Another day of howling gales which made bird watching pretty difficult, the only real highlight was a Black Redstart at Church Ope Cove. Its almost certainly the same bird seen this week, but perhaps took shelter in yesterdays down pours, hence no sighting of it then. In fact there were a few times today where it disappeared into small "caves" in the cliff to keep out of the wind, so I guess that's what it was doing yesterday to keep out of the rain.
The lane was eerily quiet and apart from a Robin that was it.
Elsewhere there were Long-tailed Tits calling from below The Cuttings and a Kestrel working its way along Penns Weare and the beach.
Also along the beach, with the Black Redstart, there were 10 Rock Pipits including the pale bird. I say 10 as 3 took off when walkers stumbled into them as I was watching them. Hmm. Also here just the one 1st winter Pied Wagtail and an adult bird.
No Goldcrests or Chiffchaffs in Penns Wood just 2 Chaffinches and that was it!!!
Here are a few images and videos.
Down through The Cuttings.
This Kestrel is really concentrating in the stiff breeze coming off the sea.
Its amazing how the body moves but the head keeps relatively still.
Having failed to find anything on Penns Weare.......
......it moves right onto the shoreline..........
........perhaps looking for a seafood meal!!
A Kestrel fishing, surely not!!
Hopefully this Black Redstart is a long stayer.
It was certainly enjoying the Kelp flies that are abundant here.
A Black Redstart on the beach at Church Ope Cove. Perhaps overwintering.
Ten Rock Pipits here today.....
........though three were spooked when some walkers put them up and they flew south.
A 1st winter Pied Wagtail. Close-by there was also an adult.
Pennsylvania Castle with the ruins of of St Andrews Church below.
In the woods a Harlequin Ladybird.
Old Man’s Beard, Clematis vitalba.........
...........Also known as Travellers’ Joy and Wild Clematis.
The hips of the Dog-rose, Rosa canina.........
After the flowers - Ivy fruit
Benji and Ted. Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.
Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, 6 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 10 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Black Redstart, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also recorded: 50+ wasps.
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On this day..........
2017Today's Sightings Here