Port and Wey: September 2019

30 Sep 19

Wakeham Wood, Wakeham Railway Cutting, Perryfield, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penns Weare, Penns Copse, Rufus Castle, The Cuttings Quarry, Bumpers Lane, Bumpers Quarry, Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Lower Horse Paddocks.

An extended walk today and I don't know about "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music", but today it was the "Skies were Alive with the Sound of Birds", especially the Lower Horse Paddocks Here, where there must have been 400+ Meadow Pipits. On the ground it was difficult to count them, but when the local Kestrel appeared over the field they all came up and a rough count was made.

Elsewhere it was much the same with hundreds of Meadow Pipits, Swallows and Pied Wagtails passing overhead for a good 3 hours.

Other birds noted were:

Wakeham Wood: 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest a Song Thrush and 150+ Meadow Pipits heading south.

Bottom Combe Quarry: 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap and 2 Greenfinch

Wakeham Railway Cutting: 2 Chiffchaff

Perryfield: 3 Chiffchaff

Penns Wood: 4 Chiffchaff (1 singing), 2 Blackcap and 3 Goldcrest

Pennsylvania Castle Grounds: 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap

Church Ope Wood: 1 Chiffchaff

Church Ope Cove: 4 Rock Pipits, 2 Cormorants and 150+ Meadow Pipits moving south

Rufus Castle: 2 Chiffchaff

Bumpers Lane: 2 Chiffchaff

Bumpers Lane Quarry: 2 Chiffchaff

Broadcroft Quarry Lane: 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and a Reed Bunting

Lower Paddocks: As well as the 300+ Meadow Pipits also here 40+ Starling and a Stonechat

Here are a few images from this morning:

A female Blackcap in Wakeham Wood

Also in the wood a Chiffchaff.....

.......and another.

I think I've been spotted.

This Chiffchaff was in Bumpers Lane

And another Chiffchaff, this time in Broadcroft Quarry Lane

Probably the most Meadow Pipits I have ever seen in one flock. Here is just one of the 300+ seen in the Lower Paddock.

According to the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) Here, it is thought that around three million birds move south each Autumn, so the 300+ here today is but just a small passage of birds.

A Stonechat in the Lower paddock and seen here exactly a year ago today.

By the Cuttings Quarry the Ivy Bees nests are alive again along the right hand side of the cliff face.

Here are a few buzzing around their nests, in the same location as last year.

And a close up of one of the Ivy Bees.

A Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella) in Wakeham Wood again

There were several Harlequin Ladybirds, form succinea in Penns Wood today

Also in the woods 2 Harlequin Ladybird, form conspicua

And in the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle were these..........

...........two Grey Squirrels.

Mammals Recorded: 2 Grey Squirrel and a Bunny

Birds Recorded: 2 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, 30 Herring Gull, 1 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 3 Skylark, 200+ Swallow, 600+ Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 40+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Stonechat, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 14 Blackcap, 35 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 50+ Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch and a Reed Bunting.

Butterflies Recorded: 3 Large White and 2 Red Admiral

Moths Recorded: 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) and a Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella)

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)

Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis, form - conspicua) and Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis, form - succinea)

Ships Today

This is the Crude Oil Tanker "Eagle Kangar" flying the flag of Singapore. It is on its way from Ust-luga, Russia to Milazzo, Italy. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Training Ship "TS Royalist" on its way from Portland Harbour to Brixham. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Fishing Boat "King Explorer" on its way from Newlyn to an unknown destination.. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Replenishment Vessel "RFA Tidesurge" on its way out of Weymouth Bay. More on this ship Here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017

Today's Sightings Here.

29 Sep 19

Wakeham Wood, Perryfield, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penns Weare, Penns Copse, Rufus Castle and Portland Museum

Yet another blustery and wet morning, with winds gusting to over 30mph. However the warblers in Wakeham Wood are still staying put with 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Blackcaps.

Elsewhere at:

Wakeham Paddocks: 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcap

Perryfields: 2 Chiffchaff

Penns Wood: 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest

Church Ope Cove: 12 Rock Pipits and out to sea 2 Cormorants

Cove Woods: 1 Chiffchaff, a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and overhead 6 Swallows flying south.

Portland Museum: 1 Chiffchaff

Just 5 butterflies today 1 Speckled Wood in Wakeham Wood and 5 Red Admirals at (2) Wakeham Wood, (2) St Andrew's Church grounds and (1) Penns Copse.

At the back of the cove, where there was a bit of shelter, a few Ivy bushes have come into flower and they were full of bees, wasps and hoverflies. Lots of Ivy Bees here.

Most unusual sight today was a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly entering the German Wasp nest in the grounds of St Andrew's Church.

Here are a few images and a couple of short videos from this morning.

Wakeham Wood is still the place to be if you are a Chiffchaff.

Here's another one just checking out where to feed next.

On the steps at the back of Church Ope Cove Car Park was this............

............Dark Bush-cricket. I can't remember the last time I saw one this year!!

Penns Wood. A wood you have to catch at the right time for the birds. Today there were 2 Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff and quite a few Great Tits & Blue Tits. Hopefully soon there will be a Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrests.

I have never witnessed this before but I was watching this Hornet Mimic Hoverfly walking around the entrance to the German Wasp nest and then............

