10 Feb 21

Old Quarry Lane, Perryfield Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle and Portland Museum

Sadly no Ted today, as Dawn took both Ted and Benji to the groom room for a bit of pampering. Not that it was a nice day to be out with yet another freezing day with the temperature still hovering 0°C and feeling even colder in that biting north-easterly.

Nothing of note on the land and there was nothing on the beach due to an influx of visitors. I thought the Church Ope car park was a bit full today.

So it was another sea watch and the main highlights were 6 Common Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a few Herring Gulls just a few breakers off the cove and out sea at least 25 Gannets. Most of the latter were heading up into Weymouth Bay, with a few heading south. Further out a few Kittiwakes again and Cormorants.

Here are a few images and videos from today:

Not a bird I'm particularly fond of, but those colours are pretty amazing. Just a shame there are so many here on Portland. Interestingly enough I was told by one of the locals, that Magpies on Portland were a pretty rare sight 50 years ago. The reason being there were only a handful of trees on the island for them to build their dome like nests.

I'm not quite sure what he's was looking for, but whatever it was I don't think he found it.


A lone Gannet heading up Portland's east coast towards Weymouth Bay.

I tried following this individual the best I could. Around it were other Gannets including one possibly two 1st winter birds.

Church Ope Cove from Penn's Weare

One of the 6 Common Gulls here today.

Here we have 3 Common Gulls and a Black-headed Gull (bottom left)

And a good size comaprison between the Black-headed Gull above and the Common Gull below. In fact there's not a lot of difference between the two. Note the yellow-green legs of the Common Gull.

One of the Black-headed Gulls coming into land.

The two Black-headed Gulls together on the water.

Common Gulls, Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull

Common Gulls and a Black-headed Gull

This Black-headed Gull was one of two at the cove.

And in the sun as always, the Man o'War Cove. More on the cove Here.

Birds Recorded: 25+ Gannet, Cormorant, 2 Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Common Gull, Kittiwake, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Ships Today

A very very distant photo of the French Fishing Boat "Boree Al" on its way from Cherbourg to its Fishing Grounds. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.