The Bagsy Blog

Monday, 11 November 2013

With A Little Help From My Friends - The Beatles

No wonder the HAWTHORN BERRIES are disappearing at a
great rate of knots!

I caught c5 BLACKBIRDS in this bush stealing them this morning.

A small party of CROSSBILL were heard while emptying the
trap, none of which landed. Archive photo for illustration.

Despite the persistent heavy rain and high wind there were c4 Moths in the only trap set last night including c2 Beaded Chestnut,

ROSY RUSTIC,

and DARK SWORD-GRASS

Had it not been for falling behind a couple of days with Posts that would be all of interest today, but there's more. Harking back to Thursday, there was the second (after the Ring-billed Gull) of the trio of rare/uncommon birds in the area which had been located in Poole Harbour a couple of days earlier. The day wasn't solely about the 'rarity' as around the harbour (the second largest Natural Harbour in the World) there is the prospect of much else to see. On that day the New Moon was just 4 days old

hence the early morning very low 'spring tide', which it was hoped
would have attracted some Wading Birds.

Setting up the telescope on Evening Hill, a vantage point for browsing the Lagoon on Brownsea Island (distant), there was a good chance of seeing both Avocet and Spoonbill but neither were in residence today.

The place seemed to be swarming with
OYSTERCATCHERs

and there was also a late departing/overwintering bonus
SANDWICH TERN

It was at the SANDBANKS to SHELL BAY (Studland) FERRY
that I met Marcus Lawson, a recent evacuee from Kent who has
now set up home and 'birding' in Dorset.

We were in fact on the same mission and shared an interesting
conversation during the crossing.

BROWNSEA ISLAND (home of the Boy Scout Movement)
CASTLE and on the mainland before we left the home of

Queens Park Rangers Football Manager
HARRY REDKNAPP
My plan was to search the 2 bays either side of the Ferry Terminal
while Marcus made a B-line for the bird. Exchanging telephone
numbers would allow for updates along the way.

Happy with the decision as there I found
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

and a pair of in flight
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (female leading the male)
both additions to my Year List. Just before leaving Marcus
called to confirm he had relocated the 'rarity'.

Arriving at the sandy REDHORN POINT
I could see

MARCUS (left) and fellow 'birder' BRIAN SHAW
both far to busy elsewhere to spot me. They were looking at the
unfortunately distant

SURF SCOTER
a large 'Sea Duck' that breeds in Northern Canada and Alaska.

Too distant for a photograph, this image is from the archive and was taken in Barrow, far north Alaska in 2010. Perhaps needless to say, but this was also an addition to the afore mentioned list and to the 'ongoing' Dorset Month List for November. Other additions in what is know as Brand's Bay between Redhorn and Goathorn Points were

PINTAIL (male)

and male (top) and female GOLDENEYE.

With reports of Black-necked Grebes both here and in Studland Bay I felt confident that this further addition would be 'just a matter of time', but never 'count your chickens etc'.

From a high point overlooking the latter locations there is a fantastic view of the OLD HARRY ROCK, but where were the Grebes? You can only spend X amount of time searching and

RABBIT,

FUNGI and

RING-NECKED PARAKEET
were also logged, it was a brisk pace back to the car as the rain
clouds were now looking seriously threatening.

From the BANK'S ARMS Public House Car Park
I was drawn, not for the first time,

to the main village of STUDLAND and more particularly to the fine

CHURCH

GARLANDS around the doorway,

and substantial 'butressed' NAVE.

NORMAN ARCHES,

BANNER,

ROOF VAULTING,

NORMAN COLUMNS,

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS,

detail of STONE CARVINGS

CHOIR and ORGAN PIPES

traces of ancient WALL PAINTINGS,

and NORMAN FONT all add charm and history to this place!

View from the Choir to High Alter.

2 fine HATCHMENTS
likely the Banners of the predominant Banks family hereabouts.

A final look around the exterior with its
slightly more modern addition.

It was now raining quite heavily so just time for one more shot
of the structure and an ancient

YEW TREE
synonymous with English Church Yards.

Through the windscreen and now torrential rain a quick snap of
CORFE CASTLE ruin and a very brief stop at

Middlebere where all of note was a very vocal
WATER RAIL.

During my conversation with Marcus, the name of mutual 'birding' friend Steve Smith cropped up and by coincidence that very evening I received an E-mail from another friend alerting me to the Steve Smith Blog which can be viewed by clicking the Link - Best of Luck Steve hope to see you sometime soon!

