text:
31st December
A very crisp dawn today but thereafter it was perfect winter birding conditions all the way. Rook is hardly a big deal bird on the mainland but 3 today at Barleycrates Lane were an unusual mid-winter sight for the island; 2 Redwings at Weston and a Fieldfare at the Bill (along with a Snipe heard calling overhead there after dark) were pretty well expected arrivals given the current low temperatures. Run of the mill fare included a Bonxie still lingering off the Bill, 2 Red-throated Divers also through there and 3 Redpolls, 2 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Black Redstarts on the land. The 2 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs at Southwell were joined by the first Goldcrest there for a while, with another Blackcap - along with a Black Redstart - at Weston. The Rosy Starling was again at Easton, Black-necked Grebes increased a little to 12 at Portland Harbour, where the 2 Black-throated Divers and single Red-necked Grebe were still about.
There's always plenty of bug action on and around Tree Mallows to help keep the Southwell Chiffchaffs sustained © Pete Saunders:
So, the curtain falls on what's surely been the most peculiar year in PBO's history.
Sadly, the fact that 2020 will live long in the memory had rather less to do with the quality of the natural history on offer than the uniquely disruptive circumstances associated with the ongoing global pandemic. In terms of the effects of this event on recording, we escaped lightly: thanks in no small measure to the efforts of a hard core of local residents the daily census was maintained throughout; whilst, during the spring at least, the two staff members had the rare pleasure of undertaking the entirety of the ringing programme themselves – every cloud has a silver lining! The losers were our guests: with the Observatory entirely closed for the bulk of the spring migration period and only partially open for the rest of the year, many of our stalwart regulars had to forgo their annual visits – we really felt for them and can only hope that some semblance of normality returns as 2021 unfolds.
Bird-wise, an autumn Arctic Redpoll – a wholly unexpected first for the island – was the year's highlight, whilst a wonderful summer influx of Balearic Shearwaters brought with them the year's big crowd-puller in the form of a putative Yelkouan Shearwater. A varied roll call of lesser rarities included a stunning dark-morph Montagu's Harrier, 2 Red-footed Falcons, a Woodchat Shrike and a Blyth's Reed Warbler in spring, half a dozen Rosy Starlings and another Blyth's Reed Warbler during the summer and 4 Great Shearwaters, 2 Melodious Warblers and singles of Glossy Ibis, Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, Olive-backed Pipit, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Radde's Warbler amongst others through the autumn.
It was not a year of excesses on the common migrant front. The crystal-clear skies prevailing for the bulk of the spring saw to it that falls of summer visitors – usually such bread and butter events for us at this season – were almost non-existent, whilst the vagaries of the weather seemed again to conspire against us through the autumn when we missed out on, for example, the large arrivals of thrushes, Goldcrests and the like that were a feature elsewhere. All this said, few if any of these commoner migrants were seriously under-represented and some of the irruptive woodland finches, in particular Siskin, Redpoll and Crossbill, were logged in near record totals.
Nocmig sampling continued apace although frequently fell victim to the peculiar circumstances of the year: analysis of the recordings takes quite a time and with staff engaged in covering activities often undertaken by our volunteers there often simply weren't enough hours in the day to fit everything in and a considerable backlog of recordings from both migration periods has accrued; nonetheless, loggings of 3 Stone Curlews, a Dotterel and a Quail from the spring and night in the autumn with a tally of 750 Tree Pipit calls were yet more examples of how fruitful this technique is proving.
The year's ringing activities progressed steadily if largely unspectacularly, with only a seriously poor May – and that solely a result of weather conditions that never looked likely to be propitious – dragging the overall totals of some migrants down to a level a little below average. Arctic Redpoll and Great Grey Shrike were both ringed for the first time, whilst amongst the recoveries notified during the year news of a Portland-ringed Firecrest controlled in Poland – seemingly the first such movement resulting from UK ringing – was the stand-out highlight.
Lepidoptera provided some nice excitements, with the first British record of Rusty-shouldered Pug a fine reward from Debby Saunders' moth-trap; a Silver Barred was a new moth for Dorset, whilst another strong showing of Large Tortoiseshell butterflies included confirmation of breeding on the island – the first such record in Britain for many decades.
A big thanks to everyone who's helped us out through the year, be that in the form of legwork around the island, phone calls for scarcities, photos for the blog and all the other multitude of ways that go toward providing us with such fantastic support.
Finally, thanks also to our members for their continuing support: in this most challenging of years there's nothing like being safe in the knowledge that we have such a strong support base - despite many of you being unable to visit us this year we really appreciate that you've stuck with us and we hope to see many of you in 2021.
In the light of today's announcement that Dorset has been upped a level and will be placed in Covid Restriction Tier 3 our accommodation will be closed from tomorrow until further notice. Our car park will remain open for local members wishing to walk at the Bill and toilet facilities will continue to be provided in the Annexe. Tier 3 regulations expressly forbid meeting indoors in all circumstances likely to apply to visitors to the Obs so please don't come indoors other than to use the toilet in the Annexe.
The chilly theme was maintained today, with millpond calm conditions a particular benefit for anyone taking a look at the harbour that returned totals that included 6 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Brent Geese (heading east overhead), 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Black-throated Divers and singles of Red-throated Diver (also east overhead), Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and Common Scoter; nearby, 3 Pale-bellied Brents were at Ferrybridge. Singles of Red-throated Diver and Brent Goose passed by off the Bill, the 3 Redpolls and a lone Black Redstart were still about on the land there, another Black Redstart was again at Blacknor, a Grey Heron passed over at Southwell and the bountiful rewards on offer in one garden at Sweethill tempted in 2 each of Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
