Weymouth and PBO
Well I thought I'd left Portland in plenty of time to see the Franklin's Gull at the Swannery Car Park. But not for the first time when I've arrived to see a rare I've been told "you should have been here 10 minutes ago". But a big thank you to Joe Stockwell and Glen Maddison for letting me know that it was by the Pavilion.
So having photographed a really odd looking 1st winter Herring Gull (it was all puffed up like a pigeon) I drove around to the pavilion, where sure enough there were 3 birders looking out to sea. As I reached them I was told it was drifting away towards Lodmoor, fortunately I was able to see it through a scope for my first UK Franklin's Gull.
This was very reminiscent of the Ross's Gull I saw in almost the same spot on 22 Feb 18. At least I managed to get closer to the Ross's on further visits to Weymouth. Not sure about the Franklin's, but you never know.
After leaving Weymouth I dropped into the Obs and walked up to the Top Fields to see if there were any Short-eared Owls about. It looked very much like I was going to dip, but as the light really dropped away a Short-eared Owl appeared in the distance at about 4:45pm for my first one this Autumn.
Here a few photos, sadly no Franklin's photos (yet!)
A really odd looking Herring Gull at the Swannery Car park, Radipole. It looks like a puffed out Pigeon.
The fading light and a view of the lighthouse at The Bill.
On the way up to the Top Fields 2 Pheasants and a Buzzard sat on the posts.
Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Pools, Old Quarry, The Cuttings, Rufus Castle, Church Ope Cove, St Andrew's Church, Penns wood and Wakeham Wood
Back to my usual walk and I'm so glad I did as I came across 5 Woodlarks in the old quarry east of the pools Here. Its seems to much of a coincidence not to be, that these 5 birds are the same birds first noted here 9 days ago on 5 Nov. They must be do the rounds on Portland.
Elsewhere mainly negative news which was disappointing. No Black Redstart or any Rock Pipits at Church Ope Cove, where there is a real stench of rotting seaweed. No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler at Wakeham Wood, though the Firecrest did let out a brief call, but couldn't be seen. Most of the Goldcrests however seem to be at the bottom of Penns Wood where the lone Chiffchaff remains.
Interesting sights were 3 Kestrels together over Church Ope Cove and several flocks of Skylark making their way up the island.
Here are a few images and a video from today:
Here are a few images of the Woodlark.
Woodlark
Woodlark
And last one.
One of the 5 Woodlark this morning.
The Kestrels were out in force today, this one close to Rufus Castle.
And another over Penn's Weare where.........
.....there ended being 3 birds, though there was a bit of squabble between them.
There was however a horrendous stench from the rotting seaweed across the beach.
This Carrion Crow didn't seen to mind as it tackled a dead fish in amongst the weed.
A Syrphus sp. hoverfly
Possibly Syrphus ribesii
Butter wouldn't melt. Ted and Benji.
Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant, 3 Kestrel, 5 Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 5 Woodlark, 20+ Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, 8 Robin, 5 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 8+ Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 8 Jackdaw, 1 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: 2 Red Admiral, 20+ wasps and a Syrphus sp. hoverfly
This the Crude Oil Tanker "Baker Spirit" flying the flag of the Bahamas. It is on its way from Novorossiysk, Russia to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
Ships Today
This the British Fishing Boat "Helen Claire". More on this vessel Here
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On this day..........
2017Today's Sightings Here