We trundled down the M5 with the intention of meeting Matt (the Twat) at Gordano, but I think his sat nav malfunctioned and we met him at Sedgemoor? Anyway onward we went and got to Exminster about half nine, and Big D duly nailed a Cirl Bunting for my year list. Then it was on to Dawlish Warren for the ever elusive KP which was a tart for all of our lists. The weather was shit and the birds werent much better - Knot, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling and Whimbrel but no elusive KP, until we went into the hide...and there it was, why didnt we try there first!!!
Fuck Me...a C*ntish P!!!
With nothing else on offer except a dodgy Western Sand which didnt really raise the eye brows, we trudged forbiddenly over the golf course, and pitied the local listers who were seeming to be crying out for help
Go on, help save 'em
Then it was off to Portland Bill where the rest of our weekend would be based, full of anticipation of year ticks, lifers and megas. How different it was to be.... We got the the bill and checked in about 4pm. No porterage and 5 star service here, but a great place to crash for keen listers like ourselves.
After fighting over the presidential suite we decided to go out and do a seawatch. We had a few rock pipits on the way and settled in for some year ticks. It was a bit slow to start but we variously ticks Fulmars, Manxies, Bonxies and a couple of Pomarctic Skuas....whats that I hear you ask...well we thought they were Poms but it soon became obvious with derision from the lighthouse that in fact they were only Arctic Skuas. Not a bad try at stringing on the first day, what would the rest of the weekend bring....
Don't even think about it.. it wasnt one
In the evening we decided to go for some jars and Mike recommended a typical seedy joint, namely the Royal Portland Arms, a real ale pub for real beer drinkers. When we got there it was surprisingly quiet, but little were we to know what was around the corner. Pints of lager, real ale and 8% cider were consumed all around
Definitely before the 8% cider
The band came in and set up, and soon the pub filled right up. With a riotous noise, and clashing and banging the whole pub erupted into weird tribal dances along with the music to Who's Afear'd the local West Country Band. The music and atmosphere was surreal, which the locals , filled with alcohol, let down their guard and lost all inhibitions, dancing around to Cider Riots with the stuffed badger held proudly aloft.
There would now be a Cider Riot video, but I seem unable to load the video....apologies readers
It was painful heads the following day, even to the extent that Mr Stokes did not rise before 9.45am. So much for being a real ale and 8% cider merchant, his reputation was in ruins. Could he salvage anything from the embers with a major string - only time would tell
It was painful heads the following day, even to the extent that Mr Stokes did not rise before 9.45am. So much for being a real ale and 8% cider merchant, his reputation was in ruins. Could he salvage anything from the embers with a major string - only time would tell
9.45am - Mr Insomniac Himself...
After a seawatch of sorts giving nothing really different from the previous day, we split up into micro groups of semi patch birders on tour, in the hope of pulling the mega out of the bag. No such luck. The east coast was heaving with listers and rarities with not a smattering down south. We managed a spot fly and wheatear between us all, and finally a long overdue puffin in a later sea watch.
We went to the Pulpit for pre dinner canapes and drinks, where it was established that a quiet night in, in earnest for a 5am seawatch was the most sensible thing. We tucked into a cuisine of beer, wine, pizza, chips, pies and more pies - staple listers fare. We mulled how poor the weekend was panning out and established that Fuck It we're all flushers when there's a tick to be had!!!
The real Portland Bill...listers, accept no imitations.
I awoke the next morning to the continuous pelting rain and lashing gales and thought bollox to it I aint going out in that!!! Finally surfaced about 9am when the clouds parted in true fair weather birder fashion. Another sea watch was in the offing (well what else was there really?) and by midday we all decided that it was a load of shite and decided to do what is now known across the hobby as a "Black Lark". A celebratory Tunnocks teacake before we left...
Not sure exactly what had crawled in and made its way in there...maybe a worm chased by a Worm Eating Warbler?
With dipping the Little Stint at Ferrybridge, that summed up the weekend.
Great company and great times but in terms of shallow listing quality for me it was poor, bringing me up to 193 for the year and a static 384 life list. It could have been 200 and 388 respectively but thats for another post.
EDIT: Other birds "seen" but not by myself were Red Blackstart, Mother Careys Chickens, Pomarine Dreams (in your), Western Dunlin and Slender -Billed Sparrow
