Stormy Days

Wednesday October 30

October has been very wet and windy. Often with periods of sun in between. This has led to dramatic skies and, often, tempestuous seas. 

As is usual on a Tuesday, we met at Natural Surroundings to open the moth traps put out overnight. Three traps did not produce many moths and a mere eleven species. Not bad for the time of year and the weather. Moths do not like wind. They prefer warmth. Moonlit nights are not conducive for trapping either, as they lessen the impact of the light source. 

After trap opening, we gather in the cafe for a hot drink and a natter, some of us eating too. Limited room this morning as a BT engineer was working on the phone line at one end of the small sitting area. All ten of us crammed in around one corner containing a table for two and another for four. Always a pleasure - and very noisy. One woman gave us a look of disdain as she squeezed her way out.

I could see the bird feeders this morning, Coal and Marsh Tits arriving as well as Blue and Great plus a beautiful, fresh plumaged, Nuthatch. The activity soon finished when two Huskies and their owners occupied the outside table near the feeders. Fair enough.

We had some time to kill before chiropodist appointments in Sheringham so drove to the east car park, on the cliffs in Sheringham itself. The tide was receding, exposing stony islets offshore, soon occupied by various gulls, Turnstones and spread winged Cormorants. 

Not much movement but, we did see one Red-throated Diver in winter plumage, one Guillemot, several Gannets and Brent Geese and a Little Auk  flying west. Some of our moth-ing group had been sea watching at Cley before the meeting this morning and had seen several of the latter.

All against a changing backdrop of sun, black cloud and rainbows. 

All partial arcs, I believe that there is a name for each rainbow variation but I don't know this vocabulary. 

At one time there was a double partial arc - for a few minutes only.

Another ?

Thursday, October 17

Our last day started like the first. Heavy overnight rain, still pouring at breakfast time. Time to open the trap, sitting just inside the partially open French Windows. That way, we stay dry and the Caddis flies escape.

The first moth I saw was another Clifden Nonpareil. This one was very tatty, unlike the one we caught at home. Waw. How lucky are we. Blair's Shoulder Knot, Red-line Quaker and another two Vestals (making five in all ), were the best of the rest. 

Maybe a last visit to Portland Obs would pay off.

We set off in sunshine belying the huge puddles on the narrow, high hedge-lined country lanes which lead towards Dorchester. 

We stopped at Ferrybridge car park when we could see that there were Brent Geese on the estuary.  Only about twenty to start with. A very restless group which kept taking off, then returning, gradually being joined by another couple of small groups.They were all Dark-bellied.

The sea at the Bill was stormy to-day. There are cross currents here which produce patches of rough water even in calm conditions. Gannets were the dominant species. Pam saw a few unidentified Auks and I'm sure that I scoped a Storm Petrel in a trough. Ah well.

Back to the Observatory. No egg boxes in the front doorstep bin to-day. Pam went in to talk to Martin and to show him the Clifden's in case he wanted it. Another man present asked where we were staying. On hearing the answer, he informed us that it was at the edge of THE area for Clifden's as they breed nearby.  Portland have not trapped one this year though.

We then successfully located Lodmoor RSPB reserve followed by Radipole Lake, only to find that access was neither obvious nor easy. For one it was a longish walk from a leisure centre car park. I always expect RSPB reserves to have a Centre and parking area. 

Time to drive back to Cedar Lodge and to pack the car in preparation for a prompt departure in the morning.

Friday October 18 

We left at 7.50 and were home at 1.50 having shopped in Thetford Sainsbury's. It was worth the earlyish departure as we missed all the Friday traffic around the conurbations and on the M25.

I haven't identified these beasties yet. Some moth trap intruders and less than good photos.

 

High Steppers

October 14 (cont)

Sue and Alan, the owners. had been in the cottage to supervise the WiFi engineer, who had already gone on to the farm. They came in with us to try out the WiFi again on an IPad (Sue). She seemed a bit clueless really. No luck, so we gave up on that after a futile and astonishing conversation.
Pam then asked about their business. They have six horses and at least two carriages. A glass Landau suitable for weddings - and funerals - We saw boith being driven past our cottage.



 and another smaller car and a trap.

I was interested in the horses which look like a smaller shire horse.

The horses used are Gelderlanders (also known as Dutch warmbloods), bred in Holland for their ability, temperament and poise. They are trained to a high standard for harness and specially selected for their team ability. Their horses are chestnut in colour with matching markings, have high-stepping and high head carriage. 

Four are a matched team, one being trained and a newly acquired young animal.which did not respond well to the previous owners.

