Lucky me, as somehow I managed to dodge some pretty hefty showers on my walk this morning, including a massive hailstorm which hit Portland just as I arrived back home. And timing was spot on when I got to Penns Wood earlier on my walk, as a huge flock of birds passed through with 30+ Long-tailed Tits, 5 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest, and several Great Tits & Blue Tits.
In a garden adjacent to the wood was a male Pheasant, which has found its way down here from the back gardens in Wakeham, where it has been heard calling from over the past week or so.
At the back of the cove there were 2 Chiffchaffs, but no sign of any Firecrests.
On the beach there were 10 Rock Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Wrens.
On the rocky ledge under Rufus Castle a Sparrowhawk came into land, whilst a Kestrel circled above it.
My last leg of my walk was along the railway Cuttings where there was a Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest and 12 Long-tailed Tits. Unfortunately no sign of the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat.
Here are a few images from today:
.........................are a couple of naff shots of one of the 4 Firecrests in the woods today.
And a Goldcrest.
...............Pied Wagtail.............
..............Grey Wagtail and............
.............for the 10 Rock Pipits on the beach.
At the back of the cove were these two...............
..............Chiffchaffs.
Another shower passes over Rufus Castle. On the rocky ledge under the castle was this.........
............very rude Sparrowhawk!!!!!
That's better thank you.
It looks like it's spotted something.
I'm not to sure what he's seen, but it was enough for him to give chase.
A Girdled Snail makes it way across the path by Rufus Castle
And a watery sun over Church Ope Cove.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 10 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 5 Firecrest, 42+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 1 Raven and Chaffinch
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Slugs and Snails Recorded: Girdled Snail (Hygromia cinctella)
Ships Today
This is the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship "RFA Tidesurge" in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.