A much quieter day weather-wise with a slight northerly wind blowing down the island. Very overcast with a watery sun. In fact around 12:30 it rained for a few minutes.
A couple of good highlights with a Ring Ouzel in Penns Weare just below The Cuttings. I came across one there a few days ago. Also 2 Redwings which came in off the sea at Church Ope Cove and made their way up and over Penns Wood.
And so much for the anticipated increase of Rock Pipits at the Cove. Where there had been high numbers up until yesterday, I had thought that with less people on the beach the numbers would go back up again. Think again just 4 birds seen.
Here is a break down of this mornings birds:
.............though looking at its route again it appears it did another 360° off Swanage. Most odd. More on this vessel Here.
Tonight off Chesil Beach was this Container Ship "Cosco Shipping Denali" flying the flag of Hong Kong. It is on its way from Felixstowe to Piraeus (Greece). More on this vessel Here.
Today's Sightings Here.
2017
Today's Sightings Here.
Wakeham Wood: 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 1 Song Thrush
Penns Wood: 2 Goldcrest and a 1 Siskin overhead
Church Ope Cove: On the beach just 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Carrion Crow and a Herring Gull. Off the sea 2 Redwing.
Penns Wood: 2 Goldcrest and a 1 Siskin overhead
Church Ope Cove: On the beach just 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Carrion Crow and a Herring Gull. Off the sea 2 Redwing.
Church Ope Cove Woods: 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest
Penns Copse: 2 Chiffchaff
Penns Weare: Just below The Cuttings 1 Ring Ouzel and 3 Chiffchaff. Overhead 3 Swallows
The Cuttings: 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest
Bumpers Lane: 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest
Mermaid Track: 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest
Just 2 Red Admirals seen and no bees or hoverflies recorded.
Here are a few images from this morning:
Penns Copse: 2 Chiffchaff
Penns Weare: Just below The Cuttings 1 Ring Ouzel and 3 Chiffchaff. Overhead 3 Swallows
The Cuttings: 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest
Bumpers Lane: 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest
Mermaid Track: 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest
Just 2 Red Admirals seen and no bees or hoverflies recorded.
Here are a few images from this morning:
A Herring Gull at the cove.
Whoops time to.............
.........find another rock.
A Harlequin Ladybird form succinea in Penns Wood
There were quite a few leafhoppers about, possibly Ribautiana tenerrima
I had it my head that this was a harvestman, but many thanks to my good friend and fellow co-founder of Friends of Priorslee Lake - Ed Wilson, who pointed out to me that this is in fact a Daddy Long-legs Spider (Pholcus phalangioides). A new spider for me on Portland. More on this spider Here.
Birds Recorded: 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 3 Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Song Thrush, 15 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, 1 Siskin and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Red Admiral
Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Spiders Recorded: Daddy Long-legs Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
Chesil Beach
A bit of sea fishing off the Big Beach tonight. Plenty of bites and we even hooked a Conger Eel, but it came off. Overhead a few Redwings calling and also a sandpiper, possibly a Common Sandpiper!!
The odd thing though, was that the "Britannia" was heading in the wrong direction, and the 2 helicopters were now over the stern.
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Red Admiral
Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Spiders Recorded: Daddy Long-legs Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
Chesil Beach
A bit of sea fishing off the Big Beach tonight. Plenty of bites and we even hooked a Conger Eel, but it came off. Overhead a few Redwings calling and also a sandpiper, possibly a Common Sandpiper!!
Ships Today
Way off on the horizon the British P&O Cruiser "Britannia", on its way from Brest (France) to Southampton.
Also on the horizon were these 3 RIBS and 2 helicopters.
Ten minutes or so later it was back on track, with one of the helicopters still over the stern.
This is helicopter which was over the cruiser. A Merlin which judging by its heading was returning to to Portland.
The Britannia back on track....................
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.
2017
Today's Sightings Here.