Birds, Bugs & Butterflies

It was a blessing to both human and wildlife today to see the sun break through, but a chilly start meant an early jacket and scarf. These were soon discarded as what little cloud there was dissipated and things could only be described as 'hot'. Even early, the birds in the cemetery were vocal and on my approach there was already evidence of Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Goldcrest plus Coal, Great and

Blue Tit

A little unexpected were Sand Martins, still in small numbers, but the greatest surprise came by way of c2 Pied Flycatchers. Not unheard of, stragglers have been recorded through October, but not usually a species associated with this month. In addition these were the first I have ever recorded at what is considered my 'local patch' so a good addition to that list.

Pied Flycatcher, this photograph is taken from the archive for illustration purposes, was not the only welcome species as a small group of vocal Siskin flew overhead, Swallow and House Martin also appeared, plus a single Great Spotted Woodpecker albeit briefly.

Walking the Weymouth Inner Harbour, known as the 'Backwater' by many, the large shoal of Grey Mullet continued to cruise the shallow, but while they are known to be capable of tolerating a certain amount of pollution

European Smelt (or Sparling) certainly are not. Seeing these dainty little fish, which both taste and smell like cucumber, indicates there can be little wrong with local waters.

Moving on to Ferry Bridge, again at snail pace, there is little point in using the words 'traffic jam'. Weymouth at the moment is at a halt due to major road works in every direction, but the good new at least for this stretch of road at the Portland border is that the works should be complete this very day.

Maybe these scenes can now be confined to the history book??

Not unusually, dog walkers who are prepared to ignore the signs requesting that they do not exercise their animals on this sensitive feeding area for migrating bird, spoilt the show once again today.

c4 Sandwich Tern were unable to touch down because of them, while a single

Curlew hightailed it to the sanctuary of the upper Fleet. I can imagine these individuals sat at home in front of their idiots lantern bemoaning others who grind Tiger bones for aphrodisiacs or use White Rhinoceros horns as trinkets, but never give a thought to the damage they are doing themselves. The Barleycrates area (along with most other parts of Portland) was once again teeming with

Crane Flies much to the delight of House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail alike making for a small but doubtless tasty meal. However, they were not the only insects in evidence as this warm day was also a Butterfly day. The path leading to the West Cliff and flanked by Ivy and Bramble bowers where alive with thousands of Bees and an array of Butterflies including

Painted Lady upper wing
and under-wing.
Comma similarly
showing the small silver 'punctuation mark' on the under-wing from where it derives its name,

Red Admiral
Peacock
Meadow Brown

and Small Heath.On the way to 'The Bill' many Meadow Pipit were seen, and on the exposed ledges many Alba Wagtails were seen with just one or two

Yellow Wagtail

From there I could already see the now shining white Portland Bird Observatory as the lads from Hayle, Cornwall put the finishing touches to the new weather coating. Safety and work lines can be seen running from the platform down the left hand side. At the Obs there was also much to be seen and learnt as firstly this

Chiffchaff was taken from a mist net,

a Gem Moth female (very distinctive from the male) something I have never caught or seen for that matter, recently released from last nights catch and a particularly large and strange insect I rescued from the lounge window. The Warden Martin Cade was quick to enlighten me that it is a

Western Conifer Seed Bug. Formally confined to the USA it was transported with timber cargo's to this side of 'The Pond' and has since become common throughout. The news of an uncommon Warbler at the Southwell School was enough to send me packing and on the way came across these

Small Copper Butterflies. If my memory serves me enjoying a little post season 'nonsense' is most enjoyable!

but a 'Manage Toi'????

A half hour search for the afore mentioned Warbler was rewarded with 3 fleeting, but identifiable, glimpses of a

Yellow-browed Warbler. My most memorable moment concerning this species was a total of c7 all together on one helicopter safety net aboard the Oil Rig 'Buchan Alpha', in company with a single Pallas's Warbler. Unfortunately, no camera was at hand to record the event, but my rig mate David Penney simply plucked one from a fire hydrant which we were able to photograph (above) and rest up before release back to the wild.

PS
Just noticed (20-25) got well 'Sun Kissed' today!

The Mountain Comes To Mohamed

By noon today I was already seriously considering which photographs to select from the archive to publish in today's post. Yesterday's respite from the awful weather was extremely short lived as heavy rain and strong winds had already returned before bed time. All through the morning both wind and rain persisted, not allowing even an inkling of a chance to venture out, but that's when the

Peacock Butterfly arrived in my bedroom. Gently decanting it into a specimen pot, I then released it through the back door but it was reluctant to fly away before an

'open winged' photo call. Opening the door also led to hearing a couple of Chiffchaff 'calling' from neighbouring trees but being continually blanked out by Corvide activity overhead. At least c6 Carrion Crows were obviously being upset by something, and it wasn't long before a

Raven appeared circling the rooftops. Not in any hurry to leave the area, despite the mobbing, I though it had maybe happened upon a meal.

