A lovely sunny start to the day, which ended with me and Ted getting a good soaking, as a weather front came across the Channel. We nearly made it back to the car, but the elements beat us.
Despite getting wet, it was a good walk for the first 90 minutes and in that time I managed to add a few more birds to my year list. The first was a Skylark with quite a few birds singing from all around the Obs. A good start.
Next were Guillemots and Razorbills, with good numbers of both, heading east across the Races.
To the east of The Bill, were many gulls including my first Lesser Black-backed Gulls of the year.
I had a good look for the Purple Sandpipers around the Obelisk and Pulpit, but with the heavy seas and crashing waves the several that have been here this Winter, had been forced to move to a quieter location.
On the way up the Slopes I came across a Black Redstart in the grounds of QinetiQ where there were also over 20 Meadow Pipits in the grass.
Along the West Cliff were 2 Fulmars, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls and a flock of 20+ Jackdaws.
I had intended to walk up to the Higher Lighthouse and then back down through the Top Fields and Crown Estate Fields, but sadly the rain began to fall and well the rest is history. 💧☔💧☔
Here are a few images from today:
The "Red Crane" on the east coast of Portland. More Here.
And the view south with The Pulpit on the left and the approaching weather front coming across the sea.
A Rock Pipit by the Pulpit
Along the West Cliffs were........
.............these 2 Fulmars.
In the grounds of QinetiQ a Black Redstart
Birds Recorded: 2 Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Black Redstart, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling and Chaffinch.
Slugs and Snails Recorded: Brown-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis)
Ships Today
This is the Cargo Ship "NYK Constellation" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands.
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On this day..........
2019Today's Sightings Here.
2018
Today's Sightings Here.