23 Sep 18

Mermaid Track, Rufus Castle, St Andrews Church and Pennsylvania Castle Wood

Eventually the rain and gale force winds we have been subjected to, over the past 5 days, moved away this afternoon to leave a fresh but sunny afternoon.

It wasn't just the noticeable change in the weather this afternoon, but the amount of migrants pushing their way south. Goodness knows how many ended up at The Bill, but over Penn's Weare there were dozens of Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins, Meadow Pipits and a Grey Wagtail all making their south.

Whilst there was a good passage of aerial birds over the Weare's, in the bushes and trees here, there were equally as many Chiffchaffs & Willow Warblers, along with at least 6 Blackcaps feeding and calling.

Other than the mass exodus of birds heading south, there were a few butterflies about, with the solitary male Common Blue along the Mermaid Track, a Red Admiral in the ivy at Rufus Castle and several white butterflies along the walk.

Here are a few images from this afternoon:

Great to see the Ivy Bees are doing well on the Ivy by the Observation Area at Rufus Castle.

Definitely my favourite Bee.

My first Red Admiral for a very long time. This one was on the Ivy Bees patch at Rufus Castle

A grab shot of a Chiffchaff at Rufus Castle. There were dozens of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers in this area this afternoon.

A Dead Head Fly.........

......and another.

The Ivy flowers have just opened up on the steps down to Church Ope Cove and........

......and hasn't gone unnoticed by the local Ivy Bees.

I'm pretty sure this is a Small White. A Green-veined White would have more markings along the veins which would be quite greenish.

Back at Penn's Wood the Harlequin Ladybirds are well and truly out in force with several adults.

Here's another adult.........

......and another.

This is the pupae....

.......and another.....

.........and another......

.......and why not another.

This time a Harlequin Ladybird larvae..........

.........yep another.....

.....and another.

Ships Today

This is the General cargo ship the Holstentor flying the flag of Antigua Barbuda. Its on its way from Vlaardingen, Holland to Drogheda, Ireland. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Oil/Chemical Tanker the Admiral flying the flag of Gibraltar. It's on its way from Dunkirk east, France to Portland. More on this vessel Here.
Birds Recorded: Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 7 Blackcap, 15+ Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, 10+ Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Butterflies Recorded: 5 Large White, 3 Small White, 1 Common Blue and a Red Admiral.

Also recorded: Ivy Bees, Common Wasps and 2 Dead Head Flies.

And Finally

Its a real shame that some meaningful individual decided to do some tree felling.

Sadly they didn't remove the cut branches which have lain there for a week or more and.........

........unsurprisingly someone saw fit to gather them up and set them alight.

What is more disappointing, is that not only did that person/persons decide to do some pruning, but they ruined the wonderful habitat in the grounds of St Andrew's Church. Last year at this time the insect life was absolutely wonderful, but sadly all but a few plants are standing and the insects such as hoverflies, bees and butterflies are absent bar a few. So not necessary.😞