13 Feb 21

Portland Marina, Portland Castle Beach and Hamm Beach

A quick check on Star this morning and then a walk from Portland Castle to Hamm Beach.

There were a good number Red-breasted Mergansers off Portland Castle Beach with at least 20 between the beach and the Mulberry's. In amongst them was a single Great Crested Grebe and my first this year. Another first was a Great Northern Diver further out in Portland Harbour.

Closer in to the beach were a few Herring Gulls, a Black-headed Gull and a Little Egret.

Walking back towards Hamm Beach, a small flock of Mediterranean Gulls landed on the water in front of the "Boat That Rocks" Restaurant, whilst on the other side of the building a Meadow Pipit passed through.

At Hamm Beach Cove there were dozens more Red-breasted Mergansers bobbing about by the entrance to Portland Marina. On the beach were a good 40 Turnstones in 3 separate flocks, a lone Oystercatcher, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and flying across the water a Dunlin.

Here are a few images and videos from today:

On one of the pontoons in Portland Marina this Great Black-backed Gull has found a dead Wrasse.

Here a second bird arrives along with a Carrion Crow.

Not sure why they flew off, but I don't think the Carrion Crow minds too much

Portland Castle Beach

Just off the beach were a good twenty plus Red-breasted Mergansers including this male.

This Little Egret just couldn't make up its mind where it wanted to feed.

Eventually, after having flown up to the marina twice, it came back to the pool by Portland Castle beach and was straight into a small crab I think.

Here it is walking around the pool. Every now and then it would shake its foot in the hope of scaring a fish or crab into moving. And it works.

Also in the pool was this Summer plumaged adult Black-headed Gull. Well almost fully moulted.

And here are the 8 Mediterranean Gulls in the Marina with a couple moulting into their black Summer heads.

On the left an adult Mediterranean Gull and on the right, judging by the colour of bill and the black wing tips I would say this is a 2nd-Winter Mediterranean Gull.

The Mediterranean Gulls in the Marina were there for a short while, before heading off towards Portland Harbour

Hamm Beach

There were quite a few Turnstones about, especially at Hamm Beach.

While this second group were scurrying along the waters edge, another lot were........

...........heading elsewhere.

One of the adult Mediterranean Gulls looking for a snack

Just sat in the shallows was this adult Great Black-backed Gull. Another was close by.

This Oystercatcher had the whole beach to itself. Not the Summer bill which is all orange. In the Winter the tip would be black

It was certainly was finding plenty to feed on along the waters edge

And yes I did have Ted with me

Birds Recorded: 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Shag, 40+ Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 40 Turnstone, 1 Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Magpie and Carrion Crow

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On this day..........

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.