High Steppers run training courses for carriage driving enthusiasts. Alan's father taught The Duke of Edinburgh how to drive - carriages that is, not cars !

Soon after they'd left, the engineer arrived stating that the problem was at the farm and nothing to do with us. I knew that.......I'd re-booted the router and done all the things I would have done at home. He could do no more in the time available, merely fix a contraption to a socket which should enable us to receive emails. Occasionally it tried to do so !

One Fine Day

Wednesday October 16

Heavy overnight rain seems to have affected the moth catch to-day. A Red-line Quaker was new for the site.

The sun came out and we went out. To Monkey World.

Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lies 65 acres of sanctuary for over 250 primates. Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent, stable home. Today Monkey World works in conjunction with foreign governments from all over the world to stop the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. At the park visitors can see over 250 primates of more than 20 different species. 

Our first visit was prompted by watching their very successful TV programmes - their 11th series is due to start on Pick, November 11 2019. I love apes and became very fond of the animals and their rescuers. Jim has since died. His wife, Alison, carries on the work, which she is very well qualified to do.

I hadn't booked a buggy and despite being in a queue with only two on show, I managed to get one. They're brand new and look very smart. One leaves a proof of identity and £10 deposit which are returned when the buggy is.

After passing my driving test (!!) we only went a few metres as  there was a misfit group enclosure just inside the entrance. One Patas monkey, Mica,  one elderly Lemur, George. two Red-bellied Guenons, Benny and Mia and their baby, Biff, born in March this year.

Biff was being very active, leaping over his mother for a silly five minutes.

The enclosures are very large, well treed and vegetated, as natural as is possible in the UK. Augmenting this is the use of hose, ropes and logs to build sophisticated and complicated structures on which the animals can climb, play, hide, chill out.

There are four different groups of Chimpanzees and three groups of Orangutans, in addition to the many smaller monkeys there.

Hananya's group was the most active we have ever seen them - apart from on TV. Virtually all of them outside, scattered around and on the frames.

Thelma, the baby of the group, born to mum Cherri when her contraceptive implant failed. Her twin Louise,  died soon after birth. She had a hole in her heart. Twins are very rare amongst primates.

Hananya is the leader and we were lucky to see one of his thundering displays of power accompanied by noise - both his and that of the subserviant and respectful group.

Hananya puffed up and on his way, hooting loudly, accompanied by his second in commnand.

Joining in

We dragged ourselves away, eating a sandwich and hot drink lunch so that Pam could have a deserved sit down. 
Pam is especially fond of Woolly monkeys. Alison is famous for the world first of successfully hand rearing an abandoned baby to adulthood. She, with help, has done this on three occasions. The monkeys now rear their own offspring. Another success.

A baby

Next major stop, the much anticipated Orang nursery. Monkey World is the European creche for orphaned or rejected babies and they are very successful at rearing the babies to adulthood. Several of the adults are now at European zoos where they are breeding successfully, forming family groups of their own and enriching the gene pool.

In charge is 'mother' Oshine. She arrived as a vastly overweight and indulged house pet of a South African couple. She was out of control, emptying the fridge, free to roam in the house, driven around in the passenger seat of the car. She still walks upright.

She rushed over to discipline Jin who was playing too roughly with the babies, Bulu Mata and Rieke. Most of the Orangs are Bornean but Jin is Sumatran.

Taking photographs was unsatisfactory. The large glass viewing window was filthy inside and out from children's hands on one side and baby Orangs on the other.

Their Bornean keeper turned up to give his public talk, keeping the apes entertained and active by throwing dozens of blueberries, blackberries and shelled peanuts into the enclosure. They had trouble finding the food in the long grass and were often too close.

Jin

Especially the little ones.

Hairy rug Bulu Mata

Rieke

Ever hungry Oshine looking for leftovers.

 A thoroughly enjoyable day in warm sunshine throughout.
Cerne Abbas was not too far away and neither of us had seen the famous chalk man which was renovated recently - it was on Countryfile. 

There was even a good parking place from which to view, although the angle was odd, making his appendage the focal point of the picture. Honest......
The Giant is 60 metres tall and thought to date from the 17C. His phallus is 36 feet in length. Ouch.
The owners of the cottage were just leaving Cedar Lodge as we drove in. Needs an entry of its own I think as this is very long already.

Will it Ever.....

Tuesday October 15

Will it ever stop raining. 

We open our moth trap whilst sitting inside the partially open French windows - hoping nothing gets too wet. At least the moths are passive so that few make a break for freedom.  Caddis flies are a different matter.

