17 Mar 24

Portland Castle Beach, Portland Marina and Portland Harbour

Highlights from along the esplanade, between the castle and the marina, were 2 Great Northern Divers, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, a female Black Redstart and 10 Chiffchaffs.

Birds Recorded:
2 Great Northern Diver
2 Red-breasted Merganser
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Pied Wagtail
1 Black Redstart
10 Chiffchaff
Magpie
Carrion Crow

Two Great Northern Divers

And a close-up shot of.........

..........them both.

Cormorants, Herring Gulls and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls on the marina breakwater.

And a female Black Redstart next to Portland Castle Beach

Below are a few photos of Chiffchaffs feeding in amongst the Spurges (Euphorbia sp.).

Ships Today:

This a bit confusing as this Maltese Chemical/Oil Products Tanker "Monjasa Provider" has lost the letters "Monj" on its starboard side. It is coming from Weymouth Bay to dock close to HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portland Harbour. More Monjasa Provider here and HMS Queen Elizabeth here.

This is the Chemical/Oil Products Tanker "Tigris" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Portland to Rotterdam. More on this vessel here.

Aircraft Today:

This is the Royal Navy ZH846.........

.......Westland EH101 Merlin HM1 coming into land at.........

............HeliOperations, Portland to refuel.

Here it is taking off and then heading east.. More on this helicopter here.