A chilly but otherwise pretty decent day allowed for a fair bit of coverage. The good numbers of routine seabirds - including c20000 auks, c600 Kittiwakes and c300 Gannets - off the Bill continued and again had a Great Skua in attendance; the 2 Eider and 10 Common Scoter also remained there, with 5 Red-throated Divers and 3 Teal passing by. Also of interest at the Bill was an increase/return of Purple Sandpipers, with 9 on the shore along with 5 Turnstones. Elsewhere, the wintering Chiffchaff was again at Southwell, 15 Razorbills, 4 Gannets and the Red-necked Grebe were in Portland Harbour and 94 Brent Geese, 60 Dunlin and a Great Northern Diver were at Ferrybridge.
The Ferrybridge Great Northern Diver...
...and the Southwell Chiffchaff © Pete Saunders:
Just a few odds and ends from the Bill today: 3 Red-throated Divers through offshore where the 12 Common Scoter, 2 Eider and 2 Great Skuas were knocking about all day; on the land, a Chiffchaff at the Obs was the first seen there for several weeks.
At the Bill, the aftermath of Storm Bella was no more eventful than the run up to it, with an utterly routine return of 4 Red-throated Divers, 12 Common Scoter and 2 Eider from the sea. A Purple Sandpiper was on the shore at the Bill (there seems only to be this lone bird present at the moment - with most attempts to find that drawing a blank!) and a Merlin was in Top Fields. Elsewhere, 2 Blackcaps were at Southwell, the Red-necked Grebe was still in Portland Harbour and a Curlew flew west over the harbour.
One of the two Blackcaps that look to be wintering at Southwell © Nick Stantiford:
The preamble to Storm Bella was sufficiently unpleasant that birding from shelter was the only possibility today. A Goosander through off the Bill was nice mid-winter record, with 3 Red-throated Divers also through and 2 Great Skuas lingering amongst the melee of feeding seabirds. Elsewhere, 8 Gannets were in Portland Harbour and 170 Dunlin represented their month peak at Ferrybridge.
Another decent day for some pre- or post-lunch coverage, with one or two minor surprises to show: a Merlin was the first for over a week so mightn't be the bird that had looked like it was set to winter; a Fieldfare was also new there, whilst extras included the 3 Redpolls and a Black Redstart still about, one of the Eider still settled offshore and 2 Red-throated Divers through on the sea. Elsewhere, the Red-necked Grebe was still in Portland Harbour and a Chiffchaff was at the Grove.
With much improved weather conditions affording the opportunity to get on with some urgent outdoor jobs the only reports from the Bill were of 4 Red-throated Divers through on the sea and the 3 Redpolls still about on the land. A Slavonian Grebe in Portland Harbour was the only report of particular note from elsewhere.
23rd December
It didn't take long for the wind increase again and rashes of nasty showers to set in. Two Great Skuas were an almost expected result off the Bill, with 6 Red-throated Divers also through and the 2 Eider still settled offshore; a white-winged gull that passed by during one spell of particularly unhelpful conditions sadly couldn't be clinched. The first Fieldfare for a while dropped in at Barleycrates Lane, whilst other snippets from the day included a Chiffchaff still at Southwell, a Great Northern Diver off Billy Winters and 2 Shelducks and the regular family of Pale-bellied Brent Geese still at Ferrybridge.
The Ferrybridge Pale-bellied Brents © Debby Saunders:
22nd December
A damp, dreary and extremely mild day. Despite the wind having dropped right out late in the night scrutiny of the land was pretty unrewarding and what few reports there were came from the water: the Red-necked Grebe and Iceland Gull were still in Portland Harbour and the 2 Eider and 10 Common Scoter were still off the Bill.
Portland Harbour was like a millpond and in between spells of iffy visibility both the Red-necked Grebe and Iceland Gull were going about their business © Joe Stockwell:
On a miserably damp, misty and increasingly windy day the only reports were of 2 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua through off the Bill, 800 Kittiwakes, 12 Common Scoter and 2 Eider still lingering offshore there and singles of Black-throated Diver and Pintail through at Ferrybridge.
We've been saddened to receive news of the death of stalwart local birdwatcher, Mick Shepherd. Mick's association with PBO dated back to the early 1960s and he served as Honorary Secretary from 1961 until 1981 - an onerous role during a period when his administrative skills were so often required as the fledgling Obs consolidated activities at its newly opened base at the Old Lower Light and later achieved charitable status for the first time. In the wider birding world, Mick was known to many through his work as a tour guide for Ornitholidays and as author of the Let's Look at...series of birdwatching guides. Always a staunch supporter of PBO, Mick remained a regular visitor until ill health finally curtailed his activities in recent years; he passed away yesterday, aged 92.
Mick Shepherd (right) with the then warden, Peter Morgan, at PBO in autumn 1961:
Today's only reports were of 3 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill, the 3 long-staying Redpolls still at the Bill and 3 Redwings at Foundry Close.
A Grey Phalarope through at Ferrybridge was a good late year record today but the only other sightings were of a Great Skua and 10 Common Scoter lingering off the Bill and 2 Great Northern Divers in Portland Harbour.
The Portland Harbour Great Northern Divers © Pete Saunders:
It might not have been an outstanding year for numbers of Red Admirals but the date range of the records is quite likely longer than it's ever been: the first was in a moth trap at the Obs on 2nd January and this one - which at this rate won't be the last of the year - was still on the wing near Rufus Castle today © Gerry Hinde:
A reminder that we'll be hosting an In Focus field event at the Obs between 10 am and 4pm this Sunday, 20th December.
Pretty wild weather again today meant that it was the sea that got most attention at the Bill. As usual in a winter storm there was no shortage of routine fare - Gannets, Kittiwakes, large gulls, auks and the like - on offer, with 2 Red-throated Divers also through, a Great Skua lingered for a while and the best prize was an Iceland Gull that joined the melee during the afternoon; 2 Eider and a dozen Common Scoter were also still settled offshore.
There's always plenty to see during rough weather at the Bill - Guillemots & Razorbills, Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver and Cormorant:
The Iceland Gull was first spotted at long range from the Obs and once we got closer to the action at the Bill tip it was relatively easy to latch on to with binoculars but, because of the wind direction and shocking light, it was always rear end on and tricky to find through the camera viewfinder - it is in both these photos although we weren't actually sure of that when we pressed the shutter!...
