Portland Bill
A late morning walk around the Bill with my son Tom and his girlfriend Laura, before they headed off back to Shropshire.
We had hoped we might see one of the islands Peregrines, but they weren't playing today. We did come across the local Kestrels and quite a few migrants.
On the way down to the Pulpit we came across a Whinchat in the hut field, where there were also a couple of Chiffchaffs. At the Bill a Yellow Wagtail attempted to fly out into the Channel, but with a fairly stiff south-westerly wind blowing, it turned and headed back inland. As we made our way back to the Obs a Tree Pipit passed overhead.
Also seen were a few Wheatears, Stonechats and a few Swallows and House Martins.
Here are a few images from today:
A late morning walk around the Bill with my son Tom and his girlfriend Laura, before they headed off back to Shropshire.
We had hoped we might see one of the islands Peregrines, but they weren't playing today. We did come across the local Kestrels and quite a few migrants.
On the way down to the Pulpit we came across a Whinchat in the hut field, where there were also a couple of Chiffchaffs. At the Bill a Yellow Wagtail attempted to fly out into the Channel, but with a fairly stiff south-westerly wind blowing, it turned and headed back inland. As we made our way back to the Obs a Tree Pipit passed overhead.
Also seen were a few Wheatears, Stonechats and a few Swallows and House Martins.
Here are a few images from today:
The Obs Lighthouse.
Around the local fields were a few Wheatears
It's that time of year when the finches gather in large flocks around the Estate Fields. This is a Linnet.
The Pulpit
A grab shot of a Fulmar. Further out from the Bill were dozens of Gannets and a lone Guillemot.
Looking south towards the Bill from the Slopes, where...........
..........we came across another Wheatear. This one was enjoying a Grasshopper.
Not sure what happened here. Maybe it got stuck in its throat.
One of the local Kestrels. This one sat on the QinetiQ fence.
Birds Recorded: Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, House Martin, Swallow, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Siskin and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small Heath and a Chalk Hill Blue
Ships Today
This is the British Law Enforcement Boat "Buccaneer".................
..................on its way from Portland Harbour to Chesil Cove. I even got a wave.
Later it returned. More on this Police Vessel Here.
This is the British Amphibious Assault Ship "HMS Albion" out in the English Channel. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Cargo Ship "Hurst Point" on its way from Southampton to Brixham. More on this vessel Here
This is the British Pleasure Craft "Bandida" on it way from Weymouth to Torquay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Fishing Boat "MV Malacca" just off the Bill in the Races.