How many times do we say it "What a difference a day makes". But after yesterday's lovely sunny day, it was back to low cloud and drizzle.
At least the birdwatching made up for another gloomy wet day and I don't mind saying it, but it was worth getting wet, to tick off my first Bullfinch on Portland this year. And believe me there haven't been too many over the past 3 years.
This individual was very vocal in the gardens, that back onto Pennsylvania Castle Wood. I was doing well in tracking it down, and then disaster struck with a very fast hedgehopping Sparrowhawk which sent everything packing. I never heard it after that and neither again on my return trip.
Other highlights in the rain, was the female Great Spotted Woodpecker in the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle, a Chiffchaff in the wood, with another at the back of the cove. And in the northeast corner of the beach a very "dark" presumed 1st Winter male Black Redstart and singles of Oystercatcher and Herring Gull.
Out to sea hundreds of Gannets and gulls were once again feeding intensely on the Sandbanks, whilst a lot closer in 3 Cormorants headed south.
Here are a few images and videos taken in very dull conditions:
I was hoping for a bit of action, but she was just sat there as the drizzle continued to fall
On the rocks an Oystercatcher was busy searching for food.
Eventually it flew off onto.........
On the cliff top one of the Carrion Crows is carrying a piece of Maize
You just know that Ted is not enjoying the rain.
And that mop of a head is looking decidedly wet.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: Hundreds of Gannets, 3 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Black Redstart, Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)