Well it was another day at the seaside, fishing for Garfish and Mackerel. And the scores on the doors was Me none - Fish won. I had two bites 6 hours and I missed them both. Well that's fishing for you.
However, to occupy my time, I had my binoculars and camera close to hand and it was a pretty interesting seawatch.
The main highlight was watching a Peregrine Falcon, failing 3 times to catch its prey. The first time was when 3 Stock Doves were flying low over the water, as they flew north-east over Weymouth Bay. The Peregrine came in low and fast, but was out manoeuvered 4 times as it tried to grab one of the doves.
The doves avoidance technique was to gain altitude, and then twist and turn to confuse the Peregrine.
The second failing was also another 3 Stock Doves and exactly the same thing occurred again. The Peregrine chose its prey, but was once again out manoeuvered.
And then the Peregrine turned its attention to the 8 Turnstones on the pier. It chased one, but yet again failed to catch it. Perhaps it was a youngster, but whatever age it was, it needs to work on its hunting skills.
As mentioned above there were Stock Doves crossing the bay and in total there were 8, with all of them flying just a few feet above the waves. In complete contrast there were large flocks of Wood Pigeons, also heading north-east, but at altitude.
Other birds of interest were two Great Crested Grebes fishing in the mouth of the River Wey, and also 2 Meadow Pipits and 2 Siskins overhead.
Mammals Recorded:
6 Grey Squirrels (Nothe Fort)
Birds Recorded:
2 Great Crested Grebe
Gannets
Cormorant
Shag
1 Peregrine Falcon
8 Turnstone
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
8 Stock Dove
500+ Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Chaffinch
2 Siskin
Goldfinch
Cormorant
Shag
1 Peregrine Falcon
8 Turnstone
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
8 Stock Dove
500+ Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Chaffinch
2 Siskin
Goldfinch
One of the two Great Crested Grebes in the mouth of the River Wey.
By the looks of it, its doing well as it devours a small crab.
These Turnstones are right characters. And if you leave your bait out in the open they will have it away.
Here is another adult winter Black-headed Gull.
This one flew through the shadow cast by the ladder at the end of the pier.
And last one, another adult Winter Black-headed Gull.
An adult Herring Gull.
Well it's a Herring Gull, but why the grey head that matches the wings and body!!
Another Herring Gull. 3rd Winter maybe.
Two 1st-winter Great Black-backed Gulls taking off.
Crossing the bay towards the mainland were at least 8 Stock Doves flying just above the waves.
General Shots:
The Stone Pier
The Isle of Portland from the Stone Pier.
This is the Bermudian Passenger Ship "Queen Victoria" anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Bermudian Passenger Ship "Aurora" anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Dutch General Cargo Ship "Lady Ami" on its way from Portland to Santander (Spain). More on this vessel Here.
This is the Liberian Oil Products Tanker "Monjasa Promoter" in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British fishing boat "Sherpa" - P107 leaving Weymouth Harbour
This is the British Potting Boat "Karen Lynn" returning to Weymouth Harbour.
This is the British Sailing Vessel "Jast" on its way from Weymouth Harbour to Cowes. More on this vessel Here.
Aircraft Today:
Here is a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey flying across Weymouth Bay towards the HeliOps Base on Portland.
And 2 hours later it was heading back across the bay towards the mainland.