2 Feb 19

Out and about

Great to catch up with birding friends Richard and Nigel from Swindon this morning at early o'clock. First stop was Portland Bird Observatory where I had a Red-throated Diver just before they arrived and my first Brambling of the year as they pulled up in the car park. Also here a flock of 38 Lapwing headed out to sea.

We headed down to the Obelisk and did a bit of a sea watch. En route we came across more Redwings and Fieldfares coming off the sea, plus many Meadow Pipits and Skylarks around the huts.

At the Obelisk I had a quick scout around for any Purple Sandpipers, but unusually there were none other than a couple of Rock Pipits. Out to sea there were huge flocks of Gannets, Kittiwakes and gulls feeding on the shoals of fish in "The Races". In amongst them were many Razorbills and at long last a few Guillemots.

On the way back to Obs we followed a female Black Redstart along the shoreline, up to the point where we had to take the footpath up to the main road. In the fields to north of us there were more Fieldfares, Redwings and a good 50 Golden Plover.

Looking across the Crown Estate Fields and horse paddocks there were more winter thrushes and a Mistle Thrush. The latter a bit of a rarity on Portland. Also here were 2 Buzzards, Pheasants and at least 2 Stock Doves.

From the Obs it was off to Church Ope Cove where both the female Black Redstarts were still around the north end of the beach. Also here the overwintering Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail and 35 Rock Pipits. At the back of the cove 2 Chiffchaffs.

Here are a few images from today.

Looking back to the "White" Cliffs of Dorset

34 Lapwing make their way south over the Channel

Meanwhile over the fields to the north of the Obs 50+ Golden Plover come into land.

Here are a few Golden Plovers, Fieldfare and Redwing.

This Redwing has just come off the sea.

A few seconds to gets its breath back and it was off up the island.

Also arriving were Meadow Pipits.

A male Kestrel seems more interested in voles along the coast path down to the Bill.

A female Black Redstart joined us on our walk back to the Obs.

Out to sea a few Razorbills.

The resident Robin in the Obs garden.

On the way down to Church Ope Cove and a view across Penns Weare to those "White" Cliffs again.

Church Ope Cove was bathed in sunshine.

One of the 2 female Black Redstarts poses with the female Stonechat.

The "resident" male Pied Wagtail.

And the Grey Wagtail was back again today.

Not sure where the Rock Pipits went yesterday........

........but today they were back in force with 35 recorded

Birds Recorded: 1 Red-throated Diver, Fulmar, Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, 2 Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Starling, Magpie, Raven, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 3 Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, 1 Brambling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Linnet. 49 Species (8:30am - 12:45pm).

Ships Today

This is the Bulk Carrier "Tai Summit" flying the flag of Panama. Its on its way from Portland Harbour to Rotterdam. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Liberian LPG Tanker "Navigator Aurora" on its way into Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Danish Supply Jack Up Vessel "Wind Server" on its way from Harwich to Holyhead. More on this unusual looking vessel Here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here