Absent Friends and Remainers

What with continued new home preparations and the appalling weather we have experienced in recent weeks, there has not been much time for photography.

So I thought I would firstly do a portfolio of absent friends. 

All the Wheatears have very sensibly flown off South to Africa. 

They obviously knew something we didn't.

A butterfly you are sure to find even at this time of year and no matter the weather. 

This Red Admiral was basking (hardly the word) on a wall at Portland Bill.

Here are some images that didn't really make the grade, but due to the lack of anything better are posted below.

The female Kestrel is about to dive, out of sight unfortunately.

This Meadow Pipit is thinking, "Should I stay or should I go".

A first or second year Great Black-Backed Gull. (I think) 

The sea can get very rough off of Portland, but it doesn't make any difference to the Gulls.

Distant Brent Geese observed at Ferry bridge.

An equally distant Marsh Harrier over Radipole Nature Reserve

A Linnet on a high perch.

Bar-tailed Godwit at dusk.

In line Black-headed Gulls.

Mostly Great Black-backed Gulls resting.

Great Tit

A shot showing the Portland Bird Observatory old lighthouse in the foreground and the Operational Lighthouse in the background.

A monochrome image at Portland Bill.

Shot in warmer times - Weymouth Marina.

Also in warmer times a view of Lulworth Cove.

An Evening Egret

One early evening last week I was visiting Ferrybridge water. 

The sun started to set behind the wall of pebbles which separate the tidal water from Portland Harbour and the Chesil Beach water front.

This Little Egret dropped in on the water's edge and started a search for food, so I was able to get a few shots of it as the light faded.

Generally, Little Egrets are not that approachable and will only allow you to reach a certain distance from them before getting airborne. 

So its always best to keep a good distance and not disturb them.

Ferrybridge tidal water.

Late Flutters

Two late butterflies observed in the last week.

The Painted lady is still around as I photographed two close to each other on Portland Bill.

The Red Admiral I expected to see as they can remain active well into the month of December.

A scene along the East Cliff of Portland.

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.