5 Dec 19

Out and About

A time for a change and first stop was Portland Castle where I had great views of a Great Northern Diver feeding on small crabs along the Portland Marina breakwater. Also here were 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and along the coast path a Chiffchaff by the Heliport.

Portland Marina on the left and middle right the Mulberry's. And somewhere in the water the Great Northern Diver

Below are a few shots and a video of the Great Northern Diver.




By the Mulberry's were 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and this lone bird in Portland Marina.

Next stop was The Bill and despite the waves crashing onto the exposed rocks, there were 2 Purple Sandpipers braving the spray. Not a lot else here so it was up the slope to the Higher Lighthouse in the hope of spotting a Short-eared Owl, sadly not and the only bird of interest was a male Stonechat.

Just to the left of the Pulpit is this ledge which was home this evening to........

..........these 2 Purple Sandpipers.

The waves might have been crashing over this ledge but.................

..............these Purple Sandpipers were determined to stay put. At one stage there was a large pool of water and one of the Purple Sandpipers swam across it.

Even after getting a good soaking they carried on feeding.

In the Crown Estate Fields...............

..............a Buzzard.

One of the 4 Ravens around the Bill.

Birds Recorded today: 1 Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Shag, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, 2 Purple Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 4 Raven, Starling, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Ships Today

This is the Maltese General Cargo Ship "Kristel" on its way from Riga (Latvia) to Newport (Wales). More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Sailing Ship "CV9 Qingdao" on its way back to Hamble Point. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.