Nobodies Fault But Mine - Page & Plant

I must start today by readdressing the accusation levelled at me by Roger Lees in his recent e-mail (published in the last 2 posts) reference RSPB collusion with DEFRA, the rich and others to control Common Buzzards. In that mail he stated that publishing such a comment was "simply wrong" and that a correction and apology should follow. Since then I have made best efforts to substantiate my original statement, but find in that issue alone I am completely WRONG! I have thought long and hard as to how such a calamitous and possibly defamatory mistake could have been made but found no rhyme or reason? Therefore, I would offer the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds a full and unequivocal apology in the knowledge that much more care will be taken when criticising or praising their works or intentions in the future and all references will be deleted from the Blog. Hopefully in closing the matter I would once again thank Mr Lees for bringing this unintentional inaccuracy to my attention, and assuring him and the full readership that The Bagsy Blog remains an unbiased, apolitical, non-racist/religious, family friendly (etc) open forum!

Yours aye

Bagsy

and as if that wasn't enough of a 'Bad Day at the Office', I am further informed, by my shipmate Huck, that the July 2012 calender page is also inaccurate. A quick check found it to be wrong, so unless the sender can enlighten as to the significance that too will be removed.

With the focus firmly on the RSPB today what better way to start the day than with a 'short cut' through the Radipole Nature Reserve on my way to the bus. On the Concrete Bridge, a sight I don't believe I've seen before, a pair of GADWALL, usually nervous little Ducks, just sat there little concerned at my approach.

'Make hay while the sun shines' (perhaps not the best analogy given the weather of late) thought I taking close-ups of both Male

and Female.

 

At the Visitor's Centre, where the 'viewing area' (a Public Right of Way????) is now blocked by a high fence and locked gate, an adult MUTE SWAN is seemingly still sat on eggs.

As if 'to order' these 2 Common Terns flew in landing on one of the perching posts,

as this very vocal male TUFTED DUCK appeared

to be chatting up a female.

Another first came at a closer perch where this juvenile GREAT CORMORANT (right) was seen to take food from the adult. I don't remember seeing the young of this species being fed anywhere let alone Radipole. Maybe I need to get out a little more often?

A high-flying OYSTERCATCHER flew noisily overhead as I departed the main bridge,

before encountering this not unattractive 'hybrid' duck which has been resident here now for many a day.

 

A graphic illustration of the weather pattern since I returned (yes, it's me folks) where the Mute Swan is stood would usually be high and dry at this time of year, with a few inches drop from the concrete lip. At least the Gurkha Restaurant wasn't afloat. Walking the full length of the Rodwell Trail there was hardly a sound from a bird let alone a sighting,

while at Ferry Bridge Common, Sandwich (as singles) plus a few Little Terns were all at great distance, with news that the first eggs of the latter had hatched that very morning. All else amounted to just c16 DUNLIN, that flew in from up the Fleet,

looking mighty fine in summer plumage,

and this GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, which on 'bill size' alone couldn't be made into a Pacific Gull. Now that would be a find!

 

There is just one snippet of local news from this neck of the woods, and that is the Pub there is about to see the end of its days. Destined to be demolished in the near future, the site will be developed as a Restaurant, Brasserie and a number of domestic dwellings. No disrespect meant as this has been a great watering-hole over the years (particularly late 60's early 70's) but shame, given the notice, that the works could not have been completed before the Olympic Games.

Maybe I haven't been very vigilant, but on my way home found a wealth of Winkles showing at low tide in the Backwater (Weymouth Inner Harbour). A long time absent? but a fine indicator that the water there is pure enough to support them.

