How today's stormy weather escaped a name from the Met Office I have no idea, especially as there were gusts in excess of 50mph this morning and into the early afternoon. Apparently and this is a quote from the BBC "A storm is named when it has the potential to trigger an amber/orange or red warning and have "substantial" impact." More on storms here.
My first stop was Chesil Cove and I arrived about an hour after high water. Though judging by the ferocity of the waves crashing onto Chesil Beach, you wouldn't have guessed that. The waves and heavy spray were still coming over the beach and it was a bit worrying to see young families actually on the beach and playing "chicken" with the waves. Hmm not the wisest of things to do.
On the beach right in the corner of the cove were 5 Rock Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Raven. Whilst out to sea were Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull and a few Great Black-backed Gulls
Birds Recorded:
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
5 Rock Pipit
2 Pied Wagtail
Raven
Molluscs Recorded:
Cuttlefish cartilaginous shells
Chesil Beach taking a right pounding
Surfs Up
Looking south along Portland's west coastline
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Portland Castle Beach
Next stop was Portland Castle Beach where there was a huge "flock" of 27 Cormorants waiting patiently on the water for shoals of fish to appear. After 15 minutes or so they found one and then the fishing began. It was almost like they were herding the fish into the shallows, before diving down and catching them. I must admit it is a spectacular sight in the sea, though freshwater anglers would disagree!!
Also here were a presumed pair of Oystercatchers, which at one stage were just 20 feet away from me as I was walking along the path and totally undeterred by my presence or for the matter Ted's.
Further out into Portland Harbour was a Great Northern Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Red-breasted Mergansers and several Herring Gulls.
Birds Recorded:
1 Great Northern Diver
1 Great Crested Grebe
40+ Cormorant
Shag
20+ Red-breasted Mergansers
3 Oystercatcher
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
2 Pied Wagtail
A Great Crested Grebe in Portland Harbour
Twenty-seven Cormorants waiting patiently for the fish to turn up.
Well there were 27, but word has got out that there are fish about as another Cormorant joins the fishing party.
A drake Red-breasted Merganser.
Its not often you can get this close to Oystercatchers. This is in winter plumage.
As is this individual.
Ted:
Ted enjoying his walk along the promenade at Portland Castle (castle in the background).
Ships Today:
This is the Portuguese Container Ship "Music" on its way from Rotterdam to Dublin. More on this vessel Here.