The Bill, West Cliff, Top Fields and Crown Estate Fields.
Another trip down to The Bill on the coldest day we have had this year so far. Its not often you get frost on Portland but there were one or two frost covered cars this morning.
At The Bill were 9 Purple Sandpipers and a handful of Rock Pipits, whilst out to sea the usual passage of Guillemots and Razorbills moving up and down The Races. Also about a few Gannets further out to sea.
On the Slope up to the Coast Guard Lookout a dozen or so Jackdaws, a couple of Ravens and 30+ Starling. Overhead were 2 Peregrine Falcon making quite a din.
Below the West Cliffs a few Common Gulls on the sea, along with a Herring Gulls, Cormorants and a couple of Shags. Circling above them were at least 4 Fulmars.
In the Top Fields there was a large flock of 50+ Linnet, plus a handful of Skylarks.
Here are a few images and a video of the Purple Sandpipers at The Bill today:
A few Purple Sandpipers brave the waves crashing onto the rocks they are feeding on.
One of the 4 Fulmars along the West Cliff
And just off the cliff a Guillemot.
On the Slopes a Kestrel
HMS Echo just beyond the Lighthouse
And Portland Bird Observatory
Birds Recorded: Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Buzzard, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Kestrel, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, 9 Purple Sandpiper, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Ships Today
This is the Greek Tanker "Patriotic" apparently on its way from Slagen (Norway) to Rotterdam (Holland) though its past route would suggest otherwise!!! More on this vessel Here.
This is the Vehicles Carrier "Victory Leader" flying the flag of the Bahamas. It s on its way from Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Bristol. More on this vessel Here.
