4 Nov 21

Stone Pier and Nothe Fort, Weymouth

Well it was another day at the seaside, fishing for Garfish and Mackerel. And the scores on the doors was Me none - Fish won. I had two bites 6 hours and I missed them both. Well that's fishing for you.

However, to occupy my time, I had my binoculars and camera close to hand and it was a pretty interesting seawatch.

The main highlight was watching a Peregrine Falcon, failing 3 times to catch its prey. The first time was when 3 Stock Doves were flying low over the water, as they flew north-east over Weymouth Bay. The Peregrine came in low and fast, but was out manoeuvered 4 times as it tried to grab one of the doves.

The doves avoidance technique was to gain altitude, and then twist and turn to confuse the Peregrine.

The second failing was also another 3 Stock Doves and exactly the same thing occurred again. The Peregrine chose its prey, but was once again out manoeuvered.

And then the Peregrine turned its attention to the 8 Turnstones on the pier. It chased one, but yet again failed to catch it. Perhaps it was a youngster, but whatever age it was, it needs to work on its hunting skills.

As mentioned above there were Stock Doves crossing the bay and in total there were 8, with all of them flying just a few feet above the waves. In complete contrast there were large flocks of Wood Pigeons, also heading north-east, but at altitude.


Other birds of interest were two Great Crested Grebes fishing in the mouth of the River Wey, and also 2 Meadow Pipits and 2 Siskins overhead.


Mammals Recorded:
6 Grey Squirrels (Nothe Fort)


Birds Recorded:
2 Great Crested Grebe

Gannets
Cormorant
Shag
1 Peregrine Falcon
8 Turnstone
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
8 Stock Dove
500+ Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Chaffinch
2 Siskin
Goldfinch

One of the two Great Crested Grebes in the mouth of the River Wey.

By the looks of it, its doing well as it devours a small crab.

These Turnstones are right characters. And if you leave your bait out in the open they will have it away.

In the background is the passenger Ship "Queen Victoria". Top centre is an adult winter Black-headed Gull and at the bottom of the photo, a Turnstone.

Here is another adult winter Black-headed Gull.

This one flew through the shadow cast by the ladder at the end of the pier.

And last one, another adult Winter Black-headed Gull.

An adult Herring Gull.

Well it's a Herring Gull, but why the grey head that matches the wings and body!!

Another Herring Gull. 3rd Winter maybe.

Centre frame is an adult Herring Gull, below it on the left is a 1st-winter Great Black-backed Gull and to the right, sat on the water, I believe is a 2nd-winter Great Black-backed Gull

Two 1st-winter Great Black-backed Gulls taking off.

Crossing the bay towards the mainland were at least 8 Stock Doves flying just above the waves.

General Shots:

The Stone Pier

The Isle of Portland from the Stone Pier.

Ships Today:

This is the British Minehunter "HMS Hurworth" in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here and Here.

This is the Bermudian Passenger Ship "Queen Victoria" anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Bermudian Passenger Ship "Aurora" anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Belgium LPG Tanker "Koksijde" on its from Le Havre (France) to Marcus Hook (Pennsylvania, USA) via Weymouth Bay. Here it is dropping anchor.

And now anchored.  More on this vessel Here.

This is the Dutch General Cargo Ship "Lady Ami" on its way from Portland to Santander (Spain). More on this vessel Here.

This is the Liberian Oil Products Tanker "Monjasa Promoter" in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British fishing boat "Sherpa" - P107 leaving Weymouth Harbour

This is the British Potting Boat "Karen Lynn" returning to Weymouth Harbour.

This is the British Sailing Vessel "Jast" on its way from Weymouth Harbour to Cowes. More on this vessel Here.

Aircraft Today:

Here is a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey flying across Weymouth Bay towards the HeliOps Base on Portland.

And 2 hours later it was heading back across the bay towards the mainland.

3 Nov 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow and Wakeham Railway Cuttings

It was a very busy day, so just a short walk around the block. The only highlights were a small flock of Long-tailed Tits with 2 Chiffchaffs and a Great Tit tagging along.

Birds Recorded:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Meadow Pipit
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
2 Chiffchaff
8 Long-tailed Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
2 Siskin

Goldfinch

One of the 8 Long-tailed Tits alongside the railway cuttings.

Here it is making a contact call with the others close by.

Butterflies Recorded:
1 Red Admiral


Ted:

It was only a short walk today, but Ted enjoyed it.

2 Nov 21

Jurassic Pools

It was a bit of a shopping run today, which saw me on the other side of Weymouth around Littlemore. 

As I was pretty close to the Jurassic Pools, it would have been a shame not to have stopped and had a look around these 3 pools.

