What a difference a day makes as the storm force winds and torrential rain from yesterday gave way to really calm start to today. The forecast was rain for this afternoon, so I was up fairly early for a walk down to Church Ope Cove via Penns Wood.
In the wood there was one of the local Grey Squirrels tree hopping, while above it a Meadow Pipit was heard calling as it headed south. Also here a small party of Long-tailed Tits which vanished into thin air as I made my way down to the beach.
After yesterday's horrendous storm it was a bit of a surprise to see that both the Stonechat and Chiffchaff were still in the cove.
The Chiffchaff was in the hut area around the stream, whilst the Stonechat was at the north end of the cove. And not for the first time the Stonechat came to me, I have no idea why, but as I stood there by the huts, it worked its way along the top of the shingle bank and past me. It did this a couple of times before the "Rock" Robin made a bee-line towards it and forced it up onto the north bank. After several minutes on the bushes it came back down onto the beach.
Also here were 18 Rock Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails (the latter flew off towards the woods as I arrived) and also an Oystercatcher working its way along the shore-line.
Flying around the cove were 2 Kestrels, several Carrion Crows, 20+ Herring Gulls, a single Black-headed Gull and a fly-by Cormorant.
Here are a few images and a couple of videos from today:
A watery sun to the south of the cove.
This Stonechat is in its 3rd day here on the cove.
.............until the "Rock" Robin chased it off.
One of the 18 Rock Pipits on the beach today.
Another bird that is also use to humans walking up and down the beach.
This one is sporting a metal leg ring. Possibly the same bird seen here on 9 Dec.
A very busy Oystercatcher poses for a second before...........
...........making its way along the shoreline.
One of the two Kestrels feeding over Penns Weare.
A lone Black-headed Gull makes its way out to sea. In the background the Cypriot vehicle carrier "Main Highway"
Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Black-headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Meadow Pipit, 18 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wren, Dunnock, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 3 Robin, 3 Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Ships Today
This fishing boat is really motoring. Must be fish around.
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On this day..........
2017Today's Sightings Here