...after a while it left the flock and powered away to the east and we'd assumed it was leaving for elsewhere...
...however, as we were walking back past the pumping station it suddenly appeared flying back down East Cliffs towards the Bill tip - if we'd have stayed put at the Obelisk we'd have scorched it up at point blank range but instead had yet more ropey rear end views of it! These photos do suggest there's more happening in the wing-tip than had been apparent at long range but it does look as though it's the inner web of each feather that's darker (=Iceland Gull rather than Kumlien's Gull) although we're not quite sure what's going on with the apparent little dark tips to the outer couple of primaries and the blotch of darkness midway through the primaries - maybe it's soiled there? © Martin Cade:
Either very little or very unproductive coverage today. The only reports were of 4 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver through off the Bill where the semi-resident Common Scoter group had increased to 14.
There's still plenty of Little Owl activity afoot around the Obs; usually at this time of year they only start calling once it's got fully dark but on recent evenings one's taken to coming out just after sunset and advertising his presence from the electric poles beside the Obs Quarry © Martin Cade:
Truly grim conditions saw it raining until well past lunchtime, although on the plus side the gale of dawn had subsided to little more than a waft of a breeze by the afternoon. Despite the rain there was a little bit of movement on the sea, with 11 Red-throated Divers, 4 Brent Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Great Northern Diver through off the Bill and a Little Gull through at Ferrybridge; routine seabirds were also a feature and included a nearly four figure total of Kittiwakes feeding off the Bill where the 2 Eider were also still settled. The only other reports were of 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge and the Rosy Starling still at Easton.
Semi-expected during a mid-winter storm but always a highlight nonetheless - this morning's Little Gull at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders:
With most of the heavy showers evident further out in the Channel missing the island there were plenty of opportunities for some fieldwork today even if the rewards were largely as in recent days. One of the Eider remained off the Bill where another 3 Red-throated Divers passed by and there was again an impressive gathering of routine wintering seabirds; a least 1 Black Redstart was also still at the Bill and the wintering Chiffchaff was still at Southwell. Elsewhere, the Rosy Starling was at Easton, a Slavonian Grebe joined the spread of other divers and grebes - that again included 2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe - in Portland Harbour and 2 Shelducks were at Ferrybridge where singles of Great Northern Diver and Kittiwake also passed through.
The Brent Geese are always a spectacle at Ferrybridge even if the flock there is often only a small portion of the much higher numbers present further up the Fleet. Although taken for granted these days, it's amazing to recollect that only a little over 40 years ago Brents were far less numerous on the Fleet: the writer of these notes can well remember in his junior days bumping into Charlie Richards who'd just that day counted his first ever 100+ total of Brents at Littlesea - hardly a decade passed before the winter flock had reached 6000! © Pete Saunders:
Black Redstart, Turnstone and Oystercatcher on East Cliffs at the Bill © Geoff Orton:
Seabird numbers have been on the up in recent days, with a notable total of c600 Kittiwakes lingering off the Bill this morning; the semi-resident 2 Eider were also offshore, with 9 settled Common Scoter and 2 passing Red-throated Divers also logged. An overflying Guillemot was an oddity at Ferrybridge, with a storm-blown Kittiwake over the road in Portland Harbour. Other than these snippets of sea interest, the Rosy Starling was still at Easton, the 3 Redpolls were still at the Bill, a Black Redstart was again at Portland Castle and the usual scatter of divers, grebes and wildfowl were at Portland Harbour/Ferrybridge.
The wind and rain finally arrived with a vengeance today and scanning from shelter accounted for most of the day's activity. Singles of Sooty Shearwater and Great Skua passing the Bill weren't too unexpected given the conditions, with a couple of Red-throated Divers and the 2 lingering Eider also logged there; 5 Kittiwakes were blown into Portland Harbour where the Red-necked Grebe was the best of the regular fare. The only other reports were of the Yellow-browed Warbler still at Pennsylvania Castle and a decent winter totals of 135 Dunlin at Ferrybridge.
More coverage today but nothing much beyond the known oddities to report, with the Rosy Starling, Yellow-browed Warbler and Iceland Gull remaining at Easton, Pennsylvania Castle and Portland Harbour respectively. Decent seabird numbers offshore included at least 250 Kittiwakes, with the 2 Eider still present and a lone Red-throated Diver passing by
After some early showers cleared it was another unexpectedly pleasant day but, with precious little coverage, the only reports were of a late Swallow through over Blacknor, the Yellow-browed Warbler still at Pennsylvania Castle, a Black Redstart still at the Bill and the 2 Eider still settled offshore there.
Yesterday's rather bleak weather prognosis proved to be way wide of the mark, with the gale and rain that had blown through overnight no more than a precursor to the arrival of milder air and more relatively quiet conditions. That said, the only birds taking advantage seemed to be the lingerers, amongst which the Rosy Starling and Yellow-browed Warbler again provided the quality. Odds and ends at the Bill included 2 each of Black Redstart and Redpoll, a Grey Heron, the 2 Eider again settled offshore and 4 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver through on the sea.
9th December
On what sounds as though it might be the last day of quiet conditions before an unsettled spell sets in the only new arrivals were a couple of Redwings at the Bill. The Yellow-browed Warbler showed again at Pennsylvania Castle, several Black Redstarts remained on station, 2 Black-throated Divers were again in Portland Harbour and 4 Red-throated Divers and a Little Egret passed by off the Bill.
The Yellow-browed Warbler © Roy Norris...
...and the 2 Black-throated Divers © Pete Saunders:
