Sunday 29 December 2013

Brunnich's Guillemot, Portland, Dorset

Sunday 29th December 2013
Having been sort of house-bound for the previous week the opportunity to see a 'mainland' Brunnich's Guillemot couldnt have come at a better time. I joined Dave Abbott, Steve Lister and John Terry for the drive down to Portland harbour. Early news that the bird was still there was encouraging but there was no further positive news until we reached Weymouth. Having parked up at the conveniently placed car park it was only a matter of walking a few yards before we got our first views of the bird sheltering in the lee of a boat against the strong wind. We joined the mass of birders for a closer look at the bird among the boats. Squalls of rain came and went but there was a great atmosphere as birders enjoyed this rare opportunity. It was good to see so many friends from the Midlands in particular. Unfortunately the poor light made photography quite tricky, for me anyway. In due course the Brunnich's became more mobile moving around the bays within the harbour. At one point it joined a Common Guillemot and a Razorbill. Other birds seen in the harbour included Black Guillemot, Shag, Red breasted Merganser and Black throated Diver.
Brunnich's Guillemot, Portland, Dorset
Brunnich's Guillemot
Brunnich's Guillemot
Brunnich's Guillemot
Razorbill, Brunnich's Guillemot, Common Guillemot
Common,Brunnich's Guillemot
Common, Brunnich's Guillemot


No comments:

Post a Comment