No sightings over this period.
A Firecrest in Pennsylvania Castle wood - 26/12/21
22 Dec 25
Portland Castle and Harbour
It was a flying visit to the beach at Portland Castle to check on my Kayak which is moored there. I'm glad to say its still there and hopefully I will be out in it again next summer.
Another reason for the visit was to see the Goosander which was in the harbour last week. sadly no sign of it today, though I did record 4 Red-breasted Mergansers a bit further around the harbour just off Hamm Beach.
General Photos:
It was a flying visit to the beach at Portland Castle to check on my Kayak which is moored there. I'm glad to say its still there and hopefully I will be out in it again next summer.
Another reason for the visit was to see the Goosander which was in the harbour last week. sadly no sign of it today, though I did record 4 Red-breasted Mergansers a bit further around the harbour just off Hamm Beach.
In the grounds of the castle were a Goldcrest and two Goldfinches.
Birds Recorded:
12+ Cormorant
Birds Recorded:
12+ Cormorant
3 Shag
4 Red-breasted Merganser
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Goldcrest
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
2 Goldfinch
Cormorants on the Portland Marina Breakwater
And a Cormorant heading off into the main harbour.
A Herring Gull comes into land and.....
...........an adult Great Black Back-backed Gull on the next post along.
Portland Harbour as seen from Portland Castle Beach
The gardens in Portland Castle where there was a Goldcrest and a 2 Goldfinches.
Ships today:
This is the Maltese oil/products tanker "Aral" anchored up in the harbour. More on this vessel here.
20 Dec 25
Wakeham
No sightings today, though I did come across two Giant House Spiders Eratigena atrica in the outhouse. They are huge!!
No sightings today, though I did come across two Giant House Spiders Eratigena atrica in the outhouse. They are huge!!
Not for the squeamish a Giant House Spider. Another was lurking close by in the outhouse.
19 Dec 25
Wakeham
At long last a walk, albeit down to the back of the garden and back, but an opportunity to stretch my legs after being cooped up at home and in hospital since 19 Nov. I can't believe that's been 4 weeks.
Here are a few photos from the back garden, including one of the 12 Long-tailed Tits which passed through very quickly. All taken with an android phone. I should have brought my camera out.
This Oak tree is about the only tree in the garden still to have leaves on it. Albeit very brown and ready to drop soon.
In the wildflower patch these Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum are coming on well and will hopefully provide insects an early feed in the Spring.
At long last a walk, albeit down to the back of the garden and back, but an opportunity to stretch my legs after being cooped up at home and in hospital since 19 Nov. I can't believe that's been 4 weeks.
Here are a few photos from the back garden, including one of the 12 Long-tailed Tits which passed through very quickly. All taken with an android phone. I should have brought my camera out.
A very barren looking back garden.
One of the 12 Long-tailed Tits to pass through the garden.
Also in the wildflower patch was this Common Marigold Calendula officinalis
The Red Valerian Centranthus ruber is still in flower and surprisingly so...........
...........was this Iris Iridaceae sp.
17 Dec 25
Out and About.
At long last I'm on my way back home after an eventful 17 days at Dorchester County Hospital.
All is good and hopefully me and Ted will be back out walking again.
This male Kestrel flew down and grabbed a "bug" from a few doors down from the cottage - 17 Dec 19
7 - 16 Dec 25
Dorchester County Hospital
No sightings over this period.
A Yellow-browed Warbler in Pennsylvania Castle woods - 8 Dec 20
3 Dec 25
RSPB Radipole Lake
After a visit to Weymouth Hospital to have some stitches out, it was short stop at Radipole Lake, to see what was about from the bridge next to the RSPB visitors centre.
Unfortunately there had been some very heavy rain, and the water levels were very high covering the "beach" around the island just in front of the bridge, so no chance of any waders etc. on the edge here.
Birds Recorded:
6 Cormorant
Mallard
Teal
Tufted Duck
1 Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
1 Cetti's Warbler
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
After a visit to Weymouth Hospital to have some stitches out, it was short stop at Radipole Lake, to see what was about from the bridge next to the RSPB visitors centre.
Unfortunately there had been some very heavy rain, and the water levels were very high covering the "beach" around the island just in front of the bridge, so no chance of any waders etc. on the edge here.