It lingered for a full 10 minutes all the while being pursued, eventually flying off to the south. Was there now any reason to venture out with all this activity on the doorstep? At 13-00 this question was answered as the dark rain clouds started dissipating and much of the sky turned blue, with all of this coinciding with the top of a high spring tide.

Walking through the cemetery more Chiffchaff were vocal, as were a couple of Goldcrest and a few Chaffinch while my arrival at Radipole coincided with a lady feeding the birds. I found her story a little humbling, as she told me how it had become her Sunday 'duty' to buy 6 loaves of bread to feed the wildlife. Not only that, she continued by telling me that after only a couple of visits she discovered that the Gulls and Wildfowl were not at all keen on the 'cheap'Asda bread but much preferred the better quality of Tesco . This she told me was not only more expensive but also entailed a much longer journey to get the bread. Whether the reader subscribes to the theory or not, isn't it heartwarming to think that someone is so dedicated to these creatures to make the change?

It was also good to see this years young Mute Swans and Gull thriving. Keep up the good work Missus! Further along the quay, a shoal of many dozen

Grey Mullet were evident, pleasing as numbers dropped dramatically during the 80' & 90's as Weymouth Harbour appeared to get dirtier, and the total disregard for my presence by this fearless

Little Grebe (usually the most timid of Waterfowl) was deserving of at least one shot.

At Ferry Bridge, even from great distance, I was pleased to see what for me were the first returning Brent Geese for the end of the year.

By all accounts there have already been a few spotted in Dorset,

but I always enjoy that first encounter and they obliged by staying for a full 30 minutes before a Peregrine put everything to

flight, including the Geese, which flew west over the Chesil Beach and didn't return during the remainder of my stay. Since my return from the USA I haven't seen a

Mediterranean Gull so this individual, one of three adults,

was a prime candidate for a photo shoot, putting on a fine display of

wing flapping.

A Carrion Crow put in a brief appearance, while

c15 Turnstone seemed content to rest on the shingle and this

hapless Herring Gull, complete with discarded fishing tackle around its leg, flew over the bridge. In addition there were also a few Dunlin and Ringed Plover there, along with c3 Wheatear on the grassy area, while the Grey Plover seemed content to spend at least a fourth day by the sea.

Not Much To Report, But At Least We Got Out Today!

Gone was the rain and wind of yesterday, but it would have been foolhardy to venture far without provision for adverse weather. Overcast with rain bearing clouds, there was already evidence of visible migration before I left home, with Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail in good numbers 'calling' as they passed overhead, while Swallows, outnumbering both, flew silently south. With 'road works' being the only topic of conversation hereabouts these days, an early start was planned to avoid the daily delays. With the tide being about as low as it would get today at 07-00 there was always a chance of a decent Wader, but in the event Dunlin and Ringed Plover were all but absent leaving the presumed same

Grey Plover as Thursday, plus c2 Oystercatcher, a single Curlew, c2 Little Egret and by no means common to the Island c9 Rooks. With traffic volume still being low, the red light was delaying what there was and it seemed a long ride to Barleycrates. There a couple of

Dunnock were singing from the bushes as

c7 Stonechat preceded me along the path never allowing for a decent shot.

Wheatear, about 2 dozen, were also in evidence as were a number of Red Admiral Butterflies, this

Speckled Wood Butterfly but the most numerous insects by far were recently emerged Crane Flies (Daddy Longlegs). There was (as always) time to stop for a coffee at Fancy's Farm at reap lane, but from there the news is not all good. There are moves afoot to make changes to the tenancy but to go into detail at this time may not be appropriate, maybe I'll be able to reveal more when we are all padlocked to Albion Stone lorries?? Approaching the Observatory I noticed this

Magpie, complete with ring, (neither being unusual hereabouts) and a recently arrived Nick Hopper. He had enjoyed a much better watch than I with among others both Tree Pipit and Sparrow to his credit. The latter is a good find for Dorset these days let alone the Island, but I did catch up a little on the way home with c2 Tree Pipits flying over the main road. There was also a single

Kestrel hunting the adjacent fields, while a

Sparrowhawk seemed to be having little luck, but causing havoc, among a few small birds at Culverwell. OK, not what could be described as a 'classic' birding day, but out in the field for all that and bumping into Ken Parker briefly which is always a bonus.

and finally, a late addition from my dear friend John Wood in Leicester (or Spain or wherever else he may be in the world). Regardless of being Navy, I have always regarded the Royal Air Force as dominant in this discipline - I may have to change my mind.

Be warned, this is a 'Bit Good'!

The US Navy Ceremonial Guard Silent Drill Team was invited to compete in an International Tattoo in Norway in May of 2009. The Navy competed against military units from all over NATO and won first place. I think when you watch this video you'll see why they won.

