I spent down at the Bill and as per normal it was chucking it down with rain. Fortunately the weatherman got it right and the rain eventually eased off and the sun appeared briefly. Main highlights today were 7 Purple Sandpipers by the Pulpit, a Merlin over the Top Fields and a Fulmar just off the West Cliffs.
Other highlights were the dozens of Gannets and auks in a feeding frenzy way off the Races to the south, also a Peregrine that flew across the fields and then used the updraft from the west cliffs to hold itself still in the wind.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
Looking south as the sun finally comes out.
Looking east from the Pulpit Rock with the Lighthouse and Obelisk in the background
Well out to sea a distant shot of dozens of Gannets, Kittiwakes and gulls in a feeding frenzy over the "Races".
Here a Gannet comes close to shore.
An Oystercatcher looking for a safe rock to land on.
Just to the left of the Pulpit Rock 7 Purple Sandpipers brave the elements.
Nothing like a good bathe, even if it's in saltwater.
A Guillemot just of the west cliffs......
......where I came across my first Fulmar of the year.
A Cormorant puts on the air brakes as it comes into land.
Eventually it took off and landed on the signpost close by.
Ships Today
This is the Songa Delmar.......
..... a Bulk Carrier flying the flag of the Marshall Islands
This ship is now docked into Portland Harbour having.........
.......sailed here from Tubarao in Brazil. More on this vessel Here.