Great To Be Out The Bill Again

Little change in the weather again today, still mild but gloomy while at Radipole things also remained the same with high water levels and low bird counts. On the way a few Redwing were recorded but there was little else of significance on the circuit, except maybe c3 Lapwing and a Cetti's Warbler, until reaching the car park where I fell into conversation with Luke Phillips the reserve Information Officer. He was showing me a female Tufted Duck which had now gained enough confidence to be fed by hand, when he suddenly called "Bittern" allowing me time to turn and watch this majestic bird flying just above the reeds. Having already seen c2 of these exquisitely marked Herons this year there was no addition to that list, but this was the first record in Dorset which is added to that separate list.

With little else in prospect that side of the Beach Road, it was straight to Portland and an immediate search around the housing estates at Top Hill. In the area of Easton there were c3 Goldcrests sighted but no sign of the semi-resident Black Redstart or for that matter the Siberian Chiffchaff, so onward to the Bill.

Along the West Cliff a lone Fulmar appeared to be prospecting for a nest site, but maybe this is too early and it was just enjoying the turbulence?

This record was an addition to the Year List and inspired me to look out this not to good photograph of a 'Blue Phase' individual, taken from the Buchan Alpha Oil Rig some years ago. It may be noticeable that this bird is slightly darker, especially on the neck and head, which give an overall appearance of a blue sheen. This 'morph' change is mostly confined to birds in northern waters, but occasionally stray to our southern climes.

and while we're at it I'll take advantage and show this photograph of the Southern Hemisphere cousin, the Southern or Antarctic Fulmar. Slightly larger, its appearance, to me at least, looks more sleek and is one of the birds I enjoyed the most while in the Southern Oceans.

Arriving at the crest of the hill above Culverwell all 3 lighthouses come into view, and despite being a little on the gloomy side little can detract from this splendid vista. The active tower at the Point of the Bill and attendant Coast Guard cottages,

and the Portland Bird Observatory, gleaming in its new livery, at what is known as the Old Lower Light. Once there Martin Cade the Warden was quick to point my attention to

this female Blackcap

overwintering in the Obs garden and

taking full advantage of a free meal by way of apples, fat and nuts. From this vantage point a good number of Auks could be seen passing just off-shore, but armed with only binoculars it wasn't possible to say if they were Guillemot or

Razorbill as in the picture. The short walk to the East Cliff soon sorted that out with both in evidence, the latter being another addition to the list as was

Kittiwake. These photographs were also taken on the Buchan Alpha, the first showing an adult,

then head detail,

a juvenile in splendid plumage and

finally another juvenile having a go at its Dad or Mum?

You Never Get Them All!

An update of the distribution map of our readership, we continue to gather readers from all over the world and are very glad to welcome them ALL aboard. There is still plenty of room to accommodate more, so please be sure to pass the link (The Bagsy Blog) on to all of your E-mail addressees - Thank You!

The only thing we really didn't want to see at 04-00 this morning was 'fog', but before we reached the end of Dorchester Road visibility was down to 500 yards. Joy is off on a late winter break to Tenerife and what sort of neighbour would not drive her to Bristol Airport? There was however a small incentive, a couple or three bird species to add to the Year List on the way home.

The deed was completed before 06-00, so with Joy safely tucked up in the Airport coffee bar, I was off to Broadsands, Devon. Historically the car park there has been an almost guaranteed site for seeing them but numbers do seem to have dwindled over the years. On arrival the bait (seeds) was laid and there was already some feeding action from a

Robin, then

a male and

female Reed Bunting, however what

Cirl Buntings there were stayed pretty much concealed in the bushes. These photos are from a past visit of a female and

a male. Today's findings, after an hour, were of just a single male and c2 females, it is hoped I overlooked the others?

Over the last 2 days, Waxwings have been reported from behind the Cloakham Lawns Sports Hall in Axminster no more than a couple of miles detour on my way home. Another hour was spent looking for these but without result so I made for Maiden Castle in hope of a Corn Bunting. All I got was 'a hope' but there were several hundred (maybe thousands) of Starling, a few Golden Plover and good numbers of Lapwing still which are always good to see.