Unbroken sunshine made for much more enjoyable birding today and there were a couple of surprises in the form of a Yellow-browed Warbler at Pennsylvania Castle and an overflying Goosander at Easton; a Lapwing was also new at the Bill where the first skua of the month - inevitably a Bonxie - was lingering offshore and another 10 Red-throated Divers passed by. As usual, the Rosy Starling at Easton was easily the best of the long-stayers, with the 2 Redpolls and the Merlin still at the Bill, at least 4 Black Redstarts scattered about and the Red-necked Grebe and 2 Black-throated Divers still amongst the mix in Portland Harbour.
Although the last sighting of one there was more than three weeks ago, there's always a chance that the Yellow-browed Warbler at Pennsylvania Castle was a resurfacing lingerer; however, the Penn's watched nearly every day and the bird was very vocal so it seems much more likely that it was a new arrival © Martin Adlam Port and Wey:
Even the weak sun that eventually and always fitfully managed to poke through the otherwise all-enveloping veil of murky low cloud couldn't budge the mercury as far as the 4°C mark today and, judging by their eager attendance at feeders and other provisions on offer, the birds were feeling the chill as much as their watchers. Three Siskins overhead at the Bill in conditions seemingly wholly unsuitable for passage provided a glimmer of hope that there are still a few late migrants on the move, whilst offshore a fly-by Pochard was a bonus addition to the island year-list. The Rosy Starling continued to provide some rarity interest at Easton, at least 2 of the Redpolls and the Merlin remained at the Bill, 3 Red-throated Divers passed by off the Bill and the customary selection of wintering divers, grebes, Black Redstarts and the like remained in situ.
Another item being offered for sale by an Obs member: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens used on just one holiday; complete with carry case, carrying strap and all packaging. Cost new on Amazon £1,895, selling at half price for £950 or very near offer. Contact Vaughan on email birdfinders @hotmail.com or telephone 01258-839066 or 07768-691997
The coldest night of the winter so far gave way to a much nicer, bright day that saw the arrival of a couple of new - presumably incoming - Blackcaps at the Obs and at Southwell; a Fieldfare passed over at Wakeham and a lone Redwing was also new at the Bill where 9 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea. A few of the regulars made up the rest of the day's happenings: 2 Black Redstarts, the Merlin and the Great Spotted Woodpecker were at the Bill, the Iceland Gull put in another appearance at Portland Harbour where 2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe were still in residence and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Knot were at Ferrybridge.
Rarely an easy mid-winter bird in this area, this Knot looks to be settling in for the duration at Ferrybridge © Debby Saunders:
Another meagre return in very grim conditions: singles of Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Great Northern Diver passed through off the Bill, 2 Eider were still settled offshore there and singles of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were at Southwell.
We seem to have slipped into the barren and extremely bleak mid-winter with alarming speed. The Rosy Starling - that'll hopefully be a stalwart on the day-lists throughout the winter - was still at Easton, a Knot was at Ferrybridge and the Merlin was still at the Bill where a Great Northern Diver passed through on the sea; otherwise the only reports were of winter staples including the odd Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests here and there and a scatter of divers and grebes in Portland Harbour.
With the temperature having plummeted some of the lingering Goldcrests must be wondering if they've made the right move by sticking it out here rather than heading away west or south © Pete Saunders:
Although Little Owls appear to have become quite tricky to catch up with in much of Dorset, at Portland they're still well distributed and seemingly quite numerous - just at the moment there are multiple individuals audible from the Obs at night and, for better or worse, they're an almost constant presence on our nocmig recordings. It was so calm a couple of nights ago that we spent a while out with the thermal camera having a look at what some of them were up to - the soundtrack of this little clip is an edit from the nocmig recording that was running at the same time but isn't in sync with what's happening in the video. Before anyone asks, we're not sure what the bird is that we followed as it flew past - the real-time view with the thermal camera is a lot crisper than the video capture and we thought the bird had a long bill and was presumably a wader of some sort but it was too far away to be sure © Martin Cade:
A day to forget in a hurry, with rain that set in overnight lingering until well into the afternoon and preventing any meaningful fieldwork on the land. Four Red-throated Divers through off the Bill and one of the lingering Eider still settled offshore were the day's only worthwhile reports.
2nd December
The grey geese that perhaps might have been expected given events elsewhere didn't materialise but one early-riser got a nice surprise when 2 Whooper Swans passed low overhead soon after dawn at Easton. Sadly, it was downhill all the way after that with the lovely calm conditions of the morning revealing precious little bar the expecteds or the regulars that included the Iceland Gull straying into Portland Harbour where the Red-necked Grebe was again the pick of the waterfowl selection, 3 Redwings, 3 Redpolls, 2 Black Redstarts, the Merlin and a new Chiffchaff at the Bill and 5 Red-throated Divers and 2 Eider off the Bill.
We're rather conscious that we rarely make enough of the many ringing recoveries that we receive, but today we were notified of one that's well worth a mention: a Firecrest ringed at PBO on 12th April 2018 that was controlled by a ringer in Poland on 26th August 2019 - the precise location being a coastal site a little east of Gdansk. From what we can make out this can't be too far from the northeastern-most limit of their breeding range and is certainly the furthest east that a British-ringed Firecrest has been recovered; in fact, it looks like there's only ever been one other movement of a ringed Firecrest to or from Poland.
1st December
A meagre tally of new arrivals today despite beautifully sunny and calm conditions for getting out looking. A Short-eared Owl arriving in off the sea, 4 Redwings and singles of Swallow, Fieldfare and Redpoll made up the additions at the Bill where long-stayers included 3 more Redpolls and singles of Merlin, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest; 4 Red-throated Divers also passed through on the sea there. The only reports from elsewhere were of both Pallas's Warblers still in private gardens at Weston and a routine selection of divers, grebes and a couple of Black Redstarts in or beside Portland Harbour.
A Red Admiral was on the wing in Top Fields at the Bill.


