No sign of Black Redstart on the beach today, but then it was packed with holidaymakers, so hopefully it will return once it quietens down. It was good to see that all 3 wagtails were back, with the pair of Pied Wagtails and the Grey Wagtail enjoying the hundreds of flies on the washed-up seaweed. Not so many Rock Pipits here today, with just 7 up in the north-east corner of the cove along with over-wintering "Rock" Robin. As always a good count of Wrens with 10 recorded.
Behind the beach huts just 2 Firecrests with one I've not noticed before with a metal leg ring. Also here a Common Drone Fly and a Marmalade Hoverfly. More bees here today, feeding on the Hebe's, with 3 White-tailed Bumblebees counted. Also here the over-wintering "Hut" Robin.
With the sun out and actually feeling quite warm I headed up to St Andrew's Church, just in case there were any Wall Lizards out. I wasn't actually expecting any, I mean it is the middle of Winter, but there in the "sun-baked" corner of the ruins were 3. Two youngsters, one with a stubby tail and an adult. Well there were 3, until the "Church" Robin decided that Stubby looked like a meal not to be missed.
When I saw him fly down, I assumed he was taking a fly. It wasn't until I realised he was fighting with something, that it dawned on me, he'd actually taken one of the juvenile lizards. I mean its one thing to see Lizards in the winter, but to witness a Robin catching one and then eating it, is something else.
Here are a few images from today:
The "Hut" Robin eyes up a fly on the Hebe.
Whilst a Common Drone Fly makes sure he's out of sight of the Robin
Also on the Hebe a Marmalade Hoverfly
In the brambles a Firecrest feeds.
Its the first time I've seen one here with a metal leg ring.
And here's the other Firecrest out in the open.
Down on the beach one of the 7 Rock Pipits.
And good to see the female Pied Wagtail after an absence of a few days.
Here is the "Rock" Robin. Sadly no Black Redstart here though.
In the grounds of St Andrews Church the "Church" Robin.
A very confiding bird as it came up close to me.
Here is Stubby the juvenile Wall Lizard.
Here an adult keeps very still.
Here another juvenile makes the most of the "warm" sun.
A very smart looking male Great Tit in Penn's Wood.
Birds Recorded: Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 7 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, 5 Robin, Blackbird, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 16 Wren, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: 3 Wall Lizards, 3 White-tailed Bumblebees, 1 Common Drone Fly and 1 Marmalade Hoverfly.
Ships Today
