The wind was extremely strong but it created a wild atmosphere and it was great watching the gulls and gannets battling against the wind.
The breakwater that creates the harbour is a favoured wintering site for rocky shore specialist birds such as purple sandpiper, turnstone and rock pipit.
(Great Black-backed gull)
I counted 23 purple sandpipers and at least 15 turnstones along the shoreline of the breakwater and several rock pipits were nervously feeding in the same area.
(Purple sandpipers and turnstone)
Interestingly 2 turnstones and a purple sandpiper were feeding from a fishermen's leftover bait on the concrete walkway of the breakwater, this is behaviour I have seen in turnstones before, but not purple sandpipers. 
(Turnstones and purple sandpiper)
The harbour itself is apparently a regular haunt of grey seals that like to hunt the fish that frequent the calmer waters.
I saw a huge bull grey seal at dusk hunting along the shoreline although he never remained above water long enough for a picture. A fantastic sight!
! Just loving the purple sandpiper action Ian !
ReplyDeleteI have just had a great couple of days enjoying these birds, firstly at Portland Bill where a small flock of three purps and four turnstones were feeding on the exposed rock shelves .. then had a minimum count of 9 at Southsea Castle yesterday - was very surprised how confiding they were and got some reasonable photos because of it:
http://part-timenaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/southsea-castle-purps.html