8 Dec 21

Portland Bird Observatory, Portland Bill and Obs Quarry

Storm Barra was still with us today, so it was another trip to The Bill to see what was about. Well it was certainly different than yesterday's visit, which was pretty dull and uninspiring. This afternoon the sun was out and the wind had veered round from yesterday's southerly to the west.

And it wasn't just improvement in the weather, but also with the birds with 6 more Purple Sandpipers to add to yesterday's 2, there were 5 Oystercatchers, a Turnstone, whilst out to sea dozens of Gannets, Cormorants and Shags noted.

Birds Recorded:
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
Kestrel
5 Oystercatcher
8 Purple Sandpiper
1 Turnstone
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
6 Rock Pipit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
1 Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch

This Kestrel was on one of the huts looking for its next meal.

One of the five Oystercatchers around the Bill this afternoon.

To the left of this Oystercatcher is a Turnstone

Purple Sandpipers

Today there were 8 Purple Sandpipers feeding next to the Pulpit

A closer view of 6 of the 8 Purple Sandpipers.

I just managed to catch this Raven in flight with a dead bird!! in its beak.

General Shots:

Looking east from the Pulpit to the Obelisk

The second of Storm Barra

A much calmer sea than yesterday at the Red Crane as the wind veered around to the west.

Portland Lighthouse

Portland Lighthouse backlit with the sun.

And another arty shot.

The Portland Bird Observatory

Ted:

Go Ted go

Ships Today:

This is the Cypriot Oil/Chemical Tanker "Azuryth" on its way from Antwerp to Eastham. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Norwegian Vehicles Carrier "Hoegh Trader" on its way from Southampton to Sagunto (Spain). More on this vessel Here.

This is the American Container Ship "Maersk Idaho" on its way from Norfolk (USA) to Antwerp. More on this vessel Here

This is the Danish Container Ship "Cap San Nicolas" on its way from Antwerp to Santos (Brazil). More on this vessel Here.