Thursday, 13 October 2016

Weymouth and Portland 27/9/16 - Wryneck and Godwits etc

Our first visit to the Portland area which saw us leave Somerset at 7:30 am. We arrived at just before 10 am and we're delighted to see Bar tailed Godwits, Turnstone and a gathering of Great black backed Gulls on the sand - unfortunately the tide was on the way out! After a stop for coffee we drove onto Portland Bill. Great sightings here of several Wheatears &  Gannets. A walk across to the quarry where a few birders were gathered revealed a Wryneck sitting in a tree. Our view only lasted about 5 minutes but wow what a bird! 
Back at Ferrybridge we had more great views of Bar tailed Godwits, a single Grey Plover, Dunlin, Turnstones, Oystercatchers and a Peregrine fly by! 
We returned to Portland a couple of days later stopping first at Lodmoor. At Lodmoor there were both Bar tailed and Black tailed Godwits, hundreds of Canada Geese, Snipe, Lapwings, Redshank, Dunlin. We didn't see the Wryneck again but we did however have some great views of a couple of Little Owls, Kestrel, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Stonechat.
A wonderful area which we will have to explore more and definitely return to.




    Bar tailed Godwits at Ferrybridge

               
                
                   Grey Plover - only one seen

   Dunlin at Ferrybridge

                
                   Ringed Plover and Bar tailed Godwit

  Ringed Plovers

                
                   Turnstone - several seen turning over stones amongst the seaweed

   Great black backed Gulls


               
                  Wheatears - several gathering at Portland before their journey south

    Wheatear

              
                  Bon voyage smart fellow!

    Several Gannet families came fairly close to the lighthouse at the Bill

              
                 Gannets over stormy seas

   Wryneck - subtle shades and tones and master of disguise

               


   Wryneck

               
                  Little Grebe at RSPB Lodmoor

   Great views of Bar tailed Godwits at Lodmoor

                
                   Lapwing

    Little Owl - one of two seen in the quarry area at Portland

               


   The second Owl


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