Portland Bird Observatory and Huts.
Another late afternoon visit to the Obs. No Yellow-browed Warblers, but dozens of Chiffchaffs, several Blackcaps and 800+ Linnets were the main highlights. A Ring Ouzel was hiding away in the Hut Field close to the Obs garden, but try as I could I couldn't locate it.
Here are a few images:
One of the many Blackcaps in and around the Obs. This male has his eyes on a Blackberry.
Mainly male Blackcaps at the Obs, it was nice to come across a female with her brown cap.
A Goldfinch poses for the camera.
Birds Recorded: 2 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, 200+ Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 5 Blackcap, 20+ Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 800+ Linnet and 100+ Goldfinch.
Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Horse Paddocks
A quick walk around the lane and fields this afternoon, before heading down to the Obs. Main highlight was 6 Wheatear in the lower paddock. Also about were 4 Stonechat, 60+ Meadow Pipit, several Pied Wagtails and 200+ Linnet.
In the lane just 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
A few images from this afternoon:
One of the Meadow Pipits in the lower horse paddock.
And another.
After a long flight this Meadow Pipit is having a good preen.
Quite a few Robins setting up their winter territories.
A Stonechat takes off.
Also in the lower paddock a Wheatear, five others are close by.
The Wheatears were in the south-east corner of the paddock today. Bumpers lane is just to the right.
Birds Recorded: Kestrel, 3 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 4 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 200+ Linnet and Goldfinch.
Greenfinches are a rare sight nowadays, so it was great to see two on the feeders this morning. Also taking an interest in the sunflower seeds were 3 Great Tits and 2 Blue Tits.
