A different day today with a stiff north-westerly wind and hazy sunshine. Even with the wind coming from a westerly direction, it was odd to find the wind coming from a south-easterly direction at Church Ope Cove.
Though the "odd" wind direction didn't bother the 23 Rock Pipits, the Pied Wagtail & Grey Wagtail on the beach, it did however push both overwintering Black Redstart and Stonechat up into the beach huts under the north cliff. There they remained for much of the afternoon, feeding on flies at the back of the huts and around the brambles.
Also along the north cliff a Red Admiral was on the wing as was a Buff-tailed Bumblebee. At the back of the beach on the Hebes was another Buff-tailed Bumblebee, plus a Honeybee, 2 Common Drone Flies and 2 Meliscaeva auricollis hoverflies.
On Rufus Castle a Raven landed on the edge and another was circling, calling and tumbling.
On the way back the cottage via Bumpers lane there were 40+ Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gulls resting in the lower paddock, where there was also a Song Thrush in the brambles.
Here are a few images and a video from today:
On the way back the cottage via Bumpers lane there were 40+ Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gulls resting in the lower paddock, where there was also a Song Thrush in the brambles.
Here are a few images and a video from today:
One of the two Chiffchaffs in Penns Wood this afternoon.
At the top of Penns Wood some very late Blackberries.
This Stonechat really does like to pose for the camera. Just a shame I was looking straight into the sun.
On the other side of the hut a slightly better shot, albeit further away.
On the beach the Rock Pipits didn't seem to mind the wind and were picking of the Kelp Flies.
The Grey Wagtail however knows his place and favours the north end of the beach.
This raven is sat below Rufus Castle and calling to its mate below.
While its mate sits on the castle this individual was flying about calling. This shot shows the tail feathers "in".........
.........and then tail "out".
And yes it can fly upside as well.
One of the two Buff-tailed Bumblebees out today.
In the lower paddock just north of Bumpers Lane were around 50 Herring Gulls and at least Great Black-backed Gulls.
The adult Great Black-backed Gull takes centre stage with a 1st Winter to the right of it.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 23 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Starling, Magpie, 2 Raven, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Common Drone Flies, 1 Honeybee, 1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee and 2 Meliscaeva auricollis hoverflies.
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On this day..........
2018
Today's Sightings Here