Brawn & Brents

Jenson '2009 World F1 Champion' Button

Apart from having slapped in to represent GB in the decathlon at the 2012's, I'm not what you'd call an avid sports fan. However, around about the time I first heard of Lewis Hamilton, my mate, the afore mentioned Mr Lindsay, and I had a bit of a chat on the subject of Formula One, particularly as even then there were rumours about the British Grand Prix being moved from Silverstone to Donnington Park. This is naught but a stone's throw from his house, and I was already making a bid for accommodation should that day ever arrive. Since then I have shown a little more interest, and when Button put in such fine performances at the beginning of this years series, it started to take hold. This is why I am posting my own small tribute to him and the Brawn Team. What a day, what a race, what a tearful end to a brilliant moment in sporting history?

A tearful Ross Brawn

Mark Webber - OK son two wins are enough!

It would be caddish to pay the above tribute without mentioning the eventual winner of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Mark Webber. Especially with my obvious Antipodean connections, so that's one for you Bernard, Lisa & Frederick, and one for me - but don't let it happen again!

Podium Brazilian Grand Prix - Robert Kubica 2nd, Mark Webber winner, Lewis Hamilton 3rd

Brent Geese - grounded at Ferrybridge

There were nearly 6x as many Brents at low water Ferrybridge today with a count of 536, plus a single Black Brant, while Mediterranean Gull numbers stood at 37. Before that, I'd seen and heard a Golden Plover fly over at Barleycrates, where there were also 2 Reed Bunting plus 6 each of Stonechat and Chiffchaff. There were, as usual, 3 Kestrels but today's observation included some strange behaviour I had never witnessed before. Initially, one of the raptors was seen carrying a fairly long tailed, small rodent which, at perch, it soon devoured. It then alighted in the adjacent field and proceeded to act Secretarybird like, stalking prey on the ground. It soon caught another rodent, but it should be mentioned that throughout the stalk it made quiet, single noted rodent type squeaks. As something of a bonus, a Sooty Shearwater was also seen at the Bill.














Kestrel in Barleycrates Field - impersonating a Secretarybird

Brent Geese - Black Brant 13th from the left!!!!

Brent Geese - put to flight by bait diggers

Skein of Brent Geese - heading down the Fleet, what an awesome sight?

Some of the Ups and Downs of 'Birding'

Water Rail

I am not a pessimist, in fact my glass is always half full, but I am of the mind that the snowball has rolled too far down the hill! As if to prove the point I'll start with the UP. Not an awful lot about today as I wandered around Radipole, Lodmoor and Ferry Bridge but I had time to reflect that within 8 minutes of turning the key in my front door, I had 'seen' Water Rail, Bearded Tit and Cetti's Warbler. There must be those who would be glad to see that trio in a year let alone over such a short time span.

Bearded Tit

On the minus side, I mused as I surveyed the foreshore at FB how we have been overtaken by the plague of man and dog, to name but a few. Brent Geese were 86 strong (probably having just arrived from the tundra) while Mediterranean Gulls numbered 27 with about 100 Waders in total. Firstly, 2 scroats, with their even more inscroatable charges, released their yapping little canine companions each immediately embarking on a 'wild Goose chase'. Disturbed from the plentiful supply of Zostra Eel-grass the Geese flew around until the animals had had a dump (yes I think the dogs had one too), decanted into their vehicle and hit the high road. Having settled back to eat for just 10 minutes, next came the bait diggers and set about forking (sic) up the foreshore. Now, I doubt the practice of taking a few Lug or Rag Worms cocks-up natures great plan, but in addition to putting these birds to flight yet again, they leave their cavernous gapes for the tide to re-settle, totally ignorant of just how detrimental this is to their own hobby. In both cases I was loath (nae afraid) to remonstrate for fear of repercussions, the likes of which I have experienced in the past, societies general attitude being, "I'm right and I'll do just what I like".