Stormy Monday? - T-Bone Walker

This morning at 10:42 I received this e-mail from one Roger Lees:- 

Bagsy Replying to a comment on your blog, you said
Not content with having blasted the Ruddy Duck, an introduced species, almost out of (GB) existence mostly in the name of it being an introduced species, they [The RSPB] then turn their ‘sights’ on the Common Buzzard wanting to shoot, cage or destroy their nests in support of ‘saving’ the Pheasant, also introduced, so they can be selectively shot to death by the rich. One stance or the other RSPB please! How can any Society justify the words ‘Birds’ and ‘Protection’ in their title and who in a civilised world would subscribe to further such barbaric practise?'
I have no view on the RSPB, but I did write to my MP, Richard Grosvenor Plunket Ernle-Erle-Drax asking for his view on the destruction of buzzard nests as a control measure to protect young pheasants as proposed by DEFRA
DEFRA claims that they were not planning to destroy active nests, and I have attached a copy of their website for your information.  Whether or not you believe that the minister Richard Benyon, who has form when it comes to protecting the interests of rich land owners, is being totally honest I leave up to you.  For what it's worth my opinion is that the cost (supposedly £375,000) of the proposed 'research' into protecting birds destined to be shot by the rich should not be met out of public funds, or can ever be justified if it involves any interference with indigenous wildlife, especially protected birds but particularly birds of prey which will always be vulnerable.
It won't take much effort on your part to find that the RSPB was vociferous in defence of the Buzzard, as were many newspapers and individuals, so your comments regarding the RSPB supposedly supporting Buzzard destruction or control to protect pheasants are simply wrong.  Whatever your views may be regarding the RSPB and individual employees at Weymouth you should be more careful ascribing outrageous actions to them, which should properly laid at the door of others, in support of your general criticism.
A correction of your comments and an apology on your blog would be the proper thing to do, and I will wait with interest to see if it appears.
R Lees

I doubt Mr Lees has hastily tacked together these words without a great deal of thought and a better knowledge of the subject than I. It would seem, given his tone, that in this instance I may have got things abjectly wrong for which I am only too happy to proffer, provisionally, both correction and full apology to those who may have been effected by my possible mistake? However, I will need to further research this and if found to be in error endorse my foibles in a later post. Thanks go to Mr Lees for taking the time to advise me, and this amendment will also appear on the Sunday Blog.

The weather forecast of 70mph winds and heavy rain was every reason to head for the Bill again, with every chance of seeing a sea-bird or to in addition to the drama of the sea-scape. Again there was time to wander the quayside of the Inner Harbour, Weymouth noting today just how many

boats are now up for sail particularly the larger ones moored at the Private Nelson Marina.

The Skipper of SOUTHERNER II seemed to be no hurry to hoist a For Sale board, but as he beavered away at polishing the bright-work he had obviously overlooked one small detail.

 

He had hoisted his 'Jack' upside down!

The view of the active lighthouse at the Bill was far brighter than yesterdays offering, but what cannot be see in this image is the strength of the wind. Hammering in at around the predicted speed I sought the lee of the Trinity House Obelisk. MANX SHEARWATER (a couple of dozen) was very quickly added to the Year List while all else of note amounted to more common seabirds such as Gannet, Fulmar, Razorbill, Guillemot and a stray Kittiwake. Time then to 'turn' my attention to

these 2 gentlemen who quickly had the tables 'turned' on them. As the National BBC TV News gathering team they are only used to capturing others, but having cornered me for an interview it was time to focus my camera on them. Unfortunate to report that their footage didn't 'make the cut' and a 'STAR' remained unborn!

Looking down towards Pulpit Rock, the sea was doing its stuff

and there was the huge pleasure of meeting and welcoming the French Olympic Sailing Team to Dorset. Both newsworthy I would have thought, but all of us out-gunned by

 

these people, 5 in total, climbing Pulpit in in the eye of a howling gale and making it to the BBC TV Evening News.

There were cries of "idiots", which is one way of looking at it, but preferring to think of over exuberant youngsters little realising the dangers my thoughts were rather for those who may have come later to pick up the pieces. With that single thought I rang the Bird Observatory and got them to inform the Coast Guard.

There follows a series of coastal shots taken along the eastern tip of the Island

punctuated by a loan ROCK PIPIT then,

 

looking further out to sea watching what would have once been Atlantic rollers crashing over the shallows of what is the Shambles Bank. Short coffee break and chat at the Obs was followed by a leisurely stroll across the Bill Common and out with the smoked Mackerel sandwiches while awaiting the bus.

Not surprisingly, this had the effect of attracting every Shy Talk in the neighbourhood, all being

HERRING GULLs and not to be denied happily shared my lunch with them.

This small tanker, too distant to identify as to name, was shaping up as though she had come some distance rather than just across West Bay,

but rounding Grove Point some while later she was soon in quieter water.

This smart looking JACKDAW arrived just before leaving

and on passing Portland Harbour windsurfers were seen lapping up the condition, proving one man's meat is an others poison. and as we steam headlong towards next month, this from my mate Willy Downes who informs me that he remembers well the last time this occurred.

