'Spirit of the Sea'

My Generation (The Who)

This is the power generator at Southwell Primary School on Portland. For many months, probably years, not only has it provided 'free & green' energy for the school, it has also been an eye-opener to just about every pupil. With an easily accessible and readable meter in the foyer the children could read energy generated, used etc, but now all of that has come to an end. Herring Gulls, not uncommon hereabouts have been flying into the blades regularly and often 'quartering' themselves as they do so. In the name of humane practice and to save the youngsters meeting with the carnage each morning it has been turned off. A great pity in my view, as I'm told the kids love it, but I guess the sensible option.

Magpie family (at least one young bird, right, with short tail).

As may be seen from the top picture, today was foggy to say the least in fact at the top of the hill at Portland a proverbial 'pea-souper' (an English expression for something you cannot see through). I was alerted to this as I left home in clear conditions, but all around me was surrounded by low visibility. As there is no restrictions on the 'bus pass' at the week-end I headed straight for Portland and coupled with High Water Spring Tides also bye-passed Ferry Bridge.

With little more than the Magpies to entertain me, the day was saved by what is always excellent conversation with Martin Cade (Warden PBO), John Lucas et al, and as added bonus re-meeting Simon and Deborah Earwicker. In fact after a brief chat at the Observatory I met them again on the East Cliff and had a further 40 minutes or so. Certainly look forward to seeing you 2 again!

Today also sees the middle of the annual 10 days 'Spirit of the Sea Celebration' in Weymouth, and day one of the 2 day 'Dorset Seafood Festival' so what better reason for heading back to town? As I walked along the sea-front you could already smell the crabs, scallops, prawns and paella cooking, but if there is one thing I believe they get wrong it's the extortionate prices, wot £2.00 for a side of Mackerel. Otherwise EXCEPTIONAL!

Stopping on the promenade, I can never resist the temptation to view the ever changing 'sand models', this month depicting The Mad Hatter's Tea Party (Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There). From left, the Queen of Heart's, March Hare, Mad Hatter, Alice, Hare's Pal and Bandersnatch (or is it a Jabberwock?).

Sand sculpture's whose work became one of the most famous attractions at Weymouth was started nearly 70 years by Fred Darrington. Mr Darrington died in 2002, just12 days short of his 80th birthday, but over those years what joy he brought to what must total 'millions'. Since his death his grandson Mark Anderson (b. 1966) has taken over the work. My personal favourite has always been what must have been his most intricate work, Westminster Abbey but a close second came his tribute to my 'all time hero'.

James (Jimi) Marshall Hendrix 27 November 1942 - 18 September 1970 (a photo from the archive) depicted in sand. All sculptures were made of just sand and seawater (plus water-based paints of course).

A little further along I came across this 'Steam Driven Car', a real novelty. The owner/driver told me he gets 40 miles to the tank full (water that is).

Arriving at Weymouth Quay-side, not surprisingly,the crowd had beaten me to it.

'Ernest & Mable' the Weymouth Lifeboat.

'Standard Diving' exhibition,

also called 'Hard Hat Diving' as the picture shows.

The Model Boat Society were here in force with everything from Motor Torpedo Boats to Nuclear Submarines,

local Fishing Vessels to Search and Rescue Cutter,

and even a pair of 'radio controlled' Mute Swans and a

pair of Canada Geese which, by looking at the man in the blue shirt, was gaining great pleasure as he made them 'honk'.

Something a Bit 'Fishy' About This Post

Last evening I visited a Barn Owls nest containing a number of feeding young, I had hoped for some photographs but in the event all of the birds were unwilling to oblige. I did however get to see (from a distance) a parent bird returning, with prey, and as every Owl lover knows, this is enough, any photos would have been a massive bonus.

Barn Owl - what might have been, from Wikipedia with thanks.

Weymouth All the Way

Look what we've achieved!

Thanks to the area's fantastic tourist industry businesses and a hard–working Economic and Tourism Development team at the Council, the Borough scooped an award for being the 4th 'up-and-coming' travel destination in the Whole World.

Emma O'Boyle of TripAdvisor presents the award to Borough Mayor Paul Kimber.

Paul Kimber and I were in the Royal Navy at the same time and before demob both our families settled on Portland around about 1967. After this we were 'shipmates' for some 18 years onboard various craft, and there can be no denying Paul has been a true and faithful servant to the Borough and further afield. Well done matey!

'Uplifting' celebration for town bridge 80th anniversary

What might be described as an

Open and

Shut case!

Sunday 4th July was the 80th anniversary of Weymouth Town Bridge, and residents and visitors lined the quay and visited a public exhibition at the Harbour Office to celebrate. Two residents with connections to the bridge, Gwendoline Hampton, and Matthew Pye, were invited to a special lifting ceremony, serenaded by local choir group the Waterside Singers. The party was invited back to the exhibition to view photos and memorabilia, and sample the bridge's birthday cake, provide by the Phoenix Bakery.