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Fuel capacity...................................................... 9. 5 gal.................................................................................. 9. 5 gal.
Claimed dry weight................................1,430-1,544 lb............................................................................... 1,235 lb.
Bed weight limit................................................. 600 lb.................................................................................. 300 lb.
terrain. Half doors and a standard roof give the General a clear advantage in keeping mud and snow out of the cabin, and the lower low works better in mud. We put 29-inch tires on our General, and it turns them with authority.
The General demotes the RZR S to Sargent. While both have similar tilt steering, floor pans, dead pedals and seats, the General has a better and easier-to-read instrument cluster (plus Ride Command screen), more storage, more elbowroom, half doors and a roof. The General also has a higher seating position, which makes it easier to get in and out of, and it is quieter in the cabin. The RZR S doesn't have the fenders of the General, so it flings mud under the quarter doors and into the cab. The General's tilt bed holds twice as much cargo and makes basic engine maintenance easier; however, we like the RZR's more-adjustable Walker Evans needle shocks and their ride quality over the limited adjustments of the General's Fox Podium QS3 shocks.; WHAT'S OUR FINAL ANSWER?


text:
package com.buschmais.xo.impl.proxy.example;

import java.util.Map;

import com.buschmais.xo.api.CompositeObject;
import com.buschmais.xo.impl.SessionContext;
import com.buschmais.xo.impl.proxy.AbstractProxyMethodService;
import com.buschmais.xo.impl.proxy.example.composite.AsMethod;
import com.buschmais.xo.impl.proxy.example.property.PrimitivePropertySetMethod;
import com.buschmais.xo.api.metadata.method.MethodMetadata;
import com.buschmais.xo.api.metadata.method.PrimitivePropertyMethodMetadata;
import com.buschmais.xo.api.metadata.type.TypeMetadata;
import com.buschmais.xo.api.metadata.reflection.AnnotatedMethod;
import com.buschmais.xo.api.metadata.reflection.SetPropertyMethod;

public class ExampleProxyMethodService<Entity> extends AbstractProxyMethodService<Map<PrimitivePropertyMethodMetadata<?>, Object>> {

    public ExampleProxyMethodService(Class<?> type, SessionContext<?, Entity, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?> sessionContext) {
        for (TypeMetadata typeMetadata : sessionContext.getMetadataProvider().getRegisteredMetadata().values()) {
            if (typeMetadata.getAnnotatedType().getAnnotatedElement().isAssignableFrom(type)) {
                for (MethodMetadata<?, ?> methodMetadata : typeMetadata.getProperties()) {
                    if (methodMetadata instanceof PrimitivePropertyMethodMetadata<?>) {
                        AnnotatedMethod method = methodMetadata.getAnnotatedMethod();
                        if (method instanceof SetPropertyMethod) {
                            addProxyMethod(new PrimitivePropertySetMethod((PrimitivePropertyMethodMetadata<?>) methodMetadata), method.getAnnotatedElement());
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        addMethod(new AsMethod(), CompositeObject.class, "as", Class.class);
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Installation, setup and troubleshooting Industrial Motor Controls including AC / DC adjustable speed drives, Electronic Soft Starter, Reduced Voltage starters, three and single phase controllers. Experience with Servo Motor controls would be good but, not required.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) equipment installation, programming, troubleshooting, and repair on various control systems, including but not limited to GE/Allen Bradley. Familiarity of PLC 5, SLC 500, Ladder Logic, Control Logix and Panel Views programming.
Inspect, install and start-up new process control systems and other electrical equipment.
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Interface with Engineering, Production and Project Management to solve technical problems or project issues.
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Provide management with timely verbal and/or written communications regarding job activities.
Follow Horner Industrial Group's administrative, workplace, and safety policies, procedures and practices.
Wear appropriate uniform and maintain professional appearance, conduct, and attitude in order to positively promote HIG's business activities to all internal and external customers.
Assist with Customer Service functions and activities as requested by management to align with HIG's corporate goals and expectations.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position may require occasional supervisor/coordination of other field technicians, on-site contractors and/or customer personnel.
2 year AS diploma in Electrical/Electronic Technology or equivalent and more than 10 years of service experience in an industrial field such as Paper, Steel or similar processing industry or equivalent combination of higher education and experience.
Ability to travel up to 10% within Midwest region as needed, some overnight stays are required.
Demonstrated proficiency with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Adjustable Speed Drives and Servo Motors; understanding of PLC ladder logic.
Ability to troubleshoot and modify PLC programs involving various models of electronic and motion controls.
Ability to troubleshoot, repair or correct mechanical or other equipment problems.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings, blueprints or other specification layouts.
Provide own basic set of hand tools.
Hands-on electrical and mechanical aptitude including use of various hand tools, precision measuring equipment and computers.
Must be on call, in case of emergency, to travel or provide occasional telephone assistance to customers after standard work hours and on weekends.
Must be able to work in a high production environment under stress and demanding circumstances.
Ability to perform several tasks concurrently with professionalism under pressure with aggressive time schedules while striving to provide complete customer satisfaction.
Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation. When performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; stand; sit; use hand to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop; pull; kneel; crouch or crawl up. The employee must be able to lift up to 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift and/or move items more than 50 pounds with or without assistance. The employee must be able to climb ladders, work out of man lifts and /or bucket trucks.


text:
Q: React.js useRef is used to access the swiper.js instances like start() and stop(), only work on first render React.js useRef is used to access the swiper instances like start() and stop(), it will work on first render after that swiper instance is not available, I tried to create new Swiper using useEffect but it show error that ".Swiper is not constructor".
import React, { useRef, useEffect } from "react";
import { Autoplay, Pagination } from "swiper";
import { Wrapper } from "./card.style";
import { Swiper, SwiperSlide } from "swiper/react";
import "swiper/css";
import "swiper/css/pagination";
import { IMG_URL } from "../../utils/Constants";
import { Link } from "react-router-dom";
import { useMainContext } from "../../context/context";

const Card = ({ product }) => {
  const { setShowModal } = useMainContext();
  const cardElem = useRef("");
  const { swiper } = cardElem.current;
  console.log(cardElem.current.swiper);

  const cardslideStop = () => {
    swiper.autoplay.stop();
    console.log("stop")
  };
  const cardslideStart = () => {
    swiper.autoplay.start();
    console.log("start")
  };

  useEffect(() => {
    window.scrollTo(0, document.body.scrollTop);
  }, []);

  // console.log(product?.images)

  return (
    <Link to={`/productdetail/${product?._id}`}>
      <Wrapper>

              <Swiper
                pagination={true}
                modules={[Autoplay, Pagination]}
                slidesPerView={1}
                ref={cardElem}
                className="mySwiper"
              >
                {product?.images.map((curElem, index) => {
                  return (
                    <SwiperSlide
                      key={index}
                      onMouseEnter={cardslideStart}
                      onMouseLeave={cardslideStop}
                      style={{
                        display: "flex",
                        justifyContent: "center",
                        alignItems: "center"
                      }}
                    >

                    </SwiperSlide>
                  );
                })}
              </Swiper>

{product?.product_name || "68 GSM Xerox A4 Size Paper"}

{"₹ " + product?.product_price || "₹ 220/ Ream"}

          {/*

{`⭐ ${product?.product_avg_rate} Ratings `}

 */}

            <button onClick={() => setShowModal(true)}>Enquiry Now</button>

      </Wrapper>
    </Link>
  );
};

export default Card;

This component is used to start slide images in this card after hovering on it. And when mouse leaves the card then slide stops.

