Portland Bird Observatory, Crown Estate Fields, Top Fields, Southwell Barn, Sweethill, Limekiln Cave and Hut Fields.
A long and very muddy walk this afternoon, made with more hope than expectation, as I was on the lookout for my first Wheatear to make it across the Channel this Spring. No such luck, but then I didn't see my first one until 14 Mar 2019 and on 12 Mar 2018, so they should be here very soon.
There were however quite a few Pied Wagtails about and maybe a couple of White Wagtails in amongst them. These were in the horse field to the north of the Sweethill path Here. Unfortunately I'm a bit rusty on White Wagtails, having not seen one since the 80's when I lived in Germany, so they were probably just 1st year female Pied Wagtails. However the flanks on a few of them were quite white like Whites, but the backs were a bit to dark, which might indicate that they are of mixed origin. I.e. Pied x White.
Also about were several Skylarks with a few males singing from altitude, which was quite an accomplishment considering there was a very strong wind coming up the island.
A few of the fields in the Top Fields were being ploughed and there must have been a good 150+ gulls following the tractor. At one stage they all took off and then followed the tractor to the next field. Mostly Herring Gulls of different ages, there were a few adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and several 1st Winter Great Black-backed Gulls in amongst them.
A few Raptors about with 3 Common Buzzards in the Crown Estate Fields and Top Fields, and there was also Kestrel along the south-west coast path as I made my way back to the obs.
Here are a few images and a couple of videos from today:
Well it was good day for the local Buzzards, that seemed to enjoy........
............the wind as it blew up and over the Crown Estate Fields.
Here another Buzzard sits on a post in the Top Fields.
Just a few of the 150+ gulls following the plough.
A mixture of Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls take to the skies.
A few landed in neighbouring fields. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull sat in front of the Herring Gulls.
One of several Skylarks foraging in the recently ploughed field.
A male Pied Wagtail. Terrible photo.
And an even worse photos of what appears to be......
............a White Wagtail. However even though the flanks are pale the back is to dark.
Either its a 1st Winter female Pied Wagtail or maybe a cross between a Pied/White.
Along the coast path a lone Kestrel is on the lookout for a meal.
In the Obs garden a female Pheasant clearing up the dropped seeds from the feeders.
In the distance Rufus Castle sits above Church Ope Cove. Photo taken from Limekiln Cave
Rufus Castle
And finally Ted, who started off white and ended muddier and dirtier than I've ever seen him before.
Ted doing what Ted does, a Bichon Buzz.
Says it all.