Langton Herring to Ferry Bridge (8 miles)

On the face of it today looked to be an even better one than yesterday, with hardly a cloud in the sky, a light breeze from the south east and already at an early hour pleasantly warm. The driver of the X53 kindly dropped me at the Langton Herring, there being no bus stop there, but stepping off immediately noticed a change in the weather. The sky here was completely covered, the wind chill and rain seemed highly likely.

Passing the Langton sign I noticed some wag had removed the TH from the word through, but I can assure readers there is nothing 'rough' about this quaint little village. A group of Rooks were the first birds seen, quickly followed by a Yellowhammer, feeding at the roadside, then a series of Warblers including Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat and there was also a Goldcrest singing in a pine tree. Crossing the style and reaching the brow of the hill overlooking Two Gates, the field below which just a month ago was white with Ox-eyed Daisies is now purple with Great Knapweed.

There were also good numbers of Large White Butterflies on the wing along with Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Large Skipper. At Rodden Hive there we a number of wildfowl including a Wigeon, c2 Pintail, c2 Shelduck, and in addition Grey Heron and Little Egret were well represented.

The highlight of the day came when I happened across an old mate not seen for a number of years. John Gillman was the Charge-man of Riggers in the Portland Dockyard when I worked there. There was much to be talked about, and at our parting I noted we had been chatting for 2 and a half hours. GREAT to see you John.

Soon after parting, and at East Fleet Farm, there were c2 Corn Buntings singing,

and one of the Little Egrets obligingly flew close past me. The only other birds of note were a small family party of Long-tailed Tits, a Sedge Warbler and an over-flying Yellow Wagtail.

I think this is one of the 'Hawksbeards',

but whatever a beautiful flower.

and finally a couple of e-mails, the first from my mate Andy Lindsay who is currently off the east coast of Brazil pipe laying for PetroBras on the Deep Constructor.

Black Redstart hatches chicks at secret Birmingham nest
Page last updated at
15:01 GMT, Friday, 2 July 2010 16:01 UK
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The black redstart's new home in Birmingham
One of Britain's rarest birds has successfully raised four chicks at a secret location in the centre of Birmingham. There are between 20 and 70 breeding pairs of Black Redstarts in England and Wales and only three pairs in Birmingham, says the RSPB. The species likes to nest in abandoned buildings near water and often sets up home in old factories. It was feared city regeneration had reduced the bird's available territory. The species is about the size of a robin and feeds on insects. The four chicks have been ringed with a unique number to allow experts to track their movements.

Best regards,

Andy Lindsay
Chief Engineer
Deep Constructor

Black Redstart, Bulgaria

Black Redstart, Portland

and from my new found friends Ben & Brenda Haase in Ecuador a mail relating to a Glaucous-winged Gull that Ben and I found on Salinas Beach there. He tells me the final draft of our description of the bird which, if accepted, be the first not only for Ecuador but also the whole of the South American sub-continent.

• Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 22:03:07 -0500
• Subject: From Salinas Ecuador

Hi Bagsy

Just a short note to thank you for your postcard and to let you know that we are fine. Humpback Whales are back now so a lot o guiding work to come. The draft for Cotinga is almost ready, have already contacted the UK, but the editor says it must wait for publication in 2011, so there we go..........

Hope that you are fine to, and keep enjoying the birding.

Last moth at last after 2o years the PERUVIAN THICK KNEE here in Salinas !!!!!

Keep well,

Ben and Brenda

This is the Glaucous-winged Gull concerned, hopefully soon to be consigned to the history books.

It also obligingly allowed a few open wing shots.

