Rufus Castle, Church Ope Cove, St Andrew's Church and Pennsylvania Castle Wood
Another dreary day, but at least the birds I recorded made it an interesting day, with the main highlights being a
Firecrest in Penns Wood, where there was also a
Chiffchaff, with another
Chiffchaff, presumably the same one seen and heard on Monday, half-way up the Rufus Castle to Church Ope Cove steps.
The beach was practically empty with just 2 Wrens feeding in amongst the seaweed. The Rock Pipits were here, but for some reason were perched on the south facing cliff. Something was putting them off from feeding on the beach, possibly the lack of any Kelp Flies or the fact there was an absolutely evil, really pungent and nauseating smell on the beach. At first I thought it was the seaweed, but as I walked along the shoreline, the smell was actually coming off the sea, and with the southerly wind, whatever it was, was being blown onto the beach. Not nice at all!!! The Rock Pipits eventually took off and head across the cove and down towards Southwell.
As I left the beach and made my way up to St Andrew's Church, 5 Ravens came over Penns Weare. As they headed south, croaking away, they did a few acrobatic moves over the cove. Very impressive.
In the church grounds the Harlequin Ladybird was still present, but the one in Penns Wood seems to have wandered off.
In the woods the Firecrest was in the private gardens to the north, whilst in the wood itself there were Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 2 Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, 3 Robins, 2 Goldcrests and several Chaffinches. The Chiffchaff was seen at the top of the wood and then in the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle.
Here are a few images from today:
Half-way up the steps to Rufus Castle the Chiffchaff was seen and heard here this afternoon.
Church Ope Cove and something washed up from the last High Tide.
It looks like a Trawler has had to cut its nets. That's going to take some shifting.
There were no Rock Pipits on the beach today. Like this one......
........they were all on the south-facing cliff.
Just as I got to St Andrew's Church, 5 Ravens crossed the cove.
Real master of the air.
Here's another coming in.
And another.
This one I tried tracking and I'm really pleased I did as it..........
..........did a tumble right in front of me.
Before righting itself and continuing across the cove. Fantastic to watch.
The one only Harlequin Ladybird seen today.
A very impressive Ladybird, but sadly an invasive species which will eventually outnumber all our native ladybirds. Grey Squirrel v Red Squirrel. And we all know how that is progressing.
Well if I've got this right these little white mushrooms are
Ramariopsis kunzei and will eventually grow into coral-like fronds.........
.............. like this one, giving it its English name of Ivory Coral, White Coral or Coral Mushroom. More on this mushroom
Here and
Here. Just as note of warning though, I'm not a mushroom or fungi expert so if you find a similar looking mushroom, please do not attempt to eat it, just in case it isn't edible.
Always something of interest on the beach this Ammonite fossil.
And another.
Birds Recorded: 3
Cormorant, 1
Sparrowhawk, 40+
Herring Gull, 2
Great Black-backed Gull,
Wood Pigeon, 5
Rock Pipit,
Dunnock, 6
Robin, 4
Blackbird, 1
Song Thrush, 2
Chiffchaff, 2
Goldcrest, 1
Firecrest,
Long-tailed Tit,
Great Tit,
Blue Tit, 8
Wren,
Magpie, 2
Carrion Crow, 5
Raven,
House Sparrow and
Chaffinch.
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On this day..........
2017
