20 Apr 19

Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Rufus Castle, Penns Weare, St Andrew's Church, Penns Wood and Wakeham Wood

Another glorious day and I was beginning to think it was to nice for bird watching until I ended my walk in Wakeham Wood and ticked off a Lesser Whitethroat. Also here were 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warblers.

Elsewhere it was a struggle to find any migrants apart from a Common Whitethroat and Willow Warbler at Broadcroft Quarry Lane and 2 Blackcaps in Penns Wood.

It was good day for reptiles and apart from the usual Wall Lizards I also found a Slow-worm in Wakeham Wood.

I had a few new butterflies for the year with the best being a Wall Butterfly in the quarry east of Broadcroft Quarry Lane. Also new for year were 2 Large Whites and 2 Orange-tips. Sadly none wanted to pose for the camera.

In the grounds of St Andrew's Church there were dozens of nomad bees flying back and forth just inches off the ground. Occasionally one would land on an Alexanders before joining the others. I'm pretty sure they were all Gooden's Nomad Bees.

At the top of Penns Wood I came across an unusual bug which turned out to be a Dune Spurge Bug, Dicranocephalus agilis 

Here are a few images from today:

I think this could be Common Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis). It was one of a few in the only standing water in the back-filled Quarry Here.

At first I thought this was a track in the mud, perhaps from a mouse or something. Sadly its Toad spawn which has dried out in the sun.

Down the steps at Rufus Castle a Wall Lizard basks in the sun.

Also down here a Common Green Shieldbug has just landed.

On Penns Weare a Harlequin Ladybird and.....

........another one showing variation of colour and spots.

I'm sticking with Gooden's Nomad Bee (Nomada goodeniana) and the were dozens of them flying low over the ground at St Andrew's Church.

A real grab shot of a female Hairy-footed Bee in Penns Wood.

Lord-and-ladies (Arum maculatum)

An unusual bug which I found  at the top of  Penns Wood.

After a bit of help on Social Media, it transpires that this is the scarce Dune Spurge Bug, Dicranocephalus agilis and is associated with Portland Spurge. Of course what else!!

A Slow-worm

I just missed the opportunity to photograph the Lesser Whitethroat, but managed this more obliging........

.........male Blackcap.

Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.

Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizards and Slow-worm

Butterflies Recorded: 4 Peacock, Large White, Green-veined White, Small White, Brimstone, Orange-tip and a Wall Brown

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees, Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Small Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) and 12+ Gooden's Nomad Bee (Nomada goodeniana)

Hoverflies Recorded: syrphus sp., Common Drone-fly and Chequered Hoverfly

Also recorded:  Common Green Shieldbug, Harlequin Ladybirds and a Dune Spurge Bug, Dicranocephalus agilis.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.