26 Jan 20

Portland Bird Observatory

With the rain lashing down I thought I'd pop into the Obs in the hope of doing a sea watch from the comfort of the viewing room. A great idea I thought, but with the rain coming straight into the windows it was impossible to see anything through them. However as luck would have it, the rain eased off for about 4 minutes, so it was out on the veranda for a quick "scope" across the sea.

There were several Guillemots about, a couple of Gannets and a few Herring Gulls & Great Black-backed Gulls. Sadly that was it.

In the Obs garden were a couple of Great Tits and a Robin on the feeders, whilst above the surrounding fields a Skylark burst into song, albeit briefly.

Just the one photo today and a short video of the appalling conditions.

Very choppy "Races"

The view from the Obs veranda.

Birds Recorded: Gannet, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Robin, Great Tit, Magpie and Carrion Crow

 Wakeham

A female Tawny Owl was calling in the early hours of this morning and its that time of year again as Vixen was heard calling from down the street.

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

25 Jan 20

Portland Bill and West Cliff

Another dull gloomy day with a chilly south-easterly coming straight off the sea. Main highlights today were 10 Purple Sandpipers on the ledges between the Obelisk and Pulpit, until that is a wave washed them off and they took off and went around the Pulpit.

Out on the Races were hundreds, possibly thousands of gulls, Kittiwakes, auks and Gannets feeding along a good mile or two stretch of "turbulent" water.

Closer inshore, it appears that the auks are now returning to their nest sites along the west cliffs, especially below QinetiQ Here. I had a good look for Bridled Guillemot, but none seen. Plenty of time yet though.

Also along here were 4 or 5 Fulmars and the usual Cormorants and Shags.

Here are a few images from today:

One of 10 Purple Sandpipers at The Bill today.

Here another two take a break from their foraging, but as soon as............

................they carry on a large wave forces them..............

..........to take off.

The Fulmars were very..........

............flighty along the west cliffs around QinetiQ.

My first count was just 3 birds, but watching this video back I reckon there could be 4 possibly 5.

And on the sea a few rafts auk are starting to appear. Here are 7 Guillemots and a lone Razorbill.

One of the few Guillemots in winter plumage.

And here are two in Summer plumage.

Just one of the auk rafts below the cliffs at QinetiQ.

Birds Recorded: 3 Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, 2 Buzzard, 10 Purple Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot, Wood Pigeon, Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Note

Just an update and a big thank you to Emma Williams of the British & Irish Fungi Facebook group who checked out my mushroom I found on the West Cliff on 12 Jan and confirmed under the microscope that the mushroom was Silky Pinkgill, Entoloma sericeum. Emma also confirmed that the odd mutation on top is called Rosecap.

Here are a couple of images of the Silky Pinkgill and the spore which Emma put under the microscope.







Ships Today

This is the British sailing vessel "Natural Force" just approaching The Races. More on this vessel Here.

I'm not too sure of the identity of this ship is as it isn't showing on any of the Marine Traffic websites. Possibly HMS Mersey, which was off Portland yesterday!!

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

24 Jan 20

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood, Church Ope Cove, Rufus Castle and The Mermaid Track.

Another cloudy overcast day and sadly very little to write about. Main highlights were 2 Firecrests in Penn wood and a Grey Wagtail on the beach. And that was that.

The only saving grace today were the two species of Owls heard here in Wakeham at 3:15am this morning. There were a male and female Tawny Owl calling from around Penns Wood and at the back of Bumpers Lane there was a Little Owl.

Here are a few images from today:

Here are a couple of record shots of the.............

..............two Firecrests in Penns Wood.

At the top of Penns Wood the Snowdrops are still in flower having bloomed on 31 Dec 19.

Well it is the Jurassic Coastline..............

.................and this isn't the first time I have come across a Dinosaur on this coastline. This Triceratops was on the beach at Church Ope Cove but...........

..............back in August last year I came across this Stegosaurus close to Lynch Bay. What will I find next 😂 

Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 2 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Ships Today

This is the Liberian Tanker "Fredericia" just off Portland. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Norwegian Tanker "SKS Demini" on its way from Rotterdam to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Belgium Tanker "Ti Hellas" on its way from Yanbu Industrial (Saudi Arabia) to Hound Point Terminal (Scotland), after a short stop in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the tanker "Desert Oak" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands...........

...........and carrying out some circuits just off Portland. More on this vessel Here.

I'm pretty sure this the British Patrol Ship "HMS Mersey - P283". Unfortunately it was to far away to confirm the number on the side of the boat. More info on this vessel Here and Here.

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

23 Jan 20

Hamm Beach

Today was a driftwood collection day for Dawn's "Portland Driftwood" Facebook Group. And having parked up in Hamm Beach Road we made our way up onto Chesil Beach, but not before we had a quick look to see what was on Hamm Beach.

Initially it looked barren, but as our eyes adjusted to the dark stones and seaweed on the beach, we realised that there were 13 very well camouflaged Turnstones doing what Turnstone do and that was turning stones over in their search for food.

