A very windy day, so it was off to the Bill to see if there were any good sea birds in close. Rough seas are pretty good for a sea watch but the waves and swell were such that it was almost impossible to see anything out to sea today. Highlights though were 20+ Gannet, 10 Kittiwake, 2 Guillemot and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull.
Most of the action was close in with 1 Shag swallowing a Wrasse or was that a Gurnard!!, 3 Oystercatchers and 2 Purple Sandpipers making their way down to The Bill. Sadly the latter weren't seen again
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
A Kestrel on one of the posts in the Crown Estate Fields opposite the Portland Bird Observatory
One of 3 Oystercatchers feeding along the rocky shoreline.
Here's another.
A pair of Oystercatchers in flight. They are in the photo, honest!!
Rough seas crashing into the Bill.
A Shag with what I first thought was a Wrasse but could it actaully be a Gurnard
What ever the fish was its now consumed.
A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull
As above
And again.
A Great Black-backed Gull and a Kittiwake below.
Four Gannets make their way west around the Bill.
Slightly closer in.
A Guillemot in flight........
Back on terra firma an adult winter Herring Gull
There's always something going on around Weymouth and Portland......
...today a practice sea rescue.
Exercise over and a tight turn......
......before heading off back inland.
A naval vessel. I know not what though!!
Birds recorded were: 20+ Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Purple Sandpiper, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 10+ Kittiwake, 2 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Dunnock, Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch.