Ted and I dropped into Portland Marina this morning to check on our boat "Star". It's always a relief when you hold the Glow-plug button down and then after 30 seconds push the start button and the engine bursts into life. Just need to go out in it sometime.
While we were there there were several Cormorants, Shags, Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls sat on the marina breakwater. Also here were Turnstones and Oystercatchers.
Once I was back home it was an afternoon spent in the back garden with more construction work on the new Duck House. At least I have all the materials I need now, so hopefully Huey and Louie will be able to take up their new residence very soon.
So what was happening whilst I was in the garden, well first off there was one Chiffchaff calling from the tall Sycamore behind the house, followed by several others passing through, along with a Yellow-browed Warbler. The latter a new garden tick for me, but with so many in the UK and on Portland, I guess this Autumn it was always going to be the case of when would I see one.
Other sightings were a Goldcrest, 2 Buzzards, a few Meadow Pipits and yet more Siskins overhead.
In the garden itself were a few Large White Butterflies and a couple of Common Droneflies.
Here are a few images and a video from today:
Lots of wing stretching from the Cormorants as they dry off.
Even a bit of flapping to get rid of the excess water. The background noise is "Star" ticking over.
Even a youngster joins in, though it looks like he's got a bit of an itch
Both the adult and immature together.
Not drying its wings, but walking and flying up the breakwater to get to the top.
Even Ted seemed interested in their antics
Birds Recorded today: Cormorant, Shag, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Siskin and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)