Monday 13th to Thursday 16th July - Weymouth & Portland.

 

Monday 13th July

The first of a few days at Ferrybridge with my wife Mary, David and Hazel in their caravan at Ferrybridge. When we arrived we were greeted by Cheryl, David and Hazel’s daughter who had been staying over the weekend and stayed to welcome us, a lovely thought and great to see her. Car unpacked and lunch eaten we took Cheryl to the station for her train home. The four of us then drove to Lodmoor for a walk and a spot of birding. We parked at the far side of the reserve and walked down the left-hand side Swallow being the first birds we saw lined up on overhead wires, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon and Black Headed Gull were all seen flying over the reserve. Reaching the bottom of the footpath at the open water a Moorhen was our 1st sighting and a Blackbird flew past into cover, an Oystercatcher was standing on the bridge and a Little Egret was at the back of the pond and a Herring Gull was stood in the water and a flock of Starlings flew past. Mediterranean Gulls were our next sightings these are quite common in the area. Greenfinch calling from the top of a bush was our next new bird for the day and a Grey Heron  was out on the marsh. 2 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were the only waders visible. Common Terns were numerous having bred on the platforms placed for them. Sand Martins were flying over the reserve and walking back up the reserve on the opposite side Canada Geese were noted. The odd House Martin was spotted in with the Sand Martin. Mallard are at the top end of the reserve where a Redshank was seen, Goldfinch flew past and a Great Black Back Gull settled in the water. Nearing the end of the walk Stock Doves flew over and a Chaffinch was on the ground, a Magpie flew past and House Sparrows were in the local gardens. The last bird of the afternoon was 2 Black Tailed Godwits and a Coot both seen in the last pool we passed. After our main meal 2 of us decided to walk to Ferrybridge but it was approaching high tide, we did see many Little Terns, Cormorant and Swifts. Over the road overlooking Portland Harbour a Ringed Plover flew along the shore and walking back to the van a Pied Wagtail was on the footpath.

Tuesday 14th July

Today we set off for a morning on Portland parking at the Obs and the 1st bird we found was a flyover Raven and walking to the Obs quarry we spotted Goldfinch, Robin and Linnet. 

Linnet - Portland (Bath Birdwatcher)

Nothing in the quarry and continuing  Woodpigeon, Swallow and Magpie were all seen in flight. In the brambles by the cottages a Stonechat was sat on the top with lots of House Sparrows flying around. A Kestrel was hovering over the fields and a Dunnock was on the path we then found our first butterflies of the day Gatekeeper and Marbled White. At the Bill Starlings were numerous.

Starlings - Portland (Bath Birdwatcher)

Herring Gulls were on the sea with Swifts flying south. Jackdaws were around the café and our 1st Rock Pipit was found. Oystercatcher, Great Black Back Gull and Carrion Crow were the last additions of the day.

Thursday 16th July

In the morning 3 of us set off to Portland in search of butterflies, Mary decided to stay back and read her book. Walking through the quarry our first 2 butterflies were Gatekeeper and a very fresh-looking Painted Lady, deeper in the quarry our next butterfly was an Essex Skipper trying to get a close look we disturbed a moth Silver Y. Ringlet and Marbled White soon followed. Blue butterflies had been flying around all morning but not stopping for us to identify then, one did then stop revealing it was a Common Blue. 

Common Blue Butterfly - Ferrybridge (Bath Birdwatcher)

Easier to identify were lots of Chalkhill Blues and just a single Small Blue found. Overlooking the Fleet were lots of Six-Spot Burnet Moths and our 1st Small White but for me the best butterfly of the morning was a fresh Brimstone. Early evening at low tide David and I decided to do our last walk to Ferrybridge and soon found Linnet, Goldfinch and House Sparrow. On the fleet were 3 species of gull Black Headed, Mediterranean and Herring also 3 species of tern, Little, Sandwich and Common. We also found 3 wader species Dunlin, Ruff and Oystercatcher and walking back to the van we added Cormorant and Great Black Back Gull.

We had a great few days in lovely weather including the Knitting exhibition at the Nothe Fort you may think knitting ugh but no it was very interesting it’s called the Longest Yarn 2 and is touring the country so if it comes close to you it’s worth a visit.

Longest Yarn - Nothe Fort (Bath Birdwatcher)


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