15 Nov 21

Portland Bird Observatory, Crown Estate Fields and Top Fields

Hurrah at long last I have a car that works and my first big job was a trip to the recycling centre, followed by a leisurely walk from the Obs to the Top Fields in the hope of seeing a Short-eared Owl. Well I actually did better than one, with 4 birds in total with one light-phase individual.

Other birds of note a Little Owl by the Obs, 12+ Skylarks heading north-west, 6 Stonechat in the Crown Estate Fields and 8 Redwing also heading north-west.

And it was that mild and sunny, I counted  8 Red Admirals along my walk. A good number for the middle of November.


Mammals Recorded:
Brown Rat


Birds Recorded:
2 Kestrel
Herring Gull
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
1 Little Owl
4 Short-eared Owl
12+ Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
6 Stonechat
Blackbird
8 Redwing
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
2 Siskin
Goldfinch

My first Short-eared Owl of the year

And my second. Okay then............

..........my first four.

These two Carrion Crows weren't too happy about this Short-eared Owl being on their patch

And few minutes later they were fighting on the ground.

A male Stonechat in the Crown Estate Fields, with 5 others in the Top Fields.


Butterflies Recorded
:
8 Red Admiral


General shots:

Portland Lighthouse

And a 3/4 Moon.



Ted:

No he's not sleeping. Ted's got his snout down a Bunny hole and he's just laying there waiting!!


Ships Today:

This is the British Fishing Boat "Helen Claire" fishing off Portland's east coast. More on this vessel Here.