This morning it was back down to Portland Castle and some final checks on Star, our 23ft Tamar fishing boat. The good news is, she hasn't sunk and I must admit she does look good bobbing about on her new mooring.
So now with some time I'm on my hands, I thought I'd pay the Obs a late afternoon visit to see what was about. What was apparent was the large number of Willow Warblers about, especially in the Obs garden and on the other side of the south facing wall, where there were several flitting about in the Brambles. Also here a Blackcap calling.
Also about were some Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, which I was told about, but sadly didn't see. However there were 4 Common Whitethroats, with 3 feeding in the Obs Quarry. As I sat on the quarry edge watching them, a Willow Warbler also dropped in.
In the Obs Pasture Field there was a very vocal juvenile Meadow Pipit, which allowed me to get pretty close. Overhead were dozens of Swallows, with many youngsters amongst the adults. A juvenile Kestrel was sat on a telegraph pole at the bottom of the Obs garden and in the distance a Common Buzzard was quartering the Top Fields.
Other birds noted were: Cormorant, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Here are a few images and videos from this afternoon:
Note: Apologies for the lens noise as it tracks the Whitethroats in the videos, plus the noise of the wind. Looks like I might have to invest in a Dougal to cut out the wind noise.
The Obs Quarry looking South-west and........
........looking east. I'm sure it won't be long before a Wryneck turns up.
In the Quarry this afternoon, this and two other Common Whitethroats.
Common Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Two Common Whitethroats
Common Whitethroat
A very yellow Willow Warbler..........
....and lots more.....
.......and another.
Last one.
A juvenile Meadow Pipit.......
......close-up
And another view.
It was very vocal.
In the Obs Quarry a juvenile Goldfinch.
And a Blue Tit.
As above.
My poor effort of capturing the swallows flying down the track.........
.......at high speed.
More luck than judgement. See them coming and fire off the camera!
A great advertisement for the Wood Pigeon brigade.......
.......a sign notifying them that there is a Nature Reserve beyond the gate, and full of food!!
And talking about food, what a bumper year it seems to be for Blackthorn (also known as Sloe).