A slightly different route today and I'm glad I did as I came across 2 Lapwings, 2 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush and a bit of a scarcity on Portland a Mistle Thrush all in the lower paddocks adjacent to Broadcroft Quarry Lane. In the lane itself just a lone Robin.
Up on the bank along the lane, it was sad to note that two compounds have been carved out of the rocks and totally destroyed hedges and scrubland which were home to roosting finches. The bulldozed earth and rocks has narrowly missed the pools, and I will be contacting Portland Stone and Stone Firms to make sure the pools are protected from further bulldozing. The pools last year had over-wintering Water Rail and the Radde's Warbler. So not an area we want to lose. Also here are Bee-orchids so I think I might need some help from the Dorset Wildlife Trust and co.
It was a very quiet on the way down to Church Ope Cove, but once here it was very busy with 30+ Rock Pipits, a pair of Carrion Crows, 4 Wrens, a Pied Wagtail and unexpected Stonechat that at times came to me.
From the cove I made my way up to Penns Wood via the grounds of St Andrew's Church where there was a Chiffchaff.
Here are a few images from today:
The lower horse paddocks from the now bulldozed finch roosting area.
A Song Thrush in the paddock area.
A nice surprise, two Lapwings in the paddocks.
Also known as a Peewit........
......or Green Plovers.
A sunny Church Ope Cove
The "Beach" Robin is in charge here.
A Rock Pipit keeps its eye out for any predators about.
There's safety in numbers and today there were 30+
Here's another chasing a Kelp Fly
Another has a look.
In the seaweed seems to be the place to be.
No Black Redstart here today but instead a pleasant surprise a Stonechat.
Its was very mobile, chasing Kelp Flies alongside the Rock Pipits.
And at times it was very close to me.
And just sat on a rock for a pose or two.
And then it was off again.
The grounds of St Andrew's Church where there was a Chiffchaff today.
There aren't to many left on Portland but here are a few Hawthorn berries.
Chimneys and dark skies an unusual combination.
My gripe. A new compound has been created just off Broadcroft Quarry Lane
The "spoils" have been pushed up the track and into the hawthorn bushes......
.......where until recently finches were roosting.
In the back ground you can just make out the pool area, which I hope remain just that, pools!!
So sad and totally unnecessary. The "spoils" could quite easily have been put into the quarry around the back.
The track to nowhere.
Birds Recorded: 2 Lapwing, 30+ Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 3 Meadow Pipit, 30+ Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wren, Dunnock, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, Robin, 5 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Ships Today
This is the Swedish tanker "Fure West" on its way...............
............... into Weymouth Bay from Rotterdam, Holland. More on this vessel Here.
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On this day..........
2017
Today's Sightings Here