Once Bittern - Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople)

Everything is back to normal here at Parley with the mantle of 'Lord' handed back to its rightful owner and chance for me to spread the wings a little further afield today.Another reasonable night as far as Moths were concerned but the trapped total amounted to just 2 x Brick. The rest of the day was bathed in bright sunshine, although a little on the chilly side, but ideal for a spot of 'birding'. With at least c2 Kingfishers now visiting the garden and Parley Pond on a daily basis, it was though worth taking a little time to stake out both but unfortunately the target bird(s) were only heard! While there a couple of shots were rattled off at this

GREY HERON

looking in 'reflective' mood,

MOORHEN

and the resident

COMMON BUZZARD
With a single report of Caspian Gull, a real 'rarity', down at the

Avon Causeway

a couple of days ago, it was a 'long shot' but well worth the few minutes drive. Not a sign unfortunately, not even in the Pig Field where it was seen to fly, but quite a lot of common Waterfowl including Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, Wigeon

along with these CANADA GEESE which flew in over my head
to land on the River Avon.

In addition there were in excess of 30 Black-tailed Godwit, a very vocal Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, lots of Lapwing along with 2 more Kingfishers. From here I ventured into Hampshire and visited the Blashford Lakes Reserve where day after day there are report of some interesting sightings. The 'pager' system is used by many birders to keep them updated with all the bird news, but when you have a friend like John Gifford, who needs such a facility. John follows my movements like a detective would his quarry and wherever I might be so the latest information is forthcoming.

Lots of potential, but on a cursory look all that was seen was the increased numbers of Wildfowl. Probably most numerous now are

WIGEON (male)

WIGEON (female)
followed by Coot.

GADWALL,

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

 and POCHARD are well represented, and luckily I managed

 to spot the female RUDDY DUCK (surrounded by Pochard) reported to me by John some days ago. This sighting I kept very much to myself as it is well known that should the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 'Marksmen' (aided and abetted by the Royal Society for the PROTECTION of Birds) find out this tiny Duck would soon cease to exist. This bird was alone here, but such a fine sight is the male that I have dug this image out of the archive.

 RUDDY DUCK (male).

 PINTAIL
was represented by another lone bird with 

 TEAL (male) also in good numbers.

This single flower in a hedgerow is thought to be
RED CAMPION
with no doubting the identification of what was seen from the
Ivy (North) Hide.

BITTERN

have been back on the reserve for a couple of weeks now,

there are thought to be at least 2 here,

but this well camouflaged denizen

of the Reed Bed is all too infrequently seen.

With that in mind it was thought best to publish

every pose this 'fantastic' creature made

during its short visit to the clearing.

Note the 'wide open' bill!

One of the BEST 10 minute periods I have experienced
in many a day!
A few incidental shots as I wandered through the woodland but

without managing to locate the Marsh Tit that has been here for
a while now.

BLUE TIT

NUTHATCH

CHAFFINCH (female)

CHAFFINCH (male)

COAL TIT

A fine looking property in the tiny village of

IBSLEY.

Well known to 'birders' of the region for over-wintering Bewick's Swan which favour the water meadows close to the Ibsley Bridge just off the A338 Ringwood to Salisbury Road. What may not be so well known hereabouts, to myself at least, is Ibsley Common, a huge tract of open heathland surrounded by ancient woodland and well worth a visit if only for the view. Again it was John who directed me here and where I saw his reported

GREAT GREY SHRIKE

 As can be seen from the distribution map these birds over-winter

in what might be described as the more temperate zones.

 Global range - Yellow: summer only, Green: all year, Blue: winter only.

A few choose to spend these months in Great Britain and can be
'creatures of habit', returning time and again to the same site.

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Up At the Lake - Charlatans

Another potentially good night for Moth trapping, mild, still, overcast with a sprinkling of light drizzle, which resulted in same/same. Beaded Chestnut, Cyprus Carpet, Brick and Chestnut were all on offer but a small passage of Redwing at dawn made up for that in part. The Sparrowhawk continues to harass the local 'small bird' population, while a 'point blank' view of one of the Kingfishers was sure to develop into a good photograph? IT DIDN'T! So to the duties of Lord of the Manor (yaawwwnnnn). All livestock fed, pheasants prepared for dinner, cleaning duties completed so chance to pop off for a hour at Longham Lakes.

