A Trick of the Tail - Genesis

My departure from home this morning coincided with the start of a light drizzle which was exasperated by a freshening north easterly breeze. It was however the slamming of my out of control front door that flushed the

BLACK REDSTART from my garden wall, never to be seen again. My attentions should have been more concentrated on things the other side of the door but with such a start (no pun intended) it was off to the cemetery. Even before reaching the gateway the sound of 'Crests' were heard with

GOLDCREST very quickly located. On a morning when 'spotting' such tiny birds let alone photographing them was difficult I found lee behind a large Yew bush to sort through the many dozens within.

Further difficulty was trying to determine an accurate count, but in all I felt comfortable with at least c5 FIRECREST, more that ever encountered there before.

A particularly poor picture, but relevant to me, as the first sighting this year of an adult feeding a juvenile bird. By no means conclusive proof that they have bred here as both were capable of flight and may have come from elsewhere, but do breed here most years.

 

 JAYs were far less troublesome, just on size alone, but continuous squawking helped in

locating at least c10 individuals, another record count for me at the location. Chaffinch were also numerous as both Siskins and Meadow Pipits flew overhead

as a Great Spotted Woodpecker knocked 10 bells out a snapped off tree.

With both wind speed and precipitation increasing, conditions were becoming prohibitive for sensible birding, but before leaving there was one more (insignificant) record to be broken. With all photos plucked from the archive, c2 RAVEN were seen (here with a COMMON BUZZARD) flying over,

CARRION CROWs in usual good number,

JACKDAW on adjoining rooftops,

ever present MAGPIE

plus fly-by ROOKs made it a record 6 Corvides in a single visit - not noted before.

I did spend some of the remainder of the day looking for an 'apparent' Olive-backed Pipit at Portland, and trawling through some of the 'many' comments relating to the Rare Warbler seen at Southwell on Monday, of which a couple caught my eye. Firstly, I would respectfully correct Lee Evan's where he states on his Blog that "only selected local birders were invited", with the definition of 'LOCAL BIRDERS' relating to those 'resident' on Portland. Fact is Hugo Wood-Homer lives in Puddletown, both Ken Parker and Dave Tissington in Weymouth, while County Recorder Kevin Lane lives I know not where, but much further afield? 

The DorsetDipper said... (via Brett's Goosey Ganderings) When birds are on private property we just have to respect the rights of the owners and take the consequences. Missing birds is one of the hazards of birding and if people can't accept that and still behave reasonably then perhaps they should hang their binoculars up. Congratulations on seeing it, and for the second time this autumn well done on rejecting the accepted opinion. Hope the moaning of others hasn't spoilt your enjoyment of the moment. 25 October 2012 11:16

While agreeing ENTIRELY with every word, it is rather an over simplification of such a situation, for which there is no definitive answer. I have already spoken to a number of the estimated 27 who saw it, with each overjoyed at the prospect of adding a MEGA to their list, but similarly distraught at being constrained by a 'ring of silence'. One told me of being unable to phone his Best Birding Friend of many years for fear of the backlash and now faces the onerous task of facing him and presenting a plausible case for not doing so. I am finding myself completely intrigued by the whole performance, already having received 13 e-mails with some making allegations that I certainly couldn't publish or substantiate. However, it is starting to sound as if there is more to this than protecting the bird or for that matter the local community, as a number of things quite simply don't add up. I am now keeping my ear very much to the ground, in the knowledge that the human race has never been able to keep a secret and one thing I do know for sure, there is a 'Trick in the Tale'!

Backstabbers - The O'Jays

The bird on Monday was a

PALE-LEGGED (or less likely SAKHALIN) LEAF WARBLER

A Rarity? Only the first record for Great Britain and, according to my list, first in the Western Palearctic! I don't have any photographs, but know those who do Portland Bird Obs. and Brett's Goosey Ganderings. I am duty bound to advise our 'clean living' readers that the second LINK contains 'foul language' but feel unable to describe this sad state of affairs more eloquently myself. In which case I would almost demand that this is read as being in full agreement with Mr Spencer's sentiment. I feel lucky that fate has chosen to shine on me in another direction, as confirmation of my 'One Way Ticket' (meaning no time limit) arrived this very day for my next trip, as I feel the 'national fall out' from this extremely unsavoury and totally unnecessary affair could last a very long time and even end in a petrol bombing! Brett ain't the only weirdo in birding - think on!

While back in a much happier world, it was my greatest of pleasure to take the Dampney Family (Hugh and Janet left, along with recently engaged Cath and Daryl) out for a meal last night. We dined at Prezzo, on Weymouth Town Bridge, where the food and service were excellent but let down by the poor quality wine.

Wishing my friends a safe journey home I decanter to Bowie and Sheila's house for a nightcap,

or perhaps a little more accurately an 'internal marinading'.

None the worse for that it was an early start towards the Siberian Stonechat at Culverwell, near Portland Bill, where on the way trees and hedgerows were once again teeming with GOLDCRESTs (the best I could muster).

An attractive group of FUNGI in the cemetery on the way home was followed by a

MIGRANT HAWKER,

a handful of REDWING (which were most vocal as we walked to the restaurant last night) and a

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF

which I don't recall seeing at this site before. On the final straight, there seemed to be a voice from above calling "we're watching you Bagsy" which turned out to be so. There high on a house roof was

Chimney Sweep and sometimes Fireman James (Sooty junior) Stockley - a perfect end to the day.

PS:- It has only dawned on me, at the 'last knockings', that yesterday's readers totalled 715, now what brought all that interest on??

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.