Yellow - Coldplay

 Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah, they were all Yellow

Although a little cooler than the last couple of days, it has been another sparkling sunny day resulting in yesterday having to wait. The photos from Sunday were already in the 'can', but with today having been what may be described as a Classic Birding Day it's a case of "today or not today, that is the question"? With all 3 Moth Traps now operational it was no surprise that again we had a couple of additions to the Parley List with one of these being new to myself. Before the weather had even turned warmer long periods were spent looking at the Web-Sites to see which species were most likely to be caught at this time of year and started to fantasise over one that previously had not even been heard of. Unfortunately, the c2 taken from the traps this morning were initially mis-identified as Nut-tree Tussock until advised by my learn-ed friend that they are in fact the far more scarce

 YELLOW HORNED

 A closer look at the 'horns' (antennae) should have been a clue

but completely overlooked.

 DOTTED BORDER

had been caught before, in a previous life, but now there was something

of an urgency to 'get going' and act on information received yesterday.

Arriving at the northern end of Warehan Forest the trees appeared full

of birds including

 FIELDFARE

 MISTLE THRUSH

 REDWING

along with loads of Finches and Tits. There was already a familiar face there (Ian) but he had not seen or heard the birds in question. He stayed only a few minutes leaving me to search alone, but that too didn't last long as Jill Bale and here friend the other Jill arrived not aware of what might be seen. Our conversation was short lived as I heard the familiar 'rapid drumming' of a

 LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER

with all attention now focused on a point some 300 yards away.

Reaching a second clump of Oak Trees in the adjacent field one bird was quickly located followed by a second. They were on view for no more than 3 or 4 minutes during which time we were treated to further drumming, calling, singing, climbing and finally flying as they disappeared among the Alders. If that had been the days 'birding' over I would have been more than happy, but there was more to come. Note - All 3 resident Woodpeckers were seen and heard today, while the 2 photos above are from the archive as both birds were far too distant and mobile to capture today! It would hardly be sense to visit this location and not Ovens Hill which was the next port of call, with again everything being vocal.

 YELLOWHAMMER

which has not be seen here for many a year was the first songster

to be located atop a Pine tree.

 It quickly moved to an Alder

 then to Gorse

 where the singing continued.

 Along with most other places in the country Dorset has seen a

 dramatic decline in numbers of this smart little bird

 so no apologies for the number of photos, there's no knowing 

when you might see one again.

Just sitting quietly on a tree stump another Yellowhammer turned

up, but it was the calls and brief songs of

 DARTFORD WARBLER

that were now meeting the ear with each, from different directions

being followed up.

 In all there were c7 distinctly different birds

 with only c2 showing themselves.

 During this time a

STONECHAT

was continually calling

 with this image also from the archive to give a clearer picture.

Next, and heading back towards Parley, it was thought worth an hour

or so 'scoping the low tide mud in Holes Bay from the

Upton Country Park.

It was immediately apparent here that the recent weather had taken its toll on several of the trees, this mighty OAK having been snapped like a carrot. However, the wind never gets all of the leviathans this

 BEECH

(think we have the spelling right this time Janet)

 and another OAK

The usual contenders such as Redshank, Curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Little Egret etc were seen here in numbers, but having just left a fellow 'birder', exchanging sightings, the unexpected flew into view.

 ICELAND GULL*

have been frequent visitors along the Dorset coast-line this year, but thus far my efforts to see one had been in vain. The one spotted today was a 1st winter bird unlike the one in the photograph which again is from the archive. A cursory look was had for Common Sandpiper, which often over-winter here, but there have been no reports of any in the county so far as I know? Return via the same track lots of

 LONG-TAILED TIT

were foraging the trees and bushes, my first

 SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY

of the year was seen, one of c7 and including yesterday's c5

this was my 6th

 BRIMSTONE

A Muddy-legged Gull was last on the list

(LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL)

before heading back to Harbins for a most welcome 

Smoked Salmon Bagel and Coffee.

