It was one of those drop of the hat decisions this afternoon, to visit the Obs and Thumb Lane to see what was happening elsewhere.
Sadly not much to about in or around the Obs, other than a few Chiffchaffs between the Obs garden and the Quarry. A Common Buzzard was a close companion as it hovered over the Obs Meadow and then later moved on over the Crown Estate Fields.
Unfortunately my visit he was somewhat curtailed when large black clouds gathered to the north of the island and as I reached the car the first drops began to fall.
So next venue was Thumb Lane and the shower must have had an effect on the birds here in the copse as a small party of 8 Chiffchaffs moved in along with 2 Goldcrests, a Blackcap, a Redwing and my 4th Yellow-browed Warbler in 5 days. I believe yesterday there 12 reported as having been seen and heard on the island.
Here are a few images and videos from this afternoon:
This Buzzard was over the Obs Meadow
Its not just Kestrels that can hover, though using the updraft of that strong north-easterly breeze certainly helps.
And here it is quartering the Crown Estate Fields
The Obs Quarry, which sadly this afternoon only produced a single Blue Tit.
And by the looks of it he's spotted another one.
Sadly my visit to the Obs was cut short when this big shower moved in.
Birds Recorded: 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White and Red Admiral
Ships Today
This is the Maltese Passenger Ship "Marella Explorer", still off Portland. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Maltese Passenger Ship "Marella Discovery" also just off the coast of Portland. More on this vessel Here.
