Monday, January 28, 2008

Napoleon Blownapart?

On the dreary afternoon of Tuesday 22nd Jan, I popped down to Ogmore in the forlorn hope that the rare gull named after a Military leader might still be present ( Eisenhower Gull?). The Watermill was DULL. Portobello was a little better, with an adult Med Gull on the island, and a few Goldeneye. A Black Headed Gull had a pink tinge to its front, and needed checking. Ogmore Beach and rivermouth produced lots of Common Gulls amongst the common gulls, and another adult Med Gull. No Purple Sands (tide was very low). Walking back to the car, I found these feathers on the path: An ex-rarity? More likely a common gull or even a Common Gull. We will probably never know. Off to Kenfig for an hour in the hide. About 10 Fieldfares were in the trees behind the hide. That, however proved to be the highlight, and I nearly fell asleep in one of the dullest hours birding I've ever had. So I went home....

6 comments:

Dan said...

Come on Tim - get a grip! The English name of the Bonaparte's Gull honors Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who made important contributions to American ornithology while an active member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia during the 1820s. Didn't you know that? ;-)

Dan said...

Talking of birds named after famous military leaders, what about Monty's Harrier? Ouch! That brought back some painful memories :-(

Wayne said...

As we all know, Montagu’s Harrier commemorates that well-known English ornithologist, Lieutenant-Colonel George Montagu. He famously recorded several new species for the UK, including breeding records of our friend the harrier. Indeed, George was a well-known philanderer and often spent days at a time away from his long-suffering wife, Margaret, who faithfully attended to house and home in his absence. Indeed it is said, that his harrier is so-called as it exhibits many of these less appealing traits.

On a related matter, this weekend I had the pleasure of putting our Scottish harrier protector onto little owl at Flitcham. He told Geri that he well remembers the three Welsh lads who visited Norfolk on the “worst weekend possible”. Lord Montagu appeared three minutes after they left.

Dan said...

Welcome home Wayne - get going on that blog of the trip.

Talking of birds named after great military leaders (or who share a name with them) what about 'Drake'? Loads of the Anatidae family of birds have been named after him. Drake Mallard for example.

On a slightly different tack, there's a bog named after Nelson near Caerphilly. (Has anyone seen my medication?).

Wayne said...

Thought Charlie Drake was a comedian. Could do with some of his work here.

Which reminds me. Churchill had a parrott called Charlie.

Nelson, that's a one-eyed town.

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