21 Jul 18

Rufus Castle and Mermaid Track

An early evening walk and it was a bit of a surprise to see 4 Chalk Hill Blues still flying about along the Mermaid Track.

Also about a Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax), a Silver Y moth, a single Swift over Rufus Castle and a small family flock of Long-tailed Tits moving through the hedgerow along the Mermaid Track.

Here are a few images:

A Chalk Hill Blue still on the wing early this evening.

And another.

A Tapered Drone Fly

And here we have a Clematis and one I've known very well over the years by its seeds. However and I must confess I didn't realise what it was by the flowers, until I did a bit research today. It was a bit of a shock to learn that the flowers belong to Clematis vitalba or Old Man's Beard or Travellers Joy as its more popularly known as. See you're never to old to learn new things. Though perhaps I shouldn't  have waited 50+ years to have found out. More on this plant Here.

Wakeham

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling again this morning from across the road, whilst in the back garden a family of Blue Tits were busy begging for food from the adults.

A few butterflies about with a few Large Whites, a Comma and a Red Admiral.

And Finally Ships today

Our latest acquisition a 21 foot fishing boat STAR........ 

........... hopefully she will prove to be more than just a fishing boat but also a great platform for a few Winter Pelagic Bird Watching Trips out in Portland Harbour and off The Bill. Can you imagine watching Shearwaters and Skuas at close-quarters. I can't wait.