Further Afield

Another late post I fear, but for the very best of reasons, dinner with my beautiful little girl. Not quite so little in her 4th decade but no less lovable and in company with her partner Nigel we had a most pleasant evening at the Tapas Bar.

Weather wise the days continue pleasant, while a chill breeze remains in the north east the sun continues to shine throughout. The very first bird recorded this morning, even before the daylight was complete a

Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling from some distance, but easily tracked down to

the Cemetery. Within there were 'dozens' of Goldcrest while overhead Meadow Pipits were migrating in numbers. Reaching the end of Pottery Lane a strange looking bird was flying over what I now describe as a 'park' where until recent days there was some mud showing where maybe a Wader or 2 may have landed but that was oh so short lived. With the likes of Red-necked Stint, Buff-breasted, Curlew, Pectoral and even Solitary Sandpiper not a million miles away wouldn't you think that anyone with half an ounce of knowledge about wildlife and birds in particular would make some effort to leave a little mud exposed at Radipole?

The strange bird was quickly recognised as a

Ring-necked Parakeet, a stranger in these parts

and while there is a small but stable, self sustaining feral population about 20 miles hence in Studland it is not known from where this bird had originated. The second I have found in this my local area, it landed in one of 2 tall Poplar trees and began a 10 minute session of sustained squawking before flying off to the west.

A slim chance of yesterdays Corncrake was still in my mind so it was directly to Portland where c2 Redwing, c3 Pheasant and c2 Fieldfare and about half a dozen Yellow Wagtails were quickly encountered. The Corncrake was not to be. but

reaching the crest of the hill overlooking Culverwell, HMS Illustrious could be seen through the mist. It is an assumption that she is Illustrious as I believe HMS Invincible and HMS Ark Royal, the other 2 Aircraft Carriers, remain 'laid up' and out of commission.

A pre-arranged meeting with John Down saw us head off for Sherford Bridge some 15 miles away to look for the Great Grey Shrike which has been seen there over the past couple of days. We did meet someone who had not only seen it but also videoed it, but we were not to have been so lucky. A couple of Mistle Thrush, a Jay. several Stonechat and c4 Dartford Warblers were all else we saw, but

what is thought to be a Parasol Mushroom

was found in an open field

with this 'closed' version thought to be the same species,

while this was found under the trees. Looks like a job for Dave the Fungal Punk so will be in touch!

The days are now getting shorter before the trip to Madagascar, and while I wouldn't wish to sound pessimistic, things don't look good in France at the moment, a stepping stone to the magic island. I'll keep you posted.

A Flight of Fancy on a Windswept Field

Readers are reminded that by 'left clicking' on images, they can be enlarged!

A fantastic start to the day, as my first encounter was meeting Sam and Toni, Landlord & Landlady of The George pub on Weymouth quay. It's been all too long, the last time being purly by chance on the London Underground as they were bound to see Bruce Springstien and the East Street band, and I for the rig. Great to see you both looking so well and enjoying yourself. Get that mobile home underway - and GO!

Taking a Liking to Lichen - no idea of the name of this very common growth, but it sure looks good on the rocks. and if you only have a passing interest in Fungi then Dave the Punk is the man for you, try this link:-www.fungalpunknature.co.uk

Trametes versicolor an example of what you will find within, I doubt you'll return to this Blog once you've had a glimpse of 'The Fungal Punk', here's to ya Dave as Punk once again meets Prog - forever!

Much of today's photography is of an aerial nature and just put me in mind of those fantastic Floydian lyrics of 'Learning to Fly' from the Momentary Lapse of Reason album.

Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

Raven

Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I'd thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone
A soul in tension that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

Kestrel

Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night

Short-eared Owls

There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

Short-eared Owls

There was little of note in the cemetery, so it was directly to Portland thereafter, but the birds only started appearing as I reached the Bill. Close to the Pulpit Inn this

Dartford Warbler was flighty but succumbed to a couple of shots. It was, as ever, great to see Brian & Beryl Slade back at the Bill and hoping to see you again before my departure. As I reached the Observatory gate, both John's Down and Lucas seemed in something of a hurry as they alerted me to a Corncrake that had just been sighted flying into Helen's Field. About a dozen of us made a search for it but unfortunately in vain. However, on the upside the Short-eared Owls above were seen which were part of a party of c6. Returning to the Obs, John Down thought he heard a

Brambling which was later found in a nearby tree. After a coffee he gave me a lift to Ferry Bridge where immediately this

Redshank was spotted. Usually a bit nervy this individual made a couple of

short flights
before disappearing down the Fleet.

and finally on today's excursion I approached these anglers to find out what tackle they were using. On a few occasions now I have noted what was thought to be 'fly fishing' tackle, and this is exactly what they were using. Usually employed in river or lake fishing, I guess there is no good reason why this should not be used to lure the likes of Bass, and as I found out they had each had a degree of success!

The Bus-Pass Birder Strikes Again!

The priority this morning was getting the television on as quickly as possible to see what progress with the miners in Chile. A miracle, to say the least, they and the backup squad had all been safely transported to the surface. My thoughts today have been very much with all the wonderfulChilean people I met on my last trip, not least Jacqueline and friends at Sotomayor, all at Lauca and the family of Eduardo Rojascruz (Eddie the Baker) who is ever in my thoughts.

Cliff was also 70 today, still looking not a day over 30 (B*s*ard), all all love Roch 'n' Roll or Pop owe Mr Richard a huge CONGRATULATION! I remember hearing his first Top Ten hit and thinking "this is something special" and it was, which I would equate to Page thrashing his Gibson Les Paul with a violin bow or Peter Gabriel projecting himself into the audience as TheSlipperman - a Slubberdegullion on Squeaky Feet!

And so to my day which started with a walk of a mile as, because of the roadworks the X53 Jurassic Coast bus is temporarily suspended from travelling along the end of my road. My destination wasColyford, a small village in the neighbouring county of Devon for yet another rare Wader. On arrival at the Black Hole Nature Reserve

c2 Curlew Sandpipers were viewable as were

a couple of Little Stint which were all in company with small numbers of Dunlin and Ringed Plover and the odd Curlew.

Little Stint

The Black Hole Reserve is a real mind opener, the brainchild of the local council and not one RSPB 'expert' in sight.

In fact there are a few people I could name who would do well just to pop down to Colyford and view just what a 'real' Nature reserve looks like. I think that highly unlikely though as our (so called) Nature Managers know it all and are so tied up in their ownbigotry that there is nothing to learn.

Anyway, I'd rather take a 2 hour ride to visit this excellent place than take the 5 minute walk to a spoiled Radipole!

But I digress. As the Colyton to Seaton tramway passed by, the target of my desire hove into view.

A Solitary Sandpiper found here on Monday by a local birder.

this is the first I have seen in the United Kingdom

and considered a fantastic addition to my Great Britain list.

A visitor from the America's, I have seen several in the US, the first in Central Park, New York City

found by my former lady friend Sue Hallam.

The visit to the resort was all too short, and after a pint and sandwich in the village pub, The Wheelwrights, I headed for the bus stop. Unfortunately, and unbeknown to me, theWeymouth bus had broken down just outside of Exeter. A full hour late, the bus did finally pick me up but only got as far as Bridport before in broke down again. Well, on the plus side I was in time to enjoy a curry and a couple of pints with John Down and Paul Harris and had a great day to boot.

Finally, Jim the Medic gave me a bell this morning to say that Liz his partner and her friend had been to see (hear) Joe Bonamassa at Bridlington. Liz had seen him on the 'Live at the Albert Hall DVD and her friend had no knowledge of him except for his name. They both came away from the gig saying it was singly the 'greatest' concert they had either witnessed. Time is running out as there are few gigs left, if you get the chance, don't turn it up!

