All Quiet On All Fronts

My new e-Mail address is

captbagsy@btinternet.com

A noticeable drop in temperature this morning, plus an increase in the westerly wind speed made things feel even more autumnal but for the best part the sun was shining so altogether a nice day. However, that was only weather wise as most birds seemed to be keeping a low profile. At the cemetery I was met, as usual, by one of several Grey Squirrel but otherwise very quiet, which could also be said about Radipole.

That is before an aerial scrap began with 3 Carrion Crows (one top left) and a single Magpie (top right) started attacking a seemingly peaceful Common Buzzard.

The Crows were most aggressive

with this one appearing to make contact and

baring its claws.

The Buzzard tolerated it for a while before flying rapidly towards the river Wey Valley. Not surprisingly, both Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were seen and heard but that was all until reaching the main bridge

where 9 Common Snipe were seen at the waters edge.

There was also my first returning Common Gull of the autumn

right on cue, while

2 of the previous 13 Black-tailed Godwit remained in the shallows.

Apart from that it was left to two dozen Mediterranean Gulls to make up any other numbers, ranging in plumage from adult

to first winter. Portland for me at least was a total write-off as I recorded just one migrant, a Wheatear, on my walk along Barleycrates, back along Reap Lane to Sweethill and around the Top Fields. Others were more lucky, especially Beryl Clafton who saw 4 Short-eared Owls and 2 Ring Ouzels at Church Op Cove. Let's hope things improve tomorrow!

Just a reminder

captbagsy@btinternet.com

Swan Song - Led Zeppelin

NOTICE TO ALL READERS

My Waitrose E-mail account has now been closed and my new address can be found by clicking 'View My Complete Profile', on the right margin of this page or
captbagsy@btinternet.com
If any of you have E-mailed me since 14 October 2011, this is the reason that I have not replied.
THANK YOU

Apologies to the Teifi Ringing Group who I refered to a the Pembroke Ringing Group yesterday this is http://www.teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/
their Link.

Long before daylight the storm clouds were gathering, indicated by their movement across a rapidly waning moon, and a near gale force wind could also be estimated. Rain looked inevitable as I took a wander around the cemetery noting the number of Blue & Great Tits that have now arrived joining an already healthy population of Chaffinch and Goldcrest.

Robins are also well represented, and seeing this one surrounded by Holly Berries I almost burst into a chorus of We Wish You A Merry Chr...... must be time to book a long holiday!

Over the road at Radipole, this low flying Mute Swan nearly knocked my hat off,

but felt quite chuffed that I got the camera up in time. Once again it was mostly about Waterfowl, but single Reed Bunting and Sparrowhawk did put in brief appearances as did Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler.

Shelduck have now started to return after a short absence,

as male Teal moult into their fine and bright winter plumage.

Long-tailed Tits are also forming feeding flocks, at least 3 separate ones of these on the reserve this morning,

while yesterday we had Blue Tit in the hand, today we had one in 'the bush'!

These 3 Carrion Crows were capitalising on last nights 'litter louts' discarded take away rubbish,

as a passing Great Crested Grebe was, as ever, able to find its own natural food. Throughout the water level is still low and 8 Black-tailed Godwit continue to take advantage, as 3 Mediterranean Gulls, including one 'ringed' individual, were content to rest on the waterside rails.

The Hooded Merganser is also still present, today down by Westham Bridge, and 4 Siskins flew over before I caught the bus to Portland.

Very quiet on the Island today, although both Song Thrush (my first for quite a while) and Blackcap entered the log almost immediately, as this 'one legged' Jackdaw also stopped to pose. Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails are still very much in evidence as were 2 of the resident Common Buzzards,

but all else was this lovely, Ricky Lambert caught Feathered Thorn Moth.

Departing via the Privet Hedge path there was time for a shot of the notorious Portland Race at almost high tide.

	Num	Perc.	Country Name
	18007	72.03%	United Kingdom
	1799	7.20%	United States
	558	2.23%	Taiwan
	479	1.92%	Canada
	407	1.63%	Netherlands
	314	1.26%	Estonia
	306	1.22%	Australia
	277	1.11%	Germany
	229	0.92%	France
	210	0.84%	New Zealand
	141	0.56%	Brazil
	126	0.50%	Italy
	123	0.49%	Japan
	115	0.46%	Spain
	107	0.43%	India
	104	0.42%	Belgium
	68	0.27%	Sweden

and finally, it is noteworthy that Belgium have become the 16th country to reach a 3 figure total on the Stat Counter. Sweden are some way behind but may reach there soon.

The best way would be to send the Blog Link to all your friends - here's hoping!