About Two Owls

Sunday 29 December 2013

Sunday 29th December 2013

Our visit to the Weymouth area today proved to be pretty good not surprising really with the quality birds that were around.  We started at Lodmoor as planned and checked off most of the common waterfowl our highlight here was Marsh Harrier and views of Cetti's Warbler.  There was good numbers of wintering Lapwing and Snipe scattered around the reserve.

In the end all the group wanted to do was go to Portland Harbour not surprising, so off we went.  On arrival it was obvious that the bird was on view by the gathered crowd of birders intently watching the water in the marina.  Stopping at a convenient spot we scanned the water but it had gone in behind the boats.  Whilst we waited for it to reappear I found the white blob that was the wintering Black Guillemot out in the harbour and got everyone on to it, one down.  Then the Brunnich's came out and slowly dived and surfaced and dived it's way towards us.  It performed better than it had for Jackie and I just two days ago.  We had fabulous views and were able to compare it with a couple of Razorbills feeding in the same area.  Other species seen out in the harbour of note were a single Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver.

We finished the day again having a quick look at the Glossy Ibis and Radipole Park which was still feeding on the football pitch.  We said goodby to everyone and on the way to drop Jess off popped into Radipole car park and had a look through the gulls.  We found a number of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls with rings so had a ring reading session so hopefully will get some news back soon on where they came from and where they have been.  

I've added a couple of my shot of the Brunnich's can't have too many of a good bird can you?

Brünnich's Guillemot - Portland Harbour © Nick Hull

Brünnich's Guillemot - Portland Harbour © Nick Hull

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