24 Dec 20

Ferrybridge

Another trip to Ferrybridge today and what a difference with the weather. Still a breeze, but instead of rain we had sun at long last.

There were quite a few Dark-bellied Brent Geese on the shoreline, but no sign of the Pale-bellied family. The most numerous of gulls here were Mediterranean Gulls, followed by Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 4 Common Gulls and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.

A Meadow Pipit was a fly-by and a Skylark landed in front of the Chesil Beach Visitors Centre.

Across the road in Portland Harbour were a good 30 Red-breasted Mergansers feeding between the Sailing Club and Small Mouth Cove. No sign of the Great Northern Diver, but not surprising considering how choppy it was out there.

Here are a few images and videos from today:

Looking west along the Fleet from the Ferrybridge Sandflats

Not as many Brent Geese here today........

...........those that were here were feeding close in to the beach.

As the tide covered the beach a few more geese landed and either started to feed in the shallows or.....

............did a bit of preening.

These two are just coming to land and then shortly after.............

.......... made their way up the channel with the rest of the Brent Geese.

These are Mediterranean Gulls and plenty of them on the beach and twice as many at least bobbing about on the water.

These Mediterranean Gulls are in their winter plumage with a couple already moulting into their breeding plumage. Behind them are two Brent Geese making their way towards the Channel by the Visitors Centre.

There are quite a few Mediterranean Gulls on the beach with many more bobbing about on the water.

Zooming in and these are all adult birds, unlike these...........

............1st Winter Mediterranean Gulls.

Out in the open water were these 4 Common Gulls, or should that be 3 ½

Here is a sleepy Mediterranean Gull with Common Gulls feeding close by.

Common Gulls, Herring Gulls, Mediterranean Gull and a Great Black-backed Gull

Not many passerines about, with just a couple of Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and this Skylark, which dropped in next to the Visitors Centre.

This is probably why there weren't to many small birds about. Though this Kestrel seemed more intent on catching Voles or...................

..............taking time out.

A few Red-breasted Mergansers feeding in Portland Harbour

Another reason for visiting Ferrybridge was that there was less chance of Ted getting muddy, especially as he only went to the Dog Groomers yesterday.

The two photos above and the video below were on the Portland Harbour side and not on the bird sanctuary, where he was on lead.

Ted doing what he likes best, a Bichon Buzz.

Birds Recorded: Cormorant, Shag, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow and Starling

Ships Today

This is the Passenger Ship "Aurora" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is still anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

In the foreground is the British Passenger Ship "Britannia" and behind it is the Passenger Ship "Queen Elizabeth" flying the flag of Bermuda. Both are anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on the "Britannia" Here and more on the "Queen Elizabeth" this Vessel Here.

This is the Passenger Ship "Queen Victoria" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is still anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day
2019
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today' Sightings Here.