Head shot of the Glaucous-winged Gull

The Peruvian Thick-knee to which Ben refers is scarce in Ecuador, but not surprisingly I saw this one and c5 of its mates in - yes Peru.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed

With just a few wisps of high cirrus cloud in an otherwise clear blue sky and the wind little more than light airs it was another great day for a wander. In the cemetery once again 'young birds' were to the fore, with none more so than 3 broods of fledged Robins but none of the speckled breasted juveniles allowing a photograph. Starling and Blue Tit were also represented, while at the bye-pass 'the' (?) male Blackcap was still singing but today a female was also seen carrying food. I startled a Common Sandpiper from the concrete bridge at Radipole, and further on a

Sedge Warbler was singing atop a Buddleia bush not many days away from flowering, and a Reed Bunting vocalised in the background.

There was little else of note except to say numbers of Black-headed Gull seem to be increasing daily, but this small group were more interested in preening than posing.

At Ferry Bridge the Little Terns continue their feeding duties, under the watchful eye of the RSPB, as what may well have been the long staying Whimbrel plus another Common Sandpiper fed in an exposed sandbank.

Continuing the bus journey to Barleycrates, Portland it soon became obvious that birds were once again in short supply, with Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Swallow about the only representatives of the Passerines. My attention turned to Butterflies, Moths and flowers with this little gem

Yellow-Wort.

Detail of Yellow-Wort which I don't remember seeing before (overlooked) but so beautiful.

A break from the blooms as this Roe Deer put in an appearance, but only partially!

Sheepsbit Scabious

and detail with feeding 6 Spot Burnet.

The only 'maritime movements' today were the flotilla of Charter Fishing Boats and, here, the Cutlass taking 'divers' to the west of the Island.

Thought to be Sea Pea.

While this female Kestrel was playing havoc with the young Rock Pipits on the East Cliff.

Ex son in law Andy, me, Julie & Nigel

The day finished with a fantastic belated Father's Day treat with Julie & Nigerl and a chance meeting with Andy, who it's been too long since our last meeting. The Tapas were terrific, so see you there soon.

and finally the RSPB response to my letter. At least this represents some 'positive' direction unlike that of local officials. I will of course keep you updated of progress or otherwise.

Dear Captain Baker

Thank you for your response to our email, which Sarah has forwarded to me.

As you remain unconvinced of our assurance that all our work has been done fully within the law and with the approval of Natural England, and based on the seriousness of the allegation in your blog (28^th June), we would suggest that in the spirit of openness and transparency, we meet with you at Natural England’s offices in Dorchester. Here you can raise your concerns with the relevant NE officer and police Wildlife Crime Officer, and we can set out the agreements and licences in place for the work.

We have been in contact with Natural England and John Snelling, Police WCO, who have agreed this is a suitable course of action. If you are agreeable, I will arrange a meeting when John Stobart (Natural England) returns from leave, so that we can both reassure you and move on positively from this.

Yours sincerely

Dante Munns

RSPB Dorset Area Manager

A Whale of a Time

I was woken this morning by what has become an unfamiliar sound, RAIN on the window, so getting up slow time I even allowed myself a look at the news sat down. Taking the opportunity to phone Lisa (my youngest) in Australia it was fantastic to hear her second pregnancy is progressing well, and fingers crossed I'll be a Granddad again in late January. By mid-morning there had been no let up, in fact the downpour had got harder, but then came the incentive I needed to get out. Both Daragh and Paul text to announce a Roseate Tern at Lodmoor, and with this dainty little sea bird becoming less frequent here it was a must to enjoy the moment. On arrival, there were a couple of casual birders in the shelter but they had not heard of or seen it, but it took a matter of moments before we were sharing the sight together.

Common Tern left with Roseate Tern.

It is a bit of a pity that things are usually so distant at Lodmoor, but distant is better than none.

A small patch of Lesser Reed Mace along the roadside.

and a blast from the past

Flicking through an old photograph album this morning, I came across these shots of Minke Whales at the Buchan Alpha Oil Rig location in the North Sea.

