Seymour Birdies Diary: An Afternoon At My Favourite Portland Bill

3rd September 2024

I first went to Portland Bill in 1994 and was so overwhelmed by the beaty of the place that I go back every time I am in that part of the country. But first a pit stop at Ferrybridge on Chesil Beach and the Fleet, and was immediately welcomed by a Pied Wagtail posing on a rock.

The tide was out so there was plenty of mud but most of the waders and the large flock of Mediterranean Gulls were very distant with the only birds within camera range being some juvenile Ringed Plovers.

Then a little further out feeding amonmgst the Glasswort were a couple of juvenile Knot.

Then on the way back to the car the number of Knot had increased to four and were now showing nicely behind some reddening Glasswort.

Now on to The Bill and its marine flora, notably Sea Aster, Rock Samphire and past its best Golden Samphire.

As I walked along the cliffs by the lighthouse I came across a patch of Lesser Burdock that had gone to seed and was attracting a number of Goldfinches, with many parents feeding young.

Not much doing out at sea apart from a couple of Grey Seals that were fishing by the rocks.

So now on to find the three Bill specialities starting with the Rock Pipit. They are no longer feeding young so more difficult to find and I had to walk a long way without hearing or seeing one. But Rock Pipits are like buses and six come along at once, and after that were everywhere.

Wheatears are somewhat easier as they breed nearby and two young were still lingering in that area.

But they were also spread out along the cliffs with up to 20 present.

But now for the stars of the show, the Ravens. There are two pairs around The Bill but when it is busy can keep their distance. However, when the cafe shuts and everyone has gone home they feed on the top of the cliffs and under the picnice tables allowing photography down to 8 yards.