Pipits Abound

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipits move to the South in winter are abundant around the coast line especially Portland where I photographed these images.

Some migrate to continental Europe in winter.

The ones I observed were moving around the grassland along with Wheatear.

Rock Pipit

The Rock Pipit likes rocky shorelines and are easy to find around Portland all the year around. 

Most of our birds are resident, but some arrive from Scandinavia in winter.

Chiffchaff on the Move

I found this Chiffchaff at Portland Bill.

A considerable number have been observed in the area recently.

Breeding Chiffchaff in UK normally migrate South to the Med and Africa. Overwintering Chiffchaffs migrate South from Northern populations and from Scandinavia.

Not the best weather, but this scene from the East Cliff of Portland was typical of the conditions at the time.

iPhone Image

Who's Watching Who

On a recent visit to Portland I observed some of the local residents.

Everybody has a favourite Owl and the Little Owl just has to be Number One.

This female Wall Brown butterfly below is not looking at her best now, but her work is done.

A female Kestrel can regularly be observed hovering over the grounds around the Bill.

There is also the opportunity to observe a Raven on Portland.

This one was too close for the long lens I had fitted and by the time I moved back sufficiently it had flown.

Single Image Post - The Wheatear

The end of September walking around Portland Bill one can still find a few Wheatear.  Its migration South to Sub Saharan Africa commences in October. It will return again to UK in the Spring. This one I photographed was one of seven observed feeding on open grassland.

A Collection of Images from the Week

I put together this varied collection of images from the last week.

Female Kestrel

There are still plenty of butterflies on the wing.

Painted Lady

Red Admiral

Large White (Fem)

Speckled Wood

I followed and watched this 'Scruffy' bunch Goldfinch searching for seeds.

A distant Male Stonechat proved difficult to get close to and remained on unapproachable bushes.

An evening iPhone image overlooking Portland Bill with the Portland Bird Observatory Lighthouse in the foreground and the Operational Lighthouse beyond.

iPhone Image

Below : Sunset

The Sun, the Ship and the Cormorant

Also posted on my Flickr site.