At long last my best ever views of a Wryneck, in the quarry next to the Portland Bird Observatory. Having missed the 2 from a couple of days ago, I managed to get down again today and within seconds of me arriving it flew up onto a branch just 20 metres away. What amazing views of a really lovely bird. This is only the second Wryneck I have ever seen and one I shall remember for a long time to come.
A lovely sight as this.......
.........very obliging Wryneck.........
.........gave us some wonderful views........
......as it flitted around the quarry.
My second ever Wryneck
Wonderful views as it foraged away in front of us.
Bumpers Lane and Church Ope Cove
A lovely walk around the cliff tops behind the cottage this lunchtime. Main highlights being dozens and dozens of Meadow Pipits and Swallows all heading down to The Bill. Unless they carry on flying across the Channel, there isn't going to be much space for them all to rest up, I don't think I've ever seen so many birds on passage like this, but then I've not lived on Portland long. In amongst the pipits were 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail.
Other highlights were 3 Blackcaps in Bumpers Lane Quarry and a Chiffchaff singing in the woods behind St Andrew's Church.
I cant believe its taken this long, but today I saw my first Grey Squirrels on Portland. Both in Pennsylvania Castle woods.
In the church grounds were 5 Hornet Mimic Hoverflies and several Peacock, Speckled Wood & Large White butterflies.
These two are Hornet Mimic Hoverflies. There were at least 5 of these on the buddleia in the grounds of St Andrew's Church.
Hornet Mimic Hoverflies
Birds recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 100+ Swallow, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Butterflies recorded: Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Blue, Common Blue and 1 Adonis Blue.
Also recorded: 5 Hornet Mimic Hoverflies, 3 Common Droneflies, Marmalade Hoverfly and a Pellucid Hoverfly.
Mammals and Reptiles: 3 Foxes, 2 Grey Squirrels and 2 Wall Lizards
In the church grounds were 5 Hornet Mimic Hoverflies and several Peacock, Speckled Wood & Large White butterflies.
2 young Foxes in Bumpers Lane Quarry.......
......along with one of the adults.
One of two Grey Squirrels in the woods behind St Andrews Church
A flock of Linnets.....
.....with several juveniles like this one.
A Wall Lizard
A Speckled Wood..........
....and another on the Blackberries.
A Small Tortoishell. Quite a few of these about.
A Pellucid Hoverfly
A lucky shot of a Honey Bee
This is a Marmalade Hoverfly
Hornet Mimic Hoverflies
Mystery black spider.......
.....very busy climbing up the cliff face that the climbers use behind Bumpers Lane.
A video of my mystery black spider!
Birds recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 100+ Swallow, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Butterflies recorded: Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Blue, Common Blue and 1 Adonis Blue.
Also recorded: 5 Hornet Mimic Hoverflies, 3 Common Droneflies, Marmalade Hoverfly and a Pellucid Hoverfly.
Mammals and Reptiles: 3 Foxes, 2 Grey Squirrels and 2 Wall Lizards