We had two more Vestal

Pine Carpet, Green Brindled Crescent

Black Rustic, Beaded Chestnut, Square-spot Rustic, SHC and LYU.Our first Blair's Shoulder Knot at the site was new for Martin, Portland's warden, this year.
Delicate seems to be good for us here as well as at home.

What a surprise. We drove to Portland, starting at the Bill car park. 

En route I snatched a quick photo of a tall ship fast disappearing into the marina. The large lens hood prevented the lashing rain getting on the lens.

High rise storage for boats, ingenious.

There were many Swallows swooping around the Bill lighthouse to-day, Shags, Gannets, Cormorants and Meadow Pipits flying by whilst scoping the sea. Pam walked out to the point, adding a Wheatear and a Raven to the list.

There had been reports of a Death's Head Hawkmoth and a Cosmopolitan from Portland, both new for us. It was with some anticipation that we parked at the Observatory and Pam went off to look in the fridge - where 'good' moths are stored in pots. Nothing there. The warden appeared, stating that, disappointingly, the moths had not been trapped at the Obs but by a private trapper who had not retained them. Martin was interested in our Vestals as they haven't caught any yet. Sitting on the back patio binning the garden, a Peregrine swept through, fortunately returning for a short visit so that Pam could see it.

The expectation of many migrant moths in the forecast favourable conditions did not occur. There was some disappointment all along the south coast moth-ers. We're happy with what we have seen so far.

Even happier after going through the Obs bin. A beautiful Flame Brocade amongst the debris. 

and another Radford's Flame Shoulder. 

Back to Chesil, turning towards the Lookout before leaving the Bill. The views are great. We had to park where there was vegetation in the way but the sun appeared, lifting the view and our spirits.

Another Stonechat, a group of Linnets and the usual gulls were the only birds seen.There was some very favourable habitat along from the Lookout, towards the High-Angle Battery. The battery was built during the Napoleonic Wars and a scheduled ancient monument, considered to be a prime example of Victorian military engineering, and was built in 1892.

We turned round at the prison, a Young Offenders' Institution  on the Grove clifftop. This was the original prison,  built for convicts who quarried stone for the Portland Breakwaters from 1848.  

Portland limestone was used for both St Paul's and the United Nations headquarters.

Still no WiFi. I phoned again and was promised a visir by the engineer to-morrow.

The Bill

Monday October 14

Pam's 82nd birthday started with cards and present opening. Pam had chosen to spend the day at Monkey World. Heavy overnight and morning rain forced a change of mind. 
Portland Bill here we come.

In the right conditions, the Bill's southerly position is a good seawatching site. The point  has a large car park with a short walk to the Trinity House lighthouse cum visitor's centre. I scoped from the car, seeing majestic Gannets fly by, Starlings appearing in small clouds, swirling around before landing, a lone male Stonechat struggling to feed in the strong wind. He was sheltering in a small group of seeding weeds, making occasional sallies after insects.

Portland Bird Observatory

What would be in the doorstep bin to-day?

The best moths to-day were Rusty-dot Pearl and L Album Wainscot, both migrants. 

L-Album Wainscot

Rusty-dot Pearl.

 Whilst sorting through the bin, a Chiffchaff kept us company, flitting through nearby Willows.

On the way home, we stopped at the Taste cafe on Chesil Bank, enjoying a slice of delicious cheese on toast whilst watching the receding tide. Dunlin, Ringed Plover and a Turnstone at the water's edge, no sign of the Brent Geese which had come through on the pager. There are both Black Brant and Pale-bellied reported to be amongst the flock.
A male Marsh Harrier flew in from the sea, cresting Chesil Bank before flying high inland.

Our own trap held another Vestal, Snout, 2 Brick, Beaded Chestnut and the usual suspects.

Whilst looking out of the window, trying to catch the horses coming home for the night (we never did manage to photograph them)  Pam noticed Swallows flying about a nearby field. It was a dry, sunny, evening for a change. They were taking advantage of some reasonable weather for feeding. About 60 in all, the most we've seen all year.

Big Dipper

Sunday October 20

Or should I say dripper.

How good is my memory? When we returned to the cottage, the WiFi wasn't working. I phoned the farm and then the mobile number. Alan and Sue were off somewhere with their horses and carriage but would phone the man who put it in, in the morning. I wrote up the day's notes on my laptop ready for copying and pasting.  

Then......my laptop died. The charger cable connection socket has failed - for the second time - and the battery is flat. 

Daile collected my laptop this morning, Sunday October 20, stating that he could fix it. 

Here goes again.

