What should have finished the day off on a high note, turned into a disaster, when having been out on my local patch this morning, was supposed to have ended with our Christmas Day boat trip around Portland Harbour.
Sadly "Star" had different ideas and as a result of several days of heavy rain, both the 12 volt boat batteries were dead. The Bilge Pump in the stern was running when we boarded Star, and on opening the deck cover, the pump was definitely on but there was no bilge being expelled. So not sure how many days it had been running, but the result was a few bobs worth of batteries completely flat. Needless to say they are both on charge, but probably to far gone to be of use again.
So this morning the main highlights were the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat along the Wakeham Railway Cuttings by the caravan park, a Chiffchaff and a Firecrest at the back of the cove and another Chiffchaff with a Goldcrest in Penns Wood. On the beach at Church Ope Cove were 4 Rock Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and the 1st Winter Pied Wagtail.
In Portland Marina, just as we were boarding "Star" there was a Great Northern Diver diving just a few metres away from the main ramp down to the pontoons. When we left 30 minutes later it was still fishing in the Marina.
So Plan B was a trip down to the Bill and for me a chance to catch up with the 11 Purple Sandpipers that have been there for a week or so I believe. They are brave waders, as the heavy sea (despite it being a windless day) was crashing onto the rocky platforms they were feeding on.
So Plan B was a trip down to the Bill and for me a chance to catch up with the 11 Purple Sandpipers that have been there for a week or so I believe. They are brave waders, as the heavy sea (despite it being a windless day) was crashing onto the rocky platforms they were feeding on.
Other wildlife of note were 6 Marmalade Hoverflies at the cove, where there was also Common Green Shieldbug in Winter colours. It might have been quite chilly but it was very sunny.
Hmm my best shot of the Chiffchaff at the back of the cove this morning.
On the beach another washed up Whelk Egg Case
Also at the cove this Common Green Shieldbug in Winter colours.
In Portland Marina was this Great Northern Diver at close quarters.
At The Bill was this Rock Pipit and these brave..............
..........Purple Sandpipers.
Today there were 11 here foraging on the rocky platforms.
Birds Recorded: 1 Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Shag, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Purple Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Hoverflies Recorded: 6 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
This is the Portuguese Container Ship "Elbstrom" on its way from Rotterdam to Liverpool. More on this vessel Here.
Hoverflies Recorded: 6 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
Ships Today
