They Only Come Out At Night - Lordi

Had it not been for my love of birds the word 'crepuscular' would still likely not be in my already limited vocabulary. The word refers to those creatures that are active primarily during the periods of 'twilight', that is to say 'dawn' and 'dusk', one of which was to be my intended target today.

The magnificent Golden Pheasant is not a natural resident of our homeland, nor for that matter any other European country, but an introduction by man from the Far East. As there are a few self sustaining breading colonies in Great Britain all but the die hard purist 'birder' will add the species to their various lists.The stronghold is around the Sandringham area of Norfolk, where HM The Queen occasionally resides, but a few exist on the larger islands of Poole Harbour. 

Passing CORFE CASTLE at 04:30

and selecting a favoured spot along the Sandbanks Road, best placed to view the small boat slip on FURZEY ISLAND centre. I only got one hour at the 'scope before human activity put paid to any further chance of locating a bird - ever onwards! Next stop Great Plantation, a site that could produce any amount of wildlife.

I could hear at least one
TURTLE DOVE (Year Tick)
immediately leaving the car, and while it was too nervous
to be approached at least this Record Shot was achieved.

 TURTLE DOVE (archive)

Reaching what used to be the old council rubbish tip, now all but
impenetrable, the area seemed alive with Deer.

If Deer were numerous, then

SILVER-STUDDED BLUE BUTTERFLIES
were here in 'swarm' proportions

while the lairs of what I believe to be
FUNNEL-WEB SPIDERS
covered much of the ground.

There were several family parties of
COAL TIT

but even better WOODLARK remain on site.

Partway across this tract there is usually a bog but the warm weather
has put an end to that for the time being. This allows close approach
to one of our SUNDEW (Carnivorous) Plants

Returning to the car this Vintage Car was turning, and although the driver offered a friendly wave I was all too slow to get any detail. Next on the list were Green Hairstreak Butterfly and breeding Sand Martin but sadly there was no sign of either at the traditional sites.

There was however a
WILD STRAWBERRY
before heading back to the farm at 08:00.

There were surprises there also as I located the first record of

GADWALL

on the property unless Hugh puts me right on their return. Secondly, and contender for 'Bird of the Day, on my way to the Moth Trap a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew into a nearby Alder tree. A full half hour was spent trying to locate it but to no avail, but be sure it will be looked for again.

I have more than enough difficulty with the Macro (larger) Moths without even attempting to tackle the Micros, but when interesting looking Insects show up I'll post without ID. The first is one of theTortrix Family.

LIGHT ARCHES

ELEPHANT HAWK-MOTH

MICRO

Another Micro one of the
Plume Moth Family
 Today's headline doesn't refer to my favourite track from Norwegian
Euro Vision Song Contest Winners and
Mega Monsters of Metal LORDI no, that little pleasure I bring you via
this link. Be advised, make sure the children are 'locked away'!
Blood Red Sandman

Angel of the Morning - Pretenders

The intention today had been to try for the Golden Pheasants on Furzey Island, Poole Harbour which involves long distance viewing with a telescope, given that the bright lights of Bournemouth International Airport, less than a mile from my bedroom window, were completely obscured by dense fog Plan B was put into operation. A quick look through the overnight catch in the Moth Trap, which threw up 4 new species for here, including

CLAY

RIBAND WAVE

SMALL SERAPHIM (Angel)

and GOTHIC,
it was then a drive to Weymouth to see what Radipole had to offer.

Only having walked the couple of hundred yards to the 

Shelter on the Loop

a c15 strong party of

BEARDED TIT

mostly juveniles

landed in the reeds almost at touching distance.

The only 'adult' seen among the flock.

Scanning from the Shelter there was a fair bit of

underwater disturbance some way off

could  it be Otters?

No such luck, but it was the biggest shoal of CARP I have ever seen here.

LONG-TAILED TIT

SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHID

followed by the best sighting of the day,

my friend and fellow 'birder'

Lecturer and Naturalist Bob Ford.

From recent reports received there was chance of a couple of good birds
including a very unseasonable WIGEON, which I claim to have heard only,

and a male RED-CRESTED POCHARD which was seen but not very well.
Both images are from the archive.
There was also a Kingfisher knocking about but more 'unexpected' were

c2 GREEN SANDPIPER

one among the Sedges

as another flew over the hide.
This morning I received an e-Mail from Bob inviting me to publish
his excellent video footage of the Red-crested Pochard

Bob Ford Naturalist

for which I thank him.

Further to that, I'll take the opportunity to suggest to any of our readers who would like to find out more about the Natural History of Dorset to contact Bob who is a Guide of the very best - I can guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy his walks.

Dorset Walks with Bob Ford

The Wall - Pink Floyd

Early morning for the past two days a Hobby has passed over the house at chimney height, while Little Egrets have started to return to the Stour to feed and the Tawny Owl continues to 'call'. We did get out for a short wander but the theme seems to stick with Insects.

BARRED STRAW

COMMON WAINSCOT

HEART and CLUB
were early finds in the trap but it was thought best to leave the
others until later in the day and get off to
 
BLASHFORD LAKES
With little of note on the 'Recent Sightings' board the only birds of note were

these c2 EGYPTIAN GEESE
and a few Common Terns.

This 'flowering' Marsh Grass was of interest but then
'bring on the Insects'.

First MEADOW BROWN of the year for me,

plenty of DAMSELFLIES,

SPECKLED WOOD,

CINNABAR MOTH

along with another diurnal flier
BLOOD VEIN

Whether we should mention Sand Martin Walls this is
Blashford's successful effort at getting these birds to breed.
At least 200 individuals in attendance 'The Wall' has been producing
young for a number of years now.

This simply seemed like a nice (almost tropical) subject.

A couple of Moths I haven't got around to yet, plus my first

RINGLET BUTTERFLY of the year.

PS - Yesterdays Mottled Beauty (Moth) was in fact a Willow Beauty, thanks to Paul Harris for the correction and the appropriate amendment has be made.