Davy's On the Road Again - Manfred Mann's Earth Band

We haven't even gotten around to publishing last week-end's photographs yet let alone looking at what has happen during the one just passed. There had been some suggestion of heading to the New Forest again with the prospects of travelling even further, and if that were to come to fruition I was very much 'up for it'! The highlight of Saturday was appending another 'tick' in one of my quirky little boxes contained in the Dorset February List. The only stipulations are, whichever species of bird, it must be seen within the County Boundaries in that given month, and once recorded thus you won't hear from me again one the subject. Oh, hang on a second there's a bloke in a 'white coat' knocking on the door........

During the first week of this month I have visited the stronghold of the 'target species', Avon Causeway, no fewer than 5 times and in desperation the now infilled Hurn Gravel Pit only to 'dip' on each occasion. That was the same track taken on Saturday, leaving AC empty handed and only seeing c4 displaying Shoveler on the first pan or HGP. A second look revealed a 'head' peeking above a spoil heap and grabbing the telescope quickly confirmed that it was that of my Heart's Desire, in fact c2

EGYPTIAN GEESE

Any communications, including texts, which arrive at this Caravanhold (that's the same as a Household only in a Caravan) after 22:00 usually meet with a blank, except that evening when I was watching the film The Aviator. Save for my long time fascination with Howard Hughes, the midnight text would have been missed and likely the chance of maybe fulfilling yet another small dream. Having photographed all but 3 of the worlds recognised species of Gull (Ivory, Ross's and Relict) along with perhaps the majority of Sub-species, to have the opportunity to add yet another of the latter was one too good to give up. An immediate telephone conversation to Dave Foot firmed up the arrangements and next morning at 08:30 we met in a lay-by near Ringwood. Our destination, the small West Sussex Port of

 LITTLEHAMPTON

was little more than 90 minutes away and well within that time frame

we were enjoying a sarnie and coffee and joining forces with the half-

dozen or so other 'birders' on the Quayside.

 Within a couple of minutes the young man on the right

MICHEAL BOOKER

in company with his dad DAN (who was co-finder of our target bird
last year) approached me and said "you're The Bagsy Blog aren't you"?

Good start as we enjoyed the

 SANDERLING

 feeding from the mud below us.

 Maybe it's just me but this special little Wader puts me in mind of

tiny old gentlemen scurrying around for all they are worth - Good Value!

 A couple of

TURNSTONE

were also in attendance but all of these were quickly abandoned as

out 'target bird'

 KUMLIEN'S GULL

flew past at almost arms length.

 With the bright sunshine almost dead ahead of us we would have to

 to move location

 taking in the

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION HQ

 and their 

INSHORE RESCUE INFLATABLE

in passing. By the time we reached the other side of the slipway

 the Gull had reached the other side of the Harbour where it stayed for ages.

 Nil Desperandum

 a few strategically placed slices of Warburtons soon had it heading our way.

 In company with a 'first winter' 

BLACK-HEADED GULL (right)

 it made several close passes,

 occasionally taking the offered bread from the surface and also

 spending long periods on the sea.

 

Kumlien's is not a specific species of  Gull but a hybrid between

ICELAND GULL
this image taken on Radipole Car Park in 2009
and

 THAYER'S GULL
above and below.

these images of 'frist winter' birds having been taken in Seattle, USA in 2008
Harrison points out that Kumlien's Gull breeds in southern Baffin Island,
Canada and overwinters on that countries east coast shores
and from New England south to Long Island in the USA.

A final look along the Inner harbour and we were on our way.

 We must have accessed Littlehampton via an alternate route as who

could miss or overlook the 'stunning vista' that is 

ARUNDEL

(panorama © Dave Foot)

ARUNDEL CASTLE (Link)

ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL (Link)

The detour from the M27 Motorway to the Walpole Park Boating Lake,

Gosport is about 20 minutes so well worth the minor effort to once again visit the

RINGED-BILL GULL
there for its 11th year.

Another visitor from across the Atlantic Ocean

and another that has proved 'great value' to me and many others.