It was quite surprising just how many bird species I recorded from this spot, as its only a few acres in size.

Main highlights were a Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs and a 2 Siskins overhead.

There were a few Common Wasps in the hedgerow and on the weir there was a Peacock butterfly sunning itself.


Birds Recorded:
11 Mallard
Buzzard
1 Water Rail
1 Moorhen
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
1 Robin
2 Blackbird
1 Song Thrush
1 Cetti's Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
2 Blue Tit
1 Wren
Rook
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
2 Chaffinch
2 Siskin
Goldfinch
Greenfinch

A Common Buzzard soaring above me.

On two of the three pools were pairs of Mallard, apart........

.........from the last pool where there was just this lone drake.

He's certainly very smart looking 

Just as I was leaving a Grey Wagtail dropped in at the bottom of the weir.

Butterflies Recorded:
1 Peacock

Just the one butterfly seen, this Peacock soaking up the sun on the weir.

Wasps Recorded:
5 Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

1 Nov 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, The Windmills, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Church Ope Cove Wood, Penn's Weare Rufus Castle and Bumpers Lane

After yesterdays horrendous weather, when the wind speed actually reached a confirmed 87mph on Portland, it was back to a relatively peaceful day, apart from the odd squally shower.

Main highlight this afternoon, was a decent flock of finches in the Sycamores, down Old Quarry Lane, which consisted of 4 Chaffinch, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 16 Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch.

Around Wakeham Meadow there was a party of 17 Long-tailed Tits, with a Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, 2 Great Tits and 2 Blue Tits tagging along.

Along Wakeham Railway Cuttings there was a Grey Wagtail.

Penns Wood was quiet, apart from a few Great Tits, Blue Tits and a single Chiffchaff.

Behind the huts, at the cove, was a small flock of Long-tailed Tits, which also had a Chiffchaff and 2 Great Tits travelling with them.

Out to sea, there were still plenty of Gannets, Cormorants and Shags. But as opposed to yesterday when they were all close in, these were all a fair way out.

The surf crashing onto the beach yesterday and overnight, brought in a huge amount of seaweed. And whereas yesterday when there were thousands of Sandhoppers, today and with less wind, the hoppers had been replaced by millions of Kelp flies. In fact walking along the edge of the seaweed threw up thousands of them, covering both me and Ted.

With so many flies on the beach, it was great to see that most of the Rock Pipits from yesterday had remained, with 28 from yesterday's 33.

As another shower looked imminent I headed back home via Bumpers Lane where there was another Chiffchaff close to the Quarry.

No bees or hoverflies seen today, but I did come across a Red Admiral along Old Quarry Lane, plus a good dozen or more Common Wasps on my travels.

Mammals Recorded:
2 Grey Squirrel
2 Bunnies

A Grey Squirrel raiding a bird table full of food.

This one on the other hand, appears to be burying his food for later.

A Bunny trying to blend in with the rock. It's not working, I can still see you!!

Birds Recorded:
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
28 Rock Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
4 Chiffchaff
1 Firecrest
17 Long-tailed Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
4 Lesser Redpoll
6 Siskin
16 Goldfinch
2 Greenfinch

A Rock Pipit giving me a long stare.

This one seems to have his eye on me as well.

With so many Kelp Flies around you, it's sometimes difficult to decide which one to go for.

This Rock Pipit was having a real feast.

This Long-tailed Tit was part of a 17-strong flock close to Wakeham Meadow.

And another from the same party.

A female Siskin.

I had great difficulty photographing the Siskins as you can see. This one has a metal leg ring.

A slightly better photograph. This is a male Siskin.

And eventually a half-decent photo of another male Siskin showing his small black cap and bib.

One of the two Greenfinches which were tagging along with the other finches. The only disappointment I had, was the fact I found it really difficult to photograph any of the 4 Redpolls. They were all so busy.

Butterflies Recorded:
1 Red Admiral

Wasps Recorded:
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)


Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

General Video:

Church Ope Cove

As you can see there was a fair bit of seaweed washed up onto the beach.

Ted:

Ted wandering through the seaweed.

And having a good old sniff as well. There is probably a dead fish he can smell under all that Kelp.

Yes me and Ted were covered in Kelp Flies

Ships Today:

This is the enhanced photo of the Bermudian Passenger Ship "Queen Mary 2" in a squally shower.

And this is the original shot, when she was in the shower.

As you can see, she was having a bit of a sail around the English Channel. More on the Queen Mary 2 Here.

This is the Dutch Cargo Ship "RDJ Johanna" on its way from Kinsale (Ireland) to Portsmouth. More on this vessel Here.