29 Nov 18

Out and about

The second storm in two days and winds up to 70 mph battering the coast. The only sheltered bit I could find was Church Ope Cove, but even here the waves were crashing onto the beach. Not a lot about and the best I could do here was 1 Kestrel, 2 Ravens, Blue Tit, Robin and 2 Blackbirds.

From Church Ope Cove I headed to the Obs and took a walk down to the Bill via the huts and then back up alongside the fence of QinetiQ and back to the Obs. To say it was windy would be an understatement. In fact its the first time I've not been able to walk up to the Pulpit for fear of being covered and then dragged into the sea by the colossal waves.

Main highlights were a few Rock Pipits, Shags and Cormorants. The best was saved until last with 2 Firecrests and 3 Goldcrests in the Obs garden at 4:09pm.

Birds here were few and far between but I managed to record: 4 Shag, 12 Cormorant, 4 Kestrel, 3 Pheasant, 8 Herring Gull, 37 Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 7 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, Robin, 2 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, 8 House Sparrow, 12 Chaffinch, 5 Linnet and 4 Goldfinch.

Here are a few images from today

Church Ope Cove with some hefty waves rolling in.

The cliffs to the north of the beach were taking a right bashing.

It wasn't just Church Ope Cove as the full force of the storm was felt along The Bill.

The Trinity House Obelisk at the southernmost tip of Portland.

The Lighthouse and Obelisk

Not much fun for sea birds. These are Cormorants heading around The Bill.

On dry land there were 4 Kestrels working the Crown Estate Fields. There was no respite with the wind here either and the Kestrels were seen resting on the fences and posts.

Not much fun for the Rock Pipits either as they tried to find shelter.

Meanwhile in my back garden today, the Grey Squirrel has enlarged the hole in the feeder and demolished the sunflower seeds. Time for a metal feeder.

Ships Today

I couldn't believe my eyes this afternoon as this Italian LPG Tanker "Syn Zania" made her way out of Weymouth Bay. She must have stopped off in the bay because of the storms, yet here she is on her way again to Sarroch, Italy from Antwerp where she left 3 days ago. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2017
Today's Sightings Here