Also along the beach here were 3 Oystercatchers, whilst out in the harbour a Black-throated Diver flew across the water towards where the tanker Skaw Provider was moored in Portland Harbour.

On Chesil Beach lots of driftwood and sadly the skeleton of a Gannet.

On the way back from Chesil Beach a Stonechat was feeding on the open ground between Hamm Beach and Hamm Beach Road.

Here are a few images and a video from today:

It was hardly surprising, that on such a dull gloomy day that........

............seeing these Turnstone against the pebbles and seaweed was quite difficult.

Mind you those orange legs aren't......

...........difficult to spot.

Here we can see exactly how Turnstones get their name.

Always a sad sight to see. Here the skeleton of a Gannet washed up on Chesil Beach.

On the way back to the car, Dawn spotted this Stonechat. 

Birds Recorded: 1 Black-throated Diver, 3 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, 1 Stonechat and Carrion Crow

Ships Today

This is the Container Ship "APL Mexico City" flying the flag of Singapore. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Maltese Tanker "Skaw Provider" currently anchored in Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

22 Jan 20

Radipole RSPB Reserve

 It was groom time for Ted and Benji today in Weymouth. So after I dropped them off this morning I spent a good 3 hours walking around the RSPB Reserve at Radipole. The walk was excellent, which is more than I can say for the weather, which started off dry and cloudy but ended in drizzle.

I started off at the North Screen where there were 3 Roe Deer feeding just behind the pools to the north. Also here were 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, dozens of Teal and a Little Egret. In the reed beds were at least 2 parties of Bearded Tits, a few Reed Buntings and a couple of squealing Water Rail.

Next stop was the Buddleia Loop and once again I came across another small flock of Bearded Tits close to the bridge Here. Around the loop were more Water Rail calling and also a couple of Cetti's Warblers. On the water Here, were lots of Gadwall, a few Pochard and a dozen or so Tufted Duck.

From the Loop I made my way up to the Visitors Centre and passed another 2 parties of Bearded Tits. At the centre there were the usual gulls, mostly Black-headed Gulls & Herring Gulls plus 1 Mediterranean Gull. Oddly though, there were no Common Gulls. As I was watching the gulls from the bridge, 3 Bearded Tits landed on the Phragmites right in front of me.

Here are a few Bearded Tit videos and photos from today:












And from the North Screen these 3 Marsh Harriers

Marsh Harrier No 1

Marsh Harrier No 2

Marsh Harrier No 3

And a 3CY Mediterranean Gull

One of the 3 Roe Deer just north of the North screen this morning.

Mammals Recorded: 3 Roe Deer

Birds Recorded: Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, 3 Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting
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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

21 Jan 20

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Bumpers Lane and Wakeham Lower Horse Paddocks.

Another absolutely glorious day and some great highlights, starting off with a Grey Heron sat in the tree tops in Penns Wood. Must be a pond close-by!! Also in Penns Wood 3 Firecrests with another one at the back of the cove accompanying a Chiffchaff. Not bad considering I have been away from my local patch for a few days.

Also noted were several bees and hoverflies, with 4 Honey Bees, 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebees, 3 Common Droneflies and 2 Marmalade Hoverflies on the Mahonia at the top of Penns Wood. It wasn't just here either as there were 2 Common Droneflies, a Buff-tailed Bumblebee and an Early Bumblebee on the Hebes at the back of the cove.

Despite the temperature not rising above 6.0°C: in the shade it was sunny enough for 2 Wall Lizards to be out "sunbathing" in the grounds of St Andrew's Church.

Here are a few images and a video from this afternoon:

A big surprise to see this Grey Heron in Penns Wood.

No doubt it has its beady eyes on a garden pond close by!!

As you can tell by the local gulls it wasn't a welcome guest.

Firecrest No 1

No 2

And No 3. All in Penns Wood.

Despite the cool temperatures..........

........these 2 Wall Lizards, in the grounds of St Andrew's Church, were happy to be out soaking up the sun.

On the Mahonia at the top of Penns Wood were Honey Bees, Buff-tailed Bumblebees and hoverflies.

And it was the same on the Hebes at the back of the cove where there were Common Droneflies as well as two species of Bumblebee.

Birds Recorded: Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Firecrest, 19+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Reptiles Recorded: 2 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Bees Recorded: 4 Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), 1 Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and 3 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

Hoverflies Recorded: 4 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), 5 Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Ships Today

This is the British Utility Vessel "SD Navigator" on its way from Torquay to Weymouth. Apparently as it came up the east coast of Portland there was a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins bow riding it. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Patrol Ship "P224 - HMS Trent" in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Dutch Combat vessel "HNLMS Johan De Witt" apparently on its way from Southampton to Rotterdam, though looking at its past track its way off course!! This is a very very distant photo of it, in fact I'm amazed I was able to pick it up on the horizon. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.
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