Looks like I'm having a bit of a castle day!
With the drizzle coming down, it was a quick walk through the woods at Pennsylvania Castle, the grounds of St Andrews Church and Rufus Castle. Unsurprisingly it was very quiet on the bird front, with just a few Goldcrests, a couple of Chiffchaffs and a few Chaffinches recorded.
No Ivy Bees, to wet, but a couple of hoverflies seen.
Church Ope Cove
A hoverfly sp.
A Common Dronefly asleep
Portland Castle
With a report on twitter saying there was a Pied Flycatcher in the grounds of Portland Castle, I headed off down there this afternoon. The entry fee is £2 to walk around the grounds and castle. I would have had a quick look in the castle itself, but with muddy boots, thought best not.
No sign of Pied Flycatcher, just a few Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff and two Robins, one in good song.
NOTE:
Chatting to Donna the receptionist at the Castle, she is thinking of holding a birdwatching day on site sometime this month. For around £10 per head (to be confirmed) this will be for sandwiches and the opportunity to bird watch from the battlements. I'll let you know dates, times and confirmed prices as soon as I get them.
A few images of the grounds at Portland Castle:
Wakeham
A few caterpillars of the Large White butterfly starting to appear on the Nasturtiums in the back garden.
The Nasturtiums are taking a bit of a hammering from dozens of caterpillars of the Large white butterfly.