Councilor Peter Farrell and resident Gwendoline Hampton in the town bridge control room.

Despite Peter being of a totally different political persuasion to myself, we have been friends for more year than I guess either of us need to remember. Ousted from his post at the last local elections, he regained his 'seat' during the current round of voting. He too has been a stalwart in his dedication to the town of Weymouth and the local area in general, so forgetting red's and blue's it's good to see you back in your rightful place Peter.

Denizens of the Deep

Part I

These extraordinary photographs (if to be believed) were sent to me by John Down, friend and fellow birder, of a catch off Portland Bill. This sea area is renowned for its monster Bass which are veracious feeders and powerful fighting fish, not to mention excellent eating. I guess this one to be in the 8 to 10 pound category, with what looks like a Ballan Wrasse about half its own size. For me the Wrasse is the least palatable of local edible fish, not being unpleasant to the taste but so full of bones it's an evolution to get round them. As for the Bass, I can only say to the lucky (or skillful) angler bon appetit!

If the Bass were swallowing the Wrasse, how then would it have been hooked with its mouth full? Yes, there is the option of 'foul hooking' but

knowing the spinney make up of the Ballan Wrasse it is thought impossible the bass would be able to regurgitate it. Nonetheless, makes for an amusing couple of pictures - Thanks John!

Part II

Not quite so deep this time, as the creature concerned is the now world famous 'Paul the Psychic Octopus. Considered, incorrectly, by all to be German, Paul has offered 2 boxes filled with food, one marked with the German flag and the other the flag of the opposition nation they were about to play. Which ever tit-bit he chooses has, on every occasion, proved to be the winning side, even Germany's demise at the hands of Spain. However, us ultra-proud Weymouthians are quick to point out that the Octopus was in fact born at the Sea Life Center here in 'sunny' Weymouth where he lived until he was 2 years old. His life expectancy wasn't thought to extend much further than that, and a suggestion of turning him to Calamari was muted and that is where the Germans took over. He is now at the ripe old age of 9, still going strong and thought to be in good health. Oh, and not to mention making his owners a pocket full of Deutschmarks (more correctly Euros), so put away the 'deep fat frier' at least for now!

Paul seen here putting the wind up the Argentinians.

and finally on the subject of football, we congratulate both the Netherlands and Spain in a well won and well deserved place in the final of the Football World Cup. At the moment, the score stands at Holland 100 and Spain 11, but our Spanish readers will be pleased to know that is only the 'Readership Statistics' of this Blog. Someone out there has certainly been putting the word around for which I thank one and all - KEEP SPREADING THE WORD - Thanks Again!

I wish both teams, and Nations GOOD LUCK and may the best one win.

'Blog Stats Current Standing'

	Num	Perc.	Country Name
	2887	84.29%	United Kingdom
	142	4.15%	Estonia
	100	2.92%	Netherlands
	59	1.72%	United States
	40	1.17%	Canada
	30	0.88%	Romania
	23	0.67%
	22	0.64%	Australia
	21	0.61%	Japan
	12	0.35%	Argentina
	11	0.32%	Spain

Natural England - We're All Doomed

Business before pleasure, and it may be remembered that some weeks ago I entered into conversation with a Dee Stephens at Natural England who assured me that she would investigate some of the accusations I have leveled at the RSPB here in Weymouth. Ms Stephens is not the easiest person to get hold of, and as I don't leave messages it was only this afternoon that I was able to talk to her. After a short while and a little prompting she did remember who I was, and began by saying that she had spoken to Nick Tomlinson (RSPB Reserves Manager) on the phone and then, sounding a little unsure, went on to say she had paid a site visit to Radipole. On the subject of the Sand Martin Wall she said "it looked alright to me", and I countered by saying "it looks alright to me as well, and will look even better next year when it's full of Sand Martins". However, it is the 'time of build' that concerns myself and many others, to which she would only venture "yes, it could have been built at a better time". She went on to say that Mr Tomlinson had assured her that a survey of the proposed building site had been undertaken which had found nothing there to disturb. Personally, I still maintain with him ploughing through the reed-beds in his size 12's there wasn't likely to be, while during the early April period who knows what did or could have dropped in between survey and commencement of building????

On the subject of the 'Great Fire' she used the word 'UNFORTUNATE', for the first but not the last time. I suppose that just about sums it up when someone enters a tinder dry reed-bed on a 'windy' day, burns untold acreage 'killing' god knows what in the process, necessitating the attendance of 17 fire appliances, police helicopter, waterborne division and a cost to the 'tax payer' of a reputed £250,000, yes that is unfortunate Ms Stephens.

