Wakeham Wood, Perryfield, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penns Weare, Penns Copse and Rufus Castle
A day spoilt by Portland Stone dust being blown across Wakeham Wood and all because contractors are on a time constraint to remove stone from Bottom Combe Quarry. The reason being is that work starts on yet another housing estate next week. Every tree, bush and me was covered, as clouds of dust billowed across the landscape.
A day spoilt by Portland Stone dust being blown across Wakeham Wood and all because contractors are on a time constraint to remove stone from Bottom Combe Quarry. The reason being is that work starts on yet another housing estate next week. Every tree, bush and me was covered, as clouds of dust billowed across the landscape.
When I spoke to one of the contractors, he pointed out that there was nothing they could do, as they had to clear the site by the end of the week. What gets me is that they have known about the new housing estate for a couple of years, yet they've left it to the last minute to clear the ground.
Where there was some shelter in Wakeham Wood, from the choking dust, I did record 6 Chiffchaff with one bird singing. The Spotted Flycatcher was still here, but no sign of any Blackcaps.
In Penns Wood the 2 Goldcrests were still calling and at the back of Church Ope Cove a single Chiffchaff was singing.
On the beach just 6 Rock Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail and 1 Grey Wagtail. Out to sea at least 12 Gannets and several Great Black-backed Gulls.
At Rufus Castle a single Blackcap.
Just 4 Large Whites about, 2 Red Admirals in Wakeham Wood where there was a single Speckled Wood.
At least 8 hours a day and another week to go. Wakeham is covered in a fine white dust. So much for caring about the environment, let alone the residents in the "line of fire".
I would have continued videoing the dust blowing across the meadows and wood, but it was getting in my eyes and and throat.
In Penns Wood the 2 Goldcrests were still calling and at the back of Church Ope Cove a single Chiffchaff was singing.
On the beach just 6 Rock Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail and 1 Grey Wagtail. Out to sea at least 12 Gannets and several Great Black-backed Gulls.
At Rufus Castle a single Blackcap.
Just 4 Large Whites about, 2 Red Admirals in Wakeham Wood where there was a single Speckled Wood.
The same/different Hummingbird Hawk-moth was in the wood again and just west of the wood close to the paddock a
Just three locations where a few bees, wasps and hoverflies could be found in the shelter or not dust covered. They were in Penns Cops, Rufus Castle and the path leading up to Portland Museum. Also along the Museum path an Amblyteles armatorius Ichneumon Wasp
Here are a few images from this morning:
Just a short walk from the cottage and this stretch of Buddleia by Wakeham Wood is still supporting up to 6 Chiffchaffs.
One of the 6 Chiffchaffs still here in Wakeham.
This is a Rush Veneer close to Wakeham Wood.
Only 6 Rock Pipits here today feeding on the Kelp Flies.
Out to sea Gannets and Great Black-backed Gulls
Gannet
And another.
On the rock wall under Rufus Castle a Kestrel
On the Ivy on the way up to Portland Museum from Rufus Castle an Ivy Bee.
Also in the Ivy this Amblyteles armatorius Ichneumon Wasp
Birds Recorded: 12+ Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 3 Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral
Moths Recorded: 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) and a Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella)
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Speckled Wood and 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)
Ichneumon Wasps Recorded: 1 Amblyteles armatorius
Hoverflies Recorded: Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea), Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 2 Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis, form - succinea)
Slugs and Snails Recorded: 2 Black Slug (Arion ater)
Ships Today
This is the British Cargo Ship "Victress" on its way from Schiedam, Holland to Teignmouth. More on this vessel Here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------