Sunday October 13 

Determined to see one new bird, we set off to find Longham Lakes, where an American Black Tern has taken up residence. The pits are new creations, 2006 and 2009, owned by the Water Board. The SatNav didn't recognise them at all, they were not marked on the map but, Google Maps on my IPhone came up trumps. The roads were flooded from the heavy overnight rain, as was the river Stour. The latter had overflowed its banks, creating water meadows in which gulls washed. 

After a few false starts, we located Green Lane in Ferndale. It was an unmade lane with houses on one side.  We splashed through the potholes, the lane becoming ever narrower, until it ended in a narrow footpath through overhanging trees. No sign of any water but plenty of 'do not park here ' notices on field gates. Pam reversed to a spot where she could turn and we left. 

I consulted the pager, maps etc so many times. We cruised the road......no sign of anything. We gave up.

Not often we are so near a UK tick, very frustrating. I did find a page  which gave an email address for someone who would issue a permit to park at the Sailing Club pit - if a regular visitor. I planned to plead age and disability but, without internet, it wasn't possible.

Abbotsbury Swannery was reasonably close and the sun appeared. Neither of us had been there before - although Pam may have done so as her in laws lived nearby. 

We were pleased to find a separate entrance for blue badge holders as the lakes are a 400m walk from the car park. We parked in a pleasant tree surrounded area overlooking meadows whilst Pam did a recce.  Whilst she was away, a Cetti's called and I enjoyed watching Jackdaws wash in a puddle.

Oh dear, another longish walk to the Swannery. Pam bravely offered to push a wheelchair but I declined.

These are her photographs.

Our entrance gate

Not a hunting relic/gamekeeper's warning. It's to show the actual size of a Mute Swan's wingspan

The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040s. The monks farmed the swans to produce food for their lavish Dorset banquets. St Peter’s monastery was destroyed in 1539, during the dissolution. Some of the ruins are still visible around St Nicolas’ Church in the village. Since that time, the Swannery has been under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates.

The swans at Abbotsbury are all free flying: this is a sanctuary, not a zoo. 

Rain and Wind

Saturday October 12

The forecast was right, unfortunately. I woke, for the last time, to the comfortable sound of horses clopping by and, rain on the roof. A leisurely start before setting off for Portland Observatory, circa forty five minutes drive away via Weymouth. In retrospect we'd maybe have been wiser getting a cottage on the Bill but none were available. Where we are is lovely so I'm not unhappy.
We missed the narrow and well hidden driveway to the Obs on the first drive past, continuing to the Bill car park. I did some sea watching before eating a late breakfast, slightly early, lunch. The sea was interestingly disturbed but not by any birds, other than a lone Cormorant and many Greater Black-backed Gulls. A field near the Observatory had dozens of these impressive Gulls, just loafing about.

We found a parking place in the small car park and Pam went off to investigate before coming back for me. The entrance door steps held a lidless bin full of egg boxes, which were being examined by a couple and a single man. We joined the happy group. The woman asked if she'd seen us at Holme, describing my 'posh chair' ! They're from Staffordshire, staying at the Obs. It's their last day. The man too is staying nearby and was helpfully knowledgable. Three new moths for us. My Canon 80 had gone missing  (later found in the gloves and hats rucksack) so I had to use my phone camera. Poor light - still very grey and raining - and my inexperience.

Feathered Brindle

 Feathered Gothic

Rusty Dot Pearl is not new but is a migrant.

The main attraction was potted and in the fridge. A Radford's Flame Shoulder. As usual, the pot was less than clean.

Martin, the warden, appeared, chatting for a while before driving away. We cannot park in the grounds again, I can be dropped off whilst Pam goes off to park. The limited space is reserved for the residential occupants. Understandable but, there should be one space for disabled surely. i.e. me !!
The parking area for 'permit holders only' to view the American Black Tern, belongs to the Yacht Club, Martin stating that they are quite militant in upholding this. One needs to park in a lay-by and walk. We'll have a look.
Both traps are out to-night in the pouring rain. Fingers crossed for something.

To Pallington

Friday October 11

Packing the car in heavy rain is not much fun.We got Adrian (gardener) to do it ! It wasn't on his list of jobs, he'll have two Fridays without supervision. He still needs guidance but is very willing and a quick learner.The list Pam left for him, therefore,  is pretty basic. Any more would be unfair. The first job - after carrying out our luggage and packing the car - was to destroy an ancient laptop. He thought we were joking. I was looking forward to doing it myself.

