I hadn't intended in walking the length of Penn's Weare, but with huge numbers of Gannets, auks and gulls feeding along Portland's east coast, I decided to follow them from Church Ope Cove up to Balaclava Bay.
And what a muddy walk it was, which dare I say, I wasn't properly dressed for, well certainly in the footwear department. However the walk was good and Ted certainly enjoyed a slightly longer time off the lead.
The seawatch was excellent and on the return journey with a muddy dog and my shoes a mess, I decided to return home via Bumpers Lane and the very wet Lower Horse paddock. I'm glad I did as the field was full of birds, with a 2 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 15 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Robin, 2 Stonechat, 2 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, Magpie, 1 Raven, 4 Starling and House Sparrow. I don't think I missed anything off the list.
Also noted today despite the temperature not rising much above 5C were 4 White-tailed Bumblebees.
Anyway here are a few images and videos of my extended walk.
In the bay, behind the WW2 Pill Box were hundreds of Gannets, auks and gulls fishing.
Seven Razorbills make their way up Portland's east coast
Two Razorbills waiting for the fish to arrive.
One of the many Gannets flying up the coast.
Most were heading into Weymouth Bay
One of many Gannets heading up into Weymouth Bay. Apologies for the video going in and out of focus.
On my return trip home I decided to walk through the Lower Horse Paddock.
I'm glad I did as I came across this male Stonechat and its mate.
Here is the female Stonechat with a Meadow Pipit for company.
This Raven dropped into the field, much to the annoyance of the local Magpies.
I think Ted enjoyed this walk in the sun.
Well he was certainly full of bounce as we headed back up the old Weymouth to Easton railway track.
And finally we get too many frosts on Portland, but we did last night. This was around 2:00pm by The Cuttings.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: Cormorant, Shag, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Razorbill, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 15 Meadow Pipit, 10 Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Stonechat, Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Bees Recorded: 4 White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Ships Today
This is the Liberian Tanker "Frederica" about to refuel one of the passenger ships in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.