A: Getting the Swiper instance via a ref doesn't appear in the docs. You can use onSwipe property to get the current Swiper instance, and store it in a state:
To get and store the instance:
const [swiper, setSwiper] = useState(null);

<Swiper
  onSwiper={setSwiper}
  pagination={true}
  modules={[Autoplay, Pagination]}
  slidesPerView={1}
  className="mySwiper"
>

Using the instance:
const cardslideStop = () => {
  swiper?.autoplay?.stop();
  console.log("stop")
};

const cardslideStart = () => {
  swiper?.autoplay?.start();
  console.log("start")
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
White Burgundy, A History
There is a reason some people have dedicated their lives to understanding each and every nuance of white Burgundy. Once you're hooked on white Burgundy, there's no going back. The Chardonnay grape is capable of producing (with a little time and care) very decent wines almost everywhere it is grown, but it is only in Burgundy, where it first originated, that it reaches its apotheosis and achieves the sublime perfection of which it is capable. The Burgundians have been making wine since the second century A.D., and over time they have learned how to use exactly the right combination of hybrids, pruning, soil, microclimate, and viniculture to coax the Chardonnay grape into yielding the wonderful wine it is capable of when the conditions are just right. White Burgundy is unquestionably unique, and some would argue there is nothing like it made anywhere else in the world. When white Burgundy is on, it is very hard to beat, and it has the potential to stop you in your tracks whether you drink them young, middle aged, or venerable. The Côte de Beaune is the Beverly Hills of white Burgundy production, and is home to some the most expensive vineyards on Earth. The roughly 25-kilometer strip of the Côte de Beaune produces some of the most show-stopping, intense expressions of Chardonnay on the planet. Quantities of top white burgundies produced is tiny and global demand is huge, which is why these wines can be so phenomenally expensive
Aging white Burgundies has been a long tradition among wine collectors. During their youth, white Burgundies may be too closed and not that elegant. Master of Wine Clive Coates says: "One word of advice: one of the silliest things I have ever seen written about fine wine – in this case the journalist was writing about Musigny (a Grand Cru) – was that 'great wine should be great from the get-go'. This is absolute nonsense. Many wines, especially those from the biggest, most concentrated vintages, go through a period of adolescence, and during this period they taste far from great, especially to those unaware that the optimum drinking window may not open up for a decade or more. Meanwhile a more superficial wine may be all singing and dancing and get all the plaudits. Remember the story of the Ugly Duckling." In general, the more particularity and pedigree a wine has, the longer it will last. This is especially true for Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations.
When considering which Burgundy to drink, choosing the producer is of equal, or maybe of more importance than vintage. Two legendary houses in Burgundy, famous for their Chardonnays, are Domaine Lafon and Domaine Vincent Leflaive. Over the years, we have squirreled away a selection of wines and vintages from these iconic Burgundy estates and are now happy to share the opportunity for you to discover the glories of their wines with the added bonus of some bottle age. These wines are rare and extremely limited in availability.
An estate that produces legendary wines that are not easy to come by and expensive when you can find them. Dominique Lafon took over from his father in 1984. The Domaine earned organic certification in 1995, and biodynamic certification in 1998. The team at Domaine des Comtes Lafon limits yields by de-budding vines in the spring. The harvest is all done by hand, and the grapes are sorted twice—once in the vineyards and again at the winery. Their vines average 32 years of age. Traditional, natural fermentations are the hallmark of the Domaine. Native yeasts, slow fermentations and long élévages allow the wines to express the complexity and nuance of each terroir. The Chardonnays are pressed gently and undergo a cool settling of the must for 24 hours before the juice is racked into both new and lightly-used oak barrels. Alcoholic fermentations last for three months, kept at a cool 22 to 24°C in their underground cellars. The whites are generally stirred on their lees, depending on the cuvee, and then undergo malolactic fermentation, which ends in May following the harvest. The whites are bottled unfiltered 18 to 22 months after the harvest. Sublimely silky and complex, the wines of Domaine des Comtes Lafon are a marvelous glimpse into the diversity of Burgundy's terroirs.
2000 Meursault 1er Cru Clos de la Barre | Shop Now
2004 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes | Shop Now
Domaine Leflaive is the most famous estate in Puligny-Montrachet. The Leflaives have been in Puligny since 1717, but the real founder of the Domaine was Joseph (1870-1953) who was succeeded by two of his sons, Vincent and Jo. However, it was under the stewardship of Anne-Claude between 1990 and 2015 that the Domaine became a leader in Burgundy's biodynamic movement, the whole property being converted in 1997. After the untimely death of Anne-Claude Leflaive in April 2015, the estate is now being managed by Brice de la Morandiere with the winemaking under the control of Eric Remy (in succession to Pierre Morey who retired in 2008). The wines are aged for 12 months in 25% new oak and are then transferred to steel tanks where they are allowed to clarify naturally over the second winter. They are then fined and bottled. Leflaive has 22 hectares of vineyards, including 10 hectares of Premiers Crus (in Puligny Montrachet: Les Combettes, Les Pucelles, Le Clavoillon, Les Folatieres, and in Meursault-Blagny, Sous le Dos d'Ane) and no fewer than 5 hectares of Grands Crus (Chevalier Montrachet, Bâtard Montrachet, Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet and a tiny holding of Le Montrachet). Leflaive produces superb wines that combine richness and depth of fruit with elegance, refinement and perfect balance.
2004 Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru | Shop Now
2005 Batard Montrachet Grand Cru | Shop Now
2006 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon | Shop Now