Again the Warburtons was distributed and the bird put on a fine
Aerial Display

You're surrounded Mate
you couldn't have positioned the Black-headed Gulls
any better than this.

 

What A Beauty!

 

Video clips are limited by size, so only short.
As c2 Brent Geese flew over the Pond, Dave was quick to spot an

Adult Winter

MEDITERRANEAN GULL

also occasionally putting on a flying display.

Also spotted by Dave, he has to earn his corn if he's out with me, our
first Butterfly of the Year a
BRIMSTONE

As we were close by, it was onward to Digden Bottom to try once again for the
Great Grey Shrike

seeing only a handful of

NEW FOREST PONIES
but NO Shrike
and is it physically possible to drive past Blashford Lakes
I Doubt It!
Just the usual fare, but the rapidly setting Sun was tinting the Lake
PINK.

GOOSANDER
the male, left, was being pursued over a great distance by a crouching
(displaying) female.

GOOSANDER
with sleeping WIGEON

GOOSANDER
male

GOOSANDER
female

she's still at it

and now its his turn.

male and female
TUFTED DUCK

both looked good in the

prevailing light as did these 2

LITTLE GREBE

Strange, I had contact with Dmitry Krasnoperov in Moscow over the weekend, when Russia were riding at No 4 in the Readers Top Ten Countries. I requested he send this Link to all his contacts and he said he would, by nightfall that country was OFF THE CHART??

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Cherry Red - Groundhogs

The Log tells me it was September 1980 since the last and only time I clocked a Hooded Crow in Dorset, a 'brief encounter', but since then last year we were blessed with a much longer stayer. A bird usually associated with more northerly latitudes, this is a rare visitor to our County which I know has given excellent value to many. Wednesday last, was the 13th time I have visited the Pig Farm, and surrounding areas, at the Grove, Portland since it first arrived last June adding it to every subsequent month since. However, on 4 occasions it was not seen at all and this was the first time it has fallen to the lens - another nice addition although they have been photographed in many other locations in the World.

HOODED CROW

with
CARRION CROWs
for comparison.

Getting a little frisky

and aggressive at times

it didn't seem to be enjoying, or tolerating

the presence of other Corvids in the area.

Although time was a little tight that day, I NEVER visit Portland without calling in to see my dear Ol' Shipmate - The Secret Lemonade Drinker - and especially as he had acquired a new power lead for my Bose Wave i-Pod Docking Station. Cor, I've missed Vera Lynn and Alma Cogan over the past few days! The biggest surprise being when he agreed to accompany me to The Bill - he doesn't get out much. First up was

ROCK PIPIT
but seemingly not the usual number of these.

followed by the
Border Force Cutter
SEARCHER
in some quarters know as HMS EXPENSIVE

3 of what would soon become 4

PURPLE SANDPIPER

where then found on the rapidly drying rocks

 as the Spring Tide ebbed, revealing a few

LIMPETS

Next were c6

TURNSTONE

which along with the Purps were added to the Year List.

 

A vane attempt was made to find the Black Redstart including in the
LIGHTHOUSE GARDEN

SECRET
at the OBELISK

PULPIT ROCK
and part of the

Old Quarry Workings at the Bill.

SEA KALE
a bit past Sell-By Date and

(wintering) BURDOCK

A view to the TOP before a whistle stop visit to the

OBSERVATORY QUARRY
where the

LITTLE OWL
was recorded for the year.
Having to beat a retreat, after dropping Secret at home the temptation
was too much to pass by Maiden Castle where several

CORN BUNTING

were found fraternising with the Sheep

and always at a distance!
As stated time was of the essence so unfortunately

GOLDEN PLOVER
had to be forsaken, at least that's what was thought before a small
flock flew into the small field closest to the houses.

Decent 'scope views were had of these, capping what had been a

an Excellent Day.
I arrived back at Parley Court Farm just in time to see this

CITY JET FOKKER F50
arrive from Antwerp to land at Bournemouth International Airport.

Its payload was to be the Bournemouth Championship Football Team
who flew to Wigan for a league game to be played today.
Come on you 'CHERRIES'

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