..........right out of the blue it entered the nest.

I wasn't expecting it to enter the nest, hence the very very short video.

I waited for quite awhile to see if the Hornet Mimic Hoverfly would emerge, but unfortunately it didn't. But judging by the German Wasps coming and going, I dont think they were aware of it being in the nest. This Hornet Mimic Hoverfly is a female and the reason she's entered the nest is to lay her eggs. It is thought that she releases a calming pheromone which keeps her safe from the wasps. Absolutely extraordinary.

The strong gale force wind is certainly stirring the sea bed up with..................

...............piles of Kelp being washed up high onto the beach at the Cove.

And along with the Kelp, trillions of Kelp Flies on every pebble on the beach.

Despite the wet and windy conditions these hardy Ivy Bees were out in force today, with more appearing daily.

Birds Recorded: 2 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 6 Swallow, 12 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 4 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow and Chaffinch

Butterflies Recorded: 1 Speckled Wood and 5 Red Admiral

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)

Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea), Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax), Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Grasshoppers and Crickets Recorded: Dark Bush-cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

28 Sep 19

Wakeham Wood, Perryfield, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove and Rufus Castle

Another breezy and sunny morning and still the warblers remain in Wakeham Wood with 6 Chiffchaffs (1 singing) and 2 Blackcaps. Under one of the Ivy bushes there is a blue tarpaulin full of water, which hasn't gone unnoticed by the Chiffchaffs and while I was there one came down with a Wren for a bathe.

Also in the wood 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robins and overhead a Yellow Wagtail flew south.

At other locations:

Penns Wood: 1 Chiffchaff

Pennsylvania Castle grounds: 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 8 Long-tailed Tit, Several Blue Tits & Great Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Robins and 2 Chaffinches.

Church Ope Cove: 16 Rock Pipits on the beach. Out to sea 1 Gannet a Cormorant and several Swallows passing through.

Rufus Castle: 1 Blackcap

Just 5 butterflies seen, with all seen in the church grounds apart from a Red Admiral on the steps up to Rufus Castle.

A new spot for the Ivy Bees today as an Ivy bush came into flower half-way down the steps from Rufus Castle to Church Ope Cove.

Here are a few images from this morning:

Sadly there are always neglected areas wherever you live, such as this one in Wakeham Wood. However at least..........

..........this piece of tarpaulin is providing to be a useful bathing spot for this Wren. A few seconds earlier there was a Chiffchaff doing the same.

The surrounding woodland is still providing food and cover for at least 6 Chiffchaffs like this one im a Sycamore.

At the top of Penns Wood this Grey Squirrel was "frozen" to the wall. As I walked around the corner it had shot across the path and up the wall. But instead of carrying on it chose to sit there, absolutely still. I took a photo and walked slowly towards it, which was enough to convince it that it was time to move.

At the back of St Andrew's Church in the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle, the slopes here were alive with birds including 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 8 Long-tailed Tit, several Blue Tits & Great Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Robins and 2 Chaffinches.

On the beach at the cove one of the sixteen Rock Pipits here this morning. The highest total seen here this Autumn.

On the way to the cove from Rufus Castle this Ivy was in flower and a magnet to several Ivy Bees.

One of the Ivy Bees soaking up the sun. Also here a.............

.................a 7-Spot Ladybird.

On the battlements of Rufus Castle a Kestrel has a bit of preen.

Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded: 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 7+ Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 15 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Butterflies Recorded: 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Speckled Wood and 2 Red Admiral

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)

Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)

Castle Cove

A quick visit to the beach here and plenty of Chiffchaffs in the bushes and trees along the slopes. Also 4 Mediterranean Gulls, an Oystercatcher and Little Egret.

A lone Oystercatcher on the beach having a snack.

The Mere

Still dozens of Pied Wagtails here this afternoon and a Yellow Wagtail in amongst them.

Ships Today

This is the Liberian Bulk Carrier "Adarose" on its way from Hamburg to Casablanca, Morocco. More on this vessel Here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

27 Sep 19

Wakeham Wood

Well I didn't get far on my walk this morning as shower after shower whipped across Portland. Just when you thought the sun was about to come out, another heavy shower appeared.

At least the walk to the wood only took less than a minute and when the rain became to heavy to stay out, I was back home very quickly.

Highlights today were 5 Chiffchaff with 2 singing, 1 Blackcap and a party of 12 Meadow Pipits that passed overhead at treetop height.

Also in the wood: Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, 3 Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, House Sparrow and Chaffinch

One of the 5 Chiffchaff still here in Wakeham Wood.

Here another searches out insects in amongst the Ivy.

For a brief second the sun came out. Short-lived though!!

Despite the appalling weather, this Chiffchaff and another close by was "Singing in the Rain"

The Mere, Lerret Road

Late morning in the field Here were 30+ Pied Wagtails, 11 Meadow Pipits and 2 Yellow Wagtails. As hard as I tried I couldn't turn any of them into White Wagtails despite the different stages of moult between them.

The field here just off Lerret Road was full of wagtails this morning.

A Pied Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

And the rear end of the second Yellow Wagtail

One of the 11 Meadow Pipits on the field.

Chesil Cove

With gale force winds blowing into the cove I was hoping to find something blown in, sadly all that was here were 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls and a pair of Pied Wagtails.