Waders & Warships

Here are the final Wader photographs, all taken in the States. I love 'birding' over there, but be advised if your looking at any of these little darlings, should you ask a local "what's that small Wader over there", the almost guaranteed reply will be, "we don't do PEEPs !!" It maybe of interest that the middle 3 were all seen in the same almost frozen pool, in company with 3 Red-necked Stint.

Semipalmated Sandpiper - Newport Harbour, Oregon, USA

Least Sandpiper - Barrow, Alaska, USA

Baird's Sandpiper - Ditto

Western Sandpiper - Ditto

White-rumped Sandpiper - East Falkland Island

Saturday's are always looked forward to as a carte blanche bus pass day. No default until 09-30, as in the week, so 06-35 and I was heading for Portland. As we stopped at Foord's Corner, to pick up the only other passenger, I noted a Capital Ship 'swinging to her pick' in Portland Harbour. Unusual enough to see a 'war canoe' here these days, there was a second, a Frigate of sorts and a third by way of a Logistics Ship already leaving harbour via the East Ship Channel. Barleycrates produced a Grasshopper Warbler plus half a dozen Wheatear while a continuous stream of Hirundines , mostly Swallows flew south along the East Cliff. Walking the southern perimeter fence of the business park, yet another warship hove into view certainly maintaining 15 knots as she passed between the mainland and the Shambles Bank. This monster was familiar to me as a mate of mine had been the Jimmy (1st Lieutenant) on her first commission from new. HMS Ocean, with dimentions of, Displacement: 21,578 tons Length: 683ft 3in, Beam: 112ft 10in, Draught: 21ft 8in, is currently the Royal Navy's largest warship, and looked an impressive sight as she steamed past the Portland Bird Observatory. Not big by comparison to our cousins across the pond, but in many ways size is of little consequence here. Back in the 60's, while in HMS Eskimo on Biera Patrol (Mozambique Channel), our flag ship HMS Ark Royal was said to have received an early morning signal from a passing US flotila, "good morning and how's the second biggest navy in the world today?", the Admiral aboard replied in super quick time, "good morning to you sir, we're very well, and how's the second best?". Walking towards Culverwell a Common Snipe put up from a nearby field, 'called' and alighted again, and along with an undetermined count of Siskin and a single Yellow Wagtail that was all of note seen. I was informed at the Obs that the other Capital ship was HMS Bulwark.

HMS Ocean passing Portland Bird Observatory

A Welcome September 'Tick'

Grey Phalarope - Holkam Beach, Norfolk late winter 2005

There was a time when seeing the bird was enough, but since the Canon took over there are times when I return home a little disappointed. Today was a case in point, but there is no good reason for 'down' when you see a creature of this quality. The text arrived about 10-45 while I was up to my neck in 'clean ship' duties. A 'summer plumage' Red-throated Diver, probably adjacent the King's Statue, Weymouth Seafront. It took 45 minutes to re-locate it, by now close to the Pier Bandstand, but so close to the shore it looked to be feeding in the 3rd roller. A brisk walk to the Jubilee Clock and another long search saw it just disappearing behind the pier. Beach huts obscure the view most of the way to Greenhill but now I had at least had a good scope look at a bird in a plumage infrequently seen hereabouts. Once a clear view was obtained I saw it at the end of the stone groyne opposite the Sea Life Center, and wished I was on those rocks as it was all but touching them. I did walk to the end of the rocky outcrop, but never saw it again despite being joined by Lorne & Sheila Edwards, even venturing as far as the Oasis Cafe. An additional bonus was, I have never seen this species in September before, so why disappointed?

The penultimate posting in the Waders series, and I make no apologies for making it 4 aspects of the same bird. OK, I doubt it has the same status or pulling power for that matter, of Spoon-billed Sandpiper or Ibisbill, but is another of the bizarre 'billed' shorebirds of the world. As I understand it, the bill only ever arcs to the right (from the birds point of view) and why the hell it ever developed like that is beyond me!

Wrybill - Manuaku Harbour, North Island, New Zealand (no idea of Diptera ID)

Ditto
Ditto
Ditto

Surf, Sea & Sky (oh yes and Waders)

World & Olympic Champions in
Portland Harbour

How many times have you been over to Portland in the last fortnight? Or for that matter Portland to Weymouth? And the final question in this difficult quiz, how many times have you stopped and witnessed a 'World Event' on your very doorstep, free of charge and all the excitement and colour you could imagine? Well, the World Windsurfing Championship Regatta finished this afternoon, and this is where I go into extremely 'quiet' mode so not to tempt providence, as it looks every bit like local hero Nick Dempsey (who??) has knocked the rest of the other 39 nations competing into a cocked hat. It would seem only some sporting catastrophe like a 'blood capsule' not bursting properly, or an unforeseen 'penalty box dive' can deprive the lad from Wyke Regis. As we go to press there is no confirmation but it looks like the GB ladies may have 'walked' it into'em (sic) as well. Oh, is that a 'big hand' I hear ringing out, you could have sent it across Portland Harbour personally during the final race this afternoon. See you at the WORLD SPEED CHAMPIONSHIPS in October, same place, different time, probably even more excitement!

