With days before my next trip getting
fewer and given the weather forecast for tomorrow, today was thought
ideal for paying my final visit to Portland Bill until after my return.
Gone were the rain and gale force winds of yesterday so altogether a
very pleasant stroll first down to
PULPIT ROCK, where just a couple of Pied Wagtails, Cormorants and Gulls were seen before continuing
on to the ACTIVE LIGHTHOUSE and Bill Point.
Not the first of what could be an 'over-wintering' bird,
but seemingly the first photograph of one at this end of the year.
Continuing
along the EAST CLIFF there was little other bird-life to add, but
diverting across the Common there came the 'wispy trill' of what was
recognised as that of a
All Serin photographs are, with kind permission, © Martin Cade who tells me that November is a favoured month for such visits.
An occasional visitor to our shores, the Serin is more at home Green = all year round, Orange = summer and Blue = winter.
Heading towards the LOWER LIGHT which is the Portland Bird Observatory there was time to snap some of the local flock of
stamping their feet in the Hut Field in an attempt to attract invertebrates to the surface as a food source.
The
OBS QUARRY produced naught but a single Dunnock, but it was now time to
see who was at the Obs. Only 5 people there, one I didn't know but
otherwise Martin the Warden, John Lucas, Hugo Wood-Homer along with
Alison the Cleaner. Very nice to see each and wish an au revoir!
On
the walk back along Bill Road there was a low flying, juvenile HERRING
GULL and a Water Rail squealing from the depths of the Culverwell
bushes, otherwise a coffee with Secret, Jane and Robert (on week-end
leave from university) White along with an added bonus of fellow
shipmate Martin (Mego) Powell. It's been a good day!
