A Quiet Day At The Office

A quick update on the readership map to date, which is filling rapidly. If you know anybody in Greenland, Central Africa, any of the Asian 'Stans' or Papua New Guinea, perhaps you should drop them an e-mail?

While on the first morning after the Weymouth relief road was opened, this was the scene on Dorchester Road earlier today. OK, it is Saturday but even then this section of road would be bumper to bumper, but as you can see not a vehicle in sight!

Dorchester Road at Nottington Corner looking north.

Dorchester Road at Nottington Corner looking south. I have to thank Paul Harris for these images.

Perhaps all drivers were staying at home early morning because of the heavy frost that developed overnight, leaving everything coated white this morning, but that was short lived.

It certainly didn't deter this Grey Squirrel that met me at the cemetery gate, nor the dozens of birds that were singing within.

It did look a little bleak across Radipole Lake due to a shallow mist but by 07:00 that too had burnt off revealing what must qualify as this years warmest and best day so far?

Reed Buntings now seem to be settling in well here and are also vocal, while there was even a call or two from at least one Water Rail and plenty of Cetti's Warblers.

Otherwise very quiet, I quickly boarded an early bus to Portland (no bus pass restrictions at the week-end) where yesterday's rain had turned the footpath over Top Fields into a mud bath.

That didn't seem to be bothering a 'murder' of about 50 Carrion Crows there,

some even remaining at perch while I clicked away.

There was also plenty of Meadow Pipit activity with a number of birds migrating in off the sea,

while this individual had already taken to frantic display flights an singing, occasionally resting on a prominent perch. There was little else to get excited about, and that seemed to be the view of the few 'birders' encountered on the way. However, just as you think it's going to be all dull Martin Cade (Warden at the Bird Observatory)

plucks this little beauty out of one of the mist nets.

Firecrest, along with close cousin the Goldcrest is Great Britain's smallest resident bird, and for my money probably the most eye-catching!

Quite a few people on the hoof as I made an early return to Weymouth, including this young lady rock climber who already had her pitons hammered in.

After issuing yesterday's post, it dawned on me that a far more appropriate headline might have been White Bird by the San Francisco rock band It's A Beautiful Day, formed in 1967 by violinist Dave LaFlamme. This inspired me to play Marrying Maiden by the first outfit in Rock that I remember having a solo violinist as leader. After this I played the album Flock by US band of the same name. Another fiddle player of extraordinary proportions, Jerry Goodman's violin intro on their most memorable version of the Kinks classic Tired of Waiting for You has to stand as 'a moment int time'! To make up the hat trick post Brian Eno Roxy Music hit the turn table with incredible violin and keyboard riffs by Edwin Jobson - those were the days.

Nobody's Fault But Mine - Led Zeppelin

Leucistic Herring Gull?

There's a question mark against yesterday's White-winged Gull at Charmouth Beach as someone has suggested it might be as stated above. Looks like I've made a 'cock up' (but N'sFBM) so have changed the captions on all of my postings and made the appropriate apologies. Anyway, I'll make best efforts not to let this happen again.

So swiftly on, and what a blessing that at long last we've had a day of continuous rain it felt like the homework would never get done! Great progress has been made in this direction, with the ironing completed before 08:00 after which I settled down to booking the next trip away after Scotland and sorting the logistics. Another trans-Atlantic adventure for June and July, much of which will be over familiar territory as I always promised myself that one day I would return to the

Alaska Highway. I also decided before the turn of the year that 2011 would be a chance to further a few ambitions and complete some travel ideals. The main thrust of this trip will hopefully be to find 2 of the 3 outstanding Gull species I have yet to see in the world (notwithstanding the above, I may be able to correctly identify these) and to visit the final 3 US States not yet seen. The Gulls are Yellow-footed and Red-legged Kittiwake each at the far extremities of this venture, the first being in Baja California, Mexico while the other will take me to the Pribilof Islands in the Bearing Sea.

Thus far the 4 day Pribilof trip is booked and finalised as is the return flight (Heathrow - Los Angeles LAX and flying back from Anchorage, Alaska to LHR) and the coach from Weymouth to the airport return. Next I need to book a 30 day Greyhound Coach Discovery Pass, which will take me through the 2 unvisited States, Utah and Idaho and as far north as Whitehorse in the Canadian Yukon. Unfortunately there is no coach service to the first of the States, Hawaii, but I'll think about the logistics of that when I get to LAX,

My start point, as before, will be El Segundo Beach which will present more Gull identification problems as hybridisation between the species is rife. Anyway, it'll give me something to do! From there as afore mentioned it is hoped to make it to Hawaii, anywhere will do, followed by a run down to Baja. The 2 remaining of the Lower 48 will be next before cutting back west to pay my respects to Jimi Hendrix in

Seattle, Washington skyline

where there might be a Western Tanager en-route?

will be by-passed this time as will a number of other excellent little stop-offs such as Newport, Oregon, where this

Northern Flicker was seen, and Merced in the same State.

Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia is an absolute 'must' as it holds just about all the American ducks at one time or another, not to mention close up views of Bald Eagle.

The start of the Alaska Highway proper is Dawson Creek, known as Mile Zero, then it's a long way to go through the

to Toad River where we stayed in the little hut left of picture. The tap water was like neat sulphur, but the small lake at the back produced no fewer than 21 species of Wildfowl during a 3 days stay.