During the day I received a couple of messages alerting me to a Slaty-backed Gull that had been found in Kent earlier today. I have seen this excellent medium size Gull in both Japan and South Korea, but to see one in Great Britain would be a trophy indeed, and have included a few photographs of these here.

Slaty-backed Gull

all images taken in northern Japan in 2007.

Here seen, top right, with Glaucous Gull left and Glaucous-winged Gull lower.

and finally a head detail.

The GB Year List now stands at - 152

There Are 'Ticks' And Then There Are 'Ticks'

Again, great news to start today's post as the Republic of Surinam joins our readership. It's impossible to know how word gets around, but fantastic to welcome a country that is on my 'short list' to visit. There are now only 3 counties on the South American continent that are not readers, Uruguay and Surinam's surrounding neighbours Guyana & French Guiana, maybe our new reader(s) can pass on the link. Thank You and Welcome!

Dreek is a word that a Scottish fisherman might use to describe the weather this morning, overcast, dull a with a serious threat of rain, but mild and virtually windless. Dreek is also a word a Weymouth birder might use to describe the birding prospects as well. Drawing a total 'blank' in the cemetery it was straight on to Radipole, where overnight the water level had increased even flooding some of the pathways. There was another obliging Cetti's Warbler showing, but Wildfowl numbers had greatly reduce countered it seemed by a much higher number of Gulls (Great & Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Common and Black-headed). As far as photographs are concerned there were only the more common species to capture, but hope that most readers will just as happy looking at these!

Carrion Crow

This was the only 'Tick' of the day, a hapless Dunnock seems to have picked one up on the base of its bill.

Blue Tit

Wood Pigeon

Knowing the prowess of the average Car Park Attendant in our town, this Pied Wagtail would do well not to loiter too long on the double yellow lines.

It didn't loiter but took up the pose of Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Tufted Duck

It was at this point I hurried for the bus to Portland, in the hope of finding the small flock of Waxwings that had graced the berry trees at Easton yesterday. Even before crossing the Beach Road the whole of the Island could be seen shrouded in fog / mist, add to this at 11-30 precisely, exactly the same time as yesterday, the rain started and was heavy enough to make it feel like it was in for the day didn't add to the prospects of finding the birds.

By the time the bus reached Ferrybridge, weather conditions had moderated to a monsoon, so it was decided to brave the elements and watch the ebbing tide for an hour or so. In the lee of the Fleet Visitor's Centre I could see what few species there were, and so dire was the situation I took to counting 328 Dunlin and 94 Brent Geese. Of the latter, there wasn't even a Pale-bellied bird to put on the blank page with today's date.

Knowing just how hungry you can get when out on a hard days birdwatching, I need to pass on some information and direction to The Pasty Shop, especially to visitors. Only having been coming to Portland forever, it was just today that I discovered this little gem tucked away at the back of Easton Square at Top Hill. Many and various hot and cold snacks are available here but strongly recommended are the Tiddy Ogies (Cornish Pasties). Bon Appétit.
and finally, for the lovely Cornish Pasty Lady at least, here are a couple of photographs of Waxwings. Telling her of my venture she asked me to describe them, these images should do better than that ma'am.

Bohemian Waxwing at

Poole in Dorset during December 2010,

and for comparison, Cedar Waxwing taken May 2008 in New Jersey, USA. These very close relatives of the above are described as silky brown in oppose to greyish, are smaller and don't have such striking wing colours. It would be a real coup to find one of these in Easton.

Cetti's Brings Up 150

I can't remember ever going out to specifically 'look' for Cetti's Warbler or Bearded Tit, two species that it would be easy to take for granted, as they are always there but still absent from the Year List this late in the day. With a forecast that suggested less than favourable conditions I was in the cemetery before the sun was but recording just double figures of Redwing and numerous Great Tits, quickly moved on to Radipole. There, completing one circuit of the Loop and noting that the water levels were positively Brisbanian , it was decide to retrace my steps. This time, nearing the end of the trail, the staccato song of one bird was heard, while another put in a brief appearance - 150 or what!

