Yesterday there had been a report of a Hoopoe seen in a private garden somewhere on the island. Well today it decided to show itself to the public and was spotted in the waste ground of the Barns in Reap Lane Here.
So not wanting to miss out on seeing this exotic bird I headed off to the west side of the island. And sure enough with 5 minutes of leaving the house I was watching my first Hoopoe of the year.
Also here I watched my first 3 Sand Martin's fly past.
Here are a few images and a video from this afternoon:
This Hoopoe was in a private garden yesterday and today..........
.......it made a public appearance in the grounds of the Barn Here.
Having had a good feed, it sat on the plough for a few minutes preening before flying off.
An early Hoopoe to arrive on our shores. This one was in a private garden yesterday and today made a public appearance.
Having flown off while we were watching it, it reappeared 10 minutes later in the field east of the barn Here.
Another warm sunny day, which for the 3rd day running saw more butterflies on the wing and another new for year species, this time 2 Green-veined White Butterflies on the south facing cliff at Church Ope Cove. Also at the cove 1 Brimstone and several Peacock butterflies, whilst in the grounds of St Andrew's Church a Comma and another Brimstone.
On the bird front just the 1 Chiffchaff at the back of the cove and on the beach 2 Rock Pipits. With the mild conditions it appears any migrants coming to our shores aren't stopping off, well at least not at Church Ope Cove. Along Bumpers Lane 2 Greenfinches
Also about were a few Harlequins and Ladybirds. Along Penns Weare, there were both a Harlequin and a 7-spot Ladybird on the same Alexanders plant, whilst in Penns Wood I came across another Harlequin with a complete contrast of colour and spots to the one on Penns Weare. Also on Penns Weare a Bloody-nosed Beetle minding its own business. I also came across a snail to ID.
However the most bizarre find of the day has to go to a dead (and very smelly) Flounder which was along the track in the copse just off the steps in Penns Weare, where you come down the steps from Rufus Castle. This isn't the first time I have come across fish around the cove and I suspect this is another one dropped by a gull, which has ended up on the path.
Here are a few images from today:
Penns Wood with plenty of Russian Comfrey for ground cover.
On one of the Comfrey leaves a Harlequin Ladybird.
Also in the woods a snail to ID.
In the grounds of St Andrew's Church a Wall Lizard basking in the sun.
A slightly different perspective of the beach at Church Ope Cove.
Just the 2 Rock Pipits here today.
There were certainly a lot of Kelp Flies to keep them interested.
On the lookout.
A 7-spot Ladybird and............
.........below it on the same Alexanders plant a Harlequin.
A Bloody-nosed Beetle trundling along.
Rufus Castle and below the copse where today...............
.........I came across this dead Flounder.
The underside of a very smelly fish.
And at the top of the steps by Rufus Castle another Wall Lizard.
Reptiles Recorded: 8+ Wall Lizards
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Brimstone, a Comma, 8 Peacock and 2 Green-veined White.
Also Recorded: 1 Bloody-nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa), 2 Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis), a 7-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata). and a snail sp.
Fish Recorded (Albeit Dead): 1 Flounder
This is the Liberian Tanker 'Navigator Grace' on its way from Jorf Lasfar, Morocco to Kaarsto, Norway, via Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
Ships Today
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.