Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty - Florrie Ford

Take me back to dear old Blighty!
Put me on the train for London town!
Take me over there, drop me ANYWHERE, 
Liverpool, Leeds, or Weymouth Town, well, I don`t care!  

Each time I have passed this sign, showing what looks like a Lobster, I have meant to stop and read it, managing to remember today. In The Name Of Conservation. As for the rest of this final day, it was given over to simply wandering and picking up/photographing whatever was on show.

The first almost in focus was DUSKY GERYGONE (pronounced Jer-ig- on- he) an addition to the World List, so the very best of starts to the day and ends to the trip.

One of the Robin / Chat family, I have been unable to sort this one as yet but still working on it.

There's no doubt about the ambition of the little fella given the size of prey!

No shortage of CRESTED TERNs but they are so obliging, approachable and photogenic, they are irresistible.

Along with the Terns was this smart looking LITTLE PIED CORMORANT

while foraging the margins was the ever-present WILLY WAGTAIL.

Have been trying for a 'rump' shot of FAIRY MARTIN since they first appeared on the scene, this was accomplished today,

getting WELCOME SWALLOW 'by the stern' at the same time.

 Second sighting and first photograph of an all to distant AUSTRALIAN GANNET, but better than nothing,

but returning to the cabin for lunch the next subjects, fresh out of the fridge,

were somewhat closer and still.

2 good looking Hawk-moths.

Taking just a short drive early afternoon, the 2 tiny black and white birds on the overhead cables were initially though to be White-fronted Chat,

but stopping the car they were seen to be WHITE-BACKED SWALLOW.

Continuing on foot, one immediately took to the wing

while the other took to posing.

 Didn't notice 'The Shark' when taking this shot.

Yes, more adult PACIFIC GULL 'in flight' shots, the Gull archive is now brimming with them - thankfully!

and finally, what are thought to be VARIAGATED FAIRY-WREN, but I could stand being corrected on that. It should be note that they are 3 separate birds.
Note:-

By the time you read this I should be winging my way back to England, but not as yet home. Another strange coincidence has delayed my return to Weymouth as described in an E-mail from my dear friend Hugh Dampney. He has been in Belgium over the past few days, competing in the Brussels Half Marathon and visiting his sister with his arrival back in London coinciding with mine. His proposal had been to drive me back to Parley Court where I could 'chill' for a couple of days, shaking off the 'jet lag' and doing a little birding as and when I feel like it. Knowing well the hospitality I receive there, not to mention the cuisine and cellar, how could I refuse?

Sheep - Pink Floyd

The agenda for today included both venturing a little further afield and some sight-seeing starting with the

LINTON CONVICT DEPOT on the road to Port Gregory.

Even though bound for Kalbarri, 100 or so Km north of here it was thought wise to call in again at the pools and Salt Pans, but before doing so stopped to look at just a few of the

thousands of sheep grazing hereabouts. It is also interesting to note the number of lorries full of them as I presume the farmer takes his flocks for a little drive in the countryside every so often??

SHEEP from the album ANIMALS (my personal favourite from) Pink Floyd.

Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out there may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan and I have seen
Things are not quite what they seem.
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
What a surprise!
A look of terminal shock in your eyes
Now things are really what they seem, no this is not a bad dream.

In similar numbers were these Melons/Marrows, whatever they are, growing feral along many of the roadside verges.

The RED-NECKED STINTS were back on view, but today a good deal closer and still showing varying plumage.

With little else of note there was a short break at the sea-side for a drink and to peruse

the local Fish species guide to count how many of them I had eaten en-route, 4.

From Port Gregory the road takes a sharp turn inland passing a few farms, most with a novel 'sculpture' at the gateway, before turning once again towards the sea

and a most dramatic coastline. Very easily accessible and signposted the first viewpoint, The Grandstand, is a platform built beyond the cliff edge and overlooking CHURCH COVE to the north.

Looking back to the south is equally rugged

with just a 4Km walk taking you to the NATURAL BRIDGE.

Back to the main road, where soon a group of KANGAROO

were spotted fairly close to the highway

and an AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE clinging to a telegraph wire.

KALBARRI is a neat little coastal town with what look to be a lot of expensive properties complete with small 'Gin Palaces' and fishing boats secured to private jetties. Plenty of beaches here too with Indian Ocean waves crashing over a continuation of the same reef.

A tussle between an AUSTRALIAN KESTREL and a BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE was an interesting but distant sight,

while on another beach there were a number of PACIFIC GULLs but all juveniles - don't you just love 'em?

 Further on there was yet another KANGAROO, this time on the road, but spotting the car soon made for the open fields.

The first encounter with a PIED BUTCHERBIRD this trip allowed for a rendition of its song which belies the brutishness of this species. "Flute-like" is how the Field Guide describes it but I felt there was a similarity with those beautiful sounding, air driven organs found on fairgrounds etc.

During the return drive more BLACK-FRONTED PLOVER were seen,

along with the closest encounter yet with AUSTRALIAN KESTREL.

There were also dozens of BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE but best was saved 'till last when a

PALLID CUCKOO

was very nearly dismissed as yet another 'Shrike'. No 'Lifer' again today but a most successful run out, and back for more fish and a drop Chateau Ordinaire.