Portland Bill and Radipole Lake

With winds increasing and with a SW direction I thought it might be worth trying Portland Bill for a seawatch.  I arrived about 8am in light rain and proceeded to the Bill.  There was quite a lot of bird movement.  Hundreds of passerines were flying over the Bill and many directly out to sea heading south.  It was hard to ID these but the majority appeared to be Meadow Pipits.  Dozens of Gannets were plunge diving and other passing.  About 30 Kittiwakes passed to the west in the hour I was there.  A lot of Auks were moving in both directions, as were good numbers of Cormorants and Shags.  A single Arctic Skua heading west was the best bird.

Shag - Surprisingly resting just below the sea watch point at the monument.  It did not seem too bothered by my presence.

Dark Clouds heading towards the Bill!

The ominous dark clouds off of the Bill were getting closer so I decided to head back to the car.  Just in time as the heavens opened and very heavy rain set in for a time.

I decided to head back to Radipole Lake and try and see a few Bearded Tits before we head back home the next day.  By the time I got there the sun was out!

The Bearded Tits were calling frequently and I saw perhaps twenty or so perched or in flight.  Unfortunately all too brief or distant for photos.  The Cetti's Warblers were in fine voice but as usual singing from thick cover.

It is always worth checking the car park at Radipole Lake for gulls.  Not just interesting species but colour ringed gulls.  You can usually drive quite close and photograph the ringed birds.  There is often a few present.  I was not disappointed and got the two photos below.

Mediterranean Gull - Green "RV70"  - Ringed in France or Belgium.  Details awaited.

Herring Gull - Black "773"  - Apparently ringed in Portland so not a great traveller as yet.