Some Might Say - Oasis

that getting shat on from a great height by a Herring Gull is lucky so, just 100 yards from home and wiping the 'daisies' from my bright red coat, I started to believe that today was the day for a serious rarity?

Not as sprightly as in days of yore, great care is always taken when crossing the bye-pass to Radipole, but the maniac hurtling around the curve in the road very nearly ended my days - the gesticulations are not repeatable! At the concrete bridge, intending to make a note of Bearded Tit, the end of my Biro flicked from my grip and disappeared into the lake, as you can imagine I spent the rest of the day wandering around with that 'pen-top' feeling? Finally, continuing along side the grassy area close to the Gurkha restaurant, feeling that perhaps I should have left the 'bird muck' in place, I was attacked by c2 Jack Russell terriers. The one that bit into my boot received a sharp kick while it was now difficult to decide whether it was the other dog, or the owner 'yapping' the loudest. Considered 'my own fault' (as a previously innocent passer-by) by the elderly, male owner the first dog ran off across the main road, forcing a motorist into an emergency stop, as he chased after it. Even when I pointed out that the c2 leads slung around his neck might be better deployed around the necks of his 'out of control' animals (which I would have gladly helped him tighten, before buying a third) it was still me responsible for his charge running off. So, as it seemed the bird shit wasn't working I got the bus to Ferrybridge.

However, before all of that it had been noted that Robins were most vocal today, and that the number of Chiffchaffs had also increased in number. Spread across two of the reed-beds there must have been double figures of Bearded Tit, but difficult to be accurate, while once again the Hooded Merganser was too much of a temptation, so here he is again!

A Graphic Illustration of Mediterranean Gull Take-Off Technique

Radipole Car Park

Up, Up and Away - The 5th Dimension

At the Bridge, apart from about a dozen

'first winter' Herring Gulls the only other bird on the fore-shore was

this single Ringed Plover.

Over on Portland things were similarly quiet and with no intentions of looking at the still present Hoopoe, it obliged by flying across the road right in front of me. No, from here it turned into more of a 'people day' starting with Melvyn Gilham who stopped half way down Sweethill for a chat. I'd barely made the top before 'shipmate' Terry Why stopped similarly, while at Culverwell Mark Hill did the same as he was driving home. At the Portland Bird Observatory there were some of the usual visitors, but the highlight of my day was being introduced, by Ian Lewis, to his step daughter and his 2 Grand-daughters. Well, to enjoy such stimulating conversation, including tales of their extensive travels, from 2 young girls the oldest only 13 was a joy to behold. Thank You all for that!

It is rare I retrace my tracks on the way home, but today crossing Radipole the resident

Carrion Crow with part 'white wings' was seen after a short absence,

my first Celandine's of the year were in bloom while slightly better shots

of Great Crested Grebes passing vegetation

and displaying were taken, albeit through the reeds.

c3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies appeared whirling through the air together,

only alighting briefly for a couple of poor shots.

This is a little more what they look like.

At the cemetery a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, and on investigating I found another photographer usurping 'my patch'.

Unable to resist the urge to poke my nose in, it still isn't quite clear what they were doing

but one most attractive young lady was photographing her equal in the beauty stakes, ably assisted by a young man. PS - none of my business anyway, but I did invite them to read this Blog entry, so here's hoping.

Hear, Hear the Pipes Are Calling - Scotland the Brave!

The predominant feature of today's weather was the 'cold' as this morning cars were once again covered in frost while I was very soon wishing I'd "ne'er cast a clout" (ref:- ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out, meaning don't remove any clothing until the May blossom is in bloom - arguable). However, it wasn't long after 07:00 that the sun started burning through the light cloud and things got a little warmer, but leaving the lee of Radipole for the sea-front and the easterly wind it was Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Difficult to say exactly how many Goldcrest there were in the cemetery, but after about half an hour trying to count the different birds singing, the conclusion was at least double figures.

At Radipole the counting became a little easier as there were 4 male and 1 female Bullfinch, c6 Chiffchaff and c10 Greenfinch. Both Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were also vocal with the latter becoming less reluctant to leave cover.

At the concrete bridge this Great Crested Grebe was just crying out for a photograph

as was this most obliging Dunnock.

This small 'mob' of Coot looked quiet sedate posturing with beaks in the water and tails held high,

until breaking into a fighting fury attempting to attract a mate.

Absolutely nothing of note along the promenade, not even a ship in the bay, but on arrival at Lodmoor I immediately met up with Darragh who quickly pointed out this

distant Sandwich Tern (second from right) my first for the year. He had also seen the

Spoonbill, that has been here a few days now, which was also some way off. Together we continued around the reserve noting an increase in numbers of

Shelduck, some seemingly arriving as we spoke, plus one particularly obliging

Robin. As we continued along the north perimeter we witnessed a fantastic avian sight, although again too far away.

This pair of Great Crested Grebe at first close together, neck stretching and posturing before swimming apart, each collecting a bill full of marine growth then closing again at great speed.

At this point, breast to breast, there was much head shaking, crest erecting and exchanging of gifts,

much of the weed clinging to their plumage, before parting company again. Wonderful stuff, just a pity the pictures weren't a little closer.