Cetti's Warbler, a skulker if ever there was one, but

part of their extremely limited range in Great Britain are, fortunately, ever present just 5 minutes from my house. As for the Beardies, this was simply not their kind of day so gave them up until the sun starts to shine.

Close to the Gurkha restaurant at the southern end of the lake. this Pochard appeared a little lethargic but nonetheless worthy of a shot,

but of far more value as far as I'm concerned the Hooded Merganser

was behaving perfectly providing another 'tick' in the box.

Over at Lodmoor, things were just as waterlogged but there were things to see especially the Long-billed Dowitcher, seemingly taken for granted by many these days, if I could locate it! Having already received a report from Daragh of Avocet, the said Dowitcher, Great Northern Diver etc there were even more addition to be had, but all there was of value on the sea wall were Roy and Muriel a lovely couple I see occasionally on my wanderings and love to talk to.

Lapwing were numerous along with a single Redshank and

a few Dunlin also roosted and fed in the margins.

Teal, this a male, and

Gadwall, another male, both obliged with close up appearances, but then, there it was!

The Long-billed Dowitcher was as close as I have ever seen it, and once I could hold the camera steady I fired off a couple of hundred shots.

I make no apology for presenting it from every angle, as this rare American vagrant is a special bird indeed.

Seen from from both left, right and here centre it also showed it's characteristic

feeding technique which is often described as being similar to the needle of a sewing machine.

I hope you enjoy these pictures half as much as I do, with this final rear view. Search as I may the Avocet never did reveal itself, but I was quite happy to view this

'First winter' Common Gull with an

adult alongside for comparison.

At 11-30 precisely, the rain started. A light drizzle at first which soon developed into continuous light rain, it was time to go. Having not wished a number of my friends at the Swan public house a Happy New Year, what better excuse for a pint or two? These days I very much restrict my pub visits to JD Wetherspoon's but there was a time when I frequented every pub in Weymouth. but only on a daily basis! There, I was pleased to learn that landlady Kim had won yet another accolade, to add to her 3 'Pub of the Year' tally, having rightful received a 'Lifetime Achievement' award.

and harking back to my recent visits to various friends, while at Hugh & Janet's we enjoyed for dinner on that first evening roast pork from Pannage Pigs. From around the third week in September each year for a couple of months, the famous New Forest ponies, cattle and donkeys are joined by another group of animals – pigs. Commoners are allowed to let their pigs loose on the Forest to hoover up fallen acorns which are poisonous to ponies and cattle and can cause internal bleeding and death. The pigs also eat beech mast, crab apples and anything else they can find. From my point of view this represented the most succulent and flavoursome pork I have ever eaten. However, in traditional style for me I mistook the word 'pannage' for 'Panurge' with which I am familiar through a number of books and the music of Gentle Giant.

Pannage Pig - New Forest

Panurge, a Giant, is one of the principal characters in the Pantagruel (especially the third and fourth books) of Rabelais, an exceedingly crafty knave, a libertine, and a coward. Simon Dupree and the Big Sound had massive success in the 60's with among others their classic hit 'Kites'. After this they changed their name to Gentle Giant and while enjoying some acclaim in the UK, pulled massive crowds in the USA and were, by and large, lost to these shores.

Their first album simply titled Gentle Giant is something of an eye-opener, and while not definable to a particular genre their music is muli-instrumental, meaningful (in an occult sort of way) and exciting. My recommendation would be to start with this, but don't be slow to savour ALL the Giants (Pantagruel, Panurge et al) on the seminal second album

'Octopus'. I remember well my first 'live' encounter with these lads from Portsmouth as we embarked on a sojourn to see the incomparable (at the time) Groundhogs fronted by British blues legend Tony TS Mcphee. 'Giant' were placed second on the bill after mediocre Scottish outfit 'Train', when we were hit by a wall of sound - Zeppelin could have come out after that and still people would have left for home - they were that good! While '3 Friends', 'Acquiring the Taste' and 'In A Glasshouse' are among my favourite musical gems ever, this remains head and shoulders above them all!

Then said he fair Pantagruel, my name is Panurge and I have come from Hell.

Great Britain Bird Year List 2011 - 151