31 Mar 19

Lower Paddocks, Upper Paddocks, Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve and Bumpers Lane.

A change of scenery today and as the gates at Broadcroft Quarry Lane are closed on Sunday's, it is a peaceful and dust free walk in this area. There was a noticeable change in the weather today, with a cold wind from the east, but at least the sun is still shining.

Not much in the way of birds with the main highlights being 15 Meadow Pipits in the Lower Paddock and 4 Greenfinches along Broadcroft Quarry Lane.

For me the main highlight was a Small Tortoiseshell along the lane, and my first photo of one. Its only taken me 22 months to photograph one here on Portland. And I still haven't as what I thought was a Small Tortoiseshell, is in fact a Large Tortoiseshell.

Here are a few images from today:

The Lower Paddock behind Wakeham, awash with Daisies.

In the paddock I came across 15 Meadow Pipits. In this photo there are 5. Honest!!

I nearly missed this juvenile Herring Gull in the Daisies. Certainly well camouflaged. 

In the brambles more Brown-tail Moth caterpillars in their cocoon

The brambles in the Lower Paddock is also home to several House Sparrows.

Very confiding birds........

.............and totally unphased by me walking by.

At the top of the field there was a dispute between 3 Blackbirds. The male on the right has left the female on the left and is in hot pursuit of another male.

A very small bee. One to ID

In the Lower Paddock it was Daisies whilst in the scrubland to the north its Lesser Celandine's (Ficaria verna) covering the ground.............

.........a very pretty plant and quite abundant this year.

Common Dog-violet, Viola riviniana

Always good to see Greenfinches and today there were 4 in the lane.

This female Greenfinch has nesting material, so the signs are good.

Sallow in flower and its attracting.......

.......Buff-tailed Bumblebees and........

........also Small Tortoiseshells. I cant believe this is the first one I have photographed on Portland since I arrived here in May 2017. However all is not what it seems. This isn't a Small Tortoiseshell but in fact a Large Tortoiseshell.

Birds Recorded: 1 Buzzard, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 15 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, 5 Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and 4 Greenfinch.

Reptiles Recorded: 2 Wall Lizards

Butterflies Recorded: 6 Peacock and 1 Large Tortoiseshell.

Also Recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebees and hoverflies sp. and Brown-tail caterpillars

Note: I'm not sure which Sallow we have on Portland there are two which are quite common The Grey Willow Here and Goat Willow Here. The one thing they do have in common though is that when they are both in flower they are called Pussy Willow. Not that the joint name really helps! More on Sallows Here.


Wakeham

In the kitchen this morning an Early Thorn, Selenia dentaria



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On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here.