As can be seen from today's Readership Map, we are 

being read across about half of the World's Land Mass!

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On the Beach - Cliff Richard and the Shadows

Rock 'n' Roll Trivia

When first formed the group was called Cliff Richard and the Drifters but in early 1959, to avoid confusion (and threatened legal action) with the contemporary American R and B vocal group of the same name, they changed to the Shadows. Only 2 of the Drifters played on 'Move It' their first 'hit single' (not No.1) while none of them were destined to become Shadows. Are you asleep yet?

Last night both the 

 ELECTRIC DUSTBIN

and one of the professionally built

(advertisement)
YOU MIGHT AS WELL BUY THE BEST! 

were activated, again with a degree of success. 

 EARLY GREY

and

 COMMON QUAKER

were added to the Property Macro List

while what is thought to be

 Depressaria daucella

increased the Macros (we don't do Macros??)

A bit of a 'catch-up' on recent outings during which time both Avon Causeway and Longham Lakes have been visited more or less on a daily basis. The later still hold a few Waterfowl, including the long-staying Black-necked Grebe while the suggestion from other quarters of a Slavonian Grebe there has past without further evidence. Meanwhile, across the previously 'flooded'

WATER MEADOWS

alongside the River Avon there remains much interest for the 'birder' in all sorts of directions. A Common Buzzard continues to scavenge the drier margins as c2 Peregrine are still terrorising anything with feathers. Other occasional Raptors include Marsh Harrier and Kestrel with Wildfowl still represented by all of those mentioned on Tuesday's Post, with the exception of the Egyptian Goose. Of the Waders, Lapwing numbers now seem very much reduced but a single Redshank was seen in recent days along with c2 Ruff on one visit. The 'show-stealers' though are the huge flock of

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT
(in 3 separate 'clouds)

which on Monday obliged by feeding just a few hundred yards from the roadway.

This gave opportunity for a sensible and reasonably accurate count,

reaching c600 before they were once again spooked from above. As they took to the wing about 100-150 uncounted birds flew into view making it plausible to suggest at least 700 individuals are present. Of the others, Cetti's Warbler and Goldcrest remain vocal, a single Kingfisher was spotted and a few Fieldfare have been seen feeding in the vicinity but no sign of the (American) Green-winged Teal in recent days.
What must sure qualify for the best quality species to over-winter in the County have to be the

COMMON CRANES

favouring the fields around the Chesilbourne/ Briantspuddle area.

Personally, they increased the 2013 Year List as well as having
been added to the last 4 'ongoing' Dorset Month Lists and must
have brought a good deal of joy to many other observers.

 

Unfortunately, they have not been seen by myself at close quarters,
but through the telescope make a dramatic sight.
The following 10 images are © Bomber and Annie.

The recent storms have brought havoc to our shores and elsewhere,

with one report of c11 Cargo Containers being lost in the
Bay of Biscay alone. Maybe then, the origin of the 'thousands' of

Packets of Cigarettes strewn along the Chesil Beach?
Seabirds too have been badly effected with

GUILLEMOT

SHAG

 

RAZORBILL
Puffin, Cormorant, Kittiwake and Gannet probably worst effected.

Also on Chesil Beach
FAN CORAL

along with corpses of
SEA MOUSE
a relatively scarce creature of the deep, therefore rarely seen except
when falling victim to violent storms so I am told.

Checking further, another fascinating fact is its Latin name
Aphrodita aculeata

which derives from the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite and the similarity of the underside of the animal, supposedly looking like the genitalia of a human female. Once again I will have to rely on what has been told, having no practical knowledge of such things. Finally, and of most interest, this 10" diameter wheel which, shame on me as a life-long Seaman, I did not immediately recognise. It is a

DEAD-EYE

in oppose to a Bulls-eye which has 3 holes, through which ropes on a sailing ship (and other) are pulled to give a fair-lead. It is made of LIGNUM VITAE which usually shows this green patina and is the most dense trade wood in the world, which readily sinks in water. Although I have been familiar with this material and its use throughout my 48 years at sea, the attached Link proved more than interesting, and feel sure the Dead-eye will make for an everlasting conversation piece at many a dinner party.

