Tuesday 1 May 2012

Portland, day 2, 30th Apr


Certainly, a better day than yesterday, the rain stopped by about 06:00, the wind was quite blustery and there was a heavy sea state but around 10:30 (ish) both began to moderate.

Shortly after that, Swifts started to arrive, counted approx 200+ coming in of the sea and by midday, Hirundines started to feature with c500 Swallows, c20 House Martins and a few Sand Martins.

Land-based migrants were thin on the ground with 20+ Wheatear, including 2 seen coming in off the sea. A few Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, a Redpoll and 2 Whitethroats around the Obs area, also 2 Hobbys in off the sea.

Resident species of note seen were Sparrowhawk, Raven and Little Owl.

Sea watching was the better option today with high numbers of Gannets, Fulmars, Manx Shearwaters and a supporting cast of Kittiwakes, 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver and a few “Commic” Terns.

Guillemots and Razorbills were also prominent flying to and from the breeding area on the west cliffs to feed off the bill area.

There was also a fair Skua passage with 16 Arctic Skuas, 3 Pomarine Skuas and 6 Great Skuas (Bonxies).

A Basking Shark was seen off the bill around 17:30.

It then started raining again at 18:00!

                                  European Shag
                                  Gannet
                                  Gannet and Arctic Skua
                                  Arctic Skua
                                   Pomarine Skua
                                   Little Owl

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