31 May 17

A good night's sleep and up at 7:30, though there was a bit of a dawn chorus when the Herring Gulls woke me up at 4:00. A couple of new birds for the house list at 4:10 were a Robin and Blackbird.

At 7:45 other newbees were Swallow and Carrion Crow.

Later in the day when I took on a bit of shed building, I recorded 3 Red Admirals, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, a Mother Shipton (Euclidia mi) plus a white moth with a black spot on each wing!

Also about were at least 2 caterpillars of The Lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria), walking around the garden either looking for fresh food or somewhere to pupate. More on this caterpillar Here.

Other new birds today a pair of Ravens, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet and Jackdaw. And tonight at 9:45 dozens of Swifts screeching over the Cottage. What a great way to end the day.

Here are a few images from today:

One of the 2 Ravens seen overhead today.

The caterpillar of  The Lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria)

Cricket sp.

A Chinook over towards Fortuneswell

30 May 17

My first day on the Isle of Portland and a brand new Blog which I hope will be of interest to the folk on the Isle of Portland & Weymouth, and for that matter maybe a few of my past followers from my previous Blog, SwindonBirder Here.

As long as the weather allows there will be daily sightings and images of the wildlife I have recorded, plus some of my sea fishing exploits. If not there will be a "No Sightings in today", on the page.

Well I arrived at my new home at 3pm and after 6 hours of unpacking decided enough was enough and it was time for some shut eye.

However, before I called it a day, I did get a few birds and a moth to start my Blog off, with a Goldfinch on the defunct TV aerial, a family of 3 young Herring Gulls on the neighbours chimney stack, a Collared Dove, Chiffchaff, House Sparrow and a very vocal Wren.

In the back garden there are masses of Valerian and Nasturtiums and quite a few bees to ID tomorrow. I also had my first Silver-Y moth of the year and my first on Portland to get things rolling.