17 Feb 18

Church Ope Cove and Pennsylvania Castle Wood

This afternoon I had a lovely walk in the sunshine to Church Ope Cove via Penn Wood, though it did start to rain briefly as I reached the woods. Fortunately it didn't last long and the sun came out and stayed out for the remainder of my walk.

There was a report of the Yellow-browed Warbler in Church Ope Cove car park, but despite my best efforts I failed to find it. I did eventually track down a wandering flock of 12 Long-tailed Tits in the woods, which it used to tag along with, but not today.

The one real highlight was the male Blackcap in Penn Wood again and several Goldcrests. The biggest surprise though was my failure to hear or see a single Firecrest, something I have got used to on my walks. Have returned overseas to the continent or inland to breed!!

On the beach at the cove a single Rock Pipit and the female Pied Wagtail.

One of the several Goldcrests seen on my walk today.

The over-wintering female Pied Wagtail on the beach at Church Ope Cove. However I've not noticed it before, but the face is quite yellow, which means this could well be a 1st Winter bird.

What I thought was a female Pied Wagtail could well be a 1st Winter with that yellow face.

A rather splendid looking male Blackbird and his bright orange beak.

Birds recorded: 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 7 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and 1 Greenfinch.

Wakeham

I was a bit worried this morning as the female Blackcap was nowhere to find, and then late morning she appeared on the fat balls before moving onto the suet pellets. This her 19th day here and despite a late appearance today is a great addition to my list of garden birds.

Also about the over-wintering Song Thrush and a pair of Great Tits.

The over-wintering Song Thrush was on the fat balls again and waiting in the wings the female Blackcap.

As the Song Thrush flew off she gave it a cursory glance......

.....before moving onto the fat balls herself.

Here she moves from the fat balls to her suet pellets.

And now for a good comparison with the sexes of Great Tits. This is a female with a thin black band running down the centre of her chest.......

.....and even though this male Great Tit is taking off, the black band is very wide and distinct.

Ships Today

This is the Liberian Reefer, Colombian Star on its way from Dakar, Senegal to Portsmouth. More on this vessel Here.

This the Ro-Ro Cargo vessel Opaline. A Maltese ship on its way from Rozenburg, Holland to Dublin. More on this vessel Here.

Local fishing boat passing Church Ope Cove

Note: A Ro-Ro vessel is a Roll On, Roll Off vehicle cargo ship and a Reefer ship is a refrigerated cargo vessel.