This afternoon Ted and I had a walk in and around Portland Marina. No new bird species for the year, but I did see 2 Bottlenose Dolphins break surface twice by the marina entrance.
Other highlights were 2 Carrion Crows both carrying fish, and being chased by a Great Black-backed Gull on separate occasions. I can only surmise that the fish had been regurgitated by one or two of the Cormorants stood on the breakwater, and the Great Black-backed Gull had seen both crows fly off with their fish.
The first Carrion Crow was forced into giving up its fish in mid-air and as the Great Black-backed Gull was devouring it whilst sat on the water, it saw another fish-carrying Carrion Crow and took off to pursue that one. I didn't see the outcome as both disappeared behind the breakwater.
Mammals Recorded:
2 Bottlenose Dolphin
The marina entrance where there were two Bottlenose Dolphins. Alas no photos 😞
Birds Recorded:
Cormorant
Shag
6 Red-breasted Merganser
3 Oystercatcher
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
4 Carrion Crow
Cormorants, Shags and a Great Black-backed Gull
Six Cormorants, 2 Shags, the Great Black-backed Gull and far right a Carrion Crow
This Cormorant has just caught a Blenny. More on Blenny's Here.
But it dropped it!!!
A quick look to see where it went and.........
........back down to......
.............retrieve it.
Here it is looking quite smug before.......
......swimming off.
Here are four other Cormorants fishing
An adult Cormorant in flight.
And another Cormorant drying off........
...............those wet wings, with quite some force.
A pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and.........
..........a second pair, and.........
...........the third pair.
Two Oystercatchers on........
............the breakwater.
An adult winter Black-headed Gull......
........flying around the marina.
This Black-headed Gull is moulting into...........
..........its breeding plumage. The head is almost "black".
Another adult Winter plumaged Black-headed Gull stood on one of the pontoons.
A very majestic Herring Gull
So what is happening here. An adult Great Black-backed Gull pursuing a Carrion Crow.
It's nearly caught it up and as it gets closer, the.............
.............Carrion Crow..........
.........drops a fish.
The Great Black-backed Gull puts the.......
...........brakes on and heads back to......
.......its prize.
Another Carrion Crow with a fish and........
Ted:
Ted on one of the pontoons. I don't think he's to pleased about having his lead on still.