Cetti's Warbler

Over the road, the yachting fraternity were having a whale of a time with vessels varying in size from coracles to grit big un's, covering every square yard of Portland Harbour and, obviously without a care in the world. So what then of yer average Red-breasted Merganser or early arriving Diver, where will they be able to alight and feed? With the National Sailing Academy now in full production, this is set to be a year round pursuit causing real fear for the birds. There are notices aimed at deterring disturbance, but laughably inadequate, while trying to engage some Wardens or Managers around the borough in meaningful conversation you'll be met with a blank. So, while this missive is unlikely to make an ounce of difference, and while some of natures carers themselves choose to flaunt the basic rules, then what for the rest of the community?

a study, in photographs of Northern Giant Petrel





I am reliably informed by Albatross Encounter Skipper Gary Melville of 96 Esplanade, Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand that this species becomes progressively paler and more mottled with age.

This one must be getting on then?

and finally a message for my dear next-door neighbour Joy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear lady, hope you are enjoying your 70th in the company of your latest grandson. Please give my love (and a little kiss) to Oliver and warm wishes to Andrew, May and Trevor.

Click the link to see what some kind soul sent to you - I know I'll enjoy them!

Picasa Web Albums - captbagsy - Desktop

Bonamassa, Birds & Brazil

I make no apology for the musical accompaniment to this post, I simply cannot turn Mr Bonamassa off, OK I'll turn it down a bit. Loath as I am to 'keep on about it' this man is a real sensation. Having shaken hands with John Mayall and Jack Bruce, been confused (on many occasions) with Peter Green, shared audience with Sting and Trudi, lunched alongside Ginger Baker and supped a pint or twa with Joe Brown I consider my Rock 'n' Roll credentials in tact. This is something extremely special, it's a long day coming when you discover something this phenomenal, I just have to share it. Without being too selective, The Ballard of John Henry is the most deep down dirty blues I've heard in many a year. Check out this link, double it, take away the number you first though of and you'll get some idea of just how good 'Live' at the Royal Albert Hall is - get on with it!

the ballard of john henry lyrics - Google Search - just left click, and select and video site.

Brown Shrike

Indian Flying Fox

Anyway, wot a night! My dear friends came over from Parley Green for dinner and one of the best evenings I've had in many a day. We first met Hugh and Janet in Sri Lanka when drummer and record producer Alex Robinson and I did our 2006 'Teardrop of India' tour. By a quirk of fate they too lived in Dorset and almost immediately we decided this was a meeting not to be forfeited. Brill with game chips, carrots julienne and asparagus kicked things off, adequately complimented by a 'cheap' Soave. Pudding, a pecan nut and toffee Roulade with double cream, took quite a bit of preparation as sometimes they seem to super glue those damn box lids down. Finally we hit into Camembert, Crefee and a delicious Somerset Farmhouse Cheddar with a Louis Jardot Volnay Clos de la Barre fielded by the Dampneys. Unexpectedly, it turned into one of those rare event evenings when someone actually requests a look at my photies - poor, blind, fools! Sri Lanka was obviously high on the agenda, so here is a folder with a selection showing some of our experiences in that magic land. Let's hope the conflict is over for ever. If you want more click as above - sorry for the blank images seems Picasa has a mind of its own.

Picasa Web Albums - captbagsy - Sri Lanka

Deep Constructor

My mate Andy (Lindsay) currently Chief Engineer on the Technip owned Pipe Layer 'Deep Constructor' is, as we speak heading for a long contract off-shore Brazil. Having left France some days ago, a quick call into Las Palmas, Islas Canarias for bunkers and they have made good progress since. The photographs below show their first encounter with foreign birds, and by my reckoning they are Masked Boobies, I hope there will be others to follow.

Masked Booby - unless you know differently?

