4 Nov 25

Portland's East Coastline and Portland Bill and Crown Estate Fields

It was up with the sparrows this morning to see if I could find the Snow Bunting. However I draw a blank as after walking down the coast path to The Bill, from where it was seen here at 3:50pm yesterday, and then doubling back it was apparent that it had either moved on or hidden itself away from the very strong southerly wind we are experiencing here on the island.

A great highlight this morning was watching a Grey Seal, just out from the Obelisk, bring up a 10-15lb Conger Eel to the surface and then consume it.


Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Seal

Below are a few photos and a video of the Grey Seal and the Conger eel it caught.

Birds Recorded:
100+ Gannet
Cormorant
Shag

1 Sparrowhawk
1 Kestrel
2 Purple Sandpiper (2 seen at the Red Crane. Sadly not by me)
Mediterranean Gull

Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Kittiwake
Razorbill
Guillemot
Wood Pigeon
7+ Skylark
10+ Meadow Pipit
8 Rock Pipit
2 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
3 Stonechat
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
20+ Chaffinch
80+ Linnet
2 Siskin
30+ Goldfinch

An adult Gannet passes The Bill

Feeding frenzy with many Gannets, Mediterranean Gulls, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Kittiwakes and auks taking part.

From left to right a Shag and three Cormorants sat on a rocky outcrop on the west cliffs.

This Sparrowhawk was heading out to sea in pursuit of a flock of Linnets attempting to cross the channel. However..............

.............this gull had other ideas and began mobbing it, to the point where it turned around and headed back inland.

One of many Guillemots heading out to sea from the West Cliffs.

A Mediterranean Gull.

A Rock Pipit having an early morning wash.

Rock Pipit - Leg-ringed AEC

And another Rock Pipit - Leg-ringed ALC

One of the three Stonechats in the Crown Estate Fields. This is a male.

Also in the Crown Estate Fields were dozens of Goldfinches. This individual was feeding on a Common Teasel Dipsacus fullonum

Here's another Goldfinch in amongst the Greater Burdock Arctium lappa

The top half are all Linnets. At the bottom of the photo are a couple more Linnets, plus Chaffinches and House Sparrows.

Fish Recorded:

1 Conger Eel (deceased)


Moths Recorded:
1 moth sp. - A micro moth was seen flying in amongst the rocks by the Red Crane.


Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
1 Common Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina (Flew into the Observatory)


General shots:

Portland Light House, The Obelisk and Red Crane.

The Pulpit

The rising sun at the Obelisk