Turnstone

Last Winter I was unable to locate any Turnstone in the areas I would normally expect to find them. This year I found two early for a change along the East cliffs of Portland.

They are not at all bothered by the waves and spray that crashes against the rocks and appear to relish the challenge of finding food on the edge of the rocks.

 

Backlit Mutes

 

Remembrance Sunday

 

Armistice Day

 

Lodmoor - Mostly Egret

Another windy day at Lodmoor Reserve, Weymouth.

The Little Egret is the star of the post, but the Kingfisher was showing quite well again.

The Sentry

A Black-tailed Godwit showing the rather grey winter plumage

Mrs Kingfisher at the drainage lock.

A Robin looking for food, unfortunately I didn't have any.

A strutting Lapwing.

A male Teal duck, one of many that appear all the year around.

Little Egret.

Snipe keeping low out of the wind.

I think it needs another month before there is something different to see at Lodmoor.

 

Brent Returns

A visit to Ferry Bridge and Portland Bill proved to be very windy, which eventually turned to rain.

Brent Geese have returned to Ferry Bridge and will either remain or visit regularly throughout the Winter months. I counted about 30 but this is likely to increase as time goes by. All were Dark-bellied and no Brants were observed.

A view of Ferry Bridge tidal water.

Portland Bill was very windy and the sea was rough.

This made no difference to the various Gulls and Gannets that seem to relish flying about low to the water. Some gulls appeared to be catching fish as can be seen from the blown up image below. 

All of this activity was at some distance from the rocky cliff line. So these images are very much cropped.

On the distant horizon was the Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless.