Wind & Weather

I woke this morning to light drizzle, combined with a fresh breeze which would have quickly dampened the enthusiasm of anyone venturing out. An opportunity then to catch up on a few domestics and post a few left out photos from yesterday in Devon.

Probably another of the Hawkweed group,

but with the Field Guide noting then as 'difficult', what chance I?

Seven-spot Ladybird

Foxglove

Naval Wort

Rosebay Willowherb

Rosebay Willowherb (detail).

Today I can announce the addition of our 74th country to the readership, another of our South American friends Paraguay. I can only think the link must have been passed on by one of the neighboring countries, as it's been a long time since I was there, but nonetheless 'buenos dias' and here's hoping you enjoy the read!

It was the (English) winter of 2001 that Mike Hughes and I flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, then onward to Asuncion the capital of Paraguay, via the Iguassu Falls, then undertook the long haul through the 'pampas' and palm fields of northern Argentina finally ending up in Buenos Aires. Below are a few shots that will doubtless be familiar to any residents of Asuncion.

Government Buildings

The National Guard

Getting to meet El Bomberos, the Fire Brigade.

The 'high alter' inside the cities Cathedral.

and just 3 of a number of remarkable photographs sent to me by my childhood friend John (and Marion) Wood. These are some cloud formations during the passage of hurricane Katrina through Mississippi on the morning of 29th August 2005. When the accompanying tidal wave slammed into the communities of Bay Saint Louis and Waveland, it destroyed 99% of structures along a 9 mile stretch of beach.

Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it's a Twister - Bill Haley & the Comets.

I haven't seen a 'front' like this across West Bay!

Now that's what you call a 'funnel effect'.

A Delightful Day in Devon

It had already been decided last evening over a glass or two of cider that the 'rarity' in Devon was a reasonable bet, so this morning at 08-00 we set off to cross the county border. Together with Bowie (Lorne) and Sheila we made best haste for the tiny village of East Prawle, with few other map references other than Piglet Stores, The Cider House and Pig's Nose Inn. There, we immediately met just 6 fellow birders greeting us once again with those immortal words, "it was seen an hour ago, but not since".

So, before progressing, a little Devonshire trivia:- Q which small town in Devon has half of the letters of the alphabet in its name, with none of them repeated? Answer below.

With the Devonshire flag flying high at the 'truck' we started our search for the House Finch which is a vagrant from North America, and the first ever recorded in Great Britain. While it's provenance remains highly debatable, this is a common bird in the States but not in the central areas and barely at all in Canada. I have seen good numbers of them during my travels across 'The Pond' but always the usual 'red' variety, unlike the Devon bird which is a 'yellow' variant male. Said to be ranging all over the village, it had only been seen briefly today on a cottage roof close to the pub, so it looked like we had a search on our hands.

There were of course other things of interest, the first of which was this Small Copper Butterfly,

while elsewhere we found a 'man made' House Martins nest under the eaves of another house, complete with

young birds being fed by their parents.

The village too had its interest, this being the local pub 'The Pig's Nose'.

Outside of the pub we found this model which we immediately dubbed 'Making Bacon' while elsewhere there where

a number of interesting

cottages.

Having put in 2 hours hard searching, I allowed Bowie & Sheila a 2 minute break before continuing the struggle.

Within 15 minutes they had found it, close to this more modern Devon cottage, and while no photograph was possible we where happy in the knowledge that we had all seen it.

As there were still at least 3 other things we wanted to see during our Devon visit, we left the village and headed for

Prawle Point just a mile or so down the road, where we hoped to find the specialty of the area

Cirl Bunting, but didn't have to wait that long. Within minutes we had encountered a single male right in the middle of the narrow road, and while the photograph is a little iffy, to say the least, we were afforded excellent views.

A little further on, these Sand Martins were already looking like beginning a mass exodus, while

further down the valley we found this beautiful Scarlet Tiger Moth.

Moving quickly on to Dartmeet we stopped to admire the river, bridge



a few Dartmoor Ponies, before finding a

Dipper.

Driving onto Dartmoor proper there was much to see

but we were now heading for a site

at the northern edge of the Moor

where we hoped to find High Brown Fratillary, but without success.

However, we did have our first Comma Butterfly of the year and similarly

our first Ringlet Butterfly.

so did you get it, of course it was BUCKFASTLEIGH!

Got To Go There Down By The Sea - Morcheeba

A huge omission from yesterday's post, having met the most affable Mr Bellotti during my walk along the Fleet. Derek almost abandoned his family as we broke into a most interesting conversation, which I for one would love to continue one day.

