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.