11 Mar 19

Penns Wood and Church Ope Cove

After a 2 day break for my Daughters Wedding, it was back down to Church Ope Cove this afternoon to see what was about. On the way down through Penns Wood there was a Goldcrest and the 'resident' Common Green Shieldbug in its usual spot.

In the grounds of St Andrews Church there were several Syrphus torvus hoverflies and a Chiffchaff.

Further down the steps at the back of the cove I came across a second Chiffchaff, followed by a third feeding in amongst the Ivy on the cliff face.

The beach itself was completely void of birds other than 2 Oystercatchers feeding on Mussels on the rocks. There were no Rock Pipits, Pied Wagtails, the Grey Wagtail, Wrens and no sign of the female Black Redstart seen here Thursday and Friday last week.

Here are a few photos from this afternoon including a Chiffchaff I photographed from Portland Bird Observatory later in the afternoon.

Church Ope Cove from St Andrew's Church

The cliff face where a Chiffchaff was feeding in amongst the Ivy.

And here it is stretching across to grab an insect.

And here again grabbing another bite to eat.

And resting up in the sun. Shame about the twig.

Overhead the local Kestrel was........

.......on the lookout for a snack as well.

An Oystercatcher passes across the Cove.

Meanwhile another 2 are feeding on the rocks.

The bills are bright orange, unlike the individual which flew across the bay earlier.

As the waves began to break over the rocks so the first bird left followed.......

.....by the second.

Penns Wood covered in Russian Comfrey.

The Common Green Shieldbug is still in the same area as it was 9 days ago.

What an odd looking thing.........

........in fact it is one of the Syrphus torvus hoverflies which I captured flying upside down.

Here's another feeding on an Alexander.

And at the Obs later this afternoon there were around 3 Chiffchaffs in the garden.

Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 1 Raven, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Also recorded: 7 Syrphus torvus hoverflies, 1 Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and a Buff-tailed Bumblebee and a Common Green Shieldbug.

Ships Today

This is the Danish Cargo Vessel 'Marianne Danica' on her way from Emden, Denmark to Portland. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Offshore Supply Ship 'Biscay Sentinel'. Judging by its past track it has been on maneuvers just off the Bill. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Tanker 'Star 1' flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Whitegate, Ireland to Primorsk, Russia. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Tanker 'Brentholmen' flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Portland Harbour to Port Jerome, France. More on this vessel Here.

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

2018

Today's Sightings Here.