Penns Wood, St Andrews Church, Church Ope Cove and Bumpers Lane
Another very warm sunny day, which again saw a lot of butterflies on the wing with 12 Peacock, a Small Tortoiseshell flying across the cove and a Brimstone flying around Rufus Castle. Not only was the Brimstone my first for the year, but amazingly it was my first on Portland since I moved here in May 2017.
Other highlights were a pair of Blackcaps at the back of the cove where there were also 4 Chiffchaffs.
On the beach, after a long absence there were 3 Rock Pipits and a pair of Pied Wagtails.
Just about everywhere I walked I could hear Wall Lizards scurrying away, but the only one to show itself properly was by the benches by the lookout at Rufus Castle.
A new hoverfly for me today, an Eristalis arbustorum which I came across at the top of the steps by Rufus Castle.
Here are a few images from today:
Another very warm sunny day, which again saw a lot of butterflies on the wing with 12 Peacock, a Small Tortoiseshell flying across the cove and a Brimstone flying around Rufus Castle. Not only was the Brimstone my first for the year, but amazingly it was my first on Portland since I moved here in May 2017.
Other highlights were a pair of Blackcaps at the back of the cove where there were also 4 Chiffchaffs.
On the beach, after a long absence there were 3 Rock Pipits and a pair of Pied Wagtails.
Just about everywhere I walked I could hear Wall Lizards scurrying away, but the only one to show itself properly was by the benches by the lookout at Rufus Castle.
A new hoverfly for me today, an Eristalis arbustorum which I came across at the top of the steps by Rufus Castle.
Here are a few images from today:
In Penns Wood a Peacock butterfly comes to rest on the leaves of a Russian Comfrey.
The same butterfly with wings closed.
In the shade a Robin sings away in the grounds of St Andrew's Church
Not sure which wasp species this is.
The pattern on the abdomen might help, but a head on shot might have been better. One to ID.
A Honey Bee flies in...........
.........to an Alexanders.
Do you know what I have no idea what species of Bumblebee this is.
Had it had a white tail I would have said a Tree Bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum. One to ID
And another to ID a hoverfly possibly one of the Syrphini species.
If you look closely you can just make out the black cap of a male Blackcap.
And another snap shot as it disappeared into the bushes. He and a female were at the back of the cove.
An interesting fly. And one I don't think I have come across before................
.............and it wasn't alone either with several others around the beach huts at the back of the cove here.
Also on the beach this male Pied Wagtail eyeing up a Kelp Fly in front it.
And also a female.
On Penns Weare another Peacock butterfly soaking up the suns rays.
Looking down onto Church Ope Cove from Penns Weare.
I came across 2 Harlequins today, this one on Penns Weare and another by Rufus Castle.
A Nursery Web Spider waits for its prey
Just the one Wall Lizard seen with dozens of others heard in the undergrowth along my walk.
Another Peacock butterfly sunning itself.
Over Bumpers lane a Buzzard circles.
In the lower paddocks a Dunnock in good voice.
A plant to ID
Birds recorded: 1 Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Reptiles recorded: 8 Wall Lizards
Butterflies recorded: 12 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and a Brimstone
Also recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Honey Bee, 1 Bumblebee sp. 2 Hoverflies sp.
