What a miserable day again with a howling gale, and shower after shower coming in off the sea. Having seen the Sandwich Terns yesterday at Portland Marina, I thought I would perch myself under the road bridge at Ferrybridge and see if there were any more today.
I didn't have to wait long as 4 birds came along The Fleet over the bridge and starting feeding just inside the harbour. After a few minutes they headed off towards Small Mouth and from where I was standing I could make out a lot more birds.
After about 10 minutes 21 birds came around the corner and were then joined by 4 more. It was quite a sight watching 25 very noisy terns feeding.
Elsewhere there were 26 Oystercatchers on the mud flats in front of the Chesil Beach Centre and a Little Egret. Other than a few Common, Mediterranean, Black-headed and Herring Gulls that was it.
After about 10 minutes 21 birds came around the corner and were then joined by 4 more. It was quite a sight watching 25 very noisy terns feeding.
Elsewhere there were 26 Oystercatchers on the mud flats in front of the Chesil Beach Centre and a Little Egret. Other than a few Common, Mediterranean, Black-headed and Herring Gulls that was it.
Out in the Fleet there was a pair of Red-breasted Merganser.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
Under the road bridge at Ferrybridge. A great spot to keep out of the wind and rain to watch the Sandwich Terns.
Here are a few shots of the 25 Sandwich Terns seen here today.
Very vocal birds.
Here they are joined by a Herring Gull.
Nearly in formation
A bit better.
Very wet and windy, but it's not putting off these Sandwich Terns.
Two Cormorants come into land.
With 3 others drying out.
Not sure what this Herring Gull was complaining about. Perhaps the continuous screeching the terns were making.
And an adult Mediterranean Gull. Jet black head, bright red bill and the very visual white around the eye.
Birds Recorded: 5 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 26 Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, 3 Common Gull, 25 Sandwich Tern, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Carrion Crow.
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.