Runaway - Del Shannon

It was a severe case of 'Slack Hammock' this morning, emerging from my bed at the crack of 08:30, but with the mornings formalities complete in quick time it was off to Radipole. Condition today were on the whole very blustery, with the wind remaining in the west, a leaden sky threatening rain and once again a chill in the air.

However, with a report of the first Southern Marsh Orchid on the reserve

there was no time to loose. The approach path to the North Hide holds the largest number of these beautiful but delicate plants (since the RSPB dug up the 200 strong colony elsewhere) so that was to be my starting point. Delighted to have seen a few in full bloom, I turned to leave for Portland but encountered Luke Phillips the RSPB Information Officer who told me that the Kingfishers were about due to fledge and that Sand Martins had been showing some interested in the purpose built breeding wall.

Taking an 'about turn' in the hope of seeing both of these, I entered the hide to find Nick Quintrell who parades under the heading of Warden whose reply to my jaunty and polite "good morning" was a terse "it was"! Now to be fair I have made some rather scathing remarks (all absolutely true) about this individual so I wouldn't expect him to be my best mate, but in sharp contrast he has never summoned up the courage to engage me on what my readership, et al, now know to be his failings. Alone in the hide together, I would have thought that someone who's bread and butter relies on Public Relations would at least make an effort to cast oil on troubled waters, but no he just 'ran away'! It is a fallacy to believe there is no such animal as 'bad publicity', I was here long before you arrived and hopefully will be long after they get rid of you, with eyes and ears wide open!

and so onward to far more pleasant happenings, and while the Kingfishers appeared to still be in the nest both parent birds were buzzing around in feeding mode. This shot shows one of the adults perched on the Sand Martin Wall. Unfortunately, I didn't even see a Sand Martin let alone recording any breeding activity at the Wall which is a great shame, but there may well still be time this year?

With Orchids and nesting birds mind, it can be seen from this image that the new pathways on the reserve are well constructed and adequate even for wheelchair users. Why oh why then has it been necessary to start cutting the vegetation on this of all weeks when these beautiful plants are emerging?

Cutting has taken place all along the margins, punctuated by patches extending into the reed-beds as shown. I extend an opportunity to the RSPB in Weymouth to answer 2 questions through the Comments facility on this Blog. (1) Why are you cutting these verges at this critical time of the year &

(2) How do you know there isn't a Cetti's Warblers nest or another atrofusca or fulvofusca waiting to fall to your blades? The public (the Owners of these areas) have a right to know why these practices are allowed to continue!

Note:- This photograph of the Orchid atrofusca, so rare it doesn't yet have a common name, was taken on Radipole last year. It is not advisable to enter into detail, but suffice to say this single specimen of this tiny plant may yet be found to be the only example in Great Britain. It would only be with great Luck that one could be detected prior to grass cutting.

Before leaving for Portland this Cetti's Warbler was caught out in the open.

Another new Coot's nest and

the Mute Swan continues to incubate close to the Gurkha restaurant.

This photograph, taken from the bus, is of the visiting Cruise Ship 'Marco Polo'

The Little Known Side of the Portland Bird Observatory

Open mind for a different view!

With few people at the Obs, a stiff breeze continuing and few migrant birds anyway, I was given the rare privilege of taking a 'behind the scenes' look at some of the workings at the PBO.

Only my third look in nearly 40 years at the extensive garden that runs from the lighthouse towards the sea, much work is carried out here. Filled with bushes and 2 ponds it is an ideal landfall for birds having just flown the English Channel, offering both food and cover. First on the agenda was the 'ringing hut' where many hundreds of birds are marked with a tiny leg ring.

The painstaking and often tiring work requires patience in copious amounts, total dedication and a gentle touch.

Some of the paraphernalia of the 'ringer' includes a vast array of rings of various sizes.

Various tools to fit the ring, weigh and measure the bird and

and a 'ringing log' to record all details gleaned.

The central pond, out of view to the casual observer on the patio.

One of many 'mist nets' strategically placed around the garden, this one furled in the breezy conditions.

Moth Trapping is also another huge part of the Observatories monitoring function, with several of these 'light traps' set around the garden overnight.

and what might be considered the main pond, viewable from the patio, with just one creature on

show during my visit, a male Broad-bodied Chaser.

I've set the clock to see just how long it takes the RSPB to answer the questions, ignore them (most likely) or come up with an excuse for not doing so!
YOU THE MEMBERSHIP ARE THEIR PAYMASTERS SURELY YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?

