A real mixture of sunshine and showers today, with the onus being on more showers than sun, as I found out on my walk this morning. I left in the sun but by the time I had reached Penns Wood the drizzle began to fall, followed by a good drenching on the beach at Church Ope Cove. And yep, as I returned home the sun came out!!
Unsurprisingly the rain put paid to anything of note other than 2 possible Syrphus ribesii hoverflies at 2 different locations feeding on the flowers of the Alexanders.
In Penns Wood there were a few male Chaffinches singing and a few Great Tits and Blue Tits calling. Also here was one of the hoverflies.
In the grounds of St Andrew's Church were 2 Goldcrests and the location of the 2nd hoverfly.
On the beach just 6 Rock Pipits and a pair of Carrion Crows. Behind the huts a small flock of Long-tailed Tits passed through and on the grass verge of the steps I came across a dead Shore Crab. Possibly dropped by a gull or crow!!
Unsurprisingly the rain put paid to anything of note other than 2 possible Syrphus ribesii hoverflies at 2 different locations feeding on the flowers of the Alexanders.
In Penns Wood there were a few male Chaffinches singing and a few Great Tits and Blue Tits calling. Also here was one of the hoverflies.
In the grounds of St Andrew's Church were 2 Goldcrests and the location of the 2nd hoverfly.
On the beach just 6 Rock Pipits and a pair of Carrion Crows. Behind the huts a small flock of Long-tailed Tits passed through and on the grass verge of the steps I came across a dead Shore Crab. Possibly dropped by a gull or crow!!
Over the cove as I left 2 Kestrels were seen hovering, with one of the birds dropping like a stone onto the beach. Not sure what it caught as it flew off around the headland.
Here are a few images from today:
This Rock Pipit doesn't look to happy. The rain certainly kept the Kelp Flies hidden under the rocks and pebbles, making it a little harder for the pipits to feed upon.
.......Carrion Crows were up to. Every now and then they would flick up a bit of seaweed, but for most of the time I was on the beach they were just stood on the rocks watching the world go by.
Here are a few images from today:
A brief respite as another weather front approaches.
Not sure what these two......
Not so the local Kestrels, with two birds hunting over the beach and Penns Weare.
The next lot of rain is imminent.
Behind the huts alongside the path a dead Shore Crab, perhaps dropped by a crow or gull.
And finally two sets of images of what I believe are Syrphus ribesii hoverflies.
As above.
And this is the 2nd Syrphus ribesii hoverfly.........
.............and another shot of it.
Birds Recorded: 2 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 6 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow and Chaffinch.
Also recorded: 2 Syrphus ribesii hoverflies.
Through the passing squally shower I just made out this Liberian Crude Oil Tanker 'NS Consul' on its way from Portland Harbour to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
Also recorded: 2 Syrphus ribesii hoverflies.
Ships Today
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.