Just 2 of a pod of 5 that stayed close to the rig for 6 days (must have been plenty of food there at the time) and were seen, via the powerful deck lights, every night resting directly below the platform. Looking as if they were asleep, on occasion they were seen to spend long periods on their backs showing distinctive white underparts.

and finally my last letter to the RSPB

From: captbagsy@waitrose.com [mailto:captbagsy@waitrose.com]
Sent: 26 June 2010 20:21
To: Alsbury, Sarah
Subject: Little Tern Colony

Dear Ms Alsbury

For 40 years I have been both interested and concerned by the various Tern colonies in and around the Weymouth & Portland area. For a decade and a half I was probably the sole monitor of the colony on the Middle Arm Breakwater in Portland Harbour where, as the local Ministry of Defense Conservation Officer, I witnessed the successful breeding of Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns. I have had long association with Don Moxom, Fleet Warden, and successive Wardens at the Portland Bird Observatory, including the present incumbent, with all my records
committed to the Dorset archive. In addition, I annually took it upon myself to liaise with Commander Air at the now defunct Royal Naval Air Station, Portland in an attempt (not always successful) to keep his aircraft away from this area during the breeding season.

In recent years I have watched the decline of the Little Tern colony in the Ferry Bridge area of Chesil Beach, despite the staunch efforts of a number of organisations and many individuals including myself. Last year I was dismayed to find some of these guardians still erecting fence posts, notice boards and fencing as late as 18th May. I made an immediate approach to an RSPB representative suggesting this date was far too late to be carrying out such works, while pointing out to them c37 Little Terns attempting to occupy the colony.The outcome is well documented!

This year, whether due to my actions or by other design, the works were finished just as the Terns started to arrive back from their winter quarters and unlike last year a number of pairs have both laid eggs and hatched young. I was therefore incensed to find, given the extreme fragility of this colony, that someone (in authority) deemed it necessary to enter the colony and 'ring' c5 chicks. I have approached John Dadds on this matter (who kindly gave me much of his time) and I have also been privy to your own reply to an e-mail from Paul Harris.

While I haven't been convinced by either of you as to the value of the banding or even the slightest disturbance, I would take your word for it that these actions were taken under the correct, legal documentation. Having said that, I would like the opportunity to view the certificates generated to ring this Schedule 1 Species, but imagine that would be asking too much?

However, that brings me to an even more serious event that was witnessed on 16th June 2010; the day after the first chick was hatched, when an identified individual was seen within the colony photographing the said young bird. Can I have your assurance that if you are unaware of this incident you will investigate it in full, but either way give me a plausible reason for anyone to be invading the colony for a second time?

It has been my unpleasant duty over the past few weeks to bring to the attention of both the RSPB (Nick Tomlinson, John Dadds et al) and a wider audience, shortfalls in professional standards, some in my view contrary to the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act, at a number of sites Managed / Wardened by the RSPB. This I have done by means of a Blog, which you may like to view, where you will see I have been criticised, not least by the 2 people aforementioned, for my un-gentlemanly approach - they are of course entitled to their point view.

So far I have kept this latest matter much to myself, in an effort to take what might be considered the "gentlemanly" approach and by contacting you, but I am considering publishing all details on Monday evening. Further, should I not receive a satisfactory and convincing reply, and because I believe this to be an offense contrary to Schedule One of the said Act (by definition an arrestable offense), I shall also seek the advice of the Dorset Police.

Yours aye

Captain Paul F Baker

http://bagsy-thecaptainslog.blogspot.com/

I will publish their reply tomorrow!

A 'JOY' to be in Abbotsbury

My first Blog pleasure today is to welcome the United Arab Emirates (Salam alikoum) to the readership, and while I know this is not Oman I'm wondering if this addition is anything to do with meeting the Omani National Sailing Team the other day? In addition, we now have readers from the Asian/Pacific Region and while not specified as to country there is the same welcome as above. To increase readership and Country Tally (now standing at 73) we ask ALL readers to pass this link to their friends and families, it's always good to welcome new interest! Thank You.

http://bagsy-thecaptainslog.blogspot.com/

The intention was to catch the 05-20 X53 service to Abbotsbury, in an attempt to catch up with the Gull-billed Tern of yesterday, but in the event I was offered a lift by 'long time' birding friend Ken Parker. As it happened we followed the said bus for part of the drive, arriving at the Abbotsbury Swannery Water Meadows at about 05-45. Unfortunately, Kenny only had about 90 minutes during which time we did shift location trying the beach a little further west, but at both met with no success. Returning to the meadows, I was left alone but within the hour the Tern put in a brief appearance flying distantly over the hide, across the Fleet before turning east towards Ferry Bridge. Not totally satisfactory, but a view nonetheless, I stuck it out a little longer until Ken anounced by phone that he was about to return.