A pair of

MUTE SWANs

were first to catch my eye and flew directly overhead, only
allowing one to 'fill the frame'. No 'cropping' required.

Both 'birders' and 'anglers' had already set out their stalls,
and next for me was the call of a

CHIFFCHAFF

from nearby bushes. Most of these tiny birds have now migrated

south, but as ever a few will chance their luck and stay in the
southern parts of the country all winter. While it is difficult to be
totally accurate, it seemed there were c5 individuals around the
lake today?

A CORMORANT flew through to join its pals at the
Electricity Pylon Roost, while this

young WOOD PIGEON

wouldn't move even at this close approach.

Still a bit of FUNGI about, followed by a rather welcome surprise

as 'long time' fellow 'birding' friend and author of
The Birds of Dorset
Doctor George Green hove into view. While we stood and talked
he 'called' c7

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT
flying rapidly overhead with only time for a quick shot.

RED ADMIRAL
are still 'on the wing' in small numbers, and like the Godwit

GREY HERON
was all too fast for me!

As ever TUFTED DUCK were numerous while other wildfowl

included Great Crested and Little Grebe, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler, Canada Geese, and Mallard. Other notables were Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Little Egret, Reed Bunting, Jay, Herring Gull and good numbers of

BLACK-HEADED GULLs

Wasn't able to stay too long if I am to get those 2,000 Industrial Solar Panels installed before the Boss returns from Devon

 seeing as how I got all the groundwork completed yesterday!

As can be seen the United Kingdom have once again regained Pole Position!

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Lord of the Manor - Everly Brothers

A splendid time was had by all last night as we enjoyed the Harbins version of 'Master Chef'. At the helm,

 

 Eldest son DARYL (right), cousin JUSTIN (left) keeping a watchful

eye on things and Master of the House Hugh.

Daryl's 'starter' was

PARMESAN CUSTARD with ANCHOVY TOAST

which except for being a little moist went down very well with
the others.

Hugh's 'main course consisted of
HADDOCK BOUILLABAISSE with MUSSELS and PRAWNS
NEW POTATOES and on the side a ROUILLE with
GARLIC TOAST

Finally, my own effort, and I can tell you it was an 'effort' putting
those CHEESES (including a lovely New Forest LYBURN)
and GRAPES on that platter.

As if I hadn't done enough already, the Cheese Board and all, today I resumed the mantle of Lord of the Manor again, but with one slight difference. This time the whole family have departed for a few days in Devon to enjoy the delights of the Gidleigh Park Hotel and host Celebrity Chef Micheal Caines. Sounded good on the surface, all those 'wild parties' here while they are away, but this is how my first day panned out. The traps were of priority, it having been a mild, overcast and still night which produced a new species for the property by way of a dark

 
MOTTLED UMBER

Close to becoming my favourite Moth of them all
3 distinct shades or colour and pattern of
RED-GREEN CARPET

and another which was content simply laying on its side.
 
HOUSE FLY
Then came the dogs

I've often thought that FLIPPER ought to try 'relaxing' a bit more.

BOMBER
the 'guardian of the front door.

SHUFFTY - well SHUFFTY just likes 'showing the flag'

SPOT
belongs to Jan a family friend but when you're in charge of the
whole caboodle then you have to look after all comers.

Then there's the stables to 'muck out', one of my favourites.

GOATS and

CHICKENS to feed. Collect the eggs, make sure they are secure
in the coup before you publish the Blog.

ALPACAS need food too!

The increasing number of tame Ducks around the pond.

Pop down and keep the CARAVANERS

and GOLFERS happy.

Change a few tractor tyres,

keep the 'bird-feeders' topped up and then

Mrs Dampney senior arrives asking if I mind looking after her
CRESTA as well. Not at all Joan - just don't mention
'BIRDING'

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