Medal Fleet (Top 10) Race 11
Provisional Results

Pos Country / Sail No Name Race Time

1 GBR 1 Nick Dempsey 17' 40"

2 NED 8 Dorian van Rijsselberge 17' 48"

3 POL 126 Przemyslaw Miarczynski 18' 18"

4 BRA 1 Ricardo Santos 19' 03"

5 GRE 8 Byron Kokalanis 19' 19"

6 ITA 110 Fabian Heidegger 19' 43"

7 ISR 21 Nimrod Mashiah 20' 22"

8 POL 82 Piotr Myszka 20' 26"

9 POR 75 Joao Rodrigues 20' 47"

10 ESP 2 Ivan Pastor 26' 52"

REMEMBER WHERE YOU SAW IT FIRST!

Birdwise today was much the same as yesterday, except for a large number of Hirundines, mostly taking a last drink at Lodmoor and disappearing over the sea wall and into the Channel. Additionally, there were good numbers of Meadow Pipit and Linnet, plus a few Willow Warblers also heading south, a Kingfisher plus the attendant Common Buzzard. At the Bill Pied and Spotted Flycatcher were predominant, but that is about all I saw.

Sparrowhawk with hapless House Sparrow

Not posted for its photographic quality, but simply to emphesis that moment in time, when death calls. It reminded me of that excellent story of the 2 men walking from Weymouth to Upwey when just ahead they see 'Death Personified' at which one man turns and races home. The other simply bids Death a good day, to which he replied, "I really would liked to have met your friend, but not to worry I have a rendezvous with him in St Thomas street tomorrow afternoon".

Only a Few Waders Left Now!

Semipalmated Plover - Vancouver, Canada

Spotted Sandpiper - Toad River, Yukon Territory, Canada

Pectoral Sandpiper - Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

Killdeer - Beaver Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

At last some migration movement today. It was thought worth persuing the Little Crake again, so about 45 minutes were spent in that area but only netted single Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. High water was about 10-30 so little point stopping at FB, I walked from Barleycrates to the Obs recording a dozen Wheatear, 7 Whinchat, 4 Yellow Wagtail and a few Hirundines. At the Obs I had just finish my buns and coffee, when some inconsiderate called an Ortolan above Culverwell. Hauling the afore mentioned victuals up the hill, the bird immediately put up from a crop field and settled (for a while in company with a Sedge Warbler) on a nearby hedge, affording excellent and not too distant views which begs the question why are the photographs so poor - more practice required. I knew it had been a while since I had recorded this uncommon Bunting but was surprised to find it was last century. Well done the Slade family for an excellent find!

As far as camera practice is concerned, the opportunity came at Ferry Bridge after I'd made my counts. Here there were 71 Ringed Plover, 52 Dunlin, 7 Sanderling, 8 Turnstone, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 each Mediterranean Gull & Sandwich Tern plus an over-flying Grey Wagtail. The attendant flock of Starlings included several juvenile birds, along with the adults and Meds made ideal photographic subjects. While taking these shots I thought of the Starlings, that if they were not so common they would generate a 'twitch' every time. I have reproduced some of the shots in this post because of their sheer beauty and because I like them.

Ortolan - above Culverwell, Portland, Dorset. For much better shots visit PBO website


Starlings - Papua New Guinea



Mediterranean Gull - also at Ferry Bridge


and a few more Waders
Wattled Plover - Akubo NR, The Gambia

Masked Plover - The Kakadoo, Northern Territory, Australia

Yellow-wattled Plover - Bundala NP, Sri Lanka

Black-headed Plover - Tendaba, The Gambia

Spur-winged Plover - Tanjeh Bridge, The Gambia

Cuckoo Cocoon Have I Come to, too Soon for You

And what about the new Insect Exhibition at the Darwin House within the Natural History Museum? At 8 stories high and overlooking the research labs, it is to be dubbed 'The Cocoon', and, it has to be said, has been too long in the coming. The general public always were able to view any and all of the Entomological specimens therein, but not without appointment. I remember many years ago doing just that, and while access was easily obtained the process of searching through endless draws was a little daunting., but totally 'spell binding'. Having said that, when applying for entry one could specify particular specimens which would be laid waiting, but the new set up is going to be a whole different ball game. I can already see Messrs Harris, Lambert, Forster, Cade, Foot, Wood-Homer et al in the queue.

