A walk I've not done before and one which I did hope would see me at least find 1 of the 3 Yellow-browed Warblers reported along this walk. As it was I didn't see any, nor did Graham, Richard and Charles-Richards who I bumped into by the Sports Field woods.
However Richard and I did at least catch glimpses of a Firecrest to the east of the Sports Complex, so at least there was something of interest to see.
Other highlights on my walk were the hundreds of hirundine flying south down the east coast of Portland, mainly Swallows with a few House Martins in amongst them.
Still huge numbers of Linnets about with one flock of 200+ moving south. There is also an increase in the number of Chaffinches about, and also Goldfinches.
The only warblers about were Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, with one or two Chiffs singing. My first "large" flock of Long-tailed Tits were seen down Broadcroft Quarry Lane with 10 birds being followed by 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Great Tits and 5 Blue Tits.
In the lower horse paddock a lone male Stonechat.
Here are a few images:
Wakeham to The Grove and return. (Map courtesy Google Earth)
Along Broadcroft Quarry lane there were 6 Chiffchaffs here, 3 with the Long-tailed Tits and 3 more further north.
A Kestrel overlooks Portland Football Ground
Over East Weares a Buzzard being followed by a few Jackdaws.
A Goldfinch in the Autumn sun.
Birds Recorded between 12:30 - 15:45 were: 5 Cormorant, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 10+ Skylark, 20+ House Martin, 80+ Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Stonechat, Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 20+ Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 10 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, 2 Siskin and Goldfinch,
Butterflies recorded: 1 Small Copper, 8 Red Admiral, 10 Large White, 2 Speckled Wood.
Wakeham
A busy back garden this morning with Greenfinches, House Sparrows, Great Tits and Blue Tits on the feeders. Along the stone wall both Dunnock and Wren feeding in amongst the , whilst in the Cherry Tree a Chiffchaff was picking off insects. Also about 2 Blackbirds and a Wood Pigeon on the lawn.
Overhead several Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtails and a Song Thrush.
An interesting Chiffchaff feeding in the Cherry Tree.
As it was picking off the insects.........
......I noticed it had straw coloured legs.
The leg colour is often used to identify Chiffchaffs from Willow Warblers.
Ships Today