Oh Island in the Sun (wot) - Harry Belafonte

At 10:42 Sunday 10 June 2012 (less than one hour ago) I received this e-mail from one Roger Lees:- 
Bagsy
Replying to a comment on your blog, you said
Not content with having blasted the Ruddy Duck, an introduced species, almost out of (GB) existence mostly in the name of it being an introduced species, they [The RSPB] then turn their ‘sights’ on the Common Buzzard wanting to shoot, cage or destroy their nests in support of ‘saving’ the Pheasant, also introduced, so they can be selectively shot to death by the rich. One stance or the other RSPB please! How can any Society justify the words ‘Birds’ and ‘Protection’ in their title and who in a civilised world would subscribe to further such barbaric practice?'
I have no view on the RSPB, but I did write to my MP, Richard Grosvenor Plunket Ernle-Erle-Drax asking for his view on the destruction of buzzard nests as a control measure to protect young pheasants as proposed by DEFRA
DEFRA claims that they were not planning to destroy active nests, and I have attached a copy of their website for your information.  Whether or not you believe that the minister Richard Benyon, who has form when it comes to protecting the interests of rich land owners, is being totally honest I leave up to you.  For what it's worth my opinion is that the cost (supposedly £375,000) of the proposed 'research' into protecting birds destined to be shot by the rich should not be met out of public funds, or can ever be justified if it involves any interference with indigenous wildlife, especially protected birds but particularly birds of prey which will always be vulnerable.
It won't take much effort on your part to find that the RSPB was vociferous in defence of the Buzzard, as were many newspapers and individuals, so your comments regarding the RSPB supposedly supporting Buzzard destruction or control to protect pheasants are simply wrong.  Whatever your views may be regarding the RSPB and individual employees at Weymouth you should be more careful ascribing outrageous actions to them, which should properly laid at the door of others, in support of your general criticism.
A correction of your comments and an apology on your blog would be the proper thing to do, and I will wait with interest to see if it appears.
R Lees

I doubt Mr Lees has hastily tacked together these words without a great deal of thought and a better knowledge of the subject than I. It would seem, given his tone, that in this instance I have got things abjectly wrong for which I am only too happy to proffer, provisionally, both correction and full apology to those who may have been effected by my possible mistake? However, I will need to further research this and if found to be in error endorse my foibles in a later post. Thanks go to Mr Lees for taking the time to advise me, and this amendment will also appear on the Sunday Blog.

Having been hindered by party invitations over the past few days and by heavy rain today, I did finally make it to the 501 for a ride to Portland Bill, but not before a quick wander along Weymouth seafront.

Fred Darrington, sand sculptor, fashioned his models at this site on the beach here for as many years as I can remember, followed by a succession of family members continuing the skill. Subjects have included the intricacies of Westminster Cathedral, right through Alice in Wonderland, seahorses and even my all time hero Jimi Hendrix. Today workmen were busily constructing this mini-amphitheatre for the latest in a long line. It will be interesting to sea how the world famous Weymouth sand-castle fares in the modern age.

 

The old sand model of James Marshall Hendrix 2010

 And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually! - Hendrix

Now, it maybe my slightly warped sense of humour but dependant on how you pronounce the name of the new restaurant, which used to be the very good Tapas Bar, drums up a picture of the Love of a Nasty Little Itch?

 

The picture at Portland Bill on the other hand was of gloom as I took a look around the area of the Trinity House Obelisk firstly towards Pulpit Rock

and then towards the active Lighthouse.

Along the East Cliff the waves were crashing against the rocks

while all this time the rain continued heavy and persistent. Best bet then to head for the sanctuary of the Portland Bird Observatory to seek shelter and grab a cup of coffee.

 The only birds on show were about 100 GANNETs, seen here flying past a small group of GUILLEMOT

 

 then giving something of a closer view. Not the most exhilarating of days you might think, unless you are me returning to the Magic Island after a long absence. The weather forecast for tomorrow shows a severe deterioration in the weather, with continuing rain and high winds likely to reach 60 knots. If that is the case it will be a revisit for me tomorrow, nothing I like more than watching the fury of the sea - especially from the shore.
An interesting snippet that has lain dormant in the vaults for quite a while was sent to me by Janet Read while on my travels. Commander West would receive my heartiest congratulation on being elevated to the Peerage as my own experiences of working with women in similar position have been amazing. I salute you Ma'am and wish you bon voyage.

Commander Sarah West today takes over as the new captain of HMS Portland.  The significance is that she becomes the first female captain of any Royal Navy Frigate. HMS Portland is a 5000 ton type 23 Frigate and one of the fastest in service. There are approx 3,300 women in the Navy 620 Officers and that is about 10% ratio with Men.  That Ratio is continued at Sea. A fantastic achievement to become Captain of any Royal Naval Ship, so well done to Sarah and  lets hope she has a safe and successful time with HMS Portland.