Wakeham Wood, The Windmills, Thumb Lane, Avalanche Wood, Reap Lane, Sweethill, Combefield Quarry, Cheyne Weare, Church Ope Cove and Penns Wood.
A very long walk today (10:15am - 12:45pm) from Wakeham across to Weston, down to Southwell and back up the east coast to Church Ope Cove and back to Wakeham.
Undoubtedly the best highlight was an European Bee-eater heading north over The Windmills. It must have been quite high as I was unable to see it and not helped by a a couple of hundred racing pigeons that had just been released over Easton. But no mistaking that flight call they make. Here's an example on Xeno-canto HERE.
Elsewhere a scattering of warblers, mainly Common Whitethroats, a few Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs whilst at Combefield Quarry there was a Lesser Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler close to Thumb Lane.
Other birds of note were several Swifts, House Martins and Swallows moving up the west side of the island.
No sign of the Turtle Dove at Southwell, but several Stock Doves there.
Between Cheyne Weare and Church Ope Cove a few Common Whitethroats singing, plus Rock Pipits and a family of Long-tailed Tits moving along the Weare.
My first Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) of the year along Cheyne Weare was the only invertebrate of note.
Here are a few images from today:
Wakeham Wood
The local Kestrel hovering over Wakeham Paddock.
After dropping to the ground to grab its prey, I get the feeling that he missed it. He's not happy!!
A female Swallow.......
..........and the male to the right. A few seconds earlier and you would have told them apart as well. 😉
Avalanche Wood. Not a wood I've visited before, looks interesting though. Today just a single Chiffchaff.
Locally 2 Slow-worms, an adult and on the left junior.
The Barns at Reap Lane. 2 Spotted Flycatchers here today.
In the bushes close-by juvenile Starlings and an adult.
Cheyne Weare leading into............
...........Church Ope Cove.
If I have got this right....
.........this is Yellow-rattle......
........Rhinanthus minor which was growing in Wakeham Wood.
Field Scabious, Knautia arvensis
Along the track at Cheyne Weare I came across these flowers........
.........which are White Rock-Roses, Helianthemum apenninum...........
.............and were being visited by my first Swollen-thighed Beetle of the year. This one is a male.
Birds Recorded: Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, European Bee-eater, Skylark, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Reptiles Recorded: 2 Slow-worms
Butterflies Recorded: 1 Holly Blue and 1 Common Blue
Bugs and Beetles: 1 Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)
Portland Harbour, Weymouth Bay and Portland Marina
For the first time in months Dawn, Kim and myself went out in Star to give her a run. With an auxiliary engine now fitted, I'm a lot happier in the knowledge that if the big engine ever packs up I can still get back, albeit a bit slower.
While we were out, a weather warning came over Channel 16, so after an hour of bobbing about in the harbour and Weymouth Bay it was back to the marina. As we moored up and headed up the main ramp, Kim noticed some odd looking fish in the water. Turns out they were Black-faced Blenny's (Tripterygion delaisi). Also in the clear waters was a Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber).
Turns out they are Black-faced Blenny's. However they aren't true Blenny's as these have three dorsal fins and scales, whereas true Blenny's only have one dorsal fin and mucus covered skin. More on this fish HERE.
Also lurking about in the Marina was this Velvet Swimming Crab. Also known as the Devil Crab. More on this Crab HERE.
Butterflies Recorded: 1 Holly Blue and 1 Common Blue
Bugs and Beetles: 1 Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)
Portland Harbour, Weymouth Bay and Portland Marina
For the first time in months Dawn, Kim and myself went out in Star to give her a run. With an auxiliary engine now fitted, I'm a lot happier in the knowledge that if the big engine ever packs up I can still get back, albeit a bit slower.
While we were out, a weather warning came over Channel 16, so after an hour of bobbing about in the harbour and Weymouth Bay it was back to the marina. As we moored up and headed up the main ramp, Kim noticed some odd looking fish in the water. Turns out they were Black-faced Blenny's (Tripterygion delaisi). Also in the clear waters was a Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber).
With the onset of bad weather we decided to head back to Portland.
In the marina were these really weird looking fish.
Ships Today
This is the Latvian Cargo ship "Adele" on its way from Southampton to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
