The forecast for today was rain in the morning and afternoon, with a dry break around midday. So it was back down to the Bird Observatory for 11:30am and from there a walk to the Bill in the hope of finding some Purple Sandpipers.
What I hadn't realised was the strength of the southwesterly wind, which was gusting up to 50mph. And boy was that sea rough. But amazingly I came across two hardy "pairs" of Purple Sandpipers, the first by the Obelisk and two more on the rocks to the east of the Lobster Pot cafe. So mission accomplished.
Other birds of note were a Stonechat by the lighthouse, 2 Black Redstart east of the hut fields and a Cetti's Warbler singing next to the Obs garden.
Birds Recorded:
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
Kestrel
4 Purple Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Razorbill/Guillemot
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
1 Stonechat
2 Black Redstart
Blackbird
1 Cetti's Warbler
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
Goldfinch
Plenty of Gannets around........
............the Bill today.
Below is a video and a few images of the Purple Sandpipers at The Bill this afternoon.
Two of the four Purple Sandpipers at the Bill. My first this Autumn
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Here are a few........
............Rock Pipit shots, including..........
........this Rock Pipit eating a Sea Slater.
A juvenile Pied Wagtail
Black Redstart no. 1
And the second bird, both on the rocks.
Ted:
A few Teds today.
This is the Japanese Container Ship "One Manhattan" on its way from Colombo (Sri Lanka) to Brixham. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Bahamian LNG Tanker "Shinshu Maru" on its way from Lake Charles(Louisiana, USA) to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Maltese Oil/Chemical Tanker "Monjasa Provider" heading out to the English Channel before returning to Weymouth Bay.
You could say the sea was a bit wild today.