14 Nov 23

Portland Harbour, Western Ledges and Newton's Cove

On the way back from Weymouth, I stopped off at Redcliff View here, and then walked along the Western Ledges here before doubling back to see what was about in Newton's Cove, from this viewing point here.

Highlights

There were quite a few highlights with the main one being a young Grey Seal sat on the overflow pipe just under the Western Ledges.

Other highlights were:

Great Northern Diver - One in the harbour
Great Crested Grebe - Two in the harbour
Little Egret - One in Newtons Cove
Grey Heron - One which flew across the harbour towards the breakwater.
Dark-bellied Brent Goose - Three in the harbour
Whimbrel - On the beach under the Western Ledges, but flew west.
Chiffchaff - two calling from the hedgerow along the Western Ledges

Also noted was a Red Admiral  along the Western Ledges


Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Seal

A young Grey Seal

Birds Recorded:

1 Great Northern Diver
2 Great Crested Grebe
6 Cormorant
1 Little Egret
1 Grey Heron
3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese
1 Whimbrel
3 Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
1 Raven
Chaffinch

A Grey Heron flies over a Great Northern Diver in the harbour

One of the two Great Crested Grebes in the harbour

Three Dark-bellied Brent Geese

A Whimbrel takes off from the beach.

Butterflies Recorded:
1 Red Admiral


General Shots:

The view from the Western Ledges

Ted:

There's nothing like a good run, is there Ted.

Ships Today:

This is the Italian Cruise Ship "Aidamar" docked in Portland Harbour. More on this vessel here.

The grey vessel in front of it, is the British Offshore Support Vessel "RFA Proteus". More on this vessel here.

In the foreground is the British Fishing Boat WH148 "Rampant" on its way back to Weymouth Harbour. The vessel behind it is the Royal Navy boat "RNMB Halycon" on its way from Portland Harbour to an unknown destination. More on "RNMB Halycon" here. and photos of "Rampant" here and here in Weymouth Harbour.

This is the privately owned yacht "Obsidian" flying the flag of the Cayman Islands. It is owned by an unknown billionaire and is worth just over 96 million pounds.  It is anchored up in Portland Harbour. More on this vessel here, here and here

Aircraft Today:

This is the Boeing 777-32W (ER) on its way from Sao Paulo (Brazil) to London Heathrow. More on this aircraft here.

This is the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its way from Mexico City to London Heathrow. More on this aircraft here.