Today was another very windy one with gusts up to 32mph and with news of 2 Grey Phalaropes in Chesil Cove and the fact that it wasn't raining, I decided to drop in and see them.
It was quite awhile before I saw one and it needed the help of another birder to put me on track, after he had spotted one further down Portland's west coast. Thankfully it hadn't drifted or flown to far from the cove and I at least managed to see it, before it flew off south again.
On a sad note there were 2 dead Grey Seals (an adult and a pup) and a dead Basking Shark washed up in the cove.
Note
I initially thought the third body was a dolphin, but was told later that it was in fact a Basking Shark. And guess what, I was right. It transpires that the third corpse is that of a Risso's Dolphin. More on this Dolphin Here.
Birds Recorded:
Cormorant
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Phalarope
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
2 Rock Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Carrion Crow
2 Raven
........washed up bodies of a Grey Seal (left) and a Risso's Dolphin. The body of a Grey Seal pup was further along the beach.
Looking along Chesil Beach. Quite large waves, but nothing on the scale of these Here and Here.
A Sea King Mk5 comes into land behind the Cove Inn. At the landing strip I might add. More on the HeliOps at Portland Here.
Ted:
Ships Today
Birds Recorded:
Cormorant
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Grey Phalarope
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
2 Rock Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Carrion Crow
2 Raven
One of the two Grey Phalaropes along West Weares.
A Great Black-backed Gull circles the..........
General Shots:
Ted:
Ted enjoying fresh sea air
This is the British Replenishment Ship "RFA Tiderace" just Portland. More on this vessel Here.