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


*Key database for Philosophy* Indexes and abstracts the books and over 300 journals in the field of philosophy.
Indexes and abstracts 2300+ journals and newspapers in many subject areas including: arts, business, education, general interest, health, humanities, international, law, military, multicultural, psychology, sciences, social sciences, and women's studies. Full-text for hundreds of journals.
Dalhousie subscribes to JSTOR's Arts and Sciences I-VII, Business, Ecology and Botany, Language and Literature, and Life Sciences collections. These databases cover hundreds of journal title backfiles from 41 academic disciplines. It is a unique digital archive of journals, starting with the very first issues. The collection covers material from the 1800s up to a 'moving wall' of between zero and 8 years before current publication.
Archive of hundreds of digitized journals published in the arts, humanities & social sciences, back over 200 years.
Indexes articles, books, documents, reports, and statistical compilations about public policy, social policy and international development.
Indexes articles from 615+ legal periodicals published in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia.
This retrospective database indexes over 750 legal periodicals published in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Annual surveys of the laws of a jurisdiction, annual surveys of the federal courts, yearbooks, annual institutes, and annual reviews of the work in a given field or on a given topic will also be covered. Search simultaneously with Index to Legal Periodicals Full Text for seamless power searching of nearly 100 years of legal history.
Provides bibliographic access to 4600 biomedical journals indexed at the National Library of Medicine. Coverage is international and dates from the early 1950s. In addition, for participating journals that are indexed selectively for MEDLINE, PubMed includes all articles from that journal, not just those that are included in MEDLINE. Search OldMEDLINE for citations from 1951-1965; citations earlier than 1951 can be found in the print indexes: Index Medicus, Index to Dental Literature and the International Nursing Index located at the Kellogg Library.


Olive Oil Marinated Brie is just another way to serve this mouldy French soft cheese. Marinating adds some extra flavour and looks really appetizing on your dinner table. Good as a snack or starter with some crackers olives and pickles.
First of all, choose a container where you want to marinate your brie. You can re-use a glass container from jam or pickles or buy a special jar.
Cut brie into big chunks about 3x3cm and place them into a jar.
Lightly rub between your palms the rosemary and sage to release the aromas and put them in the jar together with peeled and lightly crushed garlic cloves.
Chop chilli and add it to the jar.
In a small bowl mix together olive oil, vinegar, sugar and salt.
Pour over the brie and leave it for 12h or so in the fridge.


In a The Project exclusive, we are joined by 379-year-old vampire Viago and werewolf Anton, from the horror comedy mockumentary, What We Do in the Shadows. The mockumentary follows the secret society of three vampires living in Wellington, New Zealand trying to get by in a modern world. From paying rent and sticking to the housework roster to trying to get invited into night clubs, they are just like anyone else, except they are immortal and must feast on human blood. While vampires and werewolves don't get along, Viago and Anton will put their differences aside to join us at the desk.
In time for Father's Day, we speak to Dr Peter Downey, the author of the best-selling book,So You're Going To Be A Dad, which has been revised and updated for the 20th anniversary of its release. Widely considered as the most engaging, reassuring down-to-earth book for new dads, we speak to Peter and get some advice for all the new dads out there.
To commemorate Legacy Week, we look at the amazing work that Legacy does to support our returned soldiers and for the families of fallen veterans.
Plus our regulars Steve Price, Helen McCabe, Todd Sampson, Mike Munro, Fifi Box, Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann, Gorgi Coghlan and Waleed Aly join us across the week.


4704 Seeley St has a Walk Score of 0 out of 100. This location is a Car-Dependent neighborhood so almost all errands require a car.
Hammock Trails-4704 Seeley St Kissimmee - GORGEOUS feels like a new construction, luxurious family home! This massive 5 bedroom, 3 bathrooms and 1 half bath home has plenty of space and innovative built in's to ensure you have space for all things that make your day to comfortable! Hosting a two-car driveway, and garage ensures plenty of space for parking and storage- while inside on the bottom floor you will find a fully updated kitchen with a granite-topped island for great usability and seating. Dark brown cabinets give a great compliment to the countertops in this home with all new appliances. The kitchen is also open to the family room with a stone accent wall and dining room for easy accessibility. venturing outside you see a masterpiece of a fire pit area, stone tiled for a unique and fun addition to this home. Upstairs is where you will find your spacious bedrooms, gorgeous bathrooms, also completed with granite touches. Come visit this DREAM HOME!!
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 4704 Seeley St.
4704 Seeley St is in the city of Kissimmee, FL. Kissimmee has an average Walk Score of 30 and has 59,682 residents.


This qualitative study explored the stigma of mental illness within the African American community from the perspective of African American clinicians. Nine clinicians were interviewed and were asked to discuss personal messages received about mental illness within their family, community, and religious organizations. They also shared their perceptions of African American attitudes, based upon client interactions, towards mental illness and whether a change has occurred within the past 5-10 years; identifiable stigmas within the African American community; inhibitors to help-seeking behaviors; variables that influences help-seeking behaviors; and their recommendations for improving African Americans' comfort with disclosure within the therapeutic setting. The findings from the study revealed that negative stigma about mental illness remains dominant within the African American community and that many of its members also hold negative attitudes about mental illness. However, the findings did also show that a slight positive shift in stigma and attitudes has occurred. Additional findings addressed the key role that family plays in messages received about mental illness, the association between mental illness and religion/spirituality for many African Americans, and the importance of establishing rapport as being central to the therapeutic relationship in improving African Americans' comfort with disclosure within the therapeutic setting. Future research should focus on the further development of recommendations to decrease the negative attitudes and stigmas regarding mental illness within the African American community, as well as further exploring the role of the African American family as it relates to mental illness symptom identification and seeking mental health services.
Jamar, Rabi'ah S., "Stigma, race and mental illness : African-American clinicians' perceptions of how these factors influence help-seeking behaviors in African Americans" (2013). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.