Birds Recorded:
6 Cormorant
Mallard
Teal
Tufted Duck
1 Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
1 Cetti's Warbler
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Teal
Tufted Ducks "Popping"
A female Marsh Harrier
A Great Black-backed Gull.
30 Nov 25
Wakeham
What a lovely day, just a shame I wasn't up for a walk. So as per norm.
What a lovely day, just a shame I wasn't up for a walk. So as per norm.
A Robin the back garden.
Snow
Goldfinches on the feeders.
A Stonechat in the Horse Paddocks.
A Grey Squirrel along Wakeham Railway Cuttings.
A Firecrest along the Railway Cuttings.
A Rock Pipit at Church Ope Cove.
A Black Redstart at Church Ope Cove.
29 Nov 25
Wakeham
After a wet start, it turned out really nice with blue skies and the odd cloud.
I still haven't risen to the occasion, where I will have a short walk down the back garden and back. But I will soon. However I did stick my head outside the conservatory door this afternoon.
After a wet start, it turned out really nice with blue skies and the odd cloud.
I still haven't risen to the occasion, where I will have a short walk down the back garden and back. But I will soon. However I did stick my head outside the conservatory door this afternoon.
This puffed up Wood Pigeon was trying to keep warm in the Sycamore at the bottom of the garden, unlike......
............this Herring Gull which is keeping warm next to this chimney pot.
28 Nov 25
Wakeham
I will get outdoors eventually. But for the time being, I will be adjusting to my post-op physical capabilities, which sadly doesn't mean walking any distance at the moment.
I will get outdoors eventually. But for the time being, I will be adjusting to my post-op physical capabilities, which sadly doesn't mean walking any distance at the moment.
Bird news from Portland Bird Observatory Here.
Dorset Bird News Here.
So as per norm:
A Peregrine Falcon over Southampton General Hospital.
An American Golden Plover at Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
Mediterranean Gulls in Portland Marina
A male Stonechat in the Higher Horse paddock
A Firecrest in Broadcroft Quarry Lane
A Rock Pipit at Church Ope Cove.
A Mediterranean Gull in the Swannery Car Park, Weymouth.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Wakeham.
27 Nov 25
Wakeham
Well it's my first day at home, having had open heart surgery exactly a week ago, which is quite unbelievable.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't that brilliant so, walking up and down the garden wasn't possible. Hopefully I wont have to wait long before I can get outside.
So as per norm:
Well it's my first day at home, having had open heart surgery exactly a week ago, which is quite unbelievable.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't that brilliant so, walking up and down the garden wasn't possible. Hopefully I wont have to wait long before I can get outside.
So as per norm:
Southampton Docks as seen from my ward.
An adult Mediterranean Gull.
Chesil Beach and a couple watching the sunset.
A Grey Seal Church Ope Cove.
A Great Black-backed Gull in Church Ope Cove.
A Goldcrest at Church Ope Cove.
Rain stopped play today.
An adult winter Mediterranean Gull at Chesil Cove.
26 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
It was another good day with my recovery, so hopefully some good news later.
Bird sightings:
4 Herring Gull
20+ godwit sps.
2 Wood Pigeons
8 Feral Pigeon
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Magpie
4 Carrion Crow
The Singaporean Container Ship in dock today is the "APL Singapura". More on this vessel here.
25 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
It was another day of ticking the boxes, and one of positive comments from consultants, doctors, nurses etc.
It was another day of ticking the boxes, and one of positive comments from consultants, doctors, nurses etc.
The signs are looking good for an early discharge.
Bird sightings:
4 Herring Gull
4 Wood Pigeons
3 Feral Pigeon
1 Pied Wagtail
4 Magpie
8 Carrion Crow
1 Blackbird
24 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
Well, the view from the ward window is pretty much like last years, with just slightly more of the right-hand side of the dockyard showing and of course less of where the cruise ships tie up on the left.
Birds Recorded:
6 Herring Gull
Well, the view from the ward window is pretty much like last years, with just slightly more of the right-hand side of the dockyard showing and of course less of where the cruise ships tie up on the left.
Birds Recorded:
6 Herring Gull
2 Common Snipe
4 Wood Pigeons
1 Magpie
1 Carrion Crow
1 Blackbird
A distant shot of the dockside this morning.
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