( Turn Sound ON ) US Navy in Norway

Rain Stops Play!

The gale force wind was rattling the soffits, while the torrential rain filled the fish pond early this morning so I just turned over and went back to sleep. The 07-30 local weather forecast showed little sign of change for at least 24 hours, so an ideal opportunity to catch up on those long outstanding records / photographs etc. Among others, the South American records at the turn of the year had barely been touched but can now report that the World List is finally up to date. In addition, most of the photos from the last trip have also been edited, while both Joe Bonamassa and Manfred Mann have received a good airing.

With a lack of any records today I have to resort to the archives once again, and with the USA trip not too far behind here are a few shots from previous trips to the North American sub-continent.

American Bittern - Cape May, New Jersey.

Bald Eagle - Stanley Park,

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Black Skimmer - Delaware River Estuary, USA.

Boat-tailed Grackle - Stone Harbour Causeway, New Jersey.

Goosander (male) - Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada.

Goosander (female) - ditto.

Solitary Sandpiper - Central Park, New York.

Tricolored Heron - Brigantine, New Jersey.

North American Raccoon - Stanley Park.

and as yet another month ends there are those all important (only to me I suspect) Blog statistics to consider. September has been the second most productive month since the installation of the Stat Counter in February with 4070 individual 'hits' . The daily average of 135.7 is second only to last month, when the furore of the Red-necked Stint sent figures souring to 6217 'hits', a daily average of 200.5.

Not surprisingly, there has also been an increase in the US readership but much more than I would have expected. Leaving home there were on average 52 individual 'hits' per day from the States, but seems word has spread and 565 knocks Estonia off of the second position for only the second time, The Netherlands having achieved this also last month. Countries joining the readership have however remained static since Puerto Rico and Azerbaijan waded in at numbers 99 and 100, unless of course you count 'Satellite Provider' which indicates no place of origin.

	Num	Perc.	Country Name
	7922	81.63%	United Kingdom
	565	5.82%	United States
	258	2.66%	Estonia
	185	1.91%	Netherlands
	74	0.76%	Australia
	71	0.73%	Canada
	60	0.62%	France
	52	0.54%	Germany
	43	0.44%	Finland
	43	0.44%	Ireland
	30	0.31%	Italy
	26	0.27%	Japan
	24	0.25%
	22	0.23%	Belgium
	21	0.22%	India
	20	0.21%	Sweden
	19	0.20%	Spain
	16	0.16%	Barbados
	16	0.16%	Argentina
	12	0.12%	Brazil
	10	0.10%	Switzerland
	10	0.10%	Taiwan
	10	0.10%	Hungary
	10	0.10%	Denmark
	10	0.10%	Colombia
	8	0.08%	Philippines
	8	0.08%	Hong Kong
	8	0.08%	United Arab Emirates
	8	0.08%	New Zealand
	7	0.07%	Korea, Republic Of
	7	0.07%	Venezuela
	7	0.07%	Vietnam
	6	0.06%	Norway
	6	0.06%	Greece
	6	0.06%	Ecuador
	6	0.06%	Guernsey
	6	0.06%	Singapore
	5	0.05%	Lithuania
	5	0.05%	Costa Rica
	5	0.05%	Tanzania, United Republic Of
	4	0.04%	Slovakia
	4	0.04%	Sri Lanka
	4	0.04%	Iran, Islamic Republic Of
	4	0.04%	Israel
	4	0.04%	Turkey
	4	0.04%	Russian Federation
	4	0.04%	Thailand
	4	0.04%	Peru
	4	0.04%	Malta
	3	0.03%	Sudan
	3	0.03%	Europe
	3	0.03%	Puerto Rico
	2	0.02%	Czech Republic
	2	0.02%	Poland
	2	0.02%	Croatia
	2	0.02%	Gambia
	2	0.02%	Georgia
	2	0.02%	Chile
	2	0.02%	Trinidad And Tobago
	2	0.02%	Jersey
	2	0.02%	Azerbaijan
	1	0.01%	Seychelles
	1	0.01%	Romania
	1	0.01%	South Africa
	1	0.01%	Cambodia
	1	0.01%	Faroe Islands
	1	0.01%	Nigeria
	1	0.01%	Falkland Islands (malvinas)
	1	0.01%	Isle Of Man
	1	0.01%	Malaysia
	1	0.01%	Austria
	1	0.01%	Indonesia
	1	0.01%	Saudi Arabia
	1	0.01%	Mexico
	1	0.01%	Portugal
	1	0.01%	Satellite Provider

It's fantastic that there has been so much interest and with a huge THANK YOU to everyone may I request all readers to pass the link on to their Family & Friends, with the promise that my next adventure, in a couple of weeks time, has the potential of being something Very Special.

'WATCH THIS SPACE'