It was another sunny day, but that chilly north-westerly was still with us. In the relative shelter of the cove it was a bit more bearable, especially with some good birding highlights to take your mind of the cold.
The first were 2 Firecrests in the bushes by the archway between Penns Wood and the grounds of St Andrew's Church. This was followed up by a female/juvenile Black Redstart on the beach, where there were also 33 Rock Pipits, a Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail.
Out to sea were several Gannets feeding a good mile or so off Portland's east coast.
Birds Recorded:
7+ Gannet
1 Kestrel
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
33 Rock Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
1 Black Redstart
Blackbird
2 Firecrest
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Blackbird
2 Firecrest
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
One of several Gannets off Portland's east coast
A Kestrel devouring a vole it caught from behind the beach huts.
It's head down and off chasing Kelp Flies.
Here's another Rock Pipit doing exactly the same. There were good numbers at the cove today with 33 recorded.
A Pied Wagtail takes a break from gobbling up all those flies.
A Grey Wagtail at the cove.
This and the Pied Wagtail are regular Winter visitors to the cove.
With so many Kelp Flies on the beach, it's a good time to practice those vertical lift offs to catch one.
A Robin has taken up Winter residence on the beach and doesn't this..........
..........female/juvenile Black Redstart know it. After chasing the redstart around the rocks it flew back to the huts.
A quick preen and off again for another snack, now that the Robin has left it alone.
Another short break for the Black Redstart, before heading off again onto the beach
The grounds of St Andrew's Church and where there were 2 Firecrest this afternoon
It's amazing how a few of the Portland Wrens have adapted well to finding insects on the pebble beach at the cove.
I thought this Carrion Crow had its head up looking at the sky, but if you look closer, I'm sure it's got its eye on me.
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
General Shots:
In the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle. What can I say!!!
Church Ope Cove and looking south along the shoreline.
The view of Church Ope Cove from Rufus Castle. Oh and the 151 steps going down, which feel like 300 coming up.
Ted:
Straight out of the Groom Room from this morning and back on our local patch.
Ships Today:
This is the British Frigate "HMS Northumberland" just off Portland Bill. More on this vessel Here.