13 Dec 19

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Church Ope Cove Wood, Rufus Castle and Portland Museum

A fine sunny day, albeit but very windy. Main highlight today was the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat still overwintering along the railway cuttings here in Wakeham.

Elsewhere there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker which I came across at the railway cuttings, Penns Wood and then in the wood at the back of the cove. A very flighty bird you could say. Also at the back of the cove was a solitary Firecrest, though I suspect the second bird overwintering here, wasn't too far away.

On the cove were 11 Rock Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails (the adult and the 1st winter), 1 Grey Wagtail and a few Wrens.

Also noted were a Red Admiral at the back of the cove and a Wall Lizard in the church grounds.

Whether it was the wind, which made it difficult to see and hear the birds, but I didn't log a single Goldcrest!!!

Here are a few images from today:

Great to see that the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat..........

........is still here in Wakeham despite the very changeable weather here on Portland.

A Collared Dove which sadly are now in decline. They first bred in the UK at Cromer, Norfolk in 1957, after which their numbers rose dramatically, but since 2005 there has been a noticeable drop in their numbers. More on the decline Here.

On the beach today was this adult and.............

.............1st winter Pied Wagtail.

Also foraging for the Kelp Flies was this Grey Wagtail and.........

..........Rock Pipits.

The Rock Pipits were also joined by a few...............

..............Wrens and this..............

.........Robin.

Overhead a Kestrel hovers over the beach.

Also here a Raven makes one of its patrols over the beach and weare. Its mate is not to far away. 

A Grey Squirrel sunbathing.

In the church grounds a juvenile Wall Lizard.

The sun also enticed these German Wasps out of their nest.

And another wasp which I came across at the back of the cove. The markings are different from the German Wasp. Possibly a Common Wasp, but then the nest close by is dormant. It's a shame I couldn't see the markings on the face, which would have helped with the ID.

And a Red Admiral on the Hebes again. As long as the sun is out and there flowers about I dont think this will be last time I see this butterfly on the wing in December, especially at the back of the cove.

Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded: Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Raven and Chaffinch

Reptiles Recorded: 1 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Butterflies Recorded: 1 Red Admiral

Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Ships Today

This is the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship "RFA Lyme Bay" in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

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

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.