8 Mar 22

Portland Bird Observatory, Hut Fields, Portland Bill and Obs Quarry

It was a change of scenery today and one where I was hoping to see a Wheatear coming off the sea. Unfortunately this wasn't the day, but it can't be long now, especially as the forecast is for the wind to veer round from the south.

Main highlights today were the 11 Purple Sandpipers just east of the Pulpit. And for once I managed to get all eleven in the frame for a group photo.

Also noted were a few Gannets close in, a Skylark singing and a fairly large flock of Starlings on Portland Common with other birds continually joining them.

A Brown Rat was also seen, not just by me, but also by Ted. As we were walking back to the Obs, he suddenly yanked the lead in my hand as he leapt on a Rat in the hedgerow. Fortunately for the Rat, Ted lost his grip and Roland managed to escape.


Mammals Recorded:
Brown Rat


Birds Recorded:
Fulmar
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
Kestrel
11 Purple Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Skylark (singing)
Rock Pipit
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
100+ Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch

As I was photographing this Gannet a Fulmar "photo-bombed" my shot, literally

There were a good dozen or so Gannets........

..........just off the Bill this afternoon.

On top of the Obs Quarry a Kestrel is on the look out for a snack.

This ledge is a magnet for Purple Sandpipers and even Rock Pipits.

It's not often I can get all 11 birds in one photo.

Obviously it's a bit easier to get them all when videoing them.

Here are a few close up shots of them feeding.

Such busy birds and oblivious to me photographing them.

Two more.

And the last Purple Sandpiper Shot

A pair of stunning looking Great Black-backed Gulls.

And a Rock Pipit bracing itself against strong south-easterly.

General Shots:

Looking south towards the Obelisk and Lighthouse.

Ted:

Butter wouldn't melt. This was taken just before he disappeared for a minute or so. I was calling him to no avail and when I went looking for him, I found him digging a hole to get to a Bunny further down its burrow. Good old Ted and then of course he attempted to catch a Rat later on.


Ships Today:

This is the Panamanian Container Ship "HMM Algeciras" on its way from Algeciras (Spain) to Rotterdam. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Ro-Ro Cargo Ship "Eddystone" on its way from Paldiski (Estonia) to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

Here it is just passing the Obelisk at The Bill

This is the British A138 Replenishment Ship "RFA Tidesurge" on its way from Plymouth to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.