This is also the highest point on the Alaska Highway, a few miles south of Toad River, which was clear of snow when we arrived but a 'white out' before we left.

Here I am hoping to meet the Leake family again, so will have to make some contact before then. Heather left and Colin with family and friends - what a place!

Others I will be most anxious to see again will be back-woodsman David Cartier and his Japanese wife Toshia who drove us, via

the 300 miles to

just inside Alaska, effectively the end Highway, from there it's a mere 200 miles to Anchorage, the largest city in the State but not the State Capital. There should be time to visit a couple of reserves before flying to

St George in the Pribilof's and then on to St Paul Island.

Returning a few days later, the intent is to take the train once again to Fairbanks cutting through some of the most fantastic scenery in the world, plus a 'must do' visit to

Creamer's Field Dairy. No longer anything to do with milk, the aptly named farmer gave the whole place over to the nation on his retirement, to be kept as a 'wild-life refuge' and 'bird ringing station'. The speciality here are the

Sandhill Cranes which often occur in the 'hundreds'.

Little 'Drummer' Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie

A little on the grey side this morning, but mild with some moisture in the air were all soon forgotten as a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard 'drumming' (excavating a hole in a tree) in the cemetery, while at the same time what could have been its partner flew off to the west. I don't know if Great Spot's have nested here before, it would be a surprise if they hadn't, as the setting is perfect while among the many mature trees there must be endless food. Perhaps needless to say I will be keeping my eye on the situation.

On Radipole, Chiffchaffs continue to sing, while there was a third GS Woodpecker plus half a dozen Redwing, but the limelight was stolen by the arrival of

c16 Sand Martins, not unexpected but a welcome addition to the GB Year List. Not at all easy to photograph on the wing and at some altitude, this silhouette was the best I could do!

Otherwise, Cetti's Warblers continue to get more bold by the day, Water Rails seem to have fallen quiet and there were a few more Gulls than yesterday including these sub-adult Herrings in various stages of plumage.

Now, please don't confuse my next move with a text received yesterday and confirmation of the sighting of an adult Glaucous Gull at Charmouth on the Dorset Bird Club web site, no it's just that I thought it would be nice to take a ride on the X53 bus and see what turns up. Yeah, alright!

No disrespect meant but I have never been over enamoured with this village, the church dating from 1836 being about the only notable feature, but get down to

the sea-side and it's quite a different matter. Immediately west of the small promenade is a section of 'land slip', but no means as dramatic as those between Seaton and Sidmouth, but just as interesting (always a fantastic walk), while a little further along

Lyme Regis can be seen, with its world famous Cob jutting out into Lyme Bay. Oh, hang on a second, that Gull looks rather pale wonder what it is?

Now that's a lucky discovery that I uncovered all on my own, an adult

Glaucous Gull.

A little distant and at all times in the full glare of the sun (moan, moan, moan) but what a bird!

To continue with the Geography lesson, to the east stands Golden Cap

and a little closer so the reader can see that it is the highest point on the South Coast of Great Britain (another fine walk). I did spend a full hour looking at the Gull, but this was punctuated by texts and phone calls alerting others to its continuing presence

plus a look at this tiny Black Crab

Before heading back to catch the bus, I did check-out the Heritage Centre and the Beach Cafe mainly to advise potential 'twitchers' that both are open every day, times at the weekend being 10:30 to 16:30. Well worth a visit to both I would say. Good Luck to Meirel Whaites and staff at both establishments. PS (sorry) there is also an excellent Fossil Shop which, I was advised by potential buys, is excellent value compared to others along this coast!

Close by I found this map of the Jurassic Coast, one of the best I've come across, and feel sure it will be of some interest especially to our overseas readers who might like to get a better idea of the 'lie of the land' here. Right Click on the image, then right click on it again to magnify.

and just when you thought you'd got Far From the Madding Crowd! It's rare I go far without meeting someone familiar, and what nicer couple would you wish to meet than fellow Portland Observatory friends Phil & Sue Johnson taking a walk and the sun on their own turf. Great to see you both, and don't forget that coffee!

On the way back to Weymouth I took a few shots of Dorset scenes, through the bus window

starting with Symondsbury, just west of Bridport and tucked in the valley between Colmer's & Old Warren Hills.

This was followed by a shot of Bridport itself, looking up the High Street from the west, a town I always consider, in the nicest possible way a 'time warp'. Little seems to change here except for the sometimes frantic music scene.

While finally, I was almost able to get the full length of Bucky Doo the West Bay 'gig' being launched at the fishing village slipway.

Welcome back Bowie & Sheila from your Orchid Expedition in Cyprus, glad it was a success. Thank you for the cider, which I needed after the warmth of the sun on that bus, plus the Marzipan and plain chocolate Bounty Bar, you know the way to a man's heart.

and finally, I have to mention the coincidence of having tea with Annie yesterday and today's star bird. It was just 20 days over 2 years ago that we first met on the beach at Swanage, while photographing my last Dorset Glaucous Gull (by MY, I mean, like today's bird, initially found by somebody else) and she was collecting the most minute Cowry shells I have ever seen.

So, with that in mind I dedicate these photographs of the Swanage bird to Annie!

adult Glaucous Gull, Swanage 25/02/2009