The Water Meadows with the Fleet Lagoon in the middle distance and the Chesil Bank in the background. The Hide is left of center, the artificial Tern Island to the right of that and to the extreme right many of the large 'herd' of Mute Swans can be seen if magnified.

Informing Ken of my brief sighting encouraged us both, and acting on further information we returned to the beach in company with a 'twitcher' from Herefordshire, but again no luck. News came over on the pager at about 09-00 that it had been seen from within the Swannery bound, so it was time to play our 'ace card'. We have friends who work there and let us in, allowing us to venture to another hide overlooking the nesting Common Tern Colony where we immediately picked up on the target bird. Unfortunately, it was very mobile but allowed decent views but no photographs.

As we looked from the meadows the Cruise Liner 'Saga Ruby' steamed west at the start of another cruise.

Swannery staff members David Wheeler and Steve Groves flanking Ken Parker.

At the hide we also encountered these Black Swans, long time residents there, as are a few Bar-headed, Greylag and dozens of Canada Geese. During our stay we also recorded a number of Whitethroat and Blackcap, c5 Ravens, singles of Peregrine, Green Woodpecker, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and heard a There were also several Common Terns at the hide feeding young.

While in the area I took advantage of a long overdue look around this most picturesque village and I'd like to dedicate the rest of this post to former resident of Abbotsbury and my next-door neighbour Joy Langford, her family Andrew, May, Trevor and Oliver, but not forgetting friend to all of us Roy Henderson.

The Duck Pond

The old Abby ruins viewed across the pond.

The Tithe Barn. I did try to get to Gerald's room but Lynne Arnold didn't have access and there was no one there who did.

The Abbot's house.

The entrance arch and Abbey ruins.

The Parish Church of St Nicholas.

Ancient, but undated, effigy.

View down the Naive.

and towards the Choir and Gallery.

I just had an idea that this was Don & Liz's old house?

The Old School now the Strangways Hall.

The Ilchester Arms public house, many a good night spent here!

The main street looking west.

The Swan public house, had to pop in for a 'pie & a pint'.

	Num	Perc.	Country Name
	2158	84.13%	United Kingdom
	115	4.48%	Estonia
	86	3.35%	Netherlands
	49	1.91%	United States
	28	1.09%	Canada
	21	0.82%
	17	0.66%	Japan
	15	0.58%	Australia
	9	0.35%	Spain
	8	0.31%	Denmark
	6	0.23%	New Zealand
	5	0.19%	Colombia
	5	0.19%	Argentina
	4	0.16%	Norway
	3	0.12%	Ireland
	3	0.12%	Belgium
	3	0.12%	France
	3	0.12%	India
	2	0.08%	Russian Federation
	2	0.08%	Moldova, Republic Of
	2	0.08%	Germany
	2	0.08%	United Arab Emirates
	2	0.08%	Portugal
	1	0.04%	Turkey
	1	0.04%	Costa Rica
	1	0.04%	Indonesia
	1	0.04%	Sweden
	1	0.04%	Finland
	1	0.04%	Belarus
	1	0.04%	Croatia
	1	0.04%	Mexico
	1	0.04%	Thailand
	1	0.04%	Poland
	1	0.04%	Cyprus
	1	0.04%	Ecuador
	1	0.04%	Italy
	1	0.04%	Singapore
	1	0.04%	Europe
	1	0.04%	Czech Republic
	1	0.04%	Asia/pacific Region