A bit calmer today after yesterday's storm. The beach at Church Ope Cove certainly took a beating with many stones, boulders and pebbles displaced and a ton of seaweed again. Not so many Kelp flies about, but those that were on the wing were being picked off by 5 Rock Pipits, a Pied Wagtail and a couple of Wrens.
In amongst the seaweed were 2 Carrion Crows looking for food. One piece they hadn't found just yet was what looked like the decomposed head of a Conger Eel. It was certainly big enough and when I saw it first I did wonder if it was the skull of a Fox or Dog. But no it was definitely a fish and a very large one at that. Conger Eel would be my best guess.
Nothing in the grounds of St Andrews Church, but a patient wait in Penns Wood revealed a Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chaffinches, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, Robin and 2 Redwings. Also here a Grey Squirrel.
A Carrion Crow scavenging in amongst the seaweed.
With so much washed up I wasn't surprised it hadn't found this.........
.......decomposed head of a Conger Eel. I'm sure it will soon.
Just the one Pied Wagtail on the beach.
A few Rock Pipits scurrying around in the rocks.
Here another waits for the Kelp Flies to reappear.
The waves are still rolling in at Church Ope Cove.
The rocks are getting a good bashing again.
Portland Marina
A quick visit to the marina to check the boat and whilst I was there 3 Shags were swimming in the marina by the breakwater, where there were also 3 Red-breasted Mergansers. On the breakwater there were 3 Cormorants drying their wings.
In the background The Mulberry's and then the breakwater for Portland Marina.
The other way round.
The adult drake Red-breasted Merganser.
And the female with her red-head.
These on the other hand are Cormorants. A lot larger in size and that bill is pretty powerful.
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On this day..........
2017
Today's Sightings Here