19 Sep 18

The Bill

With the storm force winds blowing around the island I drove down to The Bill, to see if there were any interesting sea birds about. Apart from 20+ Cormorants and a few Shags, it was pretty quiet. On the rocks and in between the boulders there were over a dozen Linnets, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Jackdaws and overhead 5 Swallows, 1 House Martin and a Raven.

Here are a few images from this afternoon:

Not a Stock Dove but a juvenile Wood Pigeon, minus its white ring around its neck.

A Kestrel showing us the way to The Bill.

And just about hanging on in the Force 8 wind.

In a sheltered spot a Jackdaw searches for food in the grass.

Whilst overhead a Raven looks on.

A Rock Pipit

Herring Gulls

Rock Samphire, Crithmum maritimum. Also known as Sea Fennel

A good harvest of Elder Berries.

The waves crashing along the coast.

Looking out to sea.

Ships Today

This is the Passenger Ship Norwegian Jade flying the flag of the Bahamas.

Despite the Gale Force winds it headed out of Portland Harbour and on its way past The Bill to its next destination of Cobh, Cork in Ireland.

 More on Norwegian Jade Here.

Norwegian Jade crosses over the Races and past The Bill

The real highlight was watching a yacht struggling to get into Weymouth Bay. Having just watched the passenger ship Norwegian Jade (above) make its way out past the Bill, it was a surprise to see a yacht way out beyond the Races. Eventually after an hour it made its way into "calmer" waters.

Not sure where this yacht came from but I bet he was looking forward making land especially in the gale force winds.

On the edge of The Races

Almost disappearing out of sight below the rollers.

In "calmer" waters and a big relief I would imagine.