It was another trip to The Bill today to see if there were any Spring Migrants about. I was hoping to see more Wheatears and possibly a Ring Ouzel, but instead I had 2 Chiffchaffs, well over 10 Stonechats, and dozens of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits which have recently arrived.
Apparently the weather has been horrendous in the Mediterranean with a lot of heavy rain which has held up a lot of birds. It does mean though, that once there is a break in the weather the urge to migrant north will take over and we should see quite an influx.
The only bugbear though, is that the unseasonal mild weather here in the UK, is about to change with a blast of cold from the Arctic to hit us soon. Its tough being a migratory bird.
Other highlights were the two Little Owls being quite vocal in the Obs Quarry, well one bird was. A Peregrine Falcon patrolling up and down West Weares and the female Black Redstart still in the grounds of QinetiQ.
Mammals Recorded:
1 Brown Rat
Birds Recorded:
2 Fulmar
Cormorant
2 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Pheasant
1 Oystercatcher
Herring Gull
6 Great Black-backed Gull
Razorbill
Guillemot
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
2 Little Owl
10+ Skylark
20+ Meadow Pipit
8 Rock Pipit
2 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
10+ Stonechat
1 Black Redstart
2 Blackbird
1 Song Thrush
2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
1 Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
100+ Linnet
Goldfinch
Escapees, Ferals, Possibles Etc.
Feral pigeon
Bees Recorded:
1 bee sp.
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Many unidentified flies
Blue Blowfly (Calliphora vicina)
Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
Plants:
Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum)
Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica)
General Shots:
Ted:
Ships Today:
This is the British Fishing Boat WH425 "Quarter Bell" on its way back from its fishing grounds to Weymouth Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Pheasant
1 Oystercatcher
Herring Gull
6 Great Black-backed Gull
Razorbill
Guillemot
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
2 Little Owl
10+ Skylark
20+ Meadow Pipit
8 Rock Pipit
2 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
10+ Stonechat
1 Black Redstart
2 Blackbird
1 Song Thrush
2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
1 Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
100+ Linnet
Goldfinch
Alongside the West Cliffs were these............
............two Fulmars.
These two pale plumaged..........
................Common Buzzards seem to have set up residence in and around the Top Fields.
A fly-by Peregrine Falcon over the West Cliffs.
This Razorbill was returning to the West Cliffs as.....
..........this Guillemot and many others were leaving.
Whilst this Little Owl.............
...............was chilling out in Obs Quarry..............
........another close by................
..................was calling from just below the outlet pipe on the side of the Quarry.
A Rock Pipit displaying at The Bill. On my next visit I will try and video its parachute display.
This Rock Pipit is having a brush up.
This Rock Pipit decided to join me as I was watching the "auks" below me on the West Cliffs..
It seemed oblivious to me sat on the grass as it chased the flies.
With this fly being its next meal.
A Song Thrush in the Crown Estate Fields
This Chiffchaff came into...........
..................land by the Higher Lighthouse............
............took one look at me and..........
..................flew off.
Ravens are awesome looking birds
A few of the the 100+ Linnets in the Top Fields
They did land eventually.
Feral pigeon
Bees Recorded:
1 bee sp.
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Many unidentified flies
Blue Blowfly (Calliphora vicina)
Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
Plants:
Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum)
Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica)
Despite its name, Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica)............
Looking out into the English Channel
Do you really want to look over the edge Ted.
Its a long way down!!!!
This is the British fishing boat PO1 "Pearl May" heading south down Portland's east coast.