Pearl's A Singer - Elkie Brooks

By and large the day began much as the last few both weather and bird-wise. Overcast and gloomy did quickly give way to some outbreaks of sunshine but rain did look likely, things remained warm overall, while the wind (a brisk westerly) didn't even manifest itself until arrival on the cliff at Barleycrates.

Goldcrests and Robins continue to dominate in the cemetery, with little else to keep me, so quickly on to Radipole. There the water level is still being kept low but as far as Waders were concerned seemed only to have attracted 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere on the reserve 3 Kingfishers were active along with a single Common Sandpiper, plenty of Teal, Bearded Tits 'pinging' from the reeds, the long staying Arctic Tern remains and numbers of

Reed Bunting appear to be increasing. One of the best and certainly most endearing birds to land in the county for many a day, remains here for what must be a third year.

This image was taken on the 24th July 2011, since when (just 65 days)

the Hooded Merganser has moulted into this fine plumage. Not quiet complete yet but a few days should see it pristine!

Close to the Westham Bridge sluices I found this unusual looking plant with thorny leafs and stems. A flick through the 'wild' flower book produced no answer as to what it might be, so looks like I'll need to call on my mentor John Gifford to sort it out. Given that so much WWII bomb rubble from the High West Street/Chapelhay area was used to form footpaths etc here, it may well be a cultivated plant. There is much evidence of this around the reserve with Plum, Crab Apple, Bay et al growing all over the place.

Taking a quick weather observation as I arrived at what we used to call the Backwater as children (Weymouth Inner Harbour would be more appropriate) things looked a little bleak towards Portland.

However, we persevered, taking a look at some of the decent size Grey Mullet that now prosper here. Portland once again was a dead loss for me, retracing my route of yesterday seeing only a hand full of Swallows, 3 Stonechat and 2 Ravens.

Lodmoor was my next port of call where Lapwing, Little Egret, Common Buzzard, Red & Greenshank, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper plus a single Grey Plover were seen in quick succession, and it was worth taking a little time to watch this

Grey Heron

Never hurried in their hunting technique, it just stood motionless eyes firmly fixed on one spot.

Quicker that my eye could see, it's head plunged into the water and emerged with this small Dab.

Not a huge profit for such a long wait, but maybe bigger fish next time and

at least we've eaten today!

The main thrust of my visit was to try and see a juvenile Red-backed Shrike that was spending a third day on the Moor, and on arrival the news was good. It had been seen regularly and often but, as is often the case, had just disappeared from view. The wait was a full 20 minutes, and even then the bird only lingered for a short time before presumably catching another insect.

With no chance of securing a photo these 2 images come from the archive, the bottom one showing an adult bird. So, while thumbing through a few shots I again returned to the Venezuela section to bring you a few more from the Hato Pinero visit in 2009.

Roadside Hawk

If the Pearl Kite isn't the niftiest little raptor, I'd like to know what is!

Rufous-vented Chachalaca

Saffron Finch

Certainly not David Attenborough, but an Ocelot for all that!

Concrete & Clay - Unit 4 + 2

Firstly, a quick return to yesterday's concrete block conundrum solved by our friend and lover of Portland, Deborah Tessier via the link below. They are it turns out the old foundations for a long defunct Stone Saw Mill. Many thanks for that Deb.

http://www.geoffkirby.co.uk/Portland/685690/

I doubt there will be any disagreement in local 'birding' circles that today was the dullest of the year for our avian friends? The cemetery drew a complete blank, while all there was of note at Radipole were 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

Rarely do any of the average 20 to 30 Cormorant on the lake venture this close to humans, so the opportunity was ceased before quickly moving on to the

Town Bridge where most were making preparations

for a days sea angling or diving.

Walking the full length of Barleycrates Lane twice (the second in disbelief) then Reep Lane, along the West Cliff and onward to the Portland Bird Observatory there was only a single migrant to report, a Wheatear. Things were as bad there, so after a chat to a few newly arrived visitors it was decided best to return home and catch up on a few chores.

On the way this fine looking Sailing Vessel passed The Bill, but while my guess was The Pelican of London there is no confirmation of this. So, a quick return to the archive:-

The seriously endangered American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) Venezuela.

Crowned Caracara also seen in Venezuela.

Common Pauaque, Hato Pinero, Venezuela this unfortunate (for it not me) critter hit our Land Rover but returned to full health and was later released.

Madagascar Nightjar

None So 'Righteous' As The Brothers!

A dramatic looking sky to start the day, as the sun peeked above the building line of Weymouth sea-front with a black as black 'front' directly over the border of Weymouth and Portland. Fortunately, this came to nought as I headed to Portland via the cemetery which held a fair number of newly arrived Robins, a few Goldcrest and a passing Yellow Wagtail.

A veritable armada of small boats were leaving Weymouth Harbour as I crossed Town Bridge, all taking advantage of what promised to be a fine day. Barleycrates Lane produced 4 Tree Pipits, 3 Whinchat,

no fewer than 10 Stonechat

and literally 'hundreds' of Meadow Pipits.

Along the west cliff there were good numbers of Fox Moth Caterpillars which was about all for the walk down to the Bird Observatory.

Not a lot happening there except like yesterday the wonders of the Moth Traps, My absolute favourite name for any of the Moths is Setaceous Hebrew Character, where did that originate, of which there were a few

along with Black Rustic which despite being all black, as the name suggests, is a most striking insect.

It is never known what exactly might be found in a Moth Trap, there were a couple of Crane Flies (Daddy Long-legs) today, along with

the first Large Ranunculus of the year at the Obs

along with several Common Wainscot. Coffee and some usual banter and I was off towards Weymouth via the East Cliff, always a most therapeutic walk.

Having consulted some of the most knowledgeable locals, I am still at a loss as to be sure exactly what these concrete structures are. Most seem to think they or foundations for Gun Emplacements, which is probably the most logical answer.

No doubt about the identity of this bush, which is a Fig on which I have never seen a single fruit. However, with the amount of figs I am getting from Bowie and Sheila at the moment, no worries!

With brilliant seascapes to my right and the jigsaw of redundant stone quarries to the left, you'd hardly need anything else but there were a few birds including

Rock Pipit

Northern Wheatear,

Common Kestrel and

lots of Linnet and Goldfinch.

The local crab/lobster fishermen appeared to be doing well as I saw them remove a couple of large Lobbies from their pots as I made towards the bus to Weymouth.

Assured of a great laugh at The Swan pub in town, I met up with a few friends for a couple of wines - Micheal, Cath, Val, Helen and Leslie, but none of us were ready for this card!

A group of noisy young men, obviously from the Welsh Orchestra as they were all Har'-pists, entered and 'his nibs' launched straight into the Righteous Brothers classic, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, directing his attentions to a young lady on her own content to eat her dinner. Having whipped us all up into an accompanying frenzy Fonz, as I discovered later, simply gave the lady a gentle, friendly hug to the applause of us all. She it transpires is from Cape Town, and took the whole thing as if it happens to her every day, leaving the whole place buzzzzing. I hope you are both reading this because if everyone was like you 2 there would be a State of Palestine!!!!

A thousand kids run around hungry, 'cus Ma was a louse,
Daddies down at the Whiskey house! - Jimi.