Thanks to those concerned.

With the almost unheard of appearance of 2 Advertisements in this Post alone, an opportunity will be taken to explain the situation. A 'personnal pledge' was made at the onset that this Blog would carry no unacceptable foul language, profanities, racism, religious jibes etc, and to a point no advertising. The reasoning? I want, above all, for my Grand Children to be able to log on and to see no more than their loving parents would want them to. This also applies to Advertising except in certain circumstances. Last month alone and offer was made of $1,500 to carry a year long promotion for a gambling site, followed by a second of $1,000, for the same period, to explain to punters the theory and ethic behind the gaming. The exception is made when a 'QUALITY' product or service is found (such as that shown above) which we feel would be beneficial to our readers.  

were found to fit perfectly into that bracket last week, when I was 'up a creek without a paddle'. Seeking the advise of Secret about the noise coming from my car he simply said, "I wouldn't even move it before renewing the discs and pads on the rear brakes". Without a clue of such things he estimated what might be the cost and found SCAS to be the nearest garage that could do the job 'on the spot'. There was an added snag as I had a lunch date which coincided perfectly with the repair, but was overcome by SCAS in the blink of an eye. Not only did they drive me to my date and made provision for a return, at NO COST, the final bill was £2.00 less than that estimated. Some days later, it was decided to have the tyres checked as on one there were symptoms of a slow puncture. This was found to be the case and was repaired in quick time, followed by a second (yeah, that's why they call me Lucky) small hole in another tyre. Although a few quid was spent at the first visit I was expecting a 'bill' but instead was invited to stick a 'tenner' (£10) in the 'tips jar' and get on my way. If you know somewhere that can beat this then best get there after you have let me know!  

MY THANKS GO TO STEVE (Owner), LUCY, JAMES and OLLIE. 

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Blinded By The Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band

With little material there was no intention of publishing a Post today but, with the Moth Catching Season now getting underway, it would firstly be worth reporting another new addition to the Parley List from yesterday. Regular readers will likely remember the season kicked-off on the 18th January with Chestnut (not an addition to the list) followed on the 28th February by a Parsnip Moth and 16th of the same month by Buttoned Snout, both new. That morning the Electric Dustbin was found to contain a potential 2 additions, neither looking at all familiar as Insects caught here before. With a good deal of help from my much more learn-ed friend, it was confirmed that we did indeed have 'one' addition as the 2 specimens were different 'colour forms' of the same species. I LOVE IT!

 CLOUDED DRAB (brownish form)

CLOUDED DRAB (greyish form)

As if to endorse the decision to Post, last nights efforts were from the same trap this time placed just inside the door of the redundant chicken coup as rain was expected. Disappointment quickly set in as the egg trays were checked and found to be devoid of anything, let alone Moths. However, a thorough search of the inside bulkheads of the shed revealed the following:-

 HEBREW CHARACTER

 which I have caught many times before, during a previous life,

both on Portland and while living in Wyke Regis, Wemouth

but never here at Parley or photographed anywhere else.

 No disrespect meant to the Insect above, which quickly paled into

insignificance as this

OAK BEAUTY

was gently teased into a specimen pot.

 I have never even clapped eyes on this magnificent creature before,

which I'm sure you'll agree is more than deserving of the name,

and puts a 'tick' in every box!

Finally, only just in time to see the tailplane of the Sheik's Daughters 

JUMBO JET

pass the bedroom window.
Blinded By The Light Link 
Fabulous vocals by Chris Hamlet Thompson
and, strange to relate, a Great song composed by
Bruce Springsteen who has never been allowed onto my
Music Radar.

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