Out and About
Having dropped Benji and Ted off at the Dog Groomers at 8:30am, it was off to Newtons Cove to see if there was anything about in the lee of the Breakwater. Unfortunately, even though it was sheltered from the really blustery south-westerly, there was nothing here. So it was off to Ferrybridge, just before the tide covered the sandflats.
As I walked down onto the beach, I met up with Pete and Debby Saunders, who immediately put me onto a family of Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a youngster and its parents. A rare treat especially when you consider the majority of the 100+ Brent Geese here are the Dark-bellied form.
Also here were Cormorant, 2 Shelduck, a Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Pied Wagtail and a pair of Carrion Crows. The latter are called Gork and Bork, who have become quite acquainted to Pete and Debby's early morning visits here. Gork, the male, is quite bold and will come quite close to both Pete and Debbie, especially if there is any food in the offing. That also goes for the Black-headed Gulls, which according to Pete will actually take food from their hands.
In the distance big black clouds were looming so it was quickly over the main road and a quick scan across Portland Harbour, from Billy Winters. There wasn't much to see as the water was really choppy, but a Great Northern Diver was good to see fairly close-in.
As the rain began to fall I headed off to Castletown, but as I pulled up the heavens burst open, so I gave up and drove down to the Bill, where as luck would have it, the front had passed up and over the island and I was greeted with sun and blue sky.
Having got a parking ticket for an hour, I headed down to the Obelisk, passing 4 Oystercatchers on the grass in front of the closed Lobster Pot Cafe. As I approached the Obelisk, I could see on the horizon another bank of big black clouds approaching so it was bins out and camera at the ready, for what I guessed as being a 40 minute spell sea watching before the next band of heavy rain hit land.
It was one incredible 40 minutes with hundreds of sea birds close in. There were Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemots flying about in all directions. It was a shame I didn't have my scope with me, as I'm sure there were many other species further out.
Around the lighthouse I came across Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, and 100+ Starling. Whilst on the rocky platforms to the east were 2 Purple Sandpiper.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
Having dropped Benji and Ted off at the Dog Groomers at 8:30am, it was off to Newtons Cove to see if there was anything about in the lee of the Breakwater. Unfortunately, even though it was sheltered from the really blustery south-westerly, there was nothing here. So it was off to Ferrybridge, just before the tide covered the sandflats.
As I walked down onto the beach, I met up with Pete and Debby Saunders, who immediately put me onto a family of Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a youngster and its parents. A rare treat especially when you consider the majority of the 100+ Brent Geese here are the Dark-bellied form.
Also here were Cormorant, 2 Shelduck, a Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Pied Wagtail and a pair of Carrion Crows. The latter are called Gork and Bork, who have become quite acquainted to Pete and Debby's early morning visits here. Gork, the male, is quite bold and will come quite close to both Pete and Debbie, especially if there is any food in the offing. That also goes for the Black-headed Gulls, which according to Pete will actually take food from their hands.
In the distance big black clouds were looming so it was quickly over the main road and a quick scan across Portland Harbour, from Billy Winters. There wasn't much to see as the water was really choppy, but a Great Northern Diver was good to see fairly close-in.
As the rain began to fall I headed off to Castletown, but as I pulled up the heavens burst open, so I gave up and drove down to the Bill, where as luck would have it, the front had passed up and over the island and I was greeted with sun and blue sky.
Having got a parking ticket for an hour, I headed down to the Obelisk, passing 4 Oystercatchers on the grass in front of the closed Lobster Pot Cafe. As I approached the Obelisk, I could see on the horizon another bank of big black clouds approaching so it was bins out and camera at the ready, for what I guessed as being a 40 minute spell sea watching before the next band of heavy rain hit land.
It was one incredible 40 minutes with hundreds of sea birds close in. There were Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemots flying about in all directions. It was a shame I didn't have my scope with me, as I'm sure there were many other species further out.
Around the lighthouse I came across Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, and 100+ Starling. Whilst on the rocky platforms to the east were 2 Purple Sandpiper.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
And looking west, no surprise a rainbow. In the foreground is Pete.........
.......and to his right "Gork" the male Carrion Crow, waiting for titbit.
And here are the Pale-bellied Brent Geese, with the youngster in the centre.
In comparison and even at distance you can tell that these two are Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
In Portland Harbour was this Great Northern Diver.
And finally the Bill, well the Obelisk and blue sky, though on the horizon is the next band of heavy rain.
The Red Crane on the east coast was getting a right battering.
The Gannets were in good numbers around the Bill today.
Quite a few pairs as well.
There were a good 150+ heading east. Below are a few videos with a Slo-mo or two.
The number of Kittiwakes moving east was extraordinary.
There were many adults........
...........passing through and........
........a good few immature birds as well.
So many Guillemots (and a Razorbill at the rear)..........
..........I lost count in the end.
They always seemed to be in small flocks heading east and then returning singularly.
The Razorbills however were just solitary birds seen.
One of the Razorbills bobbing about on the edge of The Races.
Just two Purple Sandpipers seen at the Bill
Here they are pottering away looking for food.......
.........however they are just about to be taken off their feet
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded today: 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Fulmar, 100+ Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, 100+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Shelduck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Kestrel, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Purple Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, 100+ Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Starling
Ships Today
