15 Dec 23

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Rufus Castle and Portland Museum

It was a return visit to the cove this afternoon, not only with Ted, but also with Dawn, who wanted some fresh air after her Op on Monday.

The main highlights were once again all at the cove with: 1 Oystercatcher flying across the cove, 2 Pied Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 4 Robins, a pair of Stonechat, 3 fem/juv Black Redstart and 4 Chiffchaff.

The only birds missing from yesterday were the two Goldcrests.

Elsewhere two Siskins flew over Penns Wood.

Birds Recorded:
1 Oystercatcher
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
2 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
4 Robin
2 Stonechat
3 Black Redstart
Blackbird
4 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Raven
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
2 Siskin
Goldfinch

A lone Oystercatcher heading up the coast towards Weymouth.

New today at the beach was this Grey Wagtail, busy catching Kelp Flies.

And the male Stonechat was still present........

.............with his mate.

One of the Black Redstarts attempts to stare me out just a few feet away from where I was sat on the beach.

This individual was busy chasing Kelp Flies

And here another Black Redstart is about to catch a Kelp Fly but........

.........flew off instead

And here are two of the four Chiffchaff, which were either flitting about on the beach........

..................or in the bushes behind the beach huts.

And while Dawn and I were looking at the rock fall on the south facing cliff, this Raven flew in and watched began watching us below.

Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
1000+ Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) - Where have the trillion or so gone from yesterday!!!


General Shots:

Below are a few photos of the latest rockfall on the south facing cliffs at the cove and a few fossils and rock formations.

Dawn and Ted:

A cry for help as Dawn gets stuck on the beach

Keep up Ted.

Ships Today:

This is the Italian Vehicles Carrier "Grande Spagna" on its way from Antwerp to Ringaskiddy (Ireland). More on this vessel here.

This is the British Fishing Boat PO8 "Sophie 1" on its way back to Weymouth Harbour.

This is the British Fishing Boat WH555 "Lucid Dream" on its way back to Weymouth Harbour.

On the left is the British Fishing Boat WH988 "Kelly Marie" and on the right the British Fishing Boat WH27 "Geraldine".

This is the General Cargo Ship "Kris" flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. It is on its way from Ghent (Belgium) to Aughinish Island (Ireland). More on this vessel here.