It was a day spent at home, with a few household chores to catch up on, including cutting up lots of kindling for the log burner.
And of course who should join me in the garden, but nonother than the resident Robin. Also about were a few Goldfinches plus the "overwintering" Chiffchaff.
Portland Bird Observatory, Obs Quarry, Hut Fields, Portland Bill and Crown Estate Fields
It was another trip to the Bill again, this time in much calmer conditions than a few days ago, when Storm Herminia hit us.
Highlights today were a flock of around 100 Linnets in the Crown Estate Fields, my first this year, plus a "crest" (Firecrest/Goldcrest) which flew from the Fishermen's Cottages across Portland Common towards the Lighthouse. Unfortunately it didn't call and I lost sight of it over the Car Park.
Other highlights were a Chiffchaff in the Obs Quarry, a Raven carrying a dead rat and three Buzzards, including a pale individual, which was sat on the telegraph pole in the Obs garden.
Only disappointment today was not finding any Purple Sandpipers, though two were seen this morning by the Obelisk. And still no sign of the Little Owls in the Obs Quarry, however they have been seen, plus a Barn Owl over Crown Estate Fields early morning and late evenings.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Seal
This Grey Seal was.................
................just off The Pulpit
Birds Recorded: 12+ Gannet Cormorant Shag 3 Buzzard 2 Kestrel Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Guillemot Stock Dove Wood Pigeon Rock Pipit Pied Wagtail Robin 1 Chiffchaff 1 Goldcrest/Firecrest Great Tit Blue Tit Wren Magpie Carrion Crow Jackdaw 4 Raven 150+ Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch 100+ Linnet Goldfinch
The Races with a Gannet and a few auks flying past.
An adult Cormorant flying past The Pulpit, and........
..............its smaller cousin the Shag.
A very pale looking Buzzard.
Here are two more Buzzards over the Crown Estate Fields
A Kestrel by the Obs Quarry
Two Great Black-backed Gulls next to the "Red Crane".
A Guillemot leaving the West Cliffs.
Two Stock Doves in the Obs garden
One of the 4 Ravens seen today.
And a large...............
................flock of Linnets in the Crown Estate Fields.