We left home at 10.30 when the SatNav came up with a warning that the Acle/Cringleford road was closed. That meant driving through Norwich City Centre. In heavy rain. This soon stopped and we had dry roads until the M25 and M3. We then had traffic warnings of 10 Km  tailbacks on three different occasions before arriving at Cedar Lodge, Pallington, about five miles from Wareham, at  5.20. So pleased that we live in Norfolk after that traffic !

First impressions of our cottage - and the later ones - were very positive. Clean, airy, very nicely furnished with all the fittings one could wish for. (never end a sentence with a preposition).
Settling in, three big horses went by, via the lane to the farm up the road. One of the men was the owner, who popped in to make sure all was well. It's possible to book a cart ride around the area but I don't think I could mount the cart ! 
Investigating further, we found a freshly made loaf, a home made Swiss Roll and a pint of milk. Lovely. We'd stopped at an M and S on the M3 to buy to-night's supplies, before shopping in Wareham Sainsbury's to-morrow. The forecast is rain all day..........
To my disappointment, it was decided not to put a moth trap out to-night. It's windy and wet and an extension lead needed to be threaded through a fanlight, after finding a suitable socket. The patio is the most sheltered so the lead would have stretched across the front door.
We'll probably recce Portland Obs to-morrow despite the rain.
Watching England play to-night is like watching Man U. No ideas, no thrust, full of mis-placed passes. 1-1 at the moment.
Early night I reckon.

Snettisham Non-spectacular

Monday October 7

Our last 'free day' before travelling to Dorset on Friday. After yesterday's torrential rain driven by a strongly gusting wind, we set off in calm settled conditions with dry roads. It must have been dry overnight.  

The end point was Snettisham as always. No really high tides and we were too early for the maximum height anyway. That makes identification of birds a challenge, as they are thinly widespread  and distant.  A led group was occupying the space at the top of the approach slope. They all turned and stared at us. I was entertained by imagining what would be written in the bubbles rising from each head in a cartoon.   'How did they get here , wish we'd driven, they look well fit to me', etc.   

The first sizeable flock of Golden Plover of the Autumn whistled plaintively, huddled on the mid distance mud. Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Knot, Teal and Wigeon. A single, brightly monochrome, Great Black Backed Gull  stood gazing around. Looking for a victim or just loafing?

Monochrome means one colour but is wrongly used to describe black and white photography.  I'm guilty.

A volunteer warden stopped for a chat about the problem of dogs off lead on the reserve - we'd driven past two spaniels doing just that. The warden didn't want to see our permit......

Nothing of note elsewhere on our drive around but, enough birds to keep us happy. There was a particulatly active period first thing, we saw just under thirty species before Abbey Farm  Eager to feed after yesterday I should think.

We were hoping that one of the many Yellow-browed Warblers which have landed along the coast would be in a convenient place for us to see. Not when we were there. 

Garden Grove's track had deep puddles to-day. No birds in the approach hedges. A headlight flash from the car parking area turned out to be from Ian and Sue. They'd had a long wait for a Dusky Warbler, only flight views disappointingly. Better than nothing......The car park was pretty full so, when forced to move on by an oncoming vehicle, we drove round the concrete pad and left. That was a surprise!

Very few birds at North Pools. Even the Greylag had dwindled to two small groups. I scoped carefully, finding no waders at all. Why do I not count Lapwing as waders? Stupid.

Having taken no photographs at all, an event in itself (I had two cameras with me ), we drove inland at Stiffkey and home.

                              

Another Miscellany

Sunday October 6

We seem to have been very busy for a long btime - with little to show for it. Daily moth-ing at home, two half days at Natural Surroundings and Cley with short birding sessions in between. 

 National Moth days have been and gone - last weekend - when this year's topic was migrant moths and Clifden Nonpareil. Our Clifden was a few days early. Rumours are that they are breeding on the Suffolk coast. Four in Norfolk this year already, all in excellent condition.

These are a few of the migrant moths trapped in our garden.

Delicate

Scarce Bordered Straw - revving up

Scarce Bordered Straw showing underwing, about to fly

Not Migrants

Pink-barred Sallow

Large Ranunculus

 Out to lunch at friends' more later.....

Three Days later......well fed !

We also had a Palpita Vitrialis 

and a Red Underwing -  more Delicate (7) and Scarce Bordered Straw (6) 

We had two short sessions of sea watching from Winterton Beach. The first produced a few Red-throated Divers and Gannets and a single Shag. The second, during an hour's parking in the official car park, produced five Red-throated Divers, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, six Common Scoters, all flying north. Small flocks of Brent Geese were occasional fly pasts.