18 Oct 20

Portland Bird Observatory, Obs Quarry, Hut Fields, Culverwell and Sweethill

An early night and an early rise this morning saw me and Ted head off to the Obs, in the hope of seeing the Great Grey Shrike which was seen yesterday and first thing this morning. It took awhile but I eventually tracked it down, sat on a post and devouring a Common Lizard.

Sadly no photos, but an everlasting vision of the shrike with its foot on the lizard and with its beak tearing it to bits. A bit macabre I know, but it could have been worse for the lizard. It could have been impaled alive on a thorn, hence the Great Grey Shrikes given name of the "Butcher Bird".

If seeing my first ever species of shrike in the UK wasn't enough, I also came across a juvenile Ring Ouzel just south of Southwell and timed it just right for a freshly netted Dartford Warbler on my return to the Obs.

What a great morning with other highlights being 2 Peregrines working the Top Fields, dozens of Chiffchaffs, a handful of Blackcaps and what looked like a Stonechat on every Bramble Bush.

Here are a few images from today:

And the field just south of Southwell, where I saw my first ever UK shrike. Well chuffed.

Shame about the light and also the poor quality camera I use. This is a Peregrine, its mate was also close-by, quartering the fields around the Top Fields.

One of the 4 Goldcrests feeding in the Sycamores.......

.....in the Obs Car Park. Completely oblivious to anyone walking by.

There have been a few Dartford Warblers seen on Portland over the past week or so. This one was trapped, ringed and released just as I got back from my walk.

And of course Ted. Though he wasn't to impressed about wearing his raincoat in the fine drizzle.

Birds Recorded: Buzzard, 2 Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, 1 Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 1 Great Grey Shrike, Dunnock, Robin, 10+ Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 5+ Blackcap, 1 Dartford Warbler, 12+ Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch

Reptiles Recorded: Common Lizard (deceased)

Butterflies Recorded: Large White and Red Admiral

Ships Today

This is the Maltese Passenger Ship "Marella Explorer"................

..............behind the Obs Lighthouse and on its way around the Bill. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Panamanian Container Ship "One Hannover" on its way from Singapore to Rotterdam. More on this vessel Here

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On this day
2019
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today' Sightings Here.