16 Jan 18

Church Ope Cove

A better start to the day with plenty of sunshine, though there was that stiff southerly wind blowing in off the Channel. There was nothing of note in Pennsylvania Castle wood, though in the castle grounds itself, it look like there was a drama being produced, with camera teams and actors all busy producing something!!

Down at the beach there were 2 Wrens, 7 Rock Pipits and the female Pied Wagtail. Nice to see the pipits and at least one of the wagtails back on the beach. On the rocks were 3 Oystercatchers and just out to sea a Razorbill flew in and this time I managed a couple of shots of it, before it dived down not to be seen again. Also off the cove a pair of Cormorants and a lot further out dozens of auks and Gannets.

Over the north cliff a Kestrel was struggling to keep its balance whilst hovering and below it in the Hebe there were 2 Firecrests with one bearing a metal leg ring.

Also about several Blackbirds, Great Tits and 2 Robins.

Here are few images from today.

A lovely day on the beach at Church Ope Cove

One of the 3 Oystercatchers doing a bit of.......

......rock-hopping

Nice to see the female Wagtail on the beach. This time its her mate that's missing.

On the north slope of the cove under Rufus Castle the Hebes, a great source of food for two Firecrests.......

.....which hasn't gone unnoticed by the local Kestrel.

Hopefully the Firecrests have one eye on the Kestrel.

The last time I came down to the beach I just missed photographing a Razorbill as it came into land. This time I got it. Is it possible this is the same Razorbill from a few days ago and has found a good food source just off the beach!!

There is something missing from the centre of the beach. I can't believe that after all these days I have been down to the cove I haven't noticed that a prominent feature in the centre of the beach has gone!!

The boat winch is in the centre - Jun 17

The winch is quite a way up the beach so I'm not sure how its disappeared.

This was 26 Dec 17 and its almost buried. And today GONE.

Birds Recorded: Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Razorbill, Wood Pigeon, 7 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Boats Today

This is the Dutch Cargo Vessel, Frisian River on its way to La Legue from Terneuzen, Holland. More on this vessel Here

This Crude Oil Tanker, New Horizon is flying the flag of Hong Kong and is on its way into Portland Harbour from Fawley in the Solent. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Dutch Container Ship, Helga, on its way from Southampton to Dublin.  More on this vessel Here.

This is Morning Champion flying the flag of the Bahamas. This vehicle carrier is on its way from to More on this vessel here