This afternoon I made a trip down to the Portland Bird Observatory, where there were 4 Chiffchaffs with 2 singing birds. Also here were several Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Great Tits and Blue Tits.
In the Obs Quarry the 2 Little Owls were out on their ledges, and on the surrounding Alexanders I came across an Ichneumon Wasp (Exephanes ischioxanthus) and a Mining Bee (Andrena apicata).
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
Easy to identify in the hand as a male. In the field a lot more difficult, though the red extending behind the eye can sometimes be an indicator for male birds, but not always the case.
..........a Large Sallow Mining Bee (Andrena apicata). Not one I have seen before on the mainland either.
I did wonder whether this was a female Ichneumon extensorius but I have been told that it is an Exephanes ischioxanthus. A new one for me on Portland.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
The resident Little Owls out on the ledges.
One sleepy bird and...........
........the other keeping a watchful eye on me.
This male Goldfinch was in the mist net at the Obs.
A new bee for me on Portland.......
Birds Recorded: Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 2 Little Owl, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 4 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Ichneumon Wasp (Exephanes ischioxanthus) and a Mining Bee (Andrena apicata)
This morning it was a walk down to Church Ope Cove, where the only highlights were 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 in Penns Wood and the other behind the cove, where there were 2 other non-singing birds.
On the beach a male Pied Wagtail, with a small party of 6 birds heading north overhead with 2 Meadow Pipits. On the rocks an Oystercatcher.
Here are a few images from this morning:
Birds Recorded: 1 Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, 1 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 4 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: 3 Buff-tailed Bumblebee and 100's of Kelp Flies.
Wakeham
A Chiffchaff singing this morning in the neighbours back garden and a pristine looking male Grey Wagtail on the cottage roof.
Today's Sightings Here.
Also recorded: 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Ichneumon Wasp (Exephanes ischioxanthus) and a Mining Bee (Andrena apicata)
Penns Wood and Church Ope Cove
This morning it was a walk down to Church Ope Cove, where the only highlights were 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 in Penns Wood and the other behind the cove, where there were 2 other non-singing birds.
On the beach a male Pied Wagtail, with a small party of 6 birds heading north overhead with 2 Meadow Pipits. On the rocks an Oystercatcher.
Here are a few images from this morning:
A male Pied Wagtail on the beach at Church Ope Cove.
Heading across the bay an Oystercatcher makes its way.........
..........to the rocks to the south of the cove.
A Buff-tailed Bumblebee on an Alexanders.
Birds Recorded: 1 Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, 1 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 4 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: 3 Buff-tailed Bumblebee and 100's of Kelp Flies.
Wakeham
A Chiffchaff singing this morning in the neighbours back garden and a pristine looking male Grey Wagtail on the cottage roof.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.