On twitter this morning there was a tweet about 2 Ring Ouzels in the Top Fields. So it was off to see if I could locate them, albeit 3 hours later. Unfortunately after a couple of hours of searching I didn't find them.
However it wasn't all lost, as a fly-by Yellow Wagtail was a first for year for me as it flew south!! over the Southwell Barns. Also at this location there were a dozen Chiffchaffs feeding upon the flies on the manure heap by the barns, whilst overhead there were dozens of Sand Martins and Swallows streaming north.
In the Top Fields I came across a male Blackcap and several Blackbirds, whilst just above the Crown Estate Fields a Wheatear was in one of the Horse paddocks.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
This morning there were many birds arriving off the sea and this afternoon was no exception. This one plonked itself right next to me in the fields close to Culverwell.
Apart from the large flocks of starling we see here in the Winter, its always nice to catch up with a few lingerers. This one appears to be still in Winter plumage with that dull coloured beak.
Birds Recorded: 2 Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: One 7-spot ladybird, several Peacock butterflies.
Church Ope Cove and Penns Wood
It was even warmer today, with the main highlight this morning being lots of Meadow Pipits coming in off the sea at the cove and flying north-west.
In the Top Fields I came across a male Blackcap and several Blackbirds, whilst just above the Crown Estate Fields a Wheatear was in one of the Horse paddocks.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
The manure heap at the Southwell Barns is still proving to be a magnet for the Chiffchaffs.
There must have been a good dozen birds flitting about the hedgerow here and ...........
.........on the spoilt Hay and Horse Manure.
Just needed a faster shutter speed to capture one of the Chiffchaffs taking off.
So many Meadow Pipits today.
Two Stock Doves feeding in a recently ploughed field by Culverwell.
On the way back to the Obs, one of the local Kestrels takes a break from hunting.
In the far distance the Lighthouse and to its right the Obs Lighthouse.
Lots of Peacock butterflies on the island and.........
..........great to see so many 7-spot Ladybirds defending their corner against the invasive Harlequins.
A Wood Pigeon.
Birds Recorded: 2 Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Also recorded: One 7-spot ladybird, several Peacock butterflies.
Church Ope Cove and Penns Wood
It was even warmer today, with the main highlight this morning being lots of Meadow Pipits coming in off the sea at the cove and flying north-west.
The 'resident' Chiffchaff is still at the back of the cove and much the same as the past few days, lots of Wall Lizards and hoverflies about, including a new hoverfly for me, a Dasysyrphus albostriatus. I also came across an unusual fly called a Celery Fly, Euleia heraclei
Here are a few images from this morning:
Quite a few hoverflies out again today. This one is I believe a Dasysyrphus albostriatus and a new one for me on Portland.
This Carrion Crow has a beak full of Horse hair which it collected from outside my neighbours house. Good nesting material no doubt.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 20+ Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Reptiles recorded: Wall Lizards
Butterflies Recorded: 7 Peacock, 2 Green-veined White.
Also recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Tree Bumblebee, Dasysyrphus albostriatus hoverfly, Syrphus sp. hoverflies, 2 7-spot Ladybirds, a Harlequin Ladybird and a Celery Fly.
Today's Sightings Here.
Here are a few images from this morning:
So hazy today and the visibility out to sea almost zero.
One of many Wall Lizards out sunbathing today.
Penns Wood.
A Syrphus sp. hoverfly
Honey Bee
This unusual fly is a Celery Fly, Euleia heraclei
A Harlequin Ladybird
Dunnock
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 20+ Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Reptiles recorded: Wall Lizards
Butterflies Recorded: 7 Peacock, 2 Green-veined White.
Also recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Tree Bumblebee, Dasysyrphus albostriatus hoverfly, Syrphus sp. hoverflies, 2 7-spot Ladybirds, a Harlequin Ladybird and a Celery Fly.
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.