Without satisfaction on my part, we'd now arrived at the 'grubbing out' of the well established colony of Southern Marsh Orchids, where she was quick to say that Mr Tomlinson did admit he had destroyed just 'half a dozen' during the refurbishment of the dikes. Why then didn't he admit this to me when we met at my house. Her opinion of this was - wait for it - "UNFORTUNATE", but she did go on to give a little solace. "There are plenty of these all over the reserve, and anyway they are not protected (named) under the schedule designed for an SSSI". I told her they were the exact words used by Nick Quintrell when I presented him with 3 flowering stems of Bee Orchid he had just 'strimmed to death' last year, but she simply went on to repeat herself! I was now getting angry, and pride myself as I do for never being rude to people, I politely finished the conversation by saying "that's what they said about the Passenger Pigeon and Dodo" said my goodbye, and hung up.

Where do they get these people? What qualification do they have to be guardians of our wildlife and beautiful lands? I republish here Nick Tomlinson's assessment of himself on the Out & About forum dated 9th April 2010:-

Whilst I freely accept that many, probably nearly all, of those on this forum have a far greater knowledge of birds and birding than I do, I pride myself that I have at least a moderate understanding of issues relating to how to manage a nature reserve and, where my knowledge fails, I have access to a very much wider pool of knowledge and experience within the RSPB. The decisions we take are, therefore, taken with the best available information.

It is proving MODERATE coupled with 'assured backup' is not enough, proportionately what is happening to our reserves is comparable to the Gulf of Mexico!

anyway, on a lighter note:-

This morning was once again overcast but what little wind there was had veered to the west, the drizzle had gone so the day was perfect for bird and wildlife watching.

The cemetery was literally quiet as the grave, with hardly a bird song let alone anything else, but at Radipole over 100 each of House and Sand Martin filled the air. What I always consider an excellent sight are the 'less common' breeding ducks with young, and this morning was the turn of Tufted with a brood of c5 youngsters. Hardly the size if a golf ball, they were already able to feed themselves, with some dives I timed reaching 30 seconds. The only other record of note were c3 Common Terns feeding at the eastern edge of the lake, so I quickly walked on to Lodmoor. There, the Common Tern colony is still going great guns and with just the aid of binoculars and at a distance I was still able to count 51 young birds. Of these a number are close to fledging, while parent birds are occupied between feeding them and warding off predators - one juvenile Grey Heron learnt a lesson this morning it may never forget?

It is possible that this variety of Bee Orchid (fulvofusca) exists nowhere else in the British Isles and is the second such, along with a specimen of the equally rare atrofuscus found at this site in the last few days. It is mind boggling to think that the RSPB 'strimmed' this very spot not once, but twice by this time last year.

Just a couple of days on and the Buddleia is now in full bloom.

Ragwort (the the yellow one) scourge of livestock everywhere.

It is not unusual to see farmer, horse owners etc hand pulling this weed from fields as harmful to their animals.

Take no notice of the 'Early Enquiries' notice on this block of luxury flats close to Lodmoor, as it seems building has been suspended as the developer has run out of money. Some say they could remain like this for 2 years!

A young Swallow takes a rest at Lodmoor before the long fly south.

As the tide is low throughout most of the morning during this phase of the moon, it's always worth a look at Ferry Bridge. Unfortunately not that long sought after rarity today but a single Little Egret was in attendance, plus c6 Ringed Plover while unusually these

Little Terns (c17 at that time) were perched on the sand at the 'low water mark' preening, while a group of c18 Dunlin fed close by.

Front

Back

and Side

a family of juvenile Starlings were also making the most of the now sunny weather, as

a parent bird looked on.

At Portland I just did a circuit of the Top Fields, where c2 of the recently fledged Peregrines were honing their flying skills while screeching at the top of their voices, while this young

Blue Tit struck a pose at Culverwell.

Martin Cade, the Warden at the Portland Bird Observatory, kindly produced this most striking

Convolvulus Hawk-moth, while in the fields east of the Lighthouse these

Pyramidal Orchids were in fine bloom.

and finally:-

While sitting here typing up today's post, there was an unholy row coming from the ever present Herring Gulls flying around my house, a real bonus in some circumstances as they often alert me to a passing 'bird of prey'. Surely a Honey Buzzard or Montagu's Harrier, but no, the following images show a hapless young Herring Gull away from the protective gaze of the parent birds, being attacked by another adult.

Initially perching on a neighbour's roof, it was forced forward off the ridge tiles,

then dragged backed allowing more purchase.

Then, standing on the youngster's back the attacker delivered a few blows with its bill,

before it fell over the apex looking mortally wounded. I can only think this was in desperation for food, but guess it could have been a family feud?