Port and Wey: 12 Mar 23

Pennsylvania Castle Woods, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle, The Cuttings and Bumpers Lane

Yet another wet and miserable day with low cloud/fog covering the island, not ideal weather for birdwatching. However I did hear that the first Wheatear of Spring was seen along East Weares, so at least there is something about.

My highlight this afternoon was a Grey Heron coming into land in the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle. An odd place to land, maybe they have pond in the gardens!!

Birds Recorded:
2 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
1 Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch

Spot the Grey Heron. I heard the Herring Gulls causing a commotion overhead, and just caught a glimpse of this Grey Heron as it passed over Penns Wood. The photo was just a grab shot in the hope I might photograph it when it came out into the open. It did, as it dropped into the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle.

An adult Black-headed Gull in Summer plumage just off the cove. The white colouration at the base of the bill is interesting. It looks like this individual hasn't quite finished its head moult progression. More on head moults Here.