And now for something quite different from the "norm". For the past 49 days I have been alternating between an exercise walk and then the next day in my back garden. But not today, as the Government lifted the restrictions as to where you can drive.
So myself, Dawn and Ted decided to have a walk from Hamm Beach to Ferrybridge and then back. A distance of 2.8 miles, but my word it was absolutely freezing, with a strong northeasterly wind blowing straight across Portland Harbour. At least the return journey wasn't as bad.
Highlights were seeing my first Little Terns on the Fleet, close to where they breed on Chesil Beach. There must have been well over 50 Little Terns flying about in a tight formation, before splitting up into smaller parties. A great spectacle.
As I took a photo of two Little Terns on one of the buoys, 2 Common Terns landed next to them. So two good birds to add to my year list.
Also seen were 25 Ringed Plovers and 5 Dunlin, feeding in the lagoons just south of Chesil Visitors Centre.
Other birds noted along our walk were a good dozen or so Swallows heading north, plus a few resident Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. A female Wheatear was on Chesil Beach opposite Hamm Beach.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
Birds Recorded: 25 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 50+ Little Tern, 2 Common Tern, Skylark, 12 Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 1 Wheatear, Carrion Crow and Linnet
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)
Flies Recorded: Robber Fly sp.
This is the Passenger Ship "Queen Mary 2" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay during the pandemic. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Passenger Ship "Ventura" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay during the pandemic. More on this vessel Here.
Highlights were seeing my first Little Terns on the Fleet, close to where they breed on Chesil Beach. There must have been well over 50 Little Terns flying about in a tight formation, before splitting up into smaller parties. A great spectacle.
As I took a photo of two Little Terns on one of the buoys, 2 Common Terns landed next to them. So two good birds to add to my year list.
Also seen were 25 Ringed Plovers and 5 Dunlin, feeding in the lagoons just south of Chesil Visitors Centre.
Other birds noted along our walk were a good dozen or so Swallows heading north, plus a few resident Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. A female Wheatear was on Chesil Beach opposite Hamm Beach.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
Just a few of the Little Terns out over the Fleet.
The zoom on my Bridge-camera was stretched to its limit as these 2 Little Terns flew along Chesil Beach.
The buoys are a good spot to sit, though the strong north-easterly did make it a bit bumpy.
And even further down the Fleet there was another buoy with 2 Common Tern on the left and 2 Little Terns.
The lagoons south of the Chesil Visitors Centre where there were......
..........these Ringed Plovers and Dunlin.
Two Ringed Plover
Here we have 5 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin.
And more Ringed Plovers and another Dunlin
Ringed Plovers and 3 Dunlin
And more Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin
The grass verges along Portland Beach Road are good for Meadow Pipits and...........
........also in front of the visitors centre
Seems Ted has a friend. One of the Robber Fly species.
Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)
The Osmington White Horse. More Here
And of course we mustn't forget Ted. He's just spotted a Kite Surfer
And then it was a case of, come on hurry up.
And a Very Happy Birthday to my fiancée Dawn.
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)
Flies Recorded: Robber Fly sp.
Ships Today
This is the Passenger Ship "Aurora" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay during the pandemic. More on this vessel Here.
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On this day..........