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Sunday, 10 November 2013

Hully Gully - Buddy Guy (et al)

We could have done without the odd overnight shower, but the cloud cover remained total throughout the night helping to maintain a decent temperature. All 3 traps were run but returns low with only c6 Moths, an Earwig, a few assorted Flies plus an unexpected guest! Best on parade was

DARK CHESTNUT

caught here before, but these are considered better images.

Out unexpected guest was this tiny SNAIL in the bottom of a trap.

Look at the size of it in comparison with the 'one pence' coin.

I am intrigued as to how it could get right into the bottom of the trap. Yes, we all know the climbing capabilities of terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs but the sides of the main body are steep and 'lipped' at the top. Then it would have to negotiate the funnel with just a 'one inch' entrance at the bottom followed by a series of egg trays. Maybe one of you seasoned Moth'ers out there can shed some light? Similarly the Slugs of last week spring to mind!

Speedy Snails Link
and as promised the final 'leg' of the
RING-BILLED GULL
Larus delawarensis
saga The Photo Gallery.

Adults are 19 inches in length and with a 49 inch wingspan.

The head, neck and underparts are white; the relatively short bill is

yellow with a dark ring; the back and wings are silver grey;

and the legs are yellow. The eyes are yellow with red rims.

This gull takes three years to reach its breeding plumage;

its appearance changes with each autumn moult.

Their breeding habitat is near lakes, rivers or the coast in Canada

and the northern United States. They nest colonially on the ground,

often on islands. This bird tends to be faithful to its nesting site,

if not its mate, from year to year.

They are migratory and most move south to the Gulf of Mexico,

Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, and the Great Lakes.

This gull is a regular wanderer to Western Europe, while in Ireland/

Great Britain it is no longer classed as a rarity,

with several birds regularly wintering in these countries.

This bird has 'over-wintered' in Gosport for a number of years now!

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Saturday, 9 November 2013

Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

While kindly invited to yet another restaurant dinner last night, the third in as many evenings, I graciously declined on having had a fairly long day and someone had to do the Blog. Before departing there was a call from Janet that had me scurrying to the lounge, pot in hand, to capture a Moth clinging to a curtain. On first and brief inspection it looked totally unfamiliar, but taking a little more time there was a second shout and another Moth on the same window. Maybe it was the night-light but both looked dissimilar and not immediately apparent as to identification. No wiser on going to bed, this morning they seemed to take on a different persona which, contrary to last night's inspection, looked exactly the same. They are both

BLAIR'S SHOULDER-KNOT

The evening weather and forecast looked ideal for setting all 3 traps, which was done, but almost totally disappointing as to counts this morning. Grand totals amounted to just a single Fly and the same number of Moths. However, at first sight this loner appeared to be a long outstanding addition to my personal lifetime list. Never even glimpsed before this little beauty turned out to be a

SATELLITE

distinguished by the two tiny 'satellites' appearing to be revolving around a central Planet. This is the 195th Macro Moth for the property since trapping began in May and it is hoped the magical 200 can be reached before years end! What a lovely creature.

Look what the dogs dragged in!

By the looks of it, a petrified GREY SQUIRREL?

While the weather couldn't be blamed for the poor haul, this morning was in sharp contrast with heavy, persistent rain continuing throughout the rest of the day so just as well we have a few Posts in hand. It can also be told that the past 3 days have thrown up 3 'rare' birds which will be revealed a.s.a.p.
Continuing yesterday's epic journey we arrived at Gosport Waterfront from where the full expanse of Portsmouth's equivalent can be viewed as time allows. When you're on a Mini Twitch such luxuries have to be short lived with just time to view

HMS WARRIOR

the first 'iron-hulled' Warship,

THE SPINNAKER

on Southsea Common,

THE GOSPORT FERRY

which runs from here to Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station,

which, during my many years serving in and visiting both Ports,
have carried me back and forth on many occasions.

MOGAMBO

a 240 foot Custom Motor Yacht built in 2012 by Nobiskrug. The Reymond Langton Design is responsible for her beautiful exterior and interior design and she is available for Luxury Charter if you have that sort of 'dosh'!

WALPOLE POND

just a little further down the road was the final destination where,

as I was searching for a 'GULL', things looked bleak.

only about a dozen Gulls on show where quickly scanned and found NOT to hold the object of my desire. However, I did have an Ace Card up my sleeve - a thick slice of Janet's 'home made' bread!