I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James

With a steady trickle of Swallows accompanied by a few Meadow Pipits and the odd Pied Wagtail flying over my house soon after dawn, at least there was some movement despite little improvement in the weather. Still dark, dank and cloudy the wind had wind still on the cusp of 'gale force' had 'backed' a point or two resting square in the north west.

Again, guided by the tide, it was directly to Ferry Bridge where, even before alighting the bus, these 3 Brent Geese were spotted flying high over Portland Harbour. Given the amount of food just lying there waiting for a Goose or 3 to drop in, they simply overflew

and disappeared into West Bay. Apart from 2 Little Egret, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and a bunch of Great Black-backs there were only the following allowing a few photos.

Starting with 4 Dunlin and a single Sanderling that landed right along side where I stood.

OK, we've had our share of photos of both but find it had to resist snapping away.

Dunlin.

Sanderling

Before crossing the Beach Road back to the Portland Harbour side there was this Dog Whelk Shell which, although both the Harbour and Weymouth Bay are full of these delicious (my Dad and I used to eat dozens of the things) Gastropod Mollusc's, are these days a rare sight on this foreshore. When vacated by the natural inhabitants they often become an ideal home for the Hermit Crab.

Located on the west shore of Portland Harbour, which all too soon will become a venue for the 2012 Olympic Game, is the GB National Sailing Academy. I have received a couple of invitations to visit this fine sporting complex, so hope to bring you a report on this real soon.

Also in the Harbour, the cargo vessel UBC Saiki which is likely undertaking some running repair or maintenance like many other vessels these days.

Along the shore there were 27 Turnstone along with about double that number of Ringed Plover, but it was now time to catch the bus to The Bill.

While a number of shots of Northern Wheatear have also featured in recent days, this was just too close to leave out of today's post, before arriving at

The Obelisk where I met a couple from Suffolk and was soon joined by Bird Tour Leader Bob Ford and some of his clients.

Thus far the Sea itself had been the most interesting thing, followed by a few common sea birds such as good numbers of Gannet seen in this picture (click image to magnify),

Shag and

Great Black-backed Gull. Bob had hardly uttered the words "what have you got of interest for us today" than I spotted a

male Common Eider, in eclipse plumage, some way off-shore.

It never did venture close in, and as I phoned the Bird Observatory to report its presence

it took to the wing

disappearing down the West Cliff.

This is how he may look next spring (the brown bird is a female).

Soon after, the gentleman from Suffolk 'called' a Shearwater flying east and close to the West Shambles Buoy some way out to sea.

Both Bob and I agreed it to be a Sooty Shearwater, with these images being from the archive (for illustration) unfortunately not taken today.

My final bit of luck came when I relocated the Little Owl in the Obs Quarry,

but today, far more conveniently, perched on the stone rather than a bush and not obscured.

This afternoon I have been listening to the new offering by Joe Bonamassa, in company with Beth Hart (whoever she is). Have to say, not impressed by the first listen, and it's a brave lady who takes on 'I'd Rather Go Blind' it may be that Etta James is turning in her grave. Outside of her original recording of one of the greatest 'Blues' ever written (by Ellington Jordan and co-credited to Billy Foster??) I have only ever heard one other memorable rendition of this 'classic'. The set by Chicken Shack at the 1969 Bath Blues Festival was 'ground breaking' to say the least, but when Christine Perfect launched into IRGB there wasn't a dry eye on that Rugby Field.

Long Live Stan (The Man) Webb

One Hundred Thousand - Not Out

Except for walking the Rodwell Trail, a footpath along the redundant Weymouth to Portland railway line, all of my attention was directed towards the Isle today. With little (or no) shelter throughout its whole length, it was considered a little risky given the state of the sky and the blustery wind but in the event I was spared a wash down.

Looking towards my destination from Ferry Bridge, things didn't look a whole lot brighter across the Chesil Beach Road but just a little further ahead there were sign of bird-life.

Not unexpectedly, there were a number of Wheatear with

my tally reaching 23 before spotting something slightly less likely.

Not really the place for Robins, but the odd ones show up now and again, but today there were no fewer than 6.

Unfortunately unable to capture all half dozen in the same frame, I was lucky to snap these 2 shots in quick succession of a couple acting every bit as though they were defending territory. It's always an added bonus to capture any images of birds perched on Portland stone.

