Between 8:00am and 12:30pm, Andy (my next-door neighbour) and I had a bit of a road trip around Portland and Weymouth to see what bird species we could find. Unfortunately the weather got the better of us and having got a good soaking at Lodmoor, we decided to call it a day just after lunchtime.
However in less than ideal weather conditions and with winds gusting up to 41mph, we recorded a respectable 64 species. Having said that if the weather had been kinder I'm pretty sure we could have added at least another 30+ species.
Birds Recorded:
2 Black-throated Diver
One of many Cormorants seen today. This one was at The Bill, but in Portland Harbour there were dozens sat on the Portland Marina breakwater.
We had hoped to see the Goldeneye at Radipole, instead we came across plenty of Tufted Ducks, Pochard and Shovelers, like this drake coming into land.
The sea off The Bill was teaming with birds, with hundreds of Guillemots and Razorbills passing through. And along with Gannets, Kittiwakes,4 Common Scoter, were several Great Black-backed Gulls like this adult.
Well if you ever wanted a comparison between Razorbills and Guillemots, here's the perfect example with a Guillemot in the middle.
Possibly a 1st Winter Razorbill. Not at The Bill, but at Ferrybridge. There have been a few in Portland Harbour and this one has ventured into The Fleet
I know these are just Feral Pigeons, but they are just about to lose their home at The Ferrybridge Inn, as workmen get ready to demolish the derelict public house close-by
General Shots:
Ships Today:
However in less than ideal weather conditions and with winds gusting up to 41mph, we recorded a respectable 64 species. Having said that if the weather had been kinder I'm pretty sure we could have added at least another 30+ species.
Highlights were:
The Bill: 4 Scoter and 6 Purple Sandpipers
Portland Castle Beach: 2 Black-throated Divers
Portland Beach Road: 1 Short-eared Owl
Ferrybridge: 60+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits
Billy Winters: 1 Great Northern Diver
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Ruff, 1 Kingfisher
Birds Recorded:
2 Black-throated Diver
1 Great Northern Diver
3 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Grebe
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
1 Little Egret
1 Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Canada Goose
Shelduck
Mallard
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Pochard
4 Common Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
2 Buzzard
3 Kestrel
1 Pheasant
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Lapwing
Dunlin
6 Purple Sandpiper
1 Ruff
4 Snipe
5 Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Gull
Kittiwake
Razorbill
Guillemot
Wood Pigeon
1 Short-eared Owl
1 Kingfisher
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Cetti's Warbler
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
Goldfinch
64 Species
Also:
3 all-white feral geese
Feral Pigeons.
Just the one Little Egret seen today. This one was at Ferrybridge
At Radipole was this Grey Heron with a couple of Coots.
There were dozens of Oystercatchers at The Bill, this one though was feeding close to The Fleet.
Always good to see Purple Sandpipers at The Bill. Here are 5 of the 6 seen early this morning.
A short video of the Purple Sandpipers before they flew off and were joined by a 6th bird.
Portland Lighthouse with the Obelisk just to the right.
Here we were stood by the Obelisk as huge waves came thundering in. Anyone for a surf!!
This is the Bermudian Passenger Ship "Aurora" anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Maltese Oil/Chemical Tanker "Atlantis Alicante" on its way from Riga (Latvia) to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.