Marsh Sandpiper - Kotu Bridge, The Gambia

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Alice Springs Sewerage Works, Northern Territory, Australia

Southern Lapwing - Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Again the Borough was shrouded in mist early morning, but for a change above the cacophony of Herring Gull calls there was the sweet refrain of a Robin. In, or very close to, my garden it was back in the spring when the last one was heard. It may have been that there was an overnight 'fall', or maybe they all just came out of the 'woodwork' at the same time but there were 6 at Radipole and a further 10 at Lodmoor. Apart from a single Willow Warbler and a scattering of Acros that was it at Radipole, but Lodmoor turned up a little more to look at. Counts included Med Gull 2, Black-tailed Godwit 13, Sandwich Tern 15, Curlew Sandpiper 2 (only seen by Daragh), Redshank 2, Dunlin 20+, Common Snipe 5, Little Egret 4, Whitethroat 2 plus single Willow Warbler and Blackcap. There was a moment when, had I been a fraction of a second quicker, I may have had my photograph of the year as a Sparrowhawk deftly picked off a House Sparrow on the west pathway. Scanning from Preston Beach 16 Common Scoter flew inside Portland Harbour, along the Middle Arm Breakwater and out into WeyBay. Later I surveyed the ebb at Ferry Bridge where 6 Med Gull, 53 Dunlin, 87 Ringed Plover, 5 each Sanderling & Turnstone, 6 Sandwich Tern and a lone Little Egret arrived to feed.

Sandwich Terns - Ferry Bridge, Portland, Dorset

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

Once again the early morning rain made for a late start, but there was good to come of that. Some years ago my mate Andy Lindsay sent me a present of 2 Jools Holland 'Later With' DVD's which are compilations of mainly New Years Eve studio concerts featuring many of the greats. Included in these line-ups was one Beverley Knight, who's rendition of the Sam Cooke penned 'Change is Gonna Come' more than caught my ear. Now without wishing to sound too pointed to those concerned, what I describe as the 'Squealing Bint' genre ain't my cup of marbles. However, this lady, very much the exception to this rule, was a guest on the BBC Breakfast News while the rain fell outside. Sounding totally unaffected by what must be massive success (apparently you don't get MBE's out of Christmas crackers) this obvious roll model for any of the younger generation, talked us through a couple of her songs and an upcoming UK tour, on this the release day of her new album '100%'. I'm always very interested in meaningful song lyrics, which in this instance came by way of Ms Knight's own composition 'Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda' (the Last Words of a Fool). A message to us all there, who would want to trip this mortal coil knowing those words were true about ourselves. Go Out and Get It!

A walk through Barleycrates, Reap Lane, onward to the Bill, Obs and back to Sweethill produced no migrants at all. There had been a few caught at the PBO, but later at Ferry Bridge Ringed Plover and Dunlin numbers remain much as in recent days, while Sanderling now numbered 8.

Red-necked Avocet - Alice Springs Sewerage Works, Northern Territory, Australia

Note This site is arguably the best in Alice and highlighted via Google, a key being held by the local Bird Club. On arrival we asked the hotel receptionist if she had any ideas how we might get access, and she made no fewer than 9 phone calls to suss it out. Eventually, she contacted the club secretary who was dining with friends, but found time to ring us in our room and later deliver the key. The advise was to get a taxi, but found it to be a very short distance by our standards and easily walkable. The place is full of birds, best for me being the bizarre Pink-eared Duck.

American Avocet - Cape Henlopen, Delaware

South American (White-necked) Stilt - Costanera Sur NR, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Black-winged Stilt - Strandfontain Sewerage Works, South Africa

No Crake just a few more Waders

Don't Panic I Haven't Seen It

As an act of compensatory factor, here are a couple of images of the April 2008 Devon bird.

The news arrived as darkness fell last evening, of a Little Crake sighted in the main north/south channel just north of the Radipole Visitor's Center. Gloomy enough to deter an immediate visit, it was an early turn this morning to find no more than a dozen 'birders' searching for this extremely rare county visitor. I was expecting a cast of thousands, as according to Green (The Birds of Dorset) apart from records prior to 1888 there have only been c2 in recent times, so this has been a 'blocker' even for some of the counties more eminent listers. Despite the hour and a 4 hour vigil nothing was seen, or heard, of the critter, however, it's a dull day when 'nothing' is seen so accordingly Swift, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff, Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail, to name but a few, went into the log. It was the information (or lack of it) about this find that intrigued me, with no one knowing for sure the 'exact' spot or for that matter the identity of the finder. Amid the conversation on these subjects there were paraphrases such as "freedom of information act" and "divulgence isn't always good for business", and wondered if I was still pursuing the same hobby that my dear old dad introduced me to, 'at this very location' at the age of eight! Still we didn't see it, but I will sure as hell be down there again before the sun sets today, so keep you mobile switched on! Oh, and for some, don't go to the Elm Tree (private joke).

Paul Harris and I stuck it out until 19-30, but still no sign of the Crake.

White-fronted Plover - Paternoster, South Africa

Solitary Sandpiper - Central Park, New York City, USA

A small aside to this particular bird and an accompanying Connecticut Warbler, which were both found by my ex lady-friend Sue Hallam, occurred when a large group of US 'birders' approached us to find out what we had seen. It must have been the English accent that deterred them as Sue reported her finding, causing them all to depart rapidly chuntering disbelief. It was left for those who followed, to see both birds and a small number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, much to the loss of the doubters. Only the Warbler escaped photography.

Falklands (Common) Snipe - Port Stanley, East Falkland Island

(Far) Eastern Curlew - Cairns Seafront, Queensland, Australia