The tidal mudflats
at Ferrybridge hold several species of waders throughout the
year, two of them staying to breed on Chesil Beach and the rocky
coasts around the island.
One of the most numerous
waders at Ferrybridge is the Ringed Plover. Numbers of these
are present all year with passage migrants adding to the resident
population in Spring and Autumn.
Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover nest
Ringed Plovers breed
on Chesil Beach, laying their eggs on the ground where they
are well-camouflaged amongst the pebbles. The adult birds will
attempt to lure a predator such as a fox away from the nest
by pretending to have an injured wing. When the fox is a safe
distance the bird will suddenly recover and fly off!
The only other wader
breeding on Portland's coast is the Oystercatcher. This large
wader is known to many and is easy to see as it feeds on any
stretch of rocky shore or mudflat. As it flies off it gives
a loud "peep" call and flashes wide white wing-bars.
Oystercatchers will
eat oysters if they get the chance, but more often feed on mussels
or limpets, skillfully removed from shoreline rocks and hammered
open with the birds' massive bills. Oystercatchers are equally
at home feeding on worms at Ferrybridge, where you may notice
them carefully washing the sand off each worm before they eat
it!
Oystercatcher
Little Egret
Little Egrets have
only recently colonised England from their main population in
Europe. Although none breed near Portland as yet, up to 30 can
be seen together in the Fleet during winter. Smaller numbers
feed by the Ferrybridge car park and can often be watched at
close quarters if you stay in your car.