The bad news arrived just a little further on as I viewed the handiwork of the week-end vandals who set fire to the main reed-bed. There may be more to be said about this as the week draws on and we get the opinion of others?

So, it was on to Portland where at the Top Fields my first sighting was of

my friend the lovely Horse Lady Annie. Also an ex-Royal Navy rating we have much in common and always lots to talk about. Great to see you again my dear! At the Observatory I had a small duty to perform as requested by e-mail from New Zealand. Denise Rathke , sister of Mike Munro who feature in yesterday's post, complete with Barn Owl box, wrote to say how pleased she was to see the photo and asked if I could give him a big hug for her. I can report Denise that Mike got all 'hugged up' this morning, and also reciprocated - but "I'm not in love, so don't forget it, it's just a silly phase I'm going through" - 10CC.

The good news was that the Hoopoe was still in attendance (here complete with Grub), plus they had caught and 'ringed' a Firecrest (along with Goldcrest our countries smallest resident bird) both of which I went looking for.

The 'Crest' was once again not to be, but as can be seen from these images

the Hoopoe was putting on one hell of a show.

Finally, on the way to catch a bus home, this

Chiffchaff stopped catching flies

long enough for me to capture these shots.

All else of note is the finalisation of my next trip away, with coach, flights, car hire and some accommodation booked and paid for prior to heading to Scotland for a week at the beginning of April. I will endeavour to bring you daily reports as ever.

It's Been A Long Time Coming - Beverley Knight

In line with just about every other human being on the planet, my thoughts today are very much with the people of Japan and more particularly the residents of Sendai on Honshu Island. Every day of April 2007 was spent travelling the full length of this mystical country, and despite the scenes of devastation on our TV sets I'm sure some places were familiar to me. Stopping off for a couple of days, literally placing my life in the hands of a complete stranger, the memory lingers long with me.

One simple rule on my travels is, never turn down the opportunity of trying bizarre or weird foods and Fugu, the deadly Japanese fish, was a not to be missed moment.

I sometimes think that if Chef had been a beneficiary to my will, he may not have done such a good job,

but I survived the platter. Note:- in the 'vintage year' of 1958 there were 176 reported deaths from this delicacy in Japan.

This was the view from my hotel the following day - Heaven!

It was an early start to get an early bus this morning, as the text announcing the arrival of a Hoopoe at Portland Bill coincided with my lunch date of yesterday. The short walk from home threw up

c32 Carrion Crows (this being about half of them) in the trees along the redundant railway line, while in the Harbour

most of the Charter Skippers were engines ready and getting underway. Among them Lone Shark III, under the skillful command of Richard English, who I have enjoyed some fantastic fishing with in Sharks I & II but am yet to sample III. "Tight Lines" Richie!

I rarely phone the Observatory for information, but today the 'twitch' overtook me and was pleased to hear Martin confirm that the bird was still present. On the way HMS Ocean was still cruising around off the Bill and in far clearer conditions took the opportunity to bring you a better picture.

The only other maritime movement was the small freighter Arklow Raider "Butting through the Channel in the mad March days" - John Masefield's poem 'Cargoes'. Then suddenly, there it was flying right across my track, but soon landed on the Common not far away.

The Hoopoe

Front

Back plus

Port and

Starboard. There was no sign, for me at least, of the Black Redstarts today, nor did I see the Firecrest but a single Wheatear had put in an appearance at the Reedy Ditch so I was already well pleased. All of this 'birding' is alright if you have nothing else to do, but there are those who have to complete the building of the Equipment Shed in Helen's Field!

I 'clicked' Mike Munro just as he was about to leave the Obs, complete with a single Barn Owl and several 'small bird' nesting boxes (made out of off-cuts from the main building) which will be the final touches to the construction. It is hoped that Mike's family and friends in New Zealand enjoy reading this in the knowledge that he is happy and healthy (except for the knees after nailing the roof on).

So, what has been 'a long time coming'? Well, shortly after biding Mike farewell, Duncan Walbridge arrived and told me of presence of

Little Owl at the Grove. In all my years of bird watching I had never failed to see this species at least in the first month and mostly the first few days of the year, but it has taken until now to add it to the 2011 GB Year List.

Searching the quarry site on the east of the Island, one bird was seen for a split second but what must have been a second was photographed taking the sun as these Owls often do.

PS - it should be pointed out that the Sam Cooke, Beverley Knight, Tom Jones et al song isn't in fact titled It's Been A Long Time Coming (this being the key refrain of the lyric) but A Change Is Going To Come. I guess in the case of Little Owl either would fit, but know which I prefer.

Calling in to Radipole on the way home in hope of a Sand Martin, none were seen but the abundance of blossom (this being Blackthorn) more than compensated for this.

Just a few Martins have already been seen and this week should see more, but for now I was content to look at this Willow blossom

and this of an unidentified fruit tree (along with Gorse) before heading home.

Paul Harris sent me this image of a maritime (binnacle) table and 2 Captain's bow chairs in the recently refurbished Ship Inn, Weymouth Quay, and to end should just say how nice it was to see Niel Arnold and Christine today - see you again soon I hope!