text:
Q: Add Grid to ItemTemplate in Xamarin.Forms In a Xamarin Forms(MAUI) project I would like to add a Grid with some prices inside another Grid placed in a CollectionView
The Grid is like below and I have created a function which returns a Grid. This works fine in an ordinary stacklayout :  where I create the grid and add it as a Child of PriceData.
How do i accomplish that in a ItemTemplate of a CollectionView at runtime placing the grid where the placeholder RIGHTHERE I WANT TO ADD A GRID are
 <CollectionView.ItemTemplate>
    <DataTemplate>
       <Grid Padding="5" Margin="20,20,20,20" >
          <Grid.GestureRecognizers>
             <TapGestureRecognizer Command="{Binding Path=BindingContext.GotoDetailPage, Source={x:Reference Page}}" CommandParameter="{Binding .}" />
           </Grid.GestureRecognizers>
           <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
              <ColumnDefinition Width="2*"></ColumnDefinition>
              <ColumnDefinition Width="5*"></ColumnDefinition>
           </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
           <Grid.RowDefinitions>
               <RowDefinition Height="*"/>
               <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
            </Grid.RowDefinitions>
             <Image Grid.Column="0" Grid.Row="0" HorizontalOptions="CenterAndExpand" VerticalOptions="CenterAndExpand" Aspect="Fill" WidthRequest="60" HeightRequest="60" Source="{Binding .,Converter={StaticResource ImageConverter}}"></Image>
             <StackLayout Grid.Column="1" Grid.Row="0">
                <Label Text="{Binding Title}" />
                <Label Text="{Binding BodyText}" />
                <<RIGHTHERE I WANT TO ADD A GRID>>
              </StackLayout>
              <BoxView Grid.Row="1" Grid.ColumnSpan="2" HeightRequest="1" BackgroundColor="LightGray"/>
        </Grid>
      </DataTemplate>
    </CollectionView.ItemTemplate>

A: Sorry if the question was unprecise.
The issue was to manipulate with a Grid placed in a CollectionView.ItemTemplate which was bound to a datasource.
I solved it by creating a ContentView with a StackLayout.
The model was passed as a BindableProperty and
then on propertyChanged I created a Grid and added it as a child of the StackLayout


Sometimes, when I'm home with the kids and giving a bottle to the baby, I start thinking about moving back to Ireland. I mean, it would be MUCH easier now that I know what to expect. Everything moves at a slower pace (except the freaking train schedules), and there's more time to focus on just family things, not so much work. And we've got so many friends and family there who have kids and really enjoy the same things we do (and more babysitters!).
Some drawbacks: I would have to remind myself that there's no emergency room close by. The emergency care center in Newbridge was closed down a few years ago, so if there is an emergency, families have to travel to Naas, which is a good 40 minutes away on a good weather day. And I don't know how the schools are. I'm pretty sure my kids would get picked on for being too nice- the boys are pretty tough over there, even at a young age. Uniforms are still used, all public schools are Catholic, and I believe Kildare has a school that is both boys and girls now. My husband, N, went to an all boys school. He is a wonderful person, but I believe that kids need to grow up around both sexes, not just one. It doesn't seem normal or natural to me to have them separated. And, let's be honest, fifth and sixth grade for girls are TOUGH. If there weren't boys in class to make a distraction, I'm not sure what would have happened. I would prefer the kids stay in an environment that promotes both real world experiences and learning.
I would also have to consider the fact that I don't have an Irish drivers license. I FINALLY passed my permit test (keep in mind, I had my US drivers license for eleven years at the time I took it, but I had NO idea how to answer a few questions about tractors and what to do on a ONE LANE BRIDGE), but I'm pretty sure it's expired now that we're not living in Kildare anymore. And me being the control freak that I am, I hate relying on N to take me everywhere. I'm just not that kind of person who can wholeheartedly depend on someone else, not with the kids needing things all the time. Not being able to drive would be tough. Not as tough as the doctor situation, but if you can't get there, that's a real problem.
Some amazing advantages: Walking up to town with everyone would be lovely. Grabbing lunch at Kinnitty Castle (http://www.majestic-castles-in-ireland.com/kinnitty-castle-in-offaly.html) on a day we felt like just getting out of the house would be amazing.
And having family at Lullymore Heritage Park (http://www.lullymoreheritagepark.com/) is priceless. Having the woods and Irish bogs to run through and play in would make up for the yard that we would have to sacrifice (not like we have a huge yard now, but still). There are wild birds and sights to see, and their cousin would be close. It would be so nice for the kids to grow up around their Irish family.
Travel through Europe would also be to everyone's advantage. We flew to London for 45 euro. I'm sure there are other fees involved, but it can be done CHEAP (hello, RyanAir). And the experiences they would get from being well travelled are things I can't teach them, and they'll never learn from someone else.
I can smell the green countryside and the fresh air. And I now appreciate how long it takes to drive to a movie theater and get to Dublin. Working in the city is a real experience that I have and will always love looking back on, but I don't think I could do it now with four kids.
I'll have to keep thinking about it. No rush now, we're up to our eyeballs in home renovations. It's nice to think about what could be though.
One of our many visits to the Japanese Gardens.
It's worth doing your research. There are four Educate Together (multi denominational / co-educational schools in Kildare. http://www.educatetogether.ie/schools/county/?county=Kildare (in the past while the majority of schools were Roman Catholic there were and are also Church of Ireland -all co-ed and with no uniforms at primary level- schools). There are also Gaelscoileanna which are co-ed Irish language schools.
With new roads, the journey from Newbridge to Naas takes about 15 mins outside of rush hour. I am pretty sure Kdoc the out of hours doctor's service is still open in Newbridge too.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/ has lots of useful information about moving to Ireland.
Thank you for this insight! My in-laws recently visited and were telling me about the state-of-the-art medical facility being built in town!
And when we went back for our last visit, there was a huge new Tesco in the town that made life so much easier!
When it comes to education though, I really don't think my kids would have a smooth transition. Things here are really different, and there's so much focus on huge tests at the end of the school year that (I feel) place too much emphasis on their success.
We are definitely keeping our options open though.
Where are you from…Kildare Town?
At primary school level (4-12 ) there is not the emphasis on end of year tests, that is for the two state exams which are taken mid way and at the end of secondary school. I live in the UK now having lived in Newbridge up to 2008 but I keep in touch and visit regularly. Even more pressured in secondary school in UK I think. Kids are very versatile and mine transitioned quite easily – they were both under 12 when we moved to UK. It would be much more difficult with teens as their friendships are so much more important now.