24 Jan 24

Portland Bird Observatory, Obs Quarry, Portland Bill and Hut Fields

With very little to report on the mainland, it's great to do a seawatch on your doorstep. Today was a good day with some excellent highlights:

Fulmar - Two headed around The Bill towards the West Cliffs
Gannet - Fifty plus birds noted to the east of The Bill
Purple Sandpiper - Three parties noted of 8, 5 and 5
Razorbill/Guillemot - Many fishing with the Gannets


Birds Recorded:
2 Fulmar
50+ Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
1 Buzzard
4 Kestrel
18 Purple Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
50+ Razorbill/Guillemot
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
2 Rock Pipit
Robin
Blackbird
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
3 Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
30+ Goldfinch

There were plenty of Gannets in close today.

And also many auks bobbing about on the sea.

A Shag passes by.

And a very "rufous coloured" male Kestrel which allowed me to approach within 20 feet, before it flew off to another rock.

And it was a good day for Purple Sandpipers with three parties.......

............of 8, 5, and 3 noted along the rocks to east.

And the local Rock Pipits are very photogenic as well.

General Shots:

The Obelisk with a very watery sun.

Ted:

Careful Ted, they are a lot bigger than you!!!

Ships Today:

This is the British Fishing Boat NN733 "Le Belhara"......................

 ...............on its way back to Weymouth Harbour. More on this vessel Here.