The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix

Uganda is the 138th country to join our readership, and receive the same warm welcome as the previous 137. We have been a little short of African (especially Central African) following so there is a special reason to welcome readers there. It is thought this addition may be due to the daughter of fellow 'birder' Frank Peach, who has been working in the country for some time now. If indeed this is the case and you are enjoying the read, we're off to Alaska backpacking for 7 weeks in 10 days time, so maybe you will spread the word to others in the country and to any other friends or family you have elsewhere in the world. Thank You and Good Luck!

The 'wind' was the main feature of the weather (and the day) as it remained in the west but increased in strength to a very stiff breeze. Otherwise, there was plenty of blue sky over Weymouth while arriving at Ferrybridge the whole of Portland was shrouded in grey! Despite all of this, there was news from Lodmoor to say that the Savi's Warbler was showing extremely well, which is unusual for a 'skulker' even in calm conditions.

At the Bridge, all that was in evidence was a medium size flock of small Waders that would need closer inspection.

Walking the extensive fore-shore of the Low Water Spring Tide, the vast majority of these (100+) were Dunlin with 19 Sanderling and one or two Ringed Plover.

Sanderling. The whole flock seemed a little nervous,

Sanderling. so it was thought best to back off, leaving them to feed the 'flood'.

and as the saying goes "it's an ill-wind that blows no good", as demonstrated by these early morning wind surfers flashing past the South Ship Channel in Portland harbour.

It seems an age since I've seen Bus Driver and fellow 'birder' Mark Hill, but this morning as my bus stopped at Easton Square I manager to capture this shot. Hope you and Annie are in good health mate!

Reaching the Top Fields the focus was still on people, maybe as well as there were no birds, as local farmer and land owner Curtis Gould was driving his tractor towards me. Curt is responsible for keeping the puddles filled with water during the absence of rain, providing the local Hirundines mud with which to build their nests - Well Done to you Mate!

My first Meadow Brown of the year appeared as I walked towards the Observatory, like much wildlife this year very early, but once there another treat was in store.

Only the 'third' occurrence of a May Highflyer Moth on Portland was caught in one of the traps overnight Friday and on the way home there was loads of

Ribwort Plantain growing all along the main road.

With reference to the upcoming trip along the Alcan Highway and elsewhere, here are a few more photos from the 2007 gig which will hopefully whet the appetite?

Caspian Terns 'fish passing'

Marbled Godwit

Hudsonian Whimbrel

and finally, a big Thank You to David Tissington, my travelling companion on the recent Scotland visit, for the additions to my garden pond. 9 Goldfish he tells me but each completely different to each others in size, shape, colour and pattern as to be thought different species. I'm certainly looking forward to watching them develop!

The Final Countdown - Europe

With just 10 short days to go before flying to Los Angeles, I have now started the countdown. Most things are in place, so the remaining evenings will be spent swatting up on what might be seen en-route then in the final 10 minutes throw a few things into the backpack and go. Flicking through the photographs from my last trip along the Alaska Highway in 2007, it was thought these may stimulate the reader into tuning in for the full trip. It would of course be most appreciated if ALL our readers, regardless of country, passed on the Blog Link to friends and family to share a FREE adventure.

Tufted Puffin

Dall's Sheep

Fin Whale

Moose

It was a strange start to the day weather wise, with the sky half covered, the wind speed a little reduced but an altogether colder feel all round.

At Radipole it was seen just how reduced the visibility was with the whole area shrouded in quite dense mist, with the Visitor's Centre (centre) barely visible just across the lake.

Looking to the north things were just the same with the Ridgeway Hills, only a couple of miles away, completely obscured.

With only this Moorhen to delay proceedings, it was straight to Ferrybridge where there was no more of interest besides 2 Shelduck and a single Grey Heron. To be fair, there were quite a few small Waders but all beyond the Little Tern colony and beyond ID range for me.

3 Yellow Wagtails did fly overhead 'calling' as I wandered across the Top Fields towards the Bill, but all else was this fine looking male Stonechat,

while at the Bird Observatory this Muslin Moth caught my attention just before only the second bird of the day was taken from one of the nets.

Some might say, 'only' a Chiffchaff but to me any bird seen 'in the hand' is a privilege and even more so as this may well be

the last bird I see, this end of the year, held by Professor Peter Morgan. He and Rosie return to Wales tomorrow and it could be that I'll be there to wish then goodbye, but if not, "bon voyage" both.

With only a Great Northern Diver and a Peregrine to stimulate the avian interest, attention was turned to what is probably the largest sailing vessel I've ever seen at sea. The Sea Cloud registered in Malta is a Sail-Cruiser and is heading for Weymouth, but by the look of her size I doubt she will get alongside there?

On the way home I encountered another 2 Yellow Wagtail this time far more obliging than the previous 3, settled in a horse paddock and seemingly unaware of my presence.

Finally, please don't forget to pass on the Blog Link
Thank You!