11 Jan 19

Church Ope Cove and Penns Wood

An indifferent day, where the sun looked as if it would burst through the clouds but never quite did. Very little wind and a bit of a chill in the air.

Main highlights were the overwintering Black Redstart, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail all on the beach today. Other highlights were 2 Chiffchaffs at the bottom of Penns Wood, working their way along the trees behind the ruins of St Andrew's Church and the Great Spotted Woodpecker in the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle.

A Bumblebee was out on the Hebes today behind the beach huts and was the only insect recorded.

Here are a few images from this afternoon:

Much the same again the overwintering Black Redstart............

.........Stonechat............

..........Grey Wagtail and............

..........the male Pied Wagtail........

.......which was picking off the Kelp Flies. There's one behind you!!!

The "resident" Herring Gull back on its favourite rock. Well at low water that is.

A Rock Pipit has spotted something.

And this believe it or not is the "Rock" Robin, today he was right on the limit of his territory, which is the last two huts along the beach. The "Hut" Robin was further around today and keeping its distance. 

A very busy Chiffchaff.

First caught up with it today on Penns Weare..........

.......and eventually at the bottom of Penns Wood, where a second bird appeared.

A Bumblebee to ID. Probably Buff-tailed Bumblebee - Bombus terrestris

And some early Daffodils, well they will be when they bloom.

Birds Recorded: 2 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 9 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, 8 Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Also 1 Bumblebee sp. probably Buff-tailed Bumblebee - Bombus terrestris

Ships Today

This is the British Replenishment Vessel "RFA Tidesurge" out on manoeuvres again. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here