13 Nov 17

Broadcroft Quarry Lane, The Cuttings, Penn's Weare, Rufus Castle, Pennsylvania Castle Woods and Bumpers Lane.

An interesting walk this afternoon with the main highlight being a Snipe flushed from the path next to the pools here. Other highlights were singles of Firecrests along Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Pennsylvania Castle woods.

Along Broadcroft Quarry Lane, apart from the Firecrest there were 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, with the latter in the Sycamores on the hump. As I was leaving, a male Sparrowhawk shot over my head and up the lane.

By the pools there was another Chiffchaff, the Snipe as mentioned before and a Water Rail squealing.

The Cuttings, Penn's Weare and Rufus Castle were all very quiet apart from 1 Red Admiral on an ivy bush.

Pennsylvania Castle Wood was busy with several Long-tailed Tits, at least 5 Goldcrests, 2 Great Tits, 3 Blue Tits and 1 possibly 2 Firecrest. Also a Grey Wagtail over again.

On the way back I cut back through onto Bumpers Lane by the former Mermaid Pub. Along here just 2 Goldcrests and a pair of Great Tits.

Here are a few images from today:

The one good thing about Firecrests........

......is that unmistakable black and white eye stripe. At least when you can't see this bird fully you can tell what it is. 
A Kestrel hovers over the pools.

My first Snipe on the island...........

.......flushed from the pool area. I just managed to grab a couple of record shots of it as it flew off calling. Here is an example of its alarm call Here.
Pennsylvania Castle wood. Plenty of birds here mainly Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrests and at least one Firecrest.
On the aerials close by to the wood a pair of Collared Doves.

Not sure what these are.

Ted seemed interested as well.

These were in two patches

Here's another shot with flash

What is unusual is the location of this fungi. The two patches were down the middle of this track made up of Portland Stone.

If any one knows much about the old railway track that runs under Wakeham here, they will know that it is always knee deep in water. This chap from the Water Board (presumably) has just sucked it all up into his tanker. He'll be back before long to do it again, I can count on it!!
This the cargo ship "Amandine" flying the Maltese Flag. This ship is well out into the English Channel and is on its way to Rotterdam having left Dublin last night. More on this vessel Here

Bird recorded were: 2 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 12+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Butterflies 1 Red Admiral