I (Didn't) Hear It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye

18:03 Up-Date I KNOW SPECIES OF THE 'MYSTERY WARBLER' AT SOUTHWELL 

ALL WILL BE REVEALED 

AFTER THE BOMB DROPS!!!!

Still no news on the Mystery Warbler at Southwell, despite 'point blank' questioning of some of those who were in attendance, each showing a total reluctance to offer even a likely let alone positive identity. Although questions have been asked by others, (see http://bretteeblahblahblah.blogspot.co.uk/ 'comment at bottom of page' but be prepared for torrent of foul language), much animosity seems to have been generated, which is beginning to look every bit like the intent, so maybe part of the reason for the silence????

This morning the cemetery looked about as good as it ever does in Autumn and it was soon noted, despite the leaden sky, that it was full of birds. Goldcrest and Chaffinch were most numerous, and while at least one

JAY has been present daily during the last week,

today there were at least c4.

This FUNGI was note growing on the path side on the way to Radipole

where LONG-TAILED TITs were numerous with Robins and Cetti's Warbler less so, as another Jay flew over the reserve in the direction of the other 4 and several Redwing headed north east. Three dozen

MEDITERRANEAN GULLs were counted bathing at the top end of The Loop, while a further c 9

(including this young bird plus a

number of adults were on the car park.

It was announced yesterday that Blog Posts may dry up a little over the next few weeks as I make preparation for the New Life, but already contributions are arriving which are welcome to fill the void. From my dear friend  Vicky Cheng in Taipei, Taiwan comes this link to her most wondrous Web-Site which I know will be enjoyed by any 'birder', and others alike. There was a great feeling re-experiencing the past as I was stood next to her while she filmed a number of these subjects.

Sorting through some of my possessions I came across this original 'watercolour' by a great character I met many moons ago in Falmouth, Cornwall. At that time Tony Warren was an Auxiliary Fireman and Artist, but had been Lifeboat-Man, Lighthouse Keeper and a member of Trinity House, and took on a small commission to paint "The Lady I Loved". The Ocean Salvage Tug Confiance was a 'pride and joy' especially as I had, at one time or another, served in her as Able Seaman, Boatswain, Mate and Master, undertaking an unimaginable series of tasks in so doing!

Out of the blue came these shots from those 'Heady Days' when I was

Lord of the Manor and had the use of this fine vehicle.

Gone are the days (back to Shanks's Pony) but by coincidence I am taking the Dampney Family to dinner this evening, and very much looking forward to it!

and from the North Sea my Shipmate and travel companion 'Billy Crumble' sends me these images and a report of "lots of birds".

One (unfortunate) of thousands of REDWING and a number of

Dead STORM PETRELs

part of a 'wreck' of several dozens. Thanks Rhubarb!

Silence Is Golden - The Tremeloes

Suffice to say that I was not at all impress by the actions of a number of local birders hereabouts yesterday, so it is fortuitous that by the end of next month I will have dropped-out of 'society', be heading for 'sunnier climbes' and out of the 'loop'. Late yesterday it came to light that earlier in the day an Eastern Crowned Warbler had been found on Portland, only the third record of this 'rare' bird in Great Britain, which now seems more likely to have been an Arctic Warbler? Seems I'm not alone in 'cocking-up' identification, as I am reliably informed that all but one Brett Spencer departed the scene with 'Crowned' etched in their notebooks? However I, along with others, were not informed of this find let alone invited to view in a private garden, but KAMA will surely play its part here!

Walking Weymouth Inner Harbour this morning, the GIG Penny was seen successfully returning to berth after a practise run, and as I reached Bill Hill information arrived advising of an

ISABELLINE SHRIKE of the race Lanius isabellinus isabellinus, known as Daurian Shrike (after the Russian region of Dauria east of Lake Baikal) at that very location.

I do recall seeing Isabelline Shrike on Portland in 1985 but not of this particular sub-species.

DEWICK'S PLUSIA

Hiya, I know this species has a place in your heart so thought you'd like to see this. Had this in the trap on Thursday night. Quite a change in status since you had yours, I think this is my 5th. They have now even been discovered breeding in this country, at Beddington Sewage Farm in London.

Cheers Paul Harris.

If like some you are a 'Twitching Widow', or maybe you can't get her away from watching the Bird Table, then this might be the ultimate gift that will do the trick?

Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater Watch

 courtesy of Andy Lindsay

or

I'm Just A Jeepster For Your Love - T Rex

from Willy Downes

and finally, as noted above, the time has come for some serious organisation both at home and with a view to travel prospects. I therefore, most reluctantly, may have to suspend some posts on coming days for the future good. Readers who persevere will likely find my next adventure to be to their liking - here's hoping!

More 'Birds in the Hand'

Busy, Busy, Busy, and Late - so more of the same.

DUNNOCK @ Portland Bird Observatory (PBO).

Another 'stranded' GUILLEMOT rescued on the Buchan Alpha Oil Platform (BA).

HOUSE SPARROW, PBO

KITTIWAKE, BA

LESSER WHITETHROAT, PBO.

LITTLE STINT, BA.

MARSH WARBLER, PBO.

MELODIOUS WARBLER, PBO.

NIGHTINGALE, PBO.

PALLAS'S WARBLER, PBO.

PALLID SWIFT, PBO.

This PEREGRINE on BA was seen to kill 2 Great Black-backed Gulls but loose them to the sea, then caught this HERRING GULL which it partially ate.

It was later caught by our Deck Foreman,

put into a makeshift cage and transported ashore by helicopter.

PIED FLYCATCHER, PBO.

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, BA.

Bird In The hand - Ice Cube

Much to do before my, as yet, not finalised departure there will be days between now and then when the archive will be the only source of Blog material. For myself it is exciting to revisit some of the astonishing places and creatures I have been privileged to see, and hope that the reader will experience as much enjoyment. Most of the day has been spent at the lap-top (thank heavens for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website) but I did manage to pull myself away foe a couple of hours to share lunch and catch up with my friend Lesley Brown - good to see you again Les!

BRAMBLING - Portland Bird Observatory

CHIFFCHAFF - PBO

COLLARED DOVE - an infrequent visitor to the Buchan Alpha Oil Rig in the North Sea

COMMON REDSTART (male) - PBO

Something of a 'heart stopper' when this male COMMON CROSSBILL was spotted on BA. With a patch of white paint, looking every bit like a 'wing bar' at first glance and a chance of being a rare 

Two-barred Crossbill (Wikipedia)

GARDEN WARBLER - PBO

'Hundreds' of birds were picked up on the decks of BA, both dead and exhausted, of the later such as this GOLDCREST were taken below, warmed up offered water and released.

Casualties, BA

MEALY REDPOLL - BA

 

A 'heaving-line transfer' from our Standby Boat of a chocolate box reported to contain a Linnet, was found to be this much scarcer LITTLE BUNTING - BA

GOLDFINCH - PBO

A bit of a handful, this juvenile GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was reported jammed in the Gas Compression Module, not really the day to be considered the 'expert'! - BA

  This exhausted LAPLAND BUNTING was one of c3 on the BA that particular night.

 GREENFINCH an annual visitor to BA

Undoubtedly the pièce de résistance of my 20+ years on North Sea Oil Rigs was this SHORT-TOED LARK, and to catch it was another pièce de résistance - BA