Birds & Berries

It was a bit of a struggle to drag myself away from the cemetery this morning with plenty to see, the theory for leaving was if there's stuff here then it must be on the move elsewhere. Chaffinches, missing earlier in the week, were back in numbers as were Robin, Great & Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Wood Pigeon and Goldcrest.

Chaffinch male

Blackbird female

Thrushes too were in evidence with Blackbird being most numerous, but Redwing and Song Thrush were also represented. This was probably not surprising as the whole place is at the moment like an Avian Asda (supermarket) with

Yew

Cotoneaster and

Holly bushes all laden with berries.

Overhead

Siskins were circling rather than just flying though, as they usually do, but I didn't see any land, but the best was a couple of

Mistle Thrushes that landed briefly. These are the first noted this year, whereas in years gone by they nested here regularly. Let's hope they overwinter and do the business nest spring. Finally here, no fewer than c4 female and a single male Blackcap were all seen in the same tree.

On Portland, I found this sight rather amusing as these 2 Magpies seemed less than bothered by this rather large cat, but that was all of interest at Barleycrates. At the south of the Island it seemed interesting reports were streaming into the Observatory, not least

c2 Whinchat and a single

Dartford Warbler no more than a few paces from the Obs front gate. These 2 photographs are from the archive as I managed to have the wrong setting on the camera as the birds showed. Toward the end of today's outing I stopped off at Ferry Bridge where things were desperately quiet, but on the way to the bus my first

Red-breasted Merganser (archive) of the autumn flew in from the north west and landed distantly in Portland Harbour.

and finally, quite out of the blue, my rig mate Bobby Robertson sent this link of Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel singing 'Au Fond Du Temple Saint' from The Pearl Fishers by the incomparable French composer Georges Bizet. Bob is well aware that this is singularly my favourite of many selections from opera. It is also coincidental as Ginge & Val Prince and I were only discussing its merits over dinner last week. It was also a reminder of my only visit to the English National Opera to see the full performance some years ago, for many there would be no need to say there were tears on the night! Thank you ship mate, I trust you and Margeret are well and the grand kids keeping you young, and best wishes to Dougie & Diane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-rDRa-5h4s

Countdown to the Next Adventure

The only change in the weather today was the fall in temperature, but even that was short lived. By mid-morning clear skies and bright sunshine warmed the day, but the forecasters tell us that isn't going to last? A total inconvenience of having to pop into the surgery to get a flu/swine fever jab shortened my 'birding' day by at least a minute and a half so will have to put in some overtime to catch up. It was only arriving at Portland did the birds start to appear, but even then it was more of the same Wheatear, Meadow Pipit in numbers and a few each of Goldcrest and Song Thrush. However, at Culverwell the 'ringing team' of Roger ? and Ian Dodd had several birds going through the measuring, weighing and banding process, and of these

Dunnock and

a fine specimen male Blackcap were worth a photograph. Having spent about 45 minutes there I wandered just outside of hailing distance before picking up on a

Short-eared Owl flying in from seaward. Shout as I may Roger and Ian remained oblivious to this arrival, but even from where I stood

the view was distant. Before arrival at the Observatory this

Stonechat allowed for a shot but there was better to come. Having just settled to a cup of coffee, a shout went up for what I thought was another Short-eared Owl, but to see the Warden (Martin Cade) sprint in Commonwealth Games fashion towards the main gate something a little more special was in prospect.

It took me a while to lock onto the bird in question as it appeared above the line of the hill, pursued by several Carrion Crows

an exciting juvenile Hen Harrier

which was not only a 'year tick' but also the first I have recorded on Portland plus

a species never before seen during the month of October. Yes, I know, SAD but it does it for me ha, ha!

Finally, regular readers (and others) may be interested to know that it is just 'one week' now before I leave on my next adventure which will be 3 weeks in


wait for it


MADAGASCAR!