Port and Wey: December 2025

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.

In the grounds of the castle were a Goldcrest and two Goldfinches.

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.

General Photos:

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.

21 Dec 25

Wakeham

No sightings today

20 Dec 25

Wakeham

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.

A very barren looking back garden.

One of the 12 Long-tailed Tits to pass through the garden.

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.

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.

18 Dec 25

Wakeham

No sightings today.

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.

7 - 16 Dec 25

Dorchester County Hospital

No sightings over this period.

6 Dec 25

Wakeham

No sightings today.

On this day 2018

A Great Spotted Woodpecker in Wakeham

5 Dec 25

Wakeham

No sightings today.

On this day 2017

A Yellow-browed Warbler in Pennsylvania Castle Woods

4 Dec 24

Wakeham

No sightings today.

On this day 2021

A Rock Pipit at Church Ope Cove

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