Derek Christopher Bellotti (born December 25, 1946 in East Ham, London) is an English former professional football goalkeeper.

He began his career as an apprentice with Queens Park Rangers in September 1963. He turned professional and spent two seasons on loan to Bedford Town before being released at end of the 1965-66 season without making his debut for QPR. He joined Gillingham in July 1966 and went on to make 35 league appearances for the Gills. In October 1970 he joined Southend United on loan, playing 3 games and later that month was transferred to Charlton Athletic for a fee of £5,000. He played 14 league games for Charlton before moving to Southend United again in December 1971, this time on a permanent basis. He was Southend's regular keeper, staying at Roots Hall until May 1974 when he joined Swansea City after playing 74 league games for Southend. He only stayed at the Vetch Field for one season, playing 19 times in the league, before moving back into non-league football with Maidstone United, spending two months on loan at Margate from January 1978. He subsequently moved to Cornish non-league side St Blazey from where he signed for Torquay United in September 1981 as cover for Vince O'Keefe. In 1982 he left without making a league appearance, joining Falmouth Town. He subsequently played for Bideford, Saltash United, Newquay and Torrington. In December 1997, at the age of 50, he played for Ilfracombe Town as a temporary replacement for regular 'Combe goalkeeper, his son Ross, who was also a professional with Exeter City.

Bellotti is currently managing director of Kingfisher Print and Design, a print firm based in Dartington. - Information supplied by Wikipedia.

http://gillsconnect.com/s/Gills_News_Desk/Entries/2010/6/20_GILLS_AND_ARSENAL_IN_FOG_BOUND_CUP_THRILLER_1.html

I know there is one regular reader who will be more than interested to read this, hardened Gillingham fan, fellow birder and Oil Rig friend Dave Penney - "cum on you Gills"!

In addition there were literally dozens of young people from all over the country walking the Coastal Path under the banner of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. It makes your heart light to see so many young people getting out there and doing it! - Well done to all.

back to today:-

Late venturing out this morning due to one or two home commitments, I bye-passed both the cemetery and Radipole to catch the bus directly to Ferry Bridge. There, it was disconcerting to see a ridge of effluent covering the fore-shore, but confined to the area closest to the bridge. Whatever, it must have contain some contaminant, so not really what you want at one of the Little Tern's favourite feeding spots.

The Fleet at Ferry Bridge looking north.

The same shoreline looking south.

It did look a little like fire fighting foam, known as A triple-F (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) widely used especially by the Royal and Merchant Navies. A liquid compound comprising mainly of Ox blood is introduced, via a siphon branch pipe, into a high pressure water hose, with the atomiser effect turning it into foam. This is then, via trained hands, played onto a fire in a particular way eliminating the oxygen and by definition extinguishing the flames. Years ago this was a relatively common site around Portland Harbour and connecting coasts, but these days all but eliminated.

With nothing of interest there (except the Little Terns of course) I quickly moved on to Barleycrates, Reap Lane, The Hump and Top Fields, but drew a blank there also. The light at the end of the tunnel came by way of an excellent lunch with Edwin Welland at the Pulpit Inn, Portland Bill, where of course we met up with mine host Danny Fox the Landlord, heading straight back to stories of days gone by!

Later, in the Observatory garden I met up with a familiar face (but still don't have a name) but this gentleman proceeded to give me a short but sweet 'master class' on Skipper Butterflies. 3 species were present there Large, Small and Lulworth Skipper but the latter had decided to disappear before my arrival. However, having presented Large through these pages in recent days, it is good to be able to show both

Male Small Skipper (with black 'sex mark' on upper fore-wing) and

female Small Skipper (altogether more plain upper fore-wing). There will be no extra charge for the green beetle Oedemera nobilis.

It was time to return to the 'main land', and as usual with a little diligence I noticed a few birds on the still exposed sand as we passed Ferry Bridge on the bus.

Most obvious were a few Black-headed Gulls, but just a little further on was this

adult Herring Gull going absolutely berserk. However, there was better to come as first I picked up on

c4 Black-tailed Godwit all still in 'summer plumage',

before a fifth hove into view.

more interested in feeding

and preening,

they did put on a short show of 'dancing' showing clearly their distinctive white wing-bars

which is the sure fire way of distinguishing them from their close relative the Bar-tailed Godwit which have plain wings.

and finally, for the MANY of you 'champing at the bit' to find out more about my meeting with the RSPB. I have received an e-mail from Dante Munns the RSPB Dorset Manager informing me that one of his/her key team members is on leave this week and hopes a date can be set for early next week.