Another Cracking start to another Cracking day in more ways than one, with another resonant
DAWN CHORUS
on the morning after the warmest night of the year thus far and we didn't have to wait long for a result from the Moth Traps!
on the morning after the warmest night of the year thus far and we didn't have to wait long for a result from the Moth Traps!
LESSER SWALLOW PROMINENT
First for the Year
was considered a most desent start with back-up cast of our first
was considered a most desent start with back-up cast of our first
CRANEFLY
(Daddy Long Legs)
along with our second
(Daddy Long Legs)
along with our second
ANGLE SHADES
but all outshone by a magical and most unexpected f.f.y. and only our second ever
but all outshone by a magical and most unexpected f.f.y. and only our second ever
SOULDER STRIPE
What a start, but if sensibilities should prevail the best of the Month was about to follow!
What a start, but if sensibilities should prevail the best of the Month was about to follow!
By design we had stuck with our GP in Weymouth, once moveing to East Dorset, as something of an incentive (as if one were ever needed) to revisit our old stomping grounds there and on Portland for Covid Jab Number 2 and what a swish operation from the Car Park Attendants to the Doctors all deserving of yet another clap and more - Here's to you with Thanks!
Unfortunatley only time for Ferrybridge where from the car park
DUNLIN
could be seen and more distantly the calls
of what were surely the
target birds of this visit!
With a full ebb tide there were things to see across the expossed sand such as and faily unusual these days just singles of
With a full ebb tide there were things to see across the expossed sand such as and faily unusual these days just singles of
COCKLE
and maybe even more surprising for the location
and maybe even more surprising for the location
WHELK
Patches of
Patches of
SEA THRIFT
or alternatively
or alternatively
SEA PINK
were dotted all around but more so across the 18 miles of shingle forming
were dotted all around but more so across the 18 miles of shingle forming
CHESIL BEACH
(left)
(left)
a lone
OYSTERCATCHER
along with
many thousands of
RAGWORM CASTs
and a carpet of
and a carpet of
BLADDERWRACK
(seaweed)
Not surprisinglya few
(seaweed)
Not surprisinglya few
PLEASURE BOATs
between a small group of juvenile
between a small group of juvenile
HERRING GULLs
were swinging to their bouyed moorings, but not for this kid!
Like any Ol' Salt
"every foot of boat is a mile of trouble"!
while 'sailing' is considered akin to standing under a very, very cold shower ripping up £50 notes!
Like any Ol' Salt
"every foot of boat is a mile of trouble"!
while 'sailing' is considered akin to standing under a very, very cold shower ripping up £50 notes!
Each to their Own
we finally reached the object of our desire the
LITTLE TERNs
newly arrived back from their 'winter quarters' in
West Africa
what a distance to fly for such a tiny bird
while finally ther were also a couple of much larger sized
SANDWICH TERNs
which occassional overwinter in our waters
but always find it intriguing that apart from the very obvious size difference the
Little developed a yellow bill with black tip and Sandwich the exact opposite?
Little developed a yellow bill with black tip and Sandwich the exact opposite?
That might have been the end of it had not been for some gale that washed this Lady ashore????
and surely endorses our point of 'miles' and 'inches''
As an aside, on the drive west we noted a squashed deer on the road coincidentaly directly outside of
and surely endorses our point of 'miles' and 'inches''
As an aside, on the drive west we noted a squashed deer on the road coincidentaly directly outside of
Stag Gate at the Charborough Park Estate
The difference heading east was, an opportunist
The difference heading east was, an opportunist
RED KITE
thermaling above and despite the heavy volume of traffic my money was on the bird getting a feed!
thermaling above and despite the heavy volume of traffic my money was on the bird getting a feed!