Crossing the bridge and accessing the foreshore via a walkway under the road, the tide was out and there were a few Waders feeding at the low water mark. First to be identified were an Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull and a Bar-tailed Godwit heads down seemingly dodging the gale.

In company there were also small numbers of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Turnstone, while the Godwit seemed little concerned at my presence.

Onward to The Bill, and first sight was of a number of Great Black-backed Gulls sheltering from the high wind on the Bill Common.

The 205 bus, returning to Weymouth, put most of the Gulls to flight which eventually settled again this time closer to the Coastguard Cottages in the distance.

A noticeable absence for most of the year around the Island, and more particularly at the Observatory Quarry, have been the resident Little Owls. Fortunately, this beautifully marked bird arrived back at the traditional site a few days ago where it has been seen by a good number of people since.

Crossing the Common and counting a further 28 Wheatears as I did so, Meadow Pipit became the predominant species with a few Pied Wagtails, plenty of Linnets, a few Siskins and a fairly constant trickle of Swallows.

While conditions were far from ideal for 'mist netting' birds, the intrepid Peter Morgan persevered and did catch the odd thing or two, but nothing of note - there's always tomorrow Prof!

and just before pressing the Publish Post button this afternoon we were delighted to record our 100,000th 'HIT'
since The Bagsy Blog has been in existence!

Red, Red Wine - UB40

It was fantastic to have the Dampney's in my home once again, but in addition to Hugh & Janet there was a first visitation of their son Daryl and his lady Cath. I felt that the whole evening went swimmingly well, but for me the highlight of the whole proceedings was just how much we all LAUGHED!

It will also give me great pleasure to recommend a couple of wines which in everyone's opinion complimented the food to the full. Both were bought on a trial basis, with the first also being of novelty value. A label with a picture of a Southern Right Whale was always going to attract, but given the grape was Sauvignon Blanc thought to be a perfect tipple to serve with the Tuna Mediterranean Salad. No question, it was certainly the 2007 Charlie Herring Tau Syrah with the Beef Wellington a la Bagsy complete with Dorset course pate, shiitake mushrooms and shallots, but the pudding was the pièce de résistance.

The Cassata, which I have only attempted twice before, was greeted with a little bewilderment, and as I'd made a right royal hash of the Belgian Chocolate Sauce decoration it was total reliance on the taste. Chateau Jolys (2008) a completely new vineyard to me, not quite as unctuous and sweet as Sauternes, but nevertheless perfect with the soft ice cream and candied fruits within. Hugh also observed that it would be ideal with Foie Gras - unanimously agreed and due for trial very soon!

Not surprisingly, a little late to rise this morning it was 08:00 before I left the house for a direct ride to Portland Bill. The weather now seems to have broken for at least the next few days, with wind speed increasing to 'gale force', sky completely obscured and a continuous threat of rain.

At the Bill, almost immediately this Purple Sandpiper appeared from nowhere

and by the fact it was unsettled, kind of gave the feeling it may well have just arrived from an Icelandic breeding ground. My first of the Autumn.

Otherwise, there was precious little else except for a few Pied Wagtails on the ground and even fewer Swallows passing overhead.

At the Observatory there were 2 very interesting Moths on show, neither of which had I seen before, but then came my second cock up in as many days. Even with the assistance of those around me, I still managed to make a complete disaster of photographing each with my images being unprintable. Therefore, with permission. I have 'borrowed' those of The Warden, Martin Cade to illustrate these little beauties.

Golden Twin-spot

and Hymenia recurvalis a 'rare' Moth that comes from the Tropical climbs.

Finally, after exactly one full calender month, we can welcome our next and 153rd country to the readership, by way of Monaco. One of only 5 countries I have yet to visit in Europe, it is only a matter of time before this is rectified. However you came by the 'link', it would be greatly appreciated if you would pass it on to all and any of your county-folk.

WELCOME & THANK YOU!

	2	0.01%	Monaco
	2	0.01%	Malawi
	2	0.01%	Nepal
	2	0.01%	Gabon
	2	0.01%	Uganda
	2	0.01%	Luxembourg
	1	0.00%	Brunei Darussalam
	1	0.00%	Tanzania, United Republic Of
	1	0.00%	Macao
	1	0.00%	Bolivia
	1	0.00%	Maldives
	1	0.00%	Gibraltar
	1	0.00%	Ghana
	1	0.00%	Morocco
	1	0.00%	Isle Of Man
	1	0.00%	Cameroon
	1	0.00%	Albania