27 Jan 19

Wakeham Wood, Penns Wood and Church Ope Cove

When the weatherman said it was going to be windy, he wasn't wrong, as a very strong Northwesterly blew across the island. Thank goodness Church Ope Cove is on the east coast and was protected from the worst of it.

Despite the Hut Roof repair work on Friday, which seemed to clear the beach of both the Black Redstarts, it was good to see they were both back today.

Also on the beach were around 53 Rock Pipits, a record for me at the cove. An earlier count of around 35 increased when they all took off and a further 18 or so birds were added to the tally.

The male Pied Wagtail was patrolling the beach as usual and a second Grey Wagtail arrived which was totally unexpected.

Wrens are a key feature at the north end of the beach, where a few males are now singing. Overhead a male Kestrel came swooping in and landed on the cliff face before diving down and across the beach, upsetting the pipits and wagtails. Whatever it was after, it missed it and proceeded to fly up to Penns Wood.

Not a lot flying about, but 2 Ravens seemed to be enjoying themselves croaking away as they passed through.

On the sea just off the beach a dozen or so Herring Gulls but out to sea there was absolutely nothing to report.

Here are a few images from this morning:

This is Black Redstart number one, who was displaced...............

..........by Black Redstart number two.

Not sure which one this is, but the Black Redstarts do like sitting on the hut roofs and jumping up and catching the flies above them.

The overwintering Stonechat.

One of the many Rock Pipits here today.

And they are so confiding, coming to within a few metres of where I was standing.

Others preferred to be on a Rock. What else!!

One of those photos where you know its a male Pied Wagtail without seeing its head.

One of the two Grey Wagtails here today.

The "Hut" Robin

Before..........

......... and after. The waves were certainly crashing onto the beach today.

And finally a few Herring Gulls to age, these were all in Perryfields Quarry as I walked through Wakeham Wood towards Penns Wood. Not a strong point of mine but good fun having a go. So the centre bird is an adult bird and in Summer plumage. The gull on the left is a 3rd Winter (I originally had this down as a 2nd Winter, but the head is too mature for that age) and the bird on the right a 4th Winter.

Hmm the difference is quite noticeable with a much darker individual on the right. But I'm going for 1st Winter for both.

If the right-hand gull in the above photo was dark, then just look at this individual. Almost a dark chocolate brown and would go for another 1st Winter. The bird on the right another 4th Winter. As always I will get confirmation and amend if required.

Birds Recorded: Kestrel, 12 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 53 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, Magpie, 2 Raven, Carrion Crow, Wren, Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Stonechat, 2 Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

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On this day..........

2018

Today's Sightings Here