Ditto

and while on the subject of sea-going pals, no sooner had I 'posted' Bye-Bye Buchan and I start getting Autumn reports from Dave Penney on the rig. He was telling me while on his last 'field break' that his next 'hitch' coincides with the same dates we had the massive migration in 2005, and he was getting a feeling of de ja vous. He went back last Tuesday but so far not a lot has shown up, but feel some of you will be interested to learn what is going on out there. So far:-
Gannet - Fulmar - Great Black-backed Gull - Herring Gull - Kittiwake - Meadow Pipit - Jackdaw - Goldcrest - Starling - Wood Pigeon - Teal - Blackbird

5 Continents

When I looked at the weather forecast this morning and Micheal Fish assured us there would be no wind today, I was convinced. Not so 22 years ago when the Great British Hurricane occurred, some weeks after I visited Knoll Park in Kent to see dozens and dozens of Leviathans looking like an elephant's graveyard.

An early start at Portland today saw a small movement of Redwings, with the odd Fieldfare mixed in. Both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were present at the Hump with 4 each of Stonechat and Song Thrush at Barleycrates. Towards the Bill good numbers of Blackbirds became apparent and a few Swallows passed overhead. At the Barns there was Black Redstart, Goldcrest and more of the above, and before I arrived at the coast there was a report of a juvenile male Eider, said to be close to the shore. All I could find were 3 Turnstones and a Sparrowhawk, but at the Obs the 2 Turtle Doves (probably the most obliging in history) were still showing, but I saw nothing of the reported Firecrest. The Gulls and Wheatear below were seen as I walked home via the East Cliff.

Wheatear - East Cliff, Portland

Ditto

Great Black-backed Gull with Herring Gull - both juveniles Portland Bill

Great Black-backed Gull - juvenile, Portland Bill

There was another corking quote on the news this morning, as our correspondent reported the actions of the Somali Admiral of the Fleet, who assured the world that piracy in local waters was increasingly coming under control. "Is that because of the number of warships you have deployed Sir" asked the reporter, "No" was the reply, "we don't know where our ships are, but think they have been stollen by pirates". 15 - 2 that Chief!

and finally a single bird photograph from each of the worlds 5 Continents

Yellow-throated Bunting - Asia

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) - America

Cretzschmar's Bunting - Europe

Comb-crested Jacana - Australia

Abyssinian Roller - Africa

Mizen the Music (at your peril)

Eric and Joe just winding up into 'So Many Roads'

I make no apologies for starting today's blog off with a little Rock 'n' Roll, as I sit here appraising my latest punt from Amazon.com. Given to taking a chance, now and again, on maybe just a moment of inspiration I'll buy a CD or DVD on hearing just a single track of this or that. Thus was the case with Joe Bonamassa (Joe who I hear you say), on experiencing his superb rendition of the Page/Plant composition Tea For One, from the grossly under rated Zeppelin album Presence.

Being as Bristol have already installed their street decorations and lights, I have no qualms mentioning the C word, while solving one of your Christmas present problems in a short sentence. 'Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall'. From what I have just seen and heard, I could write a book, but for now suffice to say this 33 year old New York (mainly) guitarist is the most inspirational I have heard since Mick Taylor joined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. In this double album set Joe sticks rigidly to Gibson instruments using a classic Les Paul, an SG, a Flying V and what looks like a personal 'custom built' guitar. I wouldn't presume to place this beautiful sound into a 'pigeon hole', but would note his voice is similar to that of the dear departed Stevie Ray Vaughn. Those around him are also 'top of their game', including duel drums, slippery base, horn section that make Mussel Shoals sound like the Salvation Army and keyboard player who is just as adept clashing 2 tambourines together as tickling the ivories. As for musical content, the high point for me was when he unexpectedly terminates 'Just Got Paid' by bursting into the 'axe break' from Dazed and Confused (for so long it's not true, wanted a woman never bargained for you). So, it's now up to you, miss it, for about £11 from Amazon, at your peril.

For the past 2 evenings I have been trying to see the Bill Barn Owl. In attendance for about 5 days now, it is said to get active about 19-00 but first night I was in the wrong spot (as Farmer Curtis saw it close to 8 Kings), while last night, as far as I can establish, it wasn't seen at all. However, on the plus side the sunset, as depicted above, was sensational and there was another chance to chat to my new found pals Annie and her daughter Chelsea, who are part of the horse fraternity (below).

The birding at Barleycrates started a little better than yesterday, but I suppose it could be argued it would be difficult for it to be worse! Almost immediately a Reed Bunting was heard calling, and soon a male and female were sighted. In addition there were a few Redwing, but only one on the ground, Siskin and alba Wagtails plus 3 Stonechat and a Grey Wagtail. Top Fields seemed almost devoid of birdlife, but Britain's latest warship the 'stealth' destroyer HMS Daring made for an interesting shot with the Isle of Wight in the far distance. A thermaling Common Buzzard broke the drought, while at the Obs the 2 Turtle Doves were still in attendace, even closer than previous days, with a few Chiffchaff. There were reports of 2 each Yellow-browed Warbler and Lapland Bunting but I was privy to none of them. On the way to Portland on the bus, I estimated there to be about 100 Brent Geese at Ferry Bridge, and stopping off on the way home they had gone but this skein of 9 did cross the harbour and headed up the Fleet.

Reed Bunting - a poor shot

HMS Daring

Brent Geese - maybe just arriving

Regular readers my remember my previous ramblings about a vessel trawling in West Bay under a mizen sail, well here she is passing the Bill. As far as I can acertain, she is the Bot Willie registered at Fowey, Cornwall but I'll look out for her alongside the wall at Weymouth to find out moor.

Boy Willie ?? - showing mizen sail

Bye Bye Buchan

Another reasonable day at the office today despite being, in the main, similar fare to yesterday. Between Barleycrates and Culverwell there was naught but a lone Siskin, but once there a Great Spotted Woodpecker (not a daily occurrence by any means on the Island) was heard 'calling', likely the same Yellow-browed Warbler, still peeping away, a Song Thrush, a Clouded Yellow Butterfly, the 2 Turtle Doves and a Redwing 'in the hand' all entered the log. Of the latter, I have been privileged to handle quite a number, in an attempt to save them from a fate of certain death, which apart from being a bit of a Thrush freak anyway, gave me an affinity with this species. For the uninitiated, from now, and through the early winter, these mass migrants will be heard in the night sky letting out their wispy 'tsee' location call. In fact as I sat outside of 'Slight Return' enjoying a coffee mid-afternoon a number were heard overhead.

Kestrel - seem to have done very well procreating on the Island this year. This is just one of 3 or 4 seen daily around Top Fiels and the Slopes and is perched on what used to be a barn

Redwing - the first I have seen in the hand in Dorset. I am reliably informed that this individual is an adult male

Ditto - the same bird preparing for release. Thanks go to Dr David Murdoch for the photo shoot opportunity and details of sex and age

and it wont put me up nor down that today sees the last 'artist' descend from the 4th Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Occupied for a total 2,400 hours, the brainchild of supposed eminent artist Anthony Gormley, on our recent visit Ille and I were, to say the least, bemused by a grey haired woman seemingly sorting out her washing up. "Art for art's sake, money for God's sake", read the 10cc lyrics, but whichever way you view it we have the freedom to make up our own minds.

The 4th Plinth - 2 saucepans and a plate

Trafalgar Square - with mild, green Fairy Liquid

the last of 'Buchan Birds' - starts with a real little beauty

Little Stint - the Duty Engineer brought this to me just after midnight on my 60th birthday

Ditto - what a way to start a new decade?

House Sparrow - as far as can be ascertained, the only record of this usually common species, from off-shore

Bluethroat - both 'red' and 'white' spotted have been recorded on Buchan

Great Grey Shrike - the only Buchan record and 5th for the North Sea

Laughing Gull - the Harris's, Spencer's and Forster's of this world may make this out immediately, but for the visually impaired click on the image and squint a lot. The first record for the North Sea, scored by Operations Co-ordinator Dave Penney, and followed up the following year with a Black Kite. I knew there was something I didn't like about him!