19 Mar 19

Portland Bird Observatory and Quarry

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:

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.

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 new bee for me on Portland.......

..........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.

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)

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, RobinBlackbird, 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.

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