Portland Bill
Another trip down to the Bill today to catch the Purple Sandpipers before they depart, but yet again I chose the wrong tide to visit, as the ledges between the Obelisk and Pulpit were submerged by the high water, not helped by a very strong southerly wind. Still time yet.
A noticeable difference today was the increase in Stonechat numbers with 3 pairs between QinetiQ and the Obs Quarry.
On the slopes there were also 7 Meadow Pipits.
Out to sea plenty of Guillemots, Razorbills, Gannets and a large flock of Herring Gulls & Great Black-backed Gulls just off the Pulpit. There must have been a shoal of Whitebait and the gulls knew it, as they followed the shoal out into the Races.
Here are a few images from today:
Another trip down to the Bill today to catch the Purple Sandpipers before they depart, but yet again I chose the wrong tide to visit, as the ledges between the Obelisk and Pulpit were submerged by the high water, not helped by a very strong southerly wind. Still time yet.
A noticeable difference today was the increase in Stonechat numbers with 3 pairs between QinetiQ and the Obs Quarry.
On the slopes there were also 7 Meadow Pipits.
Out to sea plenty of Guillemots, Razorbills, Gannets and a large flock of Herring Gulls & Great Black-backed Gulls just off the Pulpit. There must have been a shoal of Whitebait and the gulls knew it, as they followed the shoal out into the Races.
Here are a few images from today:
One of the local Buzzards in the Crown Estate Field
A male Stonechat on the Slopes. The female was close by, as well as two other pairs.
There was a real gull frenzy just off the Pulpit. Whitebait maybe!!
Spot the Gannet in amongst them.
There was a lot of toing and froing, especially with the Guillemots heading back and forth from the West Cliffs
A Wallflower in flower.
Cherry Plum and one of the first Prunus species to flower in spring. This one was by the Obs.
And a rare sight Benji joining us for a walk with us.
And Ted running on EverReady batteries. He never stops running.
Benji and Ted
Birds Recorded: Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, 7 Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, 6 Stonechat, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 200+ Starling, House Sparrow and Chaffinch