Wakeham Wood, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penns Copse and Mermaid Track
A very windy and freezing if you were exposed to it. At least the sun was out and if you found shelter it was quite pleasant.
Main highlights today had to be the number of male Common Whitethroats singing in several places along my walk. There was 1 in the fields north of Wakeham Wood, 1 in Bottom Combe Quarry, 3 on Penns Weare and 2 along the Mermaid Track.
Other highlights were 2 Whimbrel which landed on the rocks at the north end of Church Ope Cove, where there were also 2 Oystercatchers and a pair of Herring Gulls.
Also in Wakeham Wood a Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps. In Penns Wood 2 Blackcaps and a Willow Warbler. Church Ope Cove another Blackcap, Willow Warbler and several Swallows catching flies along the south facing cliff face.
Along the Mermaid Track there was also a Blackcap and 4 House Martins catching insects above the Sycamore.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
Looking north-east towards Wakeham and the bridge which once upon a time passed over the Weymouth to Portland Railway Line.
Just north of Rufus Castle this patch of brambles above the rocks was a male Common Whitethroat establishing his patch.
...........It is found in grassy places and normally by the sea on cliffs-slopes. This one was on Penns Weare overlooking Church Ope Cove. Another flower to add to my Portland Plant List Here.
Birds Recorded: 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 4 House Martin, 8 Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 7 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizards
Butterflies Recorded: 5 Large White
Bees Recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Hoverflies Recorded: Syrphus sp.
This is the Portuguese Container Ship "Oland" on its way from Cork to Southampton. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Liberian Tanker "Fredericia" on its way from Lerwick to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Maltese Tanker "Skaw Provider" on its way into Portland Harbour from an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
A very windy and freezing if you were exposed to it. At least the sun was out and if you found shelter it was quite pleasant.
Main highlights today had to be the number of male Common Whitethroats singing in several places along my walk. There was 1 in the fields north of Wakeham Wood, 1 in Bottom Combe Quarry, 3 on Penns Weare and 2 along the Mermaid Track.
Other highlights were 2 Whimbrel which landed on the rocks at the north end of Church Ope Cove, where there were also 2 Oystercatchers and a pair of Herring Gulls.
Also in Wakeham Wood a Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps. In Penns Wood 2 Blackcaps and a Willow Warbler. Church Ope Cove another Blackcap, Willow Warbler and several Swallows catching flies along the south facing cliff face.
Along the Mermaid Track there was also a Blackcap and 4 House Martins catching insects above the Sycamore.
Here are a few images from this afternoon:
The Field just north of Wakeham wood where there was this..........
.............male Common Whitethroat singing.
Along the path here are a few Brown-tail Moth caterpillars.
In the grounds of St Andrews Church a Wall Lizard. The first I have seen for a few days.
The view across Church Ope Cove and along its south facing cliff.......
...........a few Swallows catching insects on the wing.
A bit further along the cove these exposed rocks were visited by.......
.......not one, but........
.........two Whimbrels.
Here they are together.
Also in the cove this Oystercatcher..........
....and its mate.
And never to far away a pair of Herring Gulls.
Rufus Castle towering above Penns Copse, where......
.......there were still a few Green-longhorn moths on the wing.
He was certainly in good voice.
This is Pale Flax (Linum bienne) and is normally in flower between June and September........
Birds Recorded: 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 4 House Martin, 8 Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 7 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizards
Butterflies Recorded: 5 Large White
Bees Recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Hoverflies Recorded: Syrphus sp.
Ships Today
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.