens is not known as weather conditions remained similar to previous days, except there had been a noticeable reduction in wind speed.

Having been alerted to the week-end arrival at Portland of one of the Royal Navy's latest warships, by my friend Janet Read, I noted, stepping off the bus at Ferry Bridge, that she is secured alongside the Outer Coaling Pier. The first of what are known as 'stealth destroyers' HMS Daring is on a 3 day visit to the port and during this time will be open to the public (well we did pay for her!).

A quote from her Master Captain Robertson tells us that just one small part of the capabilities of this technologically innovative vessel, equipped with an air defence system, would be to track and destroy a target the size of a cricket ball travelling three times the speed of sound.

Not quite as fast as that, but seeming like history was repeating itself, 3 Brent Geese flew across Portland Harbour, as three did yesterday, but instead of disappearing over the Chesil Beach

they landed briefly on the foreshore allowing this shot. Also, there seemed to be double the number of Ringed Plover and Dunlin while for quality a (the) Bar-tailed Godwit plus a very vocal Whimbrel and 5 Mediterranean Gulls were also recorded.

Walking the Top Fields while heading for the Observatory, the sky was alive with birds but only more of the same, except for a single male Brambling (among a small flock of Siskin), a few Swallows, a Raven and 4 Stock Doves.

All else on this wander was the amount of Woody Nightshade in the hedgerows and what might be described as a Grasshopper.

Being only the second specimen of this fine insect ever to be found on Portland, it was thought well worth exposing to a wider audience. My own pathetic attempt to secure a decent image came to naught, so Southern Oak Bush-cricket comes to you © Martin Cade, Warden of the Portland Bird Observatory.

A short visit to see my mate Gary White, enabled me to fulfill what as been a small but niggling musical ambition, long overdue. Having drawn up a list of my favourite 20 'Hit Singles' ever, Gary transposed my discs to CD format so I might play them in continuous and preferred order, especially on the i-Pod.

Never content simply to do the recording and hand it over, the innovative 'Secret Lemonade Drinker' decorated the discs with what he knows to be my favorite motif. The 4 North American Indians ('tooled up' and ready to go) are surrounded by the words "Homeland Security, Fighting Terrorism since 1497". The records concerned are:-

1 Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix
2 Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
3 Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
4 Badge - Cream
5 Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello
6 Will You - Hazel O'Connor
7 Lady Willpower - Gary Puckett & Union Gap
8 Night of Fear - The Move
9 In Dreams - Roy Orbison
10 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles

11 Up the Junction - Squeeze
12 Big In Japan - Alphaville
13 Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
14 Every Day Hurts - Sad Cafe
15 Mandy - Barry Manilow
16 Wonderful Life - Black
17 96 Tears - ? and the Mysterians
18 Night Owl - Gerry Rafferty
19 Is She Really Going Out With Him - Joe Jackson
20 God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You - Argent

and in a similar vein, from Forrest Rowland my Mate in Montana
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of the arrival in the Americas of Christopher Columbus, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday.
but not ALL!

With a shortage of photos today, we end with another visit to Hato Pinero, Venezuela

Sharp-tailed Ibis

Sunbittern

Sunbittern. A thousand apologies for the quality of this shot (no one would be more pleased than me had it been focused) but thought worth publishing for the 'feather pattern' alone of this stunning bird!

Whistling Heron

I have the name of this strange looking Turtle-like creature written down somewhere

but for the life of me can neither find or remember it at present.

A quick update here - Willie suggests it's a Pig-nosed Turtle, but once reminded by John Gifford I agree with him that it is a Mata Mata! THANK YOU both for responding.