What a mixture of weather we had here on Portland this morning. At around 7:00am we started off with thunder, lightening and gale force winds. Then the sun came out briefly, just enough time so I thought, to get down to Church Ope Cove and back before the next shower. Well I got down there okay and spent a good 30 minutes on the beach and then that was it as another wave of black clouds and torrential rain moved in.
I managed to get some shelter under an ivy bush, before walking home as the rain began to ease. And yep right on cue, as soon as I got home the sun came out. Good old Portland.
Unsurprisingly there wasn't much to report on, other than a good count of 18 Rock Pipits on the pebbles, including at least 2 birds with metal leg rings. I wonder where they were ringed!!
Also on the beach around 8 Wrens and the "Rock" Robin.
Out to see as the next band of rain moved in 4 Gannets came in close to shore as they headed down towards The Bill.
Here are a few images and a short video from this morning:
Quite a few Rock Pipits here today.
Another looks on.
As does this one
This one is sporting a metal leg ring. I wonder where he's been.
Out to sea a few Gannets passed by.
Certainly choppy out there as another Gannets heads south.
Normally a lovely shot of the Cove looking towards Weymouth Bay. Not today..
Church Ope Cove from Rufus Castle from a not so sunny day here on Portland.
Birds Recorded: 4 Gannet, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 18 Rock Pipit, Robin, 1 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, 11 Wren and 2 Carrion Crow.
Cheyne Weares Car Park
Just off Church Ope Cove at around 13:30 - 1 Manx Shearwater, 50+ Kittiwake, 20+ Gannets, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls and dozens of Razorbills/Guillemots.
Cheyne Weares Car Park
Just off Church Ope Cove at around 13:30 - 1 Manx Shearwater, 50+ Kittiwake, 20+ Gannets, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls and dozens of Razorbills/Guillemots.