I popped down to the Portland Bird Observatory late afternoon, just to see what was about, and within a few minutes of parking up a Short-eared Owl appeared on the horizon being mobbed by a Kestrel. Also here were 2 Common Buzzards, a total of 3 Kestrels a large flock of 50+ Chaffinch and 30 Skylark.
Here are a few images from this evening:
Birds Recorded: 4 Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Short-eared Owl, 30 Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 12 Starling, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, 1 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Church Ope Cove and Penns Wood
What a busy beach as Boxing Day revellers hit the cove. Sadly all the overwintering birds were a bit put out and though the Black Redstart and Stonechat were about they were sticking to the cliffs under Penns Weare. There was no sign of any of the Robins "Hut or Rock", but the Grey Wagtail was back briefly along with 2 Rock Pipits, but they also flew off, leaving a very quiet beach.
Birds Recorded: Shag, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, 40+ Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
This is the Container Ship "Berlin Bridge" flying the flag of Hong Kong. It is on its way from New York to Antwerp. More on this vessel Here.
Today's Sightings Here
One of the 2 Common Buzzards in the Crown Estate Fields.
And one of 3 Kestrels here as well.
A distant shot of a Short-eared Owl.
Birds Recorded: 4 Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Short-eared Owl, 30 Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 12 Starling, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, 1 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Church Ope Cove and Penns Wood
What a busy beach as Boxing Day revellers hit the cove. Sadly all the overwintering birds were a bit put out and though the Black Redstart and Stonechat were about they were sticking to the cliffs under Penns Weare. There was no sign of any of the Robins "Hut or Rock", but the Grey Wagtail was back briefly along with 2 Rock Pipits, but they also flew off, leaving a very quiet beach.
At the bottom of Penns Wood I was lucky enough to see a small party of crests and tits pass through, and in amongst them were a Firecrest and a Chiffchaff.
Here are a few images from today:
My one only record shot of the Black Redstart below the cliffs at the cove.
Similarly with the Stonechat, which like the Black Redstart both decided Penns Weare was quieter than the beach.
In Penns Wood I managed a quick photo of a Goldcrest, sadly not the Firecrest which was in amongst them.
Snowdrops in flower in December. Its certainly mild here on Portland.
Birds Recorded: Shag, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, 40+